It's a thong thing: why £16 flip-flops are the shoe of summer 2019
Forget sliders, dad sandals, Crocs and even Birkenstocks. To get ahead on summer 2019 fashion, the footwear to buy into is the humble flip-flop. The thonged sandal – which dates back to at least 4000BC – is, of course, a regular sight from beach to city street every summer. But it hasn’t been properly fashionable, arguably, since the early 00s, when women like Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen made it as integral to their LA around-town look as XXXL sunglasses and four-figure handbags worn hooked over one arm.
With this era rediscovered by a generation of people who were children around the turn of the millennium, it makes sense that flip-flops are in focus again. They were a trend among influencers at Copenhagen fashion week this year – increasingly a site for emerging street style.
Designers from Michael Kors to Molly Goddard featured versions of flipflops on the catwalk for spring. The Olsen sisters, meanwhile, have consistently worn them. When a photograph of the duo for WSJ magazine was shared on Instagram in August to announce the addition of menswear to their fashion line The Row, it was the black flip-flops they were wearing that caused a frenzy. The post has so far received more than 10,000 likes.
Part of the appeal of the flip-flop is, of course, the price. The biggest brand in the world of flip-flops is Havaianas, which was founded in Brazil in 1962. With countless variations available, the Tradicional style is £16.
Retailers including Net-a-Porter and Asos are tipping the flip-flop as the style for summer 2019. “Flip-flops are a big deal for Asos for spring,” says Aisling McKeefry, Asos head of design. “Originally evolving from Instagram, the trend is for simple toe thong designs on to flats and super-sexy glam heels. Toe loops are also going to be trending.”
Elizabeth von der Goltz, global buying director at Net-a-Porter, agrees, saying: “For spring/summer 19, Staud are doing this trend particularly well with their chic asymmetric styles in a variety of textured and leather colourways. Chloé too have amazing wrap versions. We’re excited to have bought heavily into these collections for next season.”
The stylist Jeanette Friis Madsen, a street-style favourite who was photographed in flip-flops at Copenhagen fashion week, believes their relatability means they are a sure thing for the summer. “They’re easy, affordable, comfortable, casual and fun,” she says. Rather than saving flip-flops for the beach, she advises using them as a way to bring a casual edge to daytime outfits. “They’re perfect to downgrade a flashy summery dress,” she says. “Or mix them up with a pair of wide suit trousers for an effortless expression.”