From street style snaps across Europe and the United States to celebrity vacation photos, flip-flops are crashing back into the trend circle with an almost “goes with everything” attitude.
In the summer of 2026, flip-flops that match any outfit are frequently spotted on European and American influencers, making their way back onto this year’s list of must-have summer items and staging a massive comeback in the fashion industry.
One brand that cannot be overlooked is Havaianas, the national treasure-level flip-flop brand from Brazil. Founded in 1962, it drew inspiration from traditional Japanese zori sandals, replaced the conventional straw woven sole with rubber, and has been wildly popular for more than half a century.
Since the flip-flop trend made its return, Havaianas has rolled out a series of bold moves. Not only did it bring on Gigi Hadid as its global brand ambassador, it also launched co-branded collections with fashion brands including Isabel Marant and Zara, quickly becoming the new favorite of fashion influencers.
When Lisa was on vacation in Bali not long ago, she was spotted wearing a pair of champagne gold Havaianas flip-flops. Her fellow group members Jennie and Rose have also worn the brand frequently in their off-duty private outfits and public events.
Even Norwegian footballer Ryerson wore an all-black pair of these flip-flops to visit the Swedish royal family right after the World Cup, and posted on his social media circle with the caption “Havaianas 4 Life”, delivering a strong, organic endorsement for the brand.
It is not just Havaianas that is jumping on the bandwagon. Luxury brands including The Row, TOTEME, Chanel, LV and Hermès have all launched their own flip-flop items for the Spring/Summer 2025-2026 collections, which are flying off the shelves.
No one could have imagined that the hottest shoe of summer 2026 would not be a limited-edition sneaker, nor a luxury sandal that costs tens of thousands of yuan, but a pair of flip-flops that looks like you could put them on and pop downstairs to pick up takeout at any time.
Compared with outfits deliberately packed full of logos, this contrast of “pulling together a perfectly curated full look, but casually slipping on a pair of slippers on your feet” has instead become one of the most popular styling tricks this year.
FAQ
Q: What is the origin story of the iconic Brazilian flip-flop brand Havaianas?
A: Havaianas was founded in 1962, inspired by traditional Japanese zori sandals, and it replaced the original straw woven sole with durable rubber material.
Q: What key moves has Havaianas made to embrace the 2026 flip-flop trend?
A: It appointed Gigi Hadid as global brand ambassador, and launched co-branded collections with fashion houses including Isabel Marant and Zara.
Q: Which A-list celebrities have been spotted wearing Havaianas flip-flops publicly?
A: BLACKPINK members Lisa, Jennie, Rose, and Norwegian footballer Ryerson have all worn the brand in public scenarios.
Q: What is the core styling concept that makes flip-flops so popular in 2026 summer fashion?
A: The widely loved styling logic is the casual contrast effect: putting together a fully curated, sophisticated full outfit, and finishing it off with a relaxed pair of flip-flops.
Source： wechat
