No, Not Loafers—The '90s Shoe Trend Fashion People Are Wearing With Jeans, Leggings and Dresses Right Now
From Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber to the style set, all the chicest dressers are opting for one shoe style in 2026. Scroll to discover which.
We know that clothing trends tend to move at the speed of light, but I’ve always found that shoes typically take a more leisurely path. Every so often, though, styles we’d once written off as “dated” make a sudden resurgence, and then they're everywhere. As we quietly head into spring (apparently!), everywhere I look, there's one ‘90s shoe trend breaking through the noise. Promising to add a sophisticated edge to our new-season capsule? The thong heel.
The humble flip-flop's dressed-up sister, thong heels have emerged victorious in spring 2026. With a minimalist Y-shaped strap, fashion's chicest dresses are opting for the barely there silhouette to add a casually pared-back finish to their looks. For spring/summer 2026, the runways were filled with toe-baring designs in both wedge and kitten-heel form.
From brown croc kitten heels at Christopher Esber to eclectic furry iterations at Gucci, designers dived headfirst into the trend. And naturally, the street-style set is never far behind. From Hailey Bieber's minimalist style (finished with polka-dot capri leggings and a staple black top) to Kendall Jenner's elevated leather platforms, I'm seeing thong sandals paired with everything this season: think billowing dresses, tiered skirts and, of course, every iteration of jeans around.
But don't just take my word for it; the data backs it up. Searches for "thong heels" are up 40% this month on Google, and I predict it's a shoe trend that will be everywhere by the time summer hits. Scroll down to shop my pick of the best pairs.
Shop Thong Heels:
These are designed to be super comfy.
Pair with a capris and a blouse for a casual day out.
The square toe adds a modern edge.
The curved heel! The delicate logo embossing! This Gucci pair has jumped straight to the top of my wish list.
Also available in black.
This heel height is more than manageable.
These suede sandals also come in tan and olive.
With satin sheen to the leather, these square-toe mules are stunning.
This Massimo Dutti pair have a a thin wedge heel, and I'm slightly obsessed.
