Flip-flops have long outgrown their role as purely beachwear no longer reserved just for holiday escapes.
In recent seasons, minimalist flat thong sandals have dominated the spotlight: clean, understated, and mostly rendered in neutral tones. Last summer, these pared-back styles flooded city streets, becoming an effortless staple that worked with virtually any wardrobe.
This season, however, fashion takes a nostalgic turn. Platform and wedge flip-flops—familiar from the ’90s—are stepping back into focus. Reimagined with a contemporary edge, they feel more refined and relevant than ever. Elevated soles and softly contoured shapes visually elongate the foot, adding both height and elegance. While once tied to a playful Y2K aesthetic, 2026 iterations come across as far more polished and sophisticated.
The trend is especially evident on the runways: from sleek, barely-there designs at Christopher Esber and Vaillant to bohemian lace-up interpretations at Zimmermann, as well as everyday-ready platforms seen at Balenciaga and Chloé.
