14 thongs and flip flops we’ll be wearing this spring

WORDS Kirsty Thatcher PUBLISHED Tue, 8 Sep 2026 – 3:30 pm

If you thought the only time you’d reach for your thongs was on beach days or for a heavy dose of noughties nostalgia, think again. The humble slip-on shoe has risen through the ranks in recent years, to become one of the most covetable styles to sport this spring and summer.

Nowhere was this more evident than Copenhagen Fashion Week’s Spring Summer 2027 shows. All week long, stylish Danes proved the thong is chicer than ever, pairing the unassuming footwear style with everything from bubble maxi skirts and summer dresses, to denim jorts and suiting.

Still need convincing? Flip flops have also cropped up on several major runways in recent seasons. At Miu Miu FAll Winter 2024, they cut a casual figure, crafted from chunky rubber, complete with a gold logo. While at Chanel, thongs took a more elevated turn, with supple leather and crystal interlocking C logos reigning supreme. Naturally, it didn’t take long for similar sandal styles to trickle through to our own wardrobes. In addition to the OG Havaianas (a certified Australian icon, despite its Brazilian roots), local favourites like A Emery, The Row, and Christopher Esber have put their own spin on the classic. And, for those of you who can’t wrap your head around sporting thongs in their traditional form, there’s also a few heeled iterations on the market. Toteme, and Khaite are behind some particularly covetable styles.

Ready to dip your toes (pardon the pun) into the trend? Below, start planning your next pedicure and shop the 14 thongs we’ll be coveting come this summer season.