Summer's Best Flip-Flops Don't Forgo Style

Emma Childs

May 22, 2024 at 1:58 AM·6 min read

A collage of four images of women wearing flip flops on the street.

The odds are that some of your fondest childhood memories include running around in rubber flip-flops to save your feet from scorching hot sand. And yet, the hard-working, nostalgic summer shoe rarely gets the respect it deserves, relegated as a fashion faux pas for anywhere other than the surf (unless it's the nail salon's foam disposable slip-ons to save your pedicure).

But today’s best flip-flops are changing the status quo. These sandals command respect, and no one—not even the most judgmental footwear connoisseur—can deny their resurgence. Luxury designers are remixing the basic sandal style with elevated materials, like leather, and adding height and mass to the notoriously flimsy soles.

The Row's pin-thin thong sandals epitomize quiet luxury, while Toteme offers a '90s mule version. For a dose of nostalgia, head to J.Crew or Tory Burch, offering flip-flops in every style, from thick wedges to water-proof jelly sandals for the beach.

Whether you have a summer getaway coming up on the docket or feel moved to give the old flip-flop another shot, Marie Claire curated a guide to the best 48 women's flip-flops on the market.

Thin Thong Sandals

Jacqueline Zelwis is seen wearing cropped Arakii Blazer in black, Gina Tricot x Hanna MW Jeans Havaianas Flip Flops, Paris/64 bag, VIU sunglasses on May 22, 2022 in Berlin, Germany.

A minimal flip-flop with a barely-there strap won't ever lead you astray. It's a subtle shoe with a profound impact that calls on the effortlessness of '90s fashion. Team a neutral option with your best linen pants for a laid-back, easy-breezy pairing, or punch up a basic white sun dress with the cherry red pop of color.

J.Crew snakeskin New Capri Thong Sandals in Leather on white background

J.Crew New Capri Thong Sandals in Leather

Aeyde whutRenee Leather Flip Flops on white background

Aeyde Renee Leather Flip Flops

Solei Sea blue Indie Sandal flip-flop on white background

Solei Sea Indie Sandal

Tory Burch black Classic Flip Flop on white background

Tory Burch Classic Flip Flop

Ancient Greek Sandals red Saionara Leather Flip Flops on white background

Ancient Greek Sandals Saionara Leather Flip Flops

Tkees Studio Exotic Cheetah-Print Flip Flops

Heeled Sandals

A woman walking black leather heeled flip-flops, denim skirt, and blazer

In moments of wardrobe distress, a strappy-heeled sandal is the epitome of a hero shoe. A pair of heeled flip-flops will always do the trick. Toteme's T-strap sandals and Dolce Vita's kitten heels are two stand-out favorites in the Marie Claire office.

Paris Texas white and animal print Portofino Mule on white background

Paris Texas Portofino Mule

Journee Collection Seelah

Dolce Vita black Brevel Kitten Heel Flip Flop on white background

Dolce Vita Brevel Kitten Heel Flip Flop

Toteme Belted Croco Kitten-Heel Thong Sandals

Cult Gaia gold Emmy Slip on Thong High Heel Sandals

Cult Gaia Emmy Slip on Thong High Heel Sandals

Proenza Schouler Spike Flip Flops

Comfort-First Flip-Flops

Lois Opoku seen wearing Lala Berlin beige long coat, Lala Berlin white linen pants and Lala Berlin black leather flip flops, on August 16, 2023 in Berlin, Germany.

As much as you need a pair of formal flip-flops, you should invest in a casual and comfy pair. Rothy's, a long-time favorite of Marie Claire editors, offers a sleek pair of walking flip-flops akin to the plushness of a cloud in shoe form. Another option to consider is Birkenstock's T-strap style—given how they mold to your foot, you'll likely forget you're even wearing them.

Rothy's The Flip-Flop

Cos Sculptural Eva Flip Flops

Birkenstock silver Gizeh Flip Flop on white background

Birkenstock Gizeh Flip Flop

Crocs white Getaway Platform Flip Flop on white background

Crocs Getaway Platform Flip Flop

Vionic silver Vista Shine Flip Flop on white background

Vionic Vista Shine Flip Flop

FitFlop black Iqushion D-Luxe Flip Flop on white background

FitFlop Iqushion D-Luxe Flip Flop

Beach Sandals

Livia Nunes Marques seen wearing Miu Miu navy blue polo shirt over a blue shirt, Miu Miu brown leather bag with colourful chains and charms, Rhode phone case, Miu Miu yellow underwear, blue shorts with green details and red flipflop shoes outside Miu Miu Show during the Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024/2025 as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 05, 2024 in Paris, France.

For those who plan to spend the season beach bumming, any of the below will suit your summer shoe needs. Miu Miu's knotted-rope sandals are a true favorite among fashion insider circles (no yacht club membership required). You can also try a pair made from water-proof PVC, like Tory Burch or Christoper Esber's.

Sporty Rope Thong Slingback Sandals

Havaianas gold Slim Flip Flops on white background

Havaianas Slim Flip Flops

Tory Burch clear Mini Miller Thong Flip Flops on white background

Tory Burch Mini Miller Thong Flip Flops

Aka Flip Flop

Christopher Esber brown Jo Pvc Flip Flops on white background

Christopher Esber Jo Pvc Flip Flops

Michael Kors black Jinx Flip-Flop Sandals

Michael Kors Jinx Flip-Flop Sandals

Platform Flip-Flops

Carrole Sagba @linaose wears navy blue denim jean Levis boyfriend pants, khaki shiny leather platform sole Sinobio sandals, a long oversized GIVENCHY coat with black buttons, a shiny silver and gold nails paco Rabanne handbag, on May 02, 2021 in Paris, France.

Whether you're hoping to hit new heights or just coast a few more centimeters off the ground, a platform flip-flop will give you the adrenaline hit you're searching for. A super-sized statement—namely, Dries Van Noten's clog-style thongs—make a big impact, while Gap's chunky-soled style is a bit more mellow.

Tony Bianco black Ives Sandal on white background

Tony Bianco Ives Sandal

Dries Van Noten yellow Clog Thong Suede Platform Sandals on white background

Dries Van Noten Clog Thong Suede Platform Sandals

Plan C Fussbet Leather Flatform Thong Sandals

Gap brown black Vegan Leather Platform Flip Flops

Gap Vegan Leather Platform Flip Flops

Melissa Pink Free Platform Flip Flops

Prada white Leather Flip-Flop Sandals on white background

Prada Leather Flip-Flop Sandals

Wide Flip-Flops

Amanda Derhy wears a brown shiny monogram print pattern in coated canvas shoulder bag from Louis Vuitton, black fringed wide legs pants, black shiny leather flip-flop / shoes, during a street style fashion photo session, on April 17, 2022 in Paris, France.

Unlike the previous thin silhouette styles, these wider-strapped sandals deliver a bolder impact. Take a walk on the wild side with J.Crew's animal-printed pair, or keep it neutral in either Prozena Schouler's ivory style or By Malene Birger's black sandal.

New Capri Wide Thong Sandals in Snake-Embossed LeatherJ.Crew

J.Crew New Capri Wide Thong Sandals in Snake-Embossed Leather

The Row Ginza Sandal in Leather

Reformation Jessie Thong Sandal

Loewe brown Leather Thong Sandals on white background

Loewe Leather Thong Sandals

Proenza Schouler white Cooper Textured-Leather Flip Flops

Proenza Schouler Cooper Textured-Leather Flip Flops

By Malene Birger Black Marisol Flip Flops

Embellished Flip-Flops

Natalia Verza @mascarada.paris wears brown suede with a silver embroidered chain flip flop from AGL, during a street style fashion photo session, on August 07, 2022 in Paris, France.

Whether you have a casual party on the agenda or simply want to sprinkle more sparkle into your everyday style, an embellished flip-flop will tick both boxes. The options are endless, from pearlescent seashells and molten metallic hardware to a simple eye-catching logo motif.

K. Jacques St Tropez gold Abako Metallic Leather Sandals

K. Jacques St Tropez Abako Metallic Leather Sandals

LPA tan Mother Pearl Sandal on a white background

LPA Mother Pearl Sandal

Schutz Mitchell Metallic Charms Thong Sandals

Jeffrey Campbell white Linques Flip Flop on white background

Jeffrey Campbell Linques Flip Flop

Alia Medusa Rubber Thong Sandals

See by Chloé Hana Leather Flat Sandals

Wedge Flip-Flops

Violet Grace wearing black coat, white oversized floral broach, black skinny sunglasses, Ferragamo pale blue clutch, orange and blue tie dyed skirt and blue heels Australian Fashion Week Presented By Pandora 2024 at Carriageworks on May 13, 2024 in Sydney, Australia.

You might have sworn off the block-shaped wedge sandal back in the aughts. But given that it's one of summer 2024's top accessory trends, now is the opportune time to give it a second chance. Coach's soft-cushioned pair or St. Agni's leather thong are great places to start.