There is nothing more freaky than a little pair of flip-flops. Why? Because you’re basically wearing floss between your toes. You’re showing skin, but it’s not the same as wearing a dress that shows a bit of clavicle or shorts so short they expose your upper thighs.
Showing all your toes is honestly even more forbidden, especially if you live in a city like New York, where the wearing of flip-flops, in general, is considered controversial. The city streets have seen a lot, and putting on a thin pair of sandals doesn’t put much between you and the elements.
But this was bound to happen. Showing your toes was destined to be popular after a couple of years of Margiela tabis going mainstream. And then, at the spring/summer 2025 runways, brands like Tory Burch showed peep-toe pumps with small cutouts at the tips for the explicit purpose of exposing toes. It felt like an unexplored frontier.
So, flip-flops started trending as a result—but not just Havaianas (which remain as popular as ever, especially when styled almost ironically with high-end pieces and formalwear, à la the Olsen twins). These days, you’ll find flip-flops with the word sublime printed on the straps, some made entirely of baby-blue, jelly-like rubber, and others featuring little heels or cheeky PVC straps. Flip-flops are no longer flopping, so to speak. The days of simply slipping them on for the pool are long gone—they’re now a way to add a bit of intrigue to your summer look.
That being said, there are lots of ways to participate in the fun this season. Below, see our guide for finding out which freaky flip-flop style you should go for.
If You Loved the Way Ryan Gosling Said “Sublime” in the Barbie Movie
One of Tory Burch’s favorite words is “sublime,” which she decided to embroider on the nylon straps of her aptly named flip-flops. The word is followed by swimmers who appear to be going from your feet to your ankles. The flip-flops are also elevated with sexy wedges, making them unlike any sandals I’ve ever seen before. It might also be the only pair of flip-flops on the market that make people do a double-take and wonder, What does that say?
tory burch
Sublime Wedge Flip-Flop in Misc
If Your Preferred Party Beverage Is a Jello Shot
How much jelly is too much jelly? Apparently, the boho revival says you can never have too much. Chloé has reimagined flip-flops as thong sandals made of jelly-like rubber with shell-shaped heels. This is what a modern-day mermaid would wear if she magically gained her land legs for the day—with a flowing chiffon top with billowing sleeves, of course.
If You Enjoy Stirring the Pot
When The Row released its Dune flip-flops, the brand went viral for the price tag. (They’ll set you back over $690.) But what other option out there is guaranteed to be both well-crafted and conversational?
