Call them flip-flops, call them thongs; The toe-support sandal is the divisive original shoe, long predating Crocs, Uggs and ‘dad’ sneakers.
Everyone will be familiar with the sight of an ungroomed foot on a molded foam sole, held together by a pair of plastic or nylon straps. They usually appear at the first sight of the sun. They can be relaxed and transcend age and gender; But fashion is not like that.
Still, if you’re a lover of the chic, expensive aesthetic sold by designer brands like Toteme, Brunello Cucinelli, and The Row, it might be time to reacquaint yourself with flip-flops. This year, they are very much back in fashion, not only for beach holidays, but also for the city, for work, for weddings and parties. They rebranded; When done right, they are now seen as a beautiful, minimalist shoe option.
They can also be jaw-droppingly expensive. Former Céline creative director Phoebe Philo’s newest drop is a pair of 75mm wedges with thin suede straps. Price? £750. This is a bargain compared to The Row’s best-selling Ginza flip-flop flat form, which retails for £960 (M&S makes the perfect gift for £35). Still, you can expect to see these luxurious thongs in chic spots everywhere this summer, from the pool of the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc to the Serpentine Summer Party.
“I love pairing it with a smart dress for evening or a cotton shirt and tailored shorts for day,” says Christina Martini, co-founder of Ancient Greek Sandals, which sells sleek leather styles for men, women, and kids. “I think you need to balance their natural comfort with some dressing.”
Investment by national retailers in a particular trend is a strong indicator that that trend will grow, and for M&S flip-flops form part of a wider offer that is strong in stylish flats, says Lisa Illis, head of womenswear design: “It’s a key we buy with confidence and our customers “It’s a shoe trend that we know is important for… They really come into their own during the summer season and offer a versatile, high-low style option for a casual holiday or more elegant looks.”
Even flip-flop experts have seen an increase: “In the first quarter of 2024, we witnessed a 25 percent increase in traffic in our e-commerce and a 27 percent increase in revenue in our e-commerce compared to the same period last year,” says Alpargatas Europe. Harm van de Camp, OluKai’s president in Havaianas, saw sales of OluKai’s classic Ohana sandal increase 41 percent year-on-year and sales of its Honu sandal increase 34 percent.
One of the most accessible trends of this summer – and I say trend in the most general sense because never Really They left, didn’t they? They’re comfortable and easy to find on the high street, so there’s no need to pay hundreds of pounds for a pair.
All you have to do is think about when you’re most likely to wear them so you can get the pair that best suits your lifestyle and follow these simple guidelines…
Rules
Get a pedicure
This is a non-negotiable for men and women. There’s nowhere to hide in flip-flops, and an ungroomed foot is the kiss of death for your summer look, no matter how stylish your clothes are. At least a basic pedicure will keep your feet healthy.
Make them stylish and stylish
They should look like an aesthetically pleasing shoe option, not orthopedic walking sandals. If you plan to wear it in a business or social context, opt for suede or leather, stick to neutral colors and avoid anything with flashy logos or patterns.
Arm yourself with plasters
No shoe should tear your feet to shreds, but new shoes are bound to cause some irritation. If you suspect blisters may be forming, detect this early and apply a cloth plaster (which won’t actually budge) to the area as soon as possible – prevention is better than cure, and the abrasion should disappear after a few uses.
Know when to part ways
We’ve all worn our beloved shoes to death, but that’s a showy look, and there comes a point when a pair of flip-flops just doesn’t look appealing anymore. At this stage of decay, a worn-out shoe is probably not good for your foot health or posture either. Keep in mind that if you invest in a quality pair of sandals initially, you’ll find that they last longer than an affordable pair.
What to buy
in the city
If you plan to wear your sandals in a more formal setting other than the beach, you need to be careful. Rubber flip-flops are great, but not for the office. Look for a leather pair instead. A wider upper strap or, in the case of women’s sandals, a small heel can also add a sophisticated look.
Ladies: Mera leather sandals, £160, Ancient Greek Sandals ancient-greek-sandals.com; Men: Mr P Fede suede sandals, £195, Mr Porter mrporter.com
on vacation
If you want the practicality of a waterproof pair of flip-flops without sacrificing style, keep it simple. Havaianas’ new Una Açai style has a knot detail that looks chic and references the look of Miu Miu’s Riviere sandals.
Ladies: Una A.C.ai sandals, £45, Havaianas havaianas-store.com; Men: Tuahine waterproof sandals, £105, OluKai olukai.co.uk
To a party
Men should tread carefully here, as thong sandals will only really feel appropriate by the beach or in an oppressively hot environment. But wear them in the right context; It will look great with a linen suit. These Dear Frances women’s sandals have a low heel that’s perfect for dancing all night long.
Ladies: Seagrass Flis sandals, £450, Dear Frances dearfrances.com; Men: Claremont leather sandals, £125, Russell and Bromley russellandbromley.com