One of the best things about fashion is its ability to make us all believe that a practical item we've all been wearing without thought for decades is, suddenly, brand new. It's sartorial gaslighting and, even if you don't think you'd ever fall victim to such a cruel pattern of behaviour, chances are you're ignoring the flared jeans in your wardrobe. This is probably why every celebrity from here to the nearest TikTok mansion is suddenly wearing flip flops again like they've just been invented.
EmmaChamberlain is an avid fan of the practical yet can-be-elevated shoe and mentioned in a recent episode of her podcast, Anything Goes, that the flip flop is an underrated trend that stands the test of time. There is no surprise, then, that we've many celebrities sporting a pair both on and off duty. For instance, Bella Hadid has been spotted wearing Alexander Wang's Ivy Logo Thong Sandal flip-flops on more than one occasion.
The sandals are a heeled version of a classic flip flop complete with the diamanté logo on the front strap. The fact that she paired these with jeans, an unbuttoned shirt and gold hoops really invoked the spirit of Adriana from The Sopranos, but that's a story for another time.
Many retailers, both high-end fashion houses and high-street stores have been embracing the shoe trend of the year, too. Mango, for instance, has embraced flip-flop-esque sandals with its Leather Structured Sandals, as well as Gucci whose Blonde Thong Sandals have made their presence known just in time for the coming summer months.
But the flip flop isn't a particularly new phenomenon within the fashion industry. Back in 2020, flip flops saw a resurgence (for high fashion purposes that is) during Copenhagen fashion week. While the pandemic prevented many members of the fashion industry from attending, Danish show-goers enjoyed looking at new collections from the links of Ganni, Baumund Pferdarten and Stine Goya in real life. And guess what? They were all wearing flip-flops.
The only thing left to do now is shop some of the best ones, ready for the coming summer months. A sophisticated twist on an otherwise practical form of footwear is perhaps what we need in our wardrobes this season.
SHOP: The Best Flip Flops To Buy Right Now
shop.mango.com
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Mango's Structured Leather Sandals are stylish and versatile, featuring a structured design that adds a modern touch to any outfit. Come in two colours, Brown and Vanilla.
www.farfetch.com
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These Jimmy Choo Diamond Flip Flops are glamorous and elegant with their sparkling diamond embellishments, perfect for a touch of luxury.
www.havaianas-store.com
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Havaianas Slim Textured Flip Flops are comfortable and stylish with their textured design, adding a trendy touch to your summer wardrobe.
www.farfetch.com
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The Birkenstock Gizeh Vegan Flip Flops are eco-friendly and comfortable, providing a classic style with a cruelty-free, vegan construction.
www.dunelondon.com
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DUNE Mykonos Ecru Heels offer a chic and sophisticated design with a neutral ecru color, perfect for versatile styling.
www.loewe.com
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The LOEWE Foam Slide Flip Flops are a luxurious statement with a sleek design that exudes elegance and sophistication.
www.harrods.com
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These Kurt Geiger London Kensington Q Flip Flops are trendy and comfortable, featuring a stylish logo detail for a fashionable look.
www.stories.com
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These black leather thong sandals from & Other Stories are chic and versatile, perfect for a stylish summer ensemble. Black Tie event appropriate, we would argue, too.
www.farfetch.com
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Gucci's Blondie Thong Sandals are a glamorous choice with their iconic logo detail, making a bold fashion statement.
dearfrances.com
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This Wrap Sandal by Dear Frances is a stylish and versatile shoe featuring a unique wrap-around design for a chic look.