Flip Flops Get Another Glow Up as Heeled Thong Sandals Are Set to Take Over Summer
It’s common knowledge that once you stick a designer logo on something, it immediately increases the value. Or, at least, the amount a brand can charge for that item. Such is the case for flip flops, which have gotten the luxury treatment — and price tags to prove it — from big name fashion houses, like Christian Dior, The Row and Miu Miu, to name a paltry few. Now things have been taken to the next level as labels are adding some height by rolling out heeled thong sandals. This time, however, there are lots of non-designer items that make replicating the look truly affordable.
First, let’s break down the most in-demand designer pairs. Gucci’s rubberized Vittoria Thong comes in several cool colorways, including sandy beige, sunshine yellow and pastel pink. Saint Laurent’s Sue Mules are just as sleek as you imagine with only the tiniest monogram to identify where you got them from. Bottega Veneta’s Sampieri Thong Leather-Trimmed and Rubber Sandals have one of the narrowest heels around. Prefer your sandals a tad chunkier? Then Isabel Marant’s Ekyne Sandals should top your need-now list. Chloe’s neutral and jelly-like Junie Heeled Sandal also fits into that category. Proenza Schouler cranks up the shine via its coral-colored Glossed Leather Sandals complete with buckled straps. Speaking of coral, Gianvito Rossi’s Ocean Canvas and Leather Thong Sandals boast reef-inspired red straps and a totally inappropriate for the beach stiletto heel.
The mid- and low-priced options are just as covetable. Budget-friendly retailer Mango supplies a summer-ready lineup that includes a light green buckled sandal for less than $100. FARM Rio’s Rob Thong Sandals come in a fiery orange hue for $160. For Love & Lemons’ Gia heel at $189 has plenty of flower power, while Zara’s Square Toe Heeled Sandals priced right below $56 are available in a go-with-anything creamy shade. Although the most cost-effective set in this roundup can be found on Nordstrom’s site. Open Edit’s Tori Kitten Heel Sandal in Red Rapture looks way more expensive than its $49.95 price tag would have anyone believe.
Whether you’re still willing to part with designer dollars or are looking for a more frugal investment, shop the best heeled thong sandals below.
TOTEME Naplack Heeled Flip Flops Buttercup, $590 at TOTEME
Andrea Gomez Fern Leather Sandals in Black, $385 at Moda Operandi
FARM Rio Rob Thong Sandals, $160 at Mytheresa
Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Play Thong Sandals, $430 at Farfetch
Bottega Veneta Sampieri Thong Leather-Trimmed and Rubber Sandals in White, $950 at Net-a-Porter
Reformation Sophie Heeled Sandal in Brown Croc-Effect, $268 at Reformation
Gucci Vittoria Thong in Pink Rubber, $590 at Gucci
NEOUS Megrez in Sorbet, $445 at NEOUS
Open Edit Tori Kitten Heel Sandal in Red Rapture, $49.95 at Nordstrom
Staud Freja Kitten Heel in Cream, $395 at Staud
Mango Kitten-Heel Leather Sandal, $99.99 at Mango
Saint Laurent Sue Thong Mules, $821.91 at Cettire
For Love & Lemons Gia Floral Heel, $189 at For Love & Lemons
Zara Square Toe Heeled Sandals, $55.90 at Zara
Favorite Daughter Sutton Sandals, $250 at Shopbop
Stuart Weitzman Rio Sleek Thong Sandal 35 in Sunset Pink Leather, $395 at Stuart Weitzman
Reformation Jessica Thong Sandals, $328 at Bloomingdale’s
Amina Muaddi Juliette 45 Leather Thong Sandals in Mint, $840 at Net-a-Porter
Gianvito Rossi Ocean Canvas and Leather Thong Sandals, $876 at Mytheresa
Isabel Marant Ekyne Sandals, $594 at Isabel Marant
Cult Gaia Abi Bead-Embellished Leather Thong Sandals, $700 at Net-a-Porter
Chloe Junie Heeled Sandal, $1,050 at Chloe
Cinq à Sept Frankie Leather Slide Sandals in Bisou/Black, $295 at Bloomingdale’s
ROTATE Birger Christensen Kitten Heel Mule, $550 at Revolve
Proenza Schouler Red Tee Thong Heeled Sandals, $759 at SSENSE