You heard it here first, or from that one friend who never stopped wearing them: The thong sandal is having its moment. The minimalist ’90s staple has officially crossed into grown-up territory, and credit goes to brands like The Row, Toteme, and Tory Burch for upgrading it with sculptural heels, buttery leather straps, and just enough polish to make you forget about their foam rubber ancestors.
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They’ve also made runway cameos like at Alaïa, Sportmax, Ferragamo, and Miu Miu, reimagining the thong sandal silhouette somewhere between barely-there and better-than-you-remember. Even Havaianas had their moment, championed by Scandinavian street style stars back in the summer of 2018. Now, flip-flops come square-toed, kitten-heeled, and perfectly prepped for every setting from rooftop cocktails to actual sand, just like these ones.
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Sunny, strappy, and stamped with double the French pedigree, these sandals have an ease with enough edge to make it to the city.
Leather sandals, $595, LONGCHAMP x K. JACQUES.
A high-shine “LRL” logo brings polish to the sandal’s minimalist silhouette, while the nappa leather used is so soft it practically sighs.
Everley sandals, $595, RALPH LAUREN.
A square heel and strap fastening keeps the sandal's rhinestone-studded centrepiece grounded, just in case your evening turns into an all-nighter.
Thong sandals with heels, $1,250, GIORGIO ARMANI.
Celine’s unapologetically extra take on the thong sandal pairs the gleaming Triomphe logo with just enough padding to suggest you walk everywhere.
Lympia Triomphe sandals, $1,450, CELINE.
These are flip-flops from a Pinterest moodboard: Delicate straps with a metallic finish that comes in five colours, and a sharp toe shape.
Slim Point sandals, $65, HAVAIANAS.
Jelly, but make it designer. Consider it your childhood beach shoe reissued with a French passport, shell-shaped heels, and a scallop-inspired sole.
Jelly sandals, $1,800, CHLOÉ.
These pool-side-to-everywhere-else sandals toughen up their minimalist silhouette with lug soles and the House’s enamelled metal triangle logo.
Rubber thong sandals, $1,040, PRADA.
Runway photos: Courtesy of Launchmetrics Spotlight