It Can't Just Be Me: Everyone With Good Taste Is Skipping Flats for These Anti-Trend Sandals

All year, flats have been in the lead, beating out even the most enduring slingbacks, pumps, and heeled boots in our closets. The hype certainly isn't slowing down anytime soon, but there's one specific pair of heels that's making even the staunchest flat-shoe loyalists embrace a little bit of height right now. Heeled flip-flops are quickly rising in the ranks as the top sandal trend set to define summer 2025, and the outfits we're seeing chic people wearing it with prove that the trend is as stylish as it is wearable.

Hailey Bieber has worn them with culottes and kick-flare pants, and fashion people are wearing them with jeans, dresses, and lace-trim skirts, and if that fact alone doesn't prove their versatility, I don't know what will. What I do know is that once you see the outfits up ahead, you'll realize the shoes are far less controversial and far more tasteful than you might have realized. Ahead, see all the ways fashion people are styling their heeled flip-flops for summer and shop the best pairs along the way.

Style Notes: Thong sandals with a lace-trim skirt and simple top is the low-key lazy outfit combination that actually looks so luxe.

Open Edit

Tori Kitten Heel Sandal

I've already lost count of how many miles I've logged on these, and they've yet to give me blisters or pain.

Simon Miller

Beep Thong Sandal

I can tell these are comfortable and stable to walk in just by looking at the slanted and thicker heel shape.

Style Notes: Another take on this popular outfit combo. Pull it off best by coordinating your sandal color with your skirt.

Miu Miu

Leather Thong Sandals

Straight from the Miu Miu runway.

Jeffrey Campbell

Honey-Bun Sandal

I love this peep-toe moment.

Style Notes: Flip-flops are the unlikeliest shoes to pair with tailored trousers, but per Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, that's exactly why they work so well.

The thicker straps make these look even more premium.

Style Notes: White flip-flops might be controversial, but they're what all the chicest people are opting for at the moment.

Marc Fisher LTD

Amelea Flip Flop

I've never been disappointed by the quality of any shoes I've bought from this brand.

Walkable heel height? Check. Secure strap shape? Check. Accessible price point? Check.

Style Notes: All the most trendsetting fashion people I know are wearing their blue jeans with flip-flops right now, and a pair of heeled sandals makes the combination a touch more elevated.

A.Emery

Hardie Leather Thong Sandals

My love for A.Emery sandals knows no bounds.

TOTEME

Kitten Heel Flip Flop

Hailey Bieber's favorite pair.

Style Notes: My favorite way to style the minimalist sandals is to use them as an accent against an all-cream outfit with just the shoes and another black accessory as the contrasts.

Loeffler Randall

Odessa Sandal

Every outfit will feel far more special with this silver embellishment.

Madewell

Tamia Heeled Thong Sandals

Sorry, but how are these not sold out yet?

Style Notes: Packing them for vacation is a smart move because they work with everything from casual looks to dinner-ready dresses.

Gianvito Rossi

Suede Thong Sandals

These would be great for summer weddings—pretty but danceable.

Style Notes: Even with a smart pantsuit, they'll bring a trend-forward element that will make all your office outfits immediately feel fresher.

Toteme

Suede Thong Sandals

I didn't think it was possible for these to look any richer, but the brown suede takes them to anther level.

Tony Bianco

Topaz Thong Heels

Style Notes: The barely there vibe of the sandals makes them a perfect base to a more eye-catching piece like a printed statement dress.

Proenza Schouler

Cable Thong Sandal

Proenza Schouler makes some of the most comfortable heeled sandals, in my experience.

Jeffrey Campbell

Preciosa Sandals

Style Notes: Jeans feeling stale? A pair of heeled flip-flops will take any jeans-and-a-tee combo from basic to forward, guaranteed.

Stuart Weitzman

Rio Kitten Heel Sandal

Meet your new everyday pair.

Aeyde

Daphne Nappa Leather Port Sandals

I love a good contrast stitching detail.

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