Not that it ever really went away but for decades, the simple rubber flip flop has been a suitcase staple, reserved for beach holidays, hotel pools and the occasional dash to the corner shop. But this summer, the flip flops’s biggest change isn’t the shoe itself, it’s where we’re wearing it. The fashion crowd has officially taken the clomping soles off the sand and onto the street. A quick scroll through street style images and you’ll spot them everywhere: worn with slouchy jeans, silk skirts and oversized shirting. The look feels undone, as though the wearer has somewhere important to be but couldn’t quite bear to put on a proper shoe.
Recent collaborations have thrown the flip flop straight into the limelight. Take the Havaianas x Isabel Marant drop, the designer and high street combo that proves a sandal could be luxury. Meanwhile, brands are reviving the nostalgic jelly shoe, heavily vibed by the Ganni x Melissa partnership.
Red flip flops too have been absolutely everywhere lately, going hand in hand with the ‘pop of red’ trend that has dominated this spring. This comes after the fashion world collectively obsessed over The Row’s iconic red base, black strap sandal last year, which was spotted on everyone from Kylie Jenner to every major influencer on your feed.
©Getty Images
The love for flip flops even extends as far as brands creating kitten-heeled sandals. Love them or hate them, they have quickly become a street style favourite, and celebrities like Hailey Bieber have become the poster girl for the shoes, often teaming them with the equally divisive capri pants.
The beauty of the modern flip flop is its styling versatility. It easily dresses down tailored trousers, smart suiting, bermuda shorts, and summer dresses. It’s also great to see fashion circuit is still loving that classic nineties minimalism look, the effortless Jennifer Anniston style of throwing simple black flip flops on with straight-leg jeans and a white tank.
©Getty Images
The market now caters to every budget imaginable. You can run into Zara and grab a pair for the price of a coffee in London. And on the flip side, you have investment pieces from Ancient Greek Sandals – a brand known for beautiful summer footwear, or the edgy, alt-luxury of the Balenciaga Cagole Studded TPU Sandals. But, most importantly, they’re incredibly comfortable, so you won’t have to sacrifice the soles of your feet.
Shop: Best Flip Flops
Renee Washington, Grazia’s digital fashion and beauty writer, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie..
