Celebrity-loved sandal trends, from heeled flip-flops to naked styles

Heeled flip-flops

This is the sandal update with the most capsule logic. Marie Claire’s Spring/Summer 2026 roundup leans hard on heeled flip-flops, and Hailey Bieber has kept the silhouette in rotation for four straight seasons, which is basically the whole point: if one shoe can survive that long in celebrity dressing, it has wardrobe backbone. The Row has turned the style into a serious luxury signal, with the Sacha heel thong sandal in soft nappa leather at $1,030, alongside other minimalist leather flip-flops and pared-back pairs like the Beach Flip Flop at $820 and the Dune Classic Ginza Sandal at $750.

That kind of pricing only makes sense because the shape is doing real work. Lyst said searches for The Row’s $690 flip-flop rose 162% in Q2 2025, and the brand’s Dune sandal was the hottest product of the quarter, which tells you this was already moving beyond beach shorthand before the current wave hit. If you want one warm-weather shoe that can rotate with slip dresses, loose denim, and tailored trousers, heeled flip-flops are the cleanest bet.

Naked sandals

“Naked” sandals are the barest version of polish, the kind of shoe that disappears just enough to make your legs look longer and your outfit look more considered. That barefoot-looking, barely-there attitude is exactly why the style keeps showing up in celebrity street style coverage, because it works with everything from a column skirt to cutoffs without fighting the rest of the look.

For a capsule builder, the appeal is simple: minimal straps, minimal fuss, maximum outfit range. The trade-off is walkability, since the less there is on the foot, the more the shoe depends on fit and construction, so this is the pair you want in leather and in a neutral that will not date fast. If your summer wardrobe already leans clean and streamlined, a naked sandal is the sharpest swap for a classic heel.

Thong sandals

Thong sandals are the quieter cousin of the heeled flip-flop, but that is exactly why they belong in a practical rotation. Who What Wear has the silhouette on its 2026 sandal list, and the market clearly agrees that the shape is no longer just poolside hardware: when luxury houses like The Row push leather versions, the old rubber-beachwear read drops away fast.

This is the version to buy if you need one sandal that can handle errands, travel, and off-duty outfits without looking lazy. Flat thong sandals work best with relaxed tailoring, wide jeans, and easy summer dresses, and they have the strongest day-long wearability of the group. If you want the most believable everyday essential here, this is it.

Wide-strap sandals

Wide-strap sandals are the steadier, more architectural answer to all the tiny-strapped pairs crowding summer feeds. Who What Wear flagged the shape for 2026, and it makes sense, because a broad strap across the front reads cleaner, feels more secure, and brings enough visual weight to ground baggy shorts, long skirts, and oversized shirting.

From a capsule point of view, this is one of the most versatile choices because it does not lean too hard into either beach or evening. It is also one of the better walkability plays if you are choosing a flat sole, since the foot feels held in rather than delicately pinned. If the goal is one sandal that looks modern now and still sensible next season, wide-strap styles make a strong case.

Wedge flip-flops

Wedge flip-flops sit in the sweet spot between lift and ease. They give you the leg-lengthening effect people want from a heel, but with a more casual energy that still reads wearable for daytime, which is why fashion keeps circling back to them every time summer dressing gets a little too flat.

They are not the most universal option in the edit, but they can be the most useful if your wardrobe skews toward cropped hems and breezy dresses. The wedge adds just enough structure to keep the sandal from looking too plain, while still feeling easier than a stiletto or a spindly party shoe. If you want one update that gives height without killing your rotation, this is the move.

Embellished and ornamental sandals

Embellished sandals are the decorative swing in the group, the pair that can do the job of jewelry when the rest of the outfit stays stripped back. Who What Wear’s 2026 watchlist includes ornamental versions, and that tracks, because a little sparkle, metal work, or beading can make a simple black dress or white tank-and-trouser combo feel finished in one hit.

The limitation is obvious: these are less flexible than a plain leather thong or a clean wide-strap style. Still, they earn their place in a capsule if you want one warm-weather shoe that can move from dinner to party without begging for extra accessories. Keep the silhouette simple and let the detail carry the mood.

Colorful sandals

Color is the fastest way to make a sandal feel fresh without changing the whole shape of your wardrobe. The 2026 conversation includes colorful pairs, and that matters because a saturated sandal can wake up neutral clothes that might otherwise feel too safe in summer.

This is the least subtle option here, but it can still be smart if the rest of your closet is mostly black, cream, denim, and khaki. A bright sandal works best when the form is simple, which keeps it from reading costume-y and helps it survive longer than a trendier shape with too many extras. If you want one piece that makes the whole outfit feel new, color does the heavy lifting.

Snakeskin and jelly finishes

Snakeskin and jelly sit at opposite ends of texture, but both are doing the same thing: adding personality without requiring a total wardrobe overhaul. Who What Wear has both in the 2026 mix, and that tells you the sandal story is not just about shape anymore, but about finish, sheen, and how much attitude you want underfoot.

Snakeskin has the stronger staying power because it still reads a little luxe, even when the silhouette is simple. Jelly is more playful and a touch more throwback, which can be fun if you want a piece that feels deliberately light and slightly nostalgic, but it is also the most likely to feel tied to a specific season. If the capsule goal is longevity, snakeskin wins the utility test; if the goal is personality, jelly brings the twist.

The capsule call

The smartest sandal buy in this wave is the one that keeps showing up in real outfits, not just on celebrity feet. Hailey Bieber’s heeled flip-flops, The Row’s luxury leather versions, and Lyst’s 162% search jump all point to the same thing: this is no longer a niche beach shoe, it is a wardrobe staple with range. Pick the pair that matches your life first, and the trend will take care of itself.