2 days ago
This summer's status flip-flops
Love them or hate them, flip-flops are undergoing a luxury transformation. No longer are they reserved for beach holidays and shuffling back and forth from your pedicure. They can now be spotted on the front row and its environs, gracing the feet of fashion folk and Hollywood celebrities alike. They also recently made headlines after The Row, the brand started by the Olsen twins, put out its own Dune pair made of rubber and fabric, which sells for £670. Although the release was met with some surprise, the shoes appear to be selling like hot cakes on luxury retail sites like Net-a-Porter, where customer searches for 'The Row Dune' have increased by 775 per cent in the past three months. But this is not the most expensive pair ever made. In 2011, a brand called Chipkos crafted a pair worth $18,000. They were created as a charity project and featured 18-carat-gold Chipkos emblems as well as hand-painted designs by the artist David Palmer. The proceeds were used to protect 100,000 acres of Costa Rican rainforest.
Flip-flops have been around since 4,000 BC. In ancient Egypt the pharaohs had a particular affinity for jewel-encrusted pairs, and plainer leather versions were also popular with the Romans. They eventually made their way to cultures around the world, adopted in South and Central America, India and Japan. It was in Japan that American soldiers first encountered the shoe, then called zori, during the Second World War. They brought pairs back to the US where they grew in popularity during the 1950s and 60s, quickly becoming associated with surf culture. California was the first place in the US to produce rubber flip-flops.
You might need to spend a little extra time making sure your toes are looked after properly, but get this fancy flip-flop look right, and you'll come out looking like someone who's really in the know this summer.
Here are some top picks for glam flip-flops:
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What better way to see what all the fuss is about than try a pair for yourself? While these flip-flops may appear minimalistic, one thing you can be sure of with products from The Row is that they are made to the highest possible standards and will last. Plus, those who love quiet luxury can rest assured that their sandals will fly under the radar but those who notice them will be thoroughly Row, £670
If you're after something a bit more structured, try the Swedish brand Toteme's take. The square toes offer a nod to the 2000s style; meanwhile the croc-effect gives the shoes a more polished look. Toteme, £320
For the maximalists among us, these Loewe flip-flops provide the perfect solution. Not only do they come in a jolly yellow colour, they also have a glam addition in the oversized gold embellishment at the £595
Fitted with the Prada logo on each shoe, these flip-flops have a lug tread as well as some arch support, so they're a good pair to wear if you've got a long day of looking extremely chic ahead of you. The rubber material means that they will work equally well for a day at the beach. Prada, £530
These flip-flops feature Balenciaga's famous buckle-and-stud motif, helping to make the classic laid-back design just that bit more glam. They also have a slight lift at the back, so you'll get a little height boost. Balenciaga, £450
Shoes from Ancient Greek Sandals are all handcrafted by local artisans using traditional Greek techniques. The brand was started by Christina Martini, a former shoe designer for Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga, and her partner Apostolos Poursanidis Kavvadias, a former product designer for the Hermès group. The flip-flop's thin strap, supple leather and subtle platform make them a perfect Greek Sandals, £125
These espadrille-inspired flip-flops have a nice 40mm platform and are constructed with woven soles and leather straps. They have a summery feel but are chic enough to take you from a day at the pool to dinner. Gianvito Rossi, £690
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