I Zoomed In on '90s Celebrity Pap Shots—These Sandal Styles Were Always There

The fashion industry loves a nostalgic touch, and no matter how many years go by, '90s style is always at the forefront of our minds. From straight-leg jeans to slip dresses, the popular items from that era don't seem to ever go out of style. Recently, I was doing my usual snooping of '90s images in Getty for style inspiration and noticed five specific sandal styles were always there. From pap shots of Jennifer Aniston to Kate Moss on set for Calvin Klein, the common theme throughout was the sleek sandals.

Now that we're in spring and summer is approaching, it seemed like the perfect occasion to share my image finds so you can see and shop the sandals for yourself. It's no secret that Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and Naomi Campbell were style icons of the '90s and that everything they wore then, including footwear, is now cool again. The pictured sandals include delicate strappy heels, easy flip-flops, and thick cushioned slides. Ahead, take inspiration from the '90s and shop the sandals from our favorite retailers.

Flip-Flops

Jennifer Aniston walking with Brad Pitt while wearing red cargo pants, black tank top, and black sandals

(Image credit: Getty Images)

While the pictured platform flip-flops aren't as popular right now, the comfortable sillhouette is still a top pick for summer. And no, I'm not talking about the foam ones we all toss in our beach or pool bag. Many brands have released their own sleek and leather versions, so you don't have to compromise comfort for style.

Strappy Heels

Gwenyth Paltrow on red carpet while wearing black dress and strappy sandals

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you want to re-create the sleek red carpet look of the '90s, strappy heels (especially those with thin and minimal straps) are the way to go.

Thong Sandals

Naomi Campbell on runway wearing blazer, black pants, and thong sandals

(Image credit: Getty Images)

I apologize if this one gave you flashbacks of old fashion moments you don't want to remember, but I promise anyone can pull off the thong sandals I found below.

Block-Heel Sandals

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy walking her dog wearing black tank top, jeans, and block-heel sandals

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Block heels get a bad reputation for not being as stylish as kitten heels or mules, but as you can see from Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's look above, they're actually quite chic, especially when paired with jeans.

Chunky Slides

Kate Moss on set wearing black dress and black slide sandals

(Image credit: Getty Images)

My favorite part about '90s outfits is how much comfort was prioritized. Even on set for Calvin Klein, Kate Moss is wearing cushioned slides. These will be my easy go-to sandals this summer.

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.