Thongs Are Officially the Most Controversial Shoe Trend

Don't shoot the messenger, but it's true: What started as the '90s strappy sandal (still very much a summer shoe trend to know) quickly evolved into the extremely sartorially nostalgic thong sandal, and after several of our favorite brands churned out chic iterations of the trend, we couldn't help but pay attention.

Some of you may be sitting there reading this while rolling your eyes and thinking, Yeah, flip-flops? I've heard of them. Right now, some are reminiscing over the platform Rocket Dog thongs we used to wear with cargo pants and tube tops in the early 2000s. But the newer take on the trend is a bit sleeker, which is what gives me hope that you'll be open to trying them.

I'm not quite sure exactly when it happened, but there was definitely a sharp turning point for thong sandals. One day they were more than acceptable, and then in the blink of an eye, they became the definition of taboo (with the exception of wearing them to the beach, of course).

So when we started to see designers send thong sandals down the runways paired with tailored suits and loose trousers, it was quite shocking, to say the least. But the more we saw the polarizing footwear item on the runways and on the streets, the more comfortable we became with the idea. Fast-forward six months and we're the trend's biggest cheerleaders.

Ahead, we've rounded up the 18 best thong sandals the internet has to offer—ones that will ease you into the trend with little to no shock factor. Once you see the brands that are supporting the trend, you'll find it hard to resist. We can promise you that. 

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(Image credit: @anna__laplaca)

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

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(Image credit: @styleidealist)

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(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

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(Image credit: @monikh)

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)
Lauren Eggertsen
Editorial Director

"Copy (200 words): Lauren Eggertsen is currently the editorial director of Who What Where and has worked at the company for nearly seven years, where she started as an associate editor and has since worked her way up. Lauren has over 10 years of experience in the fashion editorial space, starting her career with internships at Marc Jacobs, Marie Claire, and The Zoe Report, where she was later hired as their editorial assistant. Lauren has worked in the Los Angeles and New York Who What Wear offices but currently calls L.A. home. It is here where she leads and manages Who What Wear's fashion team and oversees all day-to-day editorial content and large tentpole moments. This includes all of the runway, trend, and shopping-driven content that ultimately helps to build a strong brand reputation within the industry. Lauren's role also includes helping to set the fashion direction for all original photo shoots and often styles many of the celebrity cover shoots, including big names like Sydney Sweeney, Lindsay Lohan, and Megan Fox. 


She has also attended multiple fashion weeks, including New York, London, and Milan, where her personal style has been featured on sites such as Elle.com, HarpersBazaar.com, and Vogue.co.uk. She prides herself on discovering and supporting small brands and on her knack for a good vintage shopping find. When she isn't working, she enjoys researching and dining at reputable restaurants around both her neighborhood and the globe.