Unusually, the UK has shared the great summer weather this year with temperatures into the 80s day after day. Perfect for barefoot girls you might think. BUT I've not spotted one - not a single one - day or night town or country. In and around London, the Underground, the mainline stations, Waterloo and Paddington and further beyond in the suburbs and countryside - still not a sausage. has anyone in the UK been luckier than me? And, more to the point do you have any pictures? People, this CAN'T go on.
Mike123

In Doncaster I've seen two women barefoot in the last week or so, both had their shoes with them. Sorry no photos. Overall not much happening.

Not much happening in the US either ...

I also hate that the summer will be ending sooner rather than later. You know that feeling when it is almost August and you know the nice days are numbered. It is not like May when there is so much promise.

I can't speak for elsewhere but one theory I have in the U.S. is the rise in pedicure obsession has stopped women from going barefoot. They spend so much time/money a week at the nail salon, they don't want to risk messing up their beloved pedicure (there must be at least 1000 in my state alone - maybe more. Every shopping center, large and small, has a nail salon, sometimes two). I really wish nail salons would just vanish.

Some interesting points here, guys, thanks.

jwdf88: agree totally, August is the fag end of summer isn't it but often the time for the best barefoot sightings as girls have become used to wearing little on their feet and find it easy to make the last step.

Also Notting Hill Carnival can bring out some good barefoot sightings (IWISH Paul would do a Barefoot Travel feature to the Carnival)

Personally, I blame the comfy sandal for the lack of barefoot girls. Years ago in the 80s when girls routinely wore heels they'd remove them at some stage and go barefoot. Also I seem to remember that some would just go barefoot anyway in favour of uncomfortable heels which was wonderful. Now there's no need. So maybe the nail salon thing is in some way to blame and it's an interesting thought but I don't think it's the whole answer.

Anyway, for those in the UK old enough to remember Shaw Taylor I'd just say, 'Keep 'em peeled'.

Mike 123

Have to agree with Mike I'm afraid. Been round several of what used to be UK barefoot hotspots (Camden Market, various seaside resorts) in some of the hottest weather and not spotted one this year so far

I think the explanation for the lack of barefoot women in the US is twofold:

1, more conservative, uptight culture, particularly down south, where the weather might be better for it. Plus, there's probably lingering poverty associations with it down there. Compare the US to Germany, and there simply aren't as many people willing to be outwardly eccentric.

2, bad climate for it. Take New York City, a more liberal and tolerant town than many in the US. It's too cold for much of the year, and too hot for much of the rest. Again, in comparison to Germany, summers are too hot to go barefoot, lest you burn your feet.

There are a few places, particularly on the west coast, where it's both liberal culturally, and the climate is mild, and thus, you see more barefooters out there.

The last time I saw any females barefoot in London was somewhere near the end of June and the beginning of July. I remember it was pretty warm that day (although it started off rather overcast).

I first saw a lady who was probably in her thirties padding along the street barefoot in the Wandsworth/Putney area. Her feet were beautifully French-pedicured, and her soles were black as night. She was carrying a pair of ethnic sandals.

Then in the early evening I spotted a girl in Clapham who looked to be between 19 and 23, carrying a pair of high heels, and strutting confidently along the pavement in her bare feet.

Unfortunately, despite the continuing heatwave, I haven't seen any more since :-(

YOU ARE RIGHT i live in uk i have not seen as meny barefoot girls as in years gone by and in an heat wave this year was hopeing for a lot ......very strainge .....as some of you may now i had sight on..... flikcr barefootgirls1 ....and lots of pics on ther where from uk ....some days i did not now where to look in uk there was that many barefooters ....but this year not good hardly a barefooter in sight

After reading this post I thought they was no hope of seeing barefoot girls. However, today I had my first proper sighting. It was a girl with her boyfriend walking along the main road. She was in her 30s and was wearing sunglasses, a white top, a long pink dress and, of course, no shoes! She was carrying a denim jacket and I could not see for sure but she looked as though she had no shoes with her at all! Her feet were fairly clean which suggests she had left the house with them although the ground was damp in places.

It was an unusual sighting as the weather was not as warm today and there were a few showers. A very brave girl indeed for going barefoot!

So son't worry everyone, there is still hope!

Great news, Maverick: in fact it's often the case that the slightly cooler and sometime even wetter weather brings out the barefoot girls, especially after a hot spell as if there's some sort of delayed action effect.
Still no sightings for me but hugely encouraging news. Even better that she had no shoes with her at all (though as you say this can't be verified).
Looks like the weather is about to turn hot again here in the South East come the end of the week so maybe some luck then.
Incidentally Maverick, where in the UK are you?
Thanks,
Mike123.

I'm also from the south east. I spotted this girl near Bromley. Hopefully it's a regular thing for her and I will see her again!

Had another sighting tonight. I was at the local pub and a girl wearing a black top and black shorts came walking past in bare feet. Once again she had no shoes with her at all. She seemed to be having some sort of argument with her boyfriend so she may have taken her shoes off in the pub and ran out without them. Either way it was a nice surprise!

i havnt seen many barefoot girls this year as usual here in austria.
only about 20 in the last couple of months.. but really interesting, since 3 weeks i always see the same barefoot girl in the supermarket every friday afternoon afterwork when i buy some food for the weekend!
too bad i just have an old crappy cellphone with no camera, here soles where pretty nice and dirty

what i´m also concerned as a toering lover, that i have only seen ONE!!! female this year wearing a toering, out of more than thousands feets i have seen on the street and pedestrian area
i still remember the golden years when every 5th female wore one or even more toerings