The flip-flop is undeniably the shoe of the summer.

Seventeen ways I’m wearing the shoe of the summer.

Jul 06, 2025

A story for the NYT written by none other than the shop rat herself, Emilia Petrarca.

By now, you’ve probably seen the endless chatter, discourse, and general hullabaloo about the undisputed shoe of Summer 2025: the flip-flop. Flip-flops were all over the men’s shows. That image of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in her black crewneck and jeans has made the rounds again and again. And of course, The Row’s “Dune” flip-flop has probably crossed your feed more than once, whether in praise or in condemnation. (But let’s not forget the precursors to the Dune like the “City,” “Beach,” and how could we forget the “Ginza.”)

The great flip-flop spectrum, from **$20** to **$690**! (Left)**Havaianas** styled back to a viscose dress from **6397**, Chris Easter scarf (you could easily find a **stack of secondhand silk scarves** and tie them together for a similar feel), and a **Trenza** belt (here’s a hearty **alt**). (Right) The Row’s “Dune” **flip-flops**, in the most recognizable colorway of the red sole and black grosgrain straps, styled with a Dries Van Noten **kaftan** and cargos from Front Street General Store (notable alts **here** and **here**).

There’s no denying this shoe is trending, right when trends themselves feel more or less obsolete. I’d wager they feel even more present, at least in the fashion bubble, because they’ve finally infiltrated the rarefied air of menswear. It’s no longer "déclassé" for men to show their (hopefully pedicured) toes. But really, even last summer, when the claws of quiet luxury still had a grip on us, flip-flops found a happy home in womenswear. Open-toed shoes were already par for the course in that space, but there was something about slipping on a pair of Havaianas with your nightgown last summer that felt like the epitome of stylish ease. In

Max Berlinger

’s excellent piece all about the return of the flip-flop, he spoke with trend forecaster Michael Fisher who said:

“Saying we’ve been bombarded with chaos and conflict for five years is an understatement, and it shows no signs of slowing down,” Fisher says. “We thought post-pandemic would bring a new Roaring Twenties—excess and formality—but consumers chose the opposite: fewer decisions, more basics. They’re exhausted and in no mood for fashion with a capital-F.”

The Row “Dune” flip flops, more sizes available **here**. The sunglasses are also from The Row (good alts **here**, **here**, and **here**). **Banana Republic** linen shirt, **Ruadh** Bermuda denim shorts, **Starling** hoop earrings, **Old Jewish Man** baseball cap, or you could always go with the OG.

**Parker Thatch** camo bag (the **red paracord** is also from Parker Thatch, and the little charm is from Don’t Let Disco), **Christian Caruso** “Italian” link bracelet, **Selim Mouzannar** enamel ring (I’d also look at something like **this**), **Lizzie Fortunato** necklace, and my **Renato Cipullo** paper clip chain that I usually wear with charms but have been more into wearing on its own lately.

It’s perhaps that exhaustion with capital-F fashion that has given way to this sense of tackiness, which also feels like a direct rejection of the pomp and circumstance that hovered over the now declawed trend of quiet luxury. It makes sense that the flip-flop feels right for this moment because the shoe itself harbors a certain level of kitsch— but beyond that, there’s an undeniable cringe factor to that flimsy bit of rubber.

On one hand, the ickiness comes from the shoe itself. If you think about it, the flip-flop is basically the footwear equivalent of sweatpants (maybe during the winter the more appropriate comparison would be an Ugg) because they’re so tied to casual comfort. On the other hand, it’s less about the shoe, and more related to where you wear it. Especially in a city like New York, the thing I hear most (usually in a tone of utter disgust) is, “You wear open toed shoes in the subway?” (To which I always think: if you’re willing to grab the subway railing with your bare hand, what difference does it make if your toes are out?) Yet at the same time, it’s that whiff of lowbrow grit, mixed with the wearer’s sense of self, that makes this choice so interesting. It speaks exactly to

Allison Bornstein

’s idea of the wrong shoe theory: playing with unexpected contrasts is what gives a look texture and appeal. That’s what makes the otherwise gauche pairing of a flip-flop and cargo pants feel so gratifying in the context of today.

The full look from above, just with the full-length view. **Here’s** another **kaftan** to consider, as well **as cargos**. Colbo bucket bag (and **here’s** the one I was all about last summer).

A look of the back as I was crossing the street.

It’s also what makes the current styling from the men’s shows even more intriguing — like in the case of Auralee or stalwarts like Armani, who used flip-flops to cut through the formality of more formal looks.

Banana Republic **drawstring pants** (which are the more approachable version of **these pants**) **sweater**, and **bucket hat**. **Madewell** denim shirt, **Tibi** blazer, **Doen** bag, and the pearls were reworked by Jennifer Aflano.

If you read Wednesday’s letter, you’ll recognize the inspiration behind this look. **Nili Lotan** silk shirt, Saman Amel MTM trousers (you can shop Saman Amel via **MyTheresa** or **Mr. Porter**, but **here’s** a good pair of pleated black trousers you can wear this summer), CJR **sarong**, **Il Bisonte** clutch.

On the ear is **Presley Oldham**, **Eliou** shell necklace, and more sarongs available **here**, **here**, and **here**.

**Levi’s** denim jacket, **Polo Ralph Lauren** linen popover (currently on sale ~~$168~~**$134**), Husband’s corduroy pants. I get that a full cord pant might not be for everyone, so you could always swap them for **cord shorts** instead.

A closer look at the layering happening here. Under the Polo shirt there’s a VTG Versace (if I remember correctly it’s either 93 or 96) shirt I found on eBay four years ago (**who** does a better **printed silk shirt** than **Versace**?!). The tie was actually the first Christmas gift I ever got Nick. He never wears it, so here we are. It’s vintage Chanel, and if you’ve been reading this newsletter for a while you know I have a soft spot for cheeky patterned ties (1, 2, 3). Obviously, layering is one thing, but playing with color and print takes it to another level. My rule of thumb for layering is that all the pieces should share at least one color in common. That way, even if you go wild with prints and shades, there’s still a clear throughline.

And the fact that designer brands are offering up their own versions of this run-of-the-mill shoe only adds to the fanfare. You can go the high-end route with The Row’s Dune, Louboutin’s cheeky studded “Super Loubi,” or the rather esoteric Margiela Tabi flip-flops. Or you can stick with the everyday options that inspired them in the first place: Havaianas, Sperry, or Tkees. The beauty is that none of these options are wrong, and at the same time, having a designer name stamped into the sole isn’t a signifier of anything but the brand. At the end of the day, they’re all just rubber (or in some cases leather).