I Just Came Back From Holiday And Everyone Is Wearing These Nostalgic £23 Sandals

In 2024, it seems like fashion has completely exhausted its creative faculties. There is no such thing as new trends - there’s only things that we’ve forgotten about and my latest footwear obsession is further proof for this theory. Havaianas flip flops are certainly nothing new. I remember when I last wore a pair about 13 years ago. Back then they had a lot less fashionable appeal but now, I’m back donning the clomping soles and they’re giving all my designer sandals a serious run for their money.

Having just returned to London from a two week stint in Greece *sigh*, I can shamelessly admit that even though I packed four pairs of shoes as part of my holiday wardrobe(including a furry Dries Van Noten pair of flip flops), my Havaianas were the ones out of which I got the most use. I’m saying ‘shamelessly’ because, let’s face it, in fashion terms, wearing rubber flip flops was considered a cardinal sin until at least last summer. Despite a few initial stumbles on Greek cobblestones - one has to get used to one's toes holding up these sandals - I live to tell the tale. Everyone else (well, almost everyone) had packed their Havaianas, too, from fashion writer and creator Camille Charrière to Emili Sindlev and Iris Law. Somehow, these humble flip flops have become the shoe of the season.

Are we surprised? Not really. The resurgence of the Brazilian footwear icon is not exactly a startling sartorial ambush. So far, we have unearthed every other Y2K trend, so the ASMR-worthy footwear was simply the logical conclusion to our obsession with the discombobulated aesthetic of the early aughts. 20 years ago, everyone worth the time of TMZ paparazzi was going head over pedi-spreaders for the slapping sound of the rubber shoes, from Paris Hilton to Kim Kardashian. And almost two decades on, they hold just as much appeal, making themselves heard at the beach bar and in front of street style photographers alike.

And lo, glad tidings, I’ve made a cost-per-wear effort (which isn’t too much of a challenge given that the classic style is £23) to bring them with me into the city, swapping my shorts for long trousers and the beach tee for a crisp white shirt. They’re easy to wear, are surprisingly comfortable, and don’t pretend to be something they’re not. If anything, they say one thing and one thing only: pass me the piña colada. Since being back on London’s tube is not quite as blissful as sitting by the Med, I’ll do anything to keep the holiday spirit alive.

Which Havaianas flip flops are in style for 2024?

Controversially, I’ve fallen for the white colourway. Why? Because they look particularly good set against a sun-kissed foot. Good news if you’re not in the market for a shoe you need to wipe clean after each wear, the retro appeal of the Havaianas makes them a winner in every hue. From the monochromatic styles to the iconic green and yellow version, there’s no one trend colour, just pick the ones that spark the most joy. What’s more, the square-toe styleis proving to be extremely popular amongst city-dwellers, giving the beach staple a sophisticated upgrade.

How do you style Havaianas flip flops?

Having worn them for two weeks outside of my holidays now, I can attest to their versatility. To dial them up a tad, I have paired my white pair with wide-leg, black tailored trousers. The result? Surprisingly minimalist. Also, don’t be afraid to pair them with maxi skirts and sundresses. The key is to maintain a high-low balance.

Shop: The Best Havaianas Flip Flops

The best Havaianas collaborations:

Established in 1962 as the first company that mass-produced rubber flip-flops, Havainas has since been leading the charge when it comes to the Japanese-inspired footwear. No surprise, then, that a plethora of designer brands have collaborated with the Brazilian company to put their spin on one of the world’s most iconic shoe designs.

Havaianas X Maison Kitsuné

The French-Japanese lifestyle brand Maison Kitsuné collaborated with Havaianas earlier this year, creating a fashion forward statement with its designs for the brand's staple sandals.

Havaianas X Dolce & Gabbana

Are you looking to make a statement with your flip flops? In which case you might want to consider the latest collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana, featuring the Italian brand’s signature maximalist prints.

Havaianas X Farm Rio

The brainchild of Farm Rio and Havaianas is a truly organic fusion of the two brands, resulting in feel-good footwear that you’d expect to find at the Copacabana.

Henrik Lischke is the senior fashion features editor at Grazia. Prior to that, he held the role of commerce writer at British Vogue, and was junior fashion editor at The Sunday Times Style. A first-class honours Fashion Journalism graduate from UAL: London College of fashion, Henrik is invariably on the lookout for the newest talent in fashion, that is driving the industry forward, and shining the spotlight on them whenever possible. He’s also got a passion for interiors design and the arts.