Once a summer staple, your trusty flip-flops have no place in the summer 2024 wardrobe, says fashion stylist Abbey Booth, and wearing them will only “date your overall look.”
Instead, opt for chunky sandals to jazz up summer dresses, skirts and shorts. And if you really want to follow Gen Z-approved trends, pair them with pulled-up socks.
Abbey Booth, founder of personal styling service Stories With Clothes, has said the era of flip-flops is over and more practical and substantial summer footwear is the fashion-forward option.
“Flip flops are the epitome of beach vacations and poolside practicality, but let’s face it: They’re not easy to walk in,” Booth told us.
She continued: ‘Flip flops add nothing to summer outfits and it’s easy to make your overall look go out of style, especially if they’re a very basic version.’
Goldie Hawn is a proponent of simple flip flops, photographed wearing the style with casual leggings in Los Angeles in 2016.
Jennifer Aniston always looks stylish and this outfit she wore during a walk in New York in 2016, but could a chunky sandal update her look?
Katie Holmes opts for barely-there nude flip-flops with a denim dress while in New York City in 2013.
Style queen Sienna Miller was spotted wearing flip-flops in New York City in 2021, but has since opted for chunkier styles.
As Booth points out, Chanel introduced a very simple black version in black velvet as a chic take on the classic summer shoe style, but at £790, it’s not an item many of us will be adding to our shopping lists.
Booth says that, in addition to looking old-fashioned, flip-flops are also very impractical. ‘I always think it’s hard to walk properly in flip flops to keep them from literally falling off!’ She continued.
‘Chunky sandals have dominated the market in recent years and for good reason – they’re practical, comfortable and can add a contemporary touch to a simple summer dress or outfit.
‘There are also so many great options for any budget, with flattering styles, colors and cuts to suit so many people. In my opinion, chunky sandals are the new flip flops.’
It seems the popularity of the practical sandal is here to stay: last year the Lyst Report named the Birkenstock Arizona the “most attractive sandal for women” in the world.
Of course, this trend towards more substantial sandals is nothing new: the launch of Chanel’s cult “dad sandals” design skyrocketed its popularity in 2018.
The classic chunky sandal style is simple straps with large buckles, but we’ve seen designers put their own spin on the trend in past seasons, like Prada’s quilted panels or Tory Birch’s bold metallic logos.
And there are some big trends for summer 2024 with an emphasis on retro and feminine styles, Booth tells us.
While socks and sandals were once considered a fashion faux pas, young, fashionable celebrities like Gigi Hadid have championed the trend.
This 2021 image of Katie Holmes shows the actor ditching flip-flops in favor of chunky sandals for a chic summer look with neutrals.
Style queen Sienna Miller wore platform sandals to New York Fashion Week in 2021, proving how the right footwear can transform a look.
‘We’ve seen plenty of feminine styles for summer 2024 with bows and florals galore, as well as more elaborate ankle straps and retro Mary-Jane styles.
“Red shoes and sandals were also very common on the catwalks.”
Abbey Booth, founder of Stories With Clothes, has declared that the era of flip-flops is over.
If you’re brave enough, you could even try wearing socks under your sandals a la Gigi Hadid’s laid-back outfit — a Booth-approved look.
Once considered a fashion faux pas, the socks and sandals combo is now very much in fashion.
“Sandals and platforms were paired with chunky socks on the summer 2024 runways and we’ve seen this look filter through to celebrities as well,” Booth explained.
Everyone from Hailey Bieber to Katie Holmes has been seen sporting socks and sandals; just make sure they’re ankle-length socks and never sports socks, one of the trendy styles that Gen Z says makes you look “officially old.”
Last year, fashion icons like Bella Hadid, Yara Shahidi, and Isan Elba took the look further by wearing long sports socks with glamorous stilettos, but we’ll admit that this look is a little harder to try at home.
But if you’re a die-hard flip-flop fan who can’t bear to part with style, there’s one exception when it comes to staying on trend: the undeniably stylish heeled flip-flop.
Fashion-forward Kendall Jenner rocked on-trend heels with a flip-flop-inspired style for the 2022 US Open
Simone Ashley opts for a summery bronze hue and platform base that perfectly complements her yellow-hued look.
Katie Holmes rocks a vintage-inspired Mary-Jane look for a stroll around New York City
Seen on everyone from Sienna Miller to Kendall Jenner and a street style favorite, this twist on the “old-fashioned” flip-flop is a big trend this summer.
In addition to chunky sandals, Booth says chunky heels and platforms are also a great new addition for summer occasions.
“These more practical alternatives to heels add interest to a summer outfit while giving you height at the same time,” she continued.
But don’t be afraid to opt for dressy flats at a wedding or event, as brands create styles appropriate for dressier occasions,” Booth explains.
‘Since confinement, many of my clients have adopted more comfortable styles that adapt to a lifestyle focused on well-being, and fashion houses reflect this to us.
‘This summer’s trends have leaned more towards practical styles with lots of flats and feminine shapes and styles making them suitable for more formal settings.’
Abbey is an award-winning stylist and body shape expert who has carved out a niche for herself by helping women express their individuality through their style and clothing, with a community of over 10,000 people on Instagram and hundreds of happy clients who join benefit from their fashion experience.