6 Flip-Flop Trends That Will Be Everywhere by May 31

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Allyson Payer's avatar
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Collage of influencers wearing trendy flip-flops.
(Image credit: @cocoschiffer; @annabelrosendahl; @monikh)
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Oftentimes, when a shoe trend becomes massive, it leads to offshoot trends within the trend. Is there any spring and summer shoe trend that has been more massive than flip-flops over the past couple of years? The answer is a resounding no. At this point, the flip-flop trend has branched off into a plethora of styles characterized by color, heel type, and material. If you're bored with your basic thong sandals but aren't over the trend, I'm here to offer up some fresh options.

Last summer, kitten-heel flip-flops were absolutely inescapable, and I'm not saying to stop wearing them by any means. They're still considered quite cool, but if I didn't put the new alternatives on your radar, I fear you'd be missing out. I narrowed it down to six specific flip-flop trends (yes, there are more than that) that I'm 100% sure will be everywhere by summer.

Keep scrolling to familiarize yourself with the top six flip-flop trends of 2026 and shop the coolest pairs.

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Two-Tone

After seemingly every fashion-minded celebrity lost it over The Row's Dune Thong Sandals last summer, other brands have officially jumped on board, releasing similar sandals with contrasting straps and footbeds. The style adds such a cool, eye-catching look to an outfit.

Influencer wearing two-tone flip-flops.

(Image credit: @annabelrosendahl)

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Wedge Heel

Wedge heels are one of the biggest shoe trends of the year, so it makes sense that wedge-heel flip-flops would be the summer version. When I see someone wearing this style, I immediately know they're a fashion person.

Influencer wearing wedge-heel flip-flops.

(Image credit: @angelafink)

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Jelly

Jelly flip-flops are perhaps the most fun trend of the bunch, and brands are getting more and more creative with PVC in 2026. There's nothing cheap looking about the jelly thong sandals of present day.

Influencer wearing jelly flip-flops.

(Image credit: @monikh)

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Dressy Leather

This one isn't that groundbreaking, but it's noteworthy because you can now get away with wearing flip-flops practically anywhere thanks to all the elevated leather iterations on the market. Look for chic details such as croc embossing, suede, and square toes.

Influencer wearing dressy leather flip-flops.

(Image credit: @cocoschiffer)

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High Heel

High stiletto heels are back, and while that doesn't mean everyone is putting their kitten heels away, it does mean they're swapping them for pairs that add a couple more inches from time to time.

Influencer wearing ultra-high-heel flip-flops.

(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

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Embellished

Pretty sandals are the MVP of summer, so seize the opportunity and add an embellished pair of flip-flops to your warm-weather wardrobe. It's an easy way to look like you tried while putting in as little outfit effort as possible.

Influencer wearing embellished flip-flops.

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

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Allyson Payer
Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater arts. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.