Addressed: How Much Feet Can I Show in the Summertime?

Vogue

29-05-2025

Introducing Addressed, a weekly column where we'll, ahem, address the joys (and tribulations!) of getting dressed. We'll look at runway and real-life trends, talk to people whose style we love, and, most importantly, answer your fashion queries. Download the Vogue app and find our Style Advice section to submit your question.
Around the office, the impending (at least we hope it's on its way?) warm weather has meant that for the past few weeks, talk has often revolved around one topic and one topic only: flip-flops. If you live in New York City, you will understand the cause for concern immediately. This completely innocuous wardrobe staple that wouldn't get a second glance anywhere else in the country (the world?) is actually extremely controversial here in the city that never sleeps (because it is too busy staying up all night freaking out about the thought of seeing toes out and about, living their best life).
Tired of arguments for or against the humble style, we figured perhaps it was worth tackling the subject in our weekly column. Welcome to the Addressed Guide to Showing Feet in the Summer.
Where it all started. The Row, spring 2025 ready-to-wear
Photo: Courtesy of The Row
Simple black flip-flops anchor an effortless dress. Partow, fall 2025 ready-to-wear
Photo: Courtesy of Partow
But first, let's unpack the flip-flop phobia that has taken over. Our number-one problem seems to be the fact that a lot of people do not like to look at toes or feet, and since flip-flops are basically a frame for the foot, well, that's a lot of automatic hate. (Our art director's first response when I told him this week's story was 'I hate pictures of feet.')
Hand-in-hand with a dislike for looking at feet is the fact that New York City—or cities in general, I guess—are dirty, and so you end up looking not only at exposed toes—but exposed dirty toes. And so a nightmare is born.
Realistically, your feet will not get covered in dirt from a basic commute—unless it's been raining. And while I do not believe in preachy fashion do's and don'ts, the one thing that I absolutely believe with all my heart is wrong is to wear flip-flops in the rain—especially in New York City. Do not submerge your feet in water mixed with street! You will get sick!
A question also often asked is if people can wear flip-flops to the office. While this obviously depends on the type of office—I can't see bankers or lawyers wearing flip-flops or any sort of open-toed sandals to work—I do think that in some workplaces, especially creative ones, flip-flops are totally ok.
A suit with flip-flops? Why, yes. Tibi, spring 2025 ready-to-wear
Photo: Daniiele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
Flip-flops with a Canadian Tuxedo? Also good. Kallmeyer, spring 2025 ready-to-wear
Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com
The rise of quiet luxury and the outsize influence of Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, who often accessorized their own oversized fits with simple Havaianas (and introduced the world to the concept of the $700 flip-flop) have made it so. The trick, of course, is that the rest of the outfit needs to look very put-together—the truth is that nothing looks chicer with a crisp cotton shirt and a pair of roomy trousers than a simple little flip-flop.