May 25, 2026 by Katie Plue (‘27)
The club of restored clothing trends gains a new member: the flip-flop. Alongside polka dots, fold-over pants, and leather jackets, flip-flops find their place in 2026.
But weren’t flip-flops always a thing? The decline in flip-flop success goes back to the boom of Birkenstocks. Each season, teens look for a quick slip-on shoe to make their morning a little easier. For the fall, it’s a clog. In winter, it’s an Ugg. In summer, it was Birkenstocks. Last summer, 2025, there was a Birkenstock takeover. All teens wore were the popularized two-strap Arizona sandal. They were popular for a reason, appealing to exactly what a typical teenager would look toward; comfortable, and convenient to slide on running out of the house. Whether with socks, or sockless, the go-to summer shoe was Birkenstocks.
This spring called for a change, one that would appear more fashionable. Suddenly, the socks came off, and the straps unbuckled to reveal a sleek “new” look. The first warm day here in Saratoga Springs proved flip-flops were back in business. Fitting right into the criteria for an everyday shoe, it wasn’t hard for, at least most of us, to try out a flip-flop. Everyone was ready to swap out their Birkenstock for Rainbows, and leather to plastic. Not only are most flip-flops cheaper than Birkenstocks; they also tend to be more accessible. Even with this, they still give a chic look, and a fun vibe.
But where did they come from? Most current trends come from one of two places: fast-fashion mass production, or diffused down from high fashion. It’s usual for elevated looks to consist of an elegant sandal or open toe shoe. Flip-flops are just simplified versions of luxury shoes and, in a way, are a cheaper version of something that makes us feel extravagant, almost as if we were wearing designer.
Flip flops can be styled in a variety of ways and are very versatile if you have the right look. They can be chill, with sweatpants or leggings, or you can wear them with jeans or jean shorts, making them look cuter, and more effortful.
Whether you wear them casually, or dress them up, flip-flops are easy, fun, stylish, and are definitely in for this summer season.