Men can look stylish in flip flops (yes, really)
The divisive summer shoe has been given an elevated rebrand. Find your pair here, and book a pedicure before you give them a spin...
Flip-flops are among the world’s most divisive shoes. Second only to Crocs, thongs (as flip-flops are otherwise known) have long been the preserve of Clapham-dwelling gym bunnies and, as a consequence, style kryptonite for brands, editors and fashion followers alike.
At least, that was the case before Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen-fronted luxury brand The Row got in on the act. Shown as part of the label’s spring/summer 2025 presentation in Paris, block-coloured foam flip-flops featuring comfortable fabric toe straps were worn with loosely-tailored suits and fluid trousers teamed with shirts and waistcoats. The look was very 19th century Aussie prospector on his way home from Third Space, and was surprisingly seductive.
The new flip-floppy mood was mirrored at Kenzo, where cult creative director Nigo showed cork and rubber takes on traditional zori sandals, developed exclusively for the LVMH brand by Kyoto-based artisan Gion Naito. The look was laidback and elegant, blown through with an easy Japanese breeze.
High fashion’s shift towards flip-flops contradicts wider market trends. In 2023, leading Brazilian flip-flop brand Havaianas decreased in value by eight percent, bringing the company’s worth to £123 million GBP. A pair of the label’s rubber sandals cost less than £30, which could mean – in a surprise sartorial volte-face – that the flop-flop’s fate lies squarely on the feet of luxury consumers.
Rubber, £25, Havaianas
“With designer brands offering elevated flip-flops, the style has been given an upgrade which is now changing how and where they can be worn,” says David Morris, buying manager at Mr Porter. “We’ve seen strong demand for elevated flip-flops and sandals from our roster of luxury brands this season. Mostly driven by classic, minimalist leather styles from labels like Saint Laurent and Manolo Blahnik.” He adds that, “Brunello Cucinelli’s luxury take on the casual everyday flip-flop in nubuck and with grosgrain straps have also performed well.”
Leather and grosgrain flip flops, £290, Brunello Cucinelli
But the question begs, is it really possible to wear the new breed of flip flop without looking like the aforementioned south-west London meathead? “Flip flops belong on the beach, by the pool, and at a push, in the garden – if your backyard resembles a Slim Aarons photo,” says stylist Catherine Hayward, who dresses Benedict Cumberbatch. “Otherwise, the list of requirements is endless: pedicured toenails, brown ankles, moisturised heels, low key leather Hermès anklet, tasteful resort. It’s almost impossible to look good in a pair of thongs. Avoid.”
Style director of Esquire magazine, Johnny Davis, takes a more magnanimous view. “I think there’s always room for a flip-flop – I’m a firm believer in having the right outfit for every occasion and for the beach or laid-back holiday, flip-flops are perfect,” he says. “The modern flip-flop is thought to have been brought back from Japan to the US by World War Two soldiers, where it flourished as a practical and simple piece of clothing. I’m not going to argue that it’s not useful, but the time to wear it to the office has passed.”
The Row’s flip-flops will likely cost just shy of £1,000 when they hit stores later this year, but the good news is that there are a wide array of elegant and affordable flip-flops currently available if you plan on embracing the look this summer.
Russell and Bromley has produced a sleek pair in full chestnut leather, Gant does a nice padded sheep leather set with squared-off, zori-style soles; while the aforementioned souped-up Havaiana styles from archduke of stealth-lux Brunello Cucinelli are perfect for the beach if you prefer your holiday feet to remain sweat-free.
Leather sandals, £125, Russell & Bromley
Padded sandals, £150, Gant
For a spot of inspiration, celeb land is perpetually awash with flip-flop wearing men. Bradley Cooper is regularly spotted out and about in LA sporting fabric strapped flip flops with Bermuda shorts and slim-cut cargo pants, while both David Beckham and Orlando Bloom have been known to wear flip flops (matched tonally to their outfits, naturally), when running errands on the fly.
You could also do worse than look to the silver screen. “Like a lot of men’s fashion, some of the best classic examples of flip flops are found in cinema history,” says Davis. “I love Clive Owen wearing flip flops in the 2008 Alfonso Cuarón film Children of Men and Josh Brolin’s character taking on Mexico’s drug gangs in flip flops in Sicario.”
And failing that, you could just make like Mary-Kate and Ashley and wear yours with drapey tailoring from The Row, so long as you’re prepared to part with a major organ or two.
Read more of Teo van den Broeke’s style writing on his Substack newsletter, The Closet