Welcome back to Retail Therapist. There are many modalities when it comes to counseling—this one is shop therapy. Every session, GQ’s Gerald Ortiz answers a real shopping conundrum from the fashion anxious.
Decisions, decisions. In our last session, we discussed kooky loafers, and now that it’s summer, it only makes sense that you’re thinking about expanding your fashion toolbox into the season’s favorite footwear: flip-flops. We have to do our damndest to stay cool, and I applaud you for opening up your third eye and looking beyond linen shirts or short shorts. You’re moving in the right direction, and as you duly noted, it seems as though every stylish person is wearing flip-flops right now. I honestly think there’s no shame in buying a simple pair of Havaianas for twenty bucks, think of them more like Converse Chuck Taylors—everyone has a pair because they’re classic. In fact, copping a cheaper pair is probably the safer thing to do if you’re on the fence about a trend.
I know a handful of lost souls who have gotten drawn into the flip-flop siren song, spending upwards of $500 for a pair of luxury sandals. Can you imagine? Spending that much for less shoe? And shoes that you don’t even really like?
Again, there’s no judgment here. You have to do some internal digging to tease out whether your love of flip-flops, or if you’re being swayed by the deluge of flip-flop imagery popping up on your Insta feed. If it’s the former, you have my full support to cop the Auralee tsinelas. But if you’re just seeking some fashion fulfillment in the summer shoe department and want to veer off the trodden flip-flop path, I have all the faith in the world that you’ll land on a great pair of sandals that will fit your personal taste. Just remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. You’re taking one step toward a more meaningful sense of style. It’s just one step out of many, of course.
Auralee
Leather Flip-Flops
Okay, okay, the Auralee flip flops are good. They’re expensive, yes, but the menswear darling makes a compelling case with its candy-coated sandals, which are crafted from some of the most premium leather you can slide your feet into. So, if you’re really about the flip-flop life, why not just go all in?
Mr P
Suede Huarache Sandals
Huaraches have made their presence known in the last few years, and now that the wave of hype has calmed and the flotsam and jetsam has cleared, it’s safe to say that the woven leather sandals are just another pillar of summer footwear. They’ve achieved perennially good status and, let’s be honest, are far more interesting than a simple pair of flip flops.
Keen
Waimea Leather Flip-Flop
Keen’s Waimea deserves more praise than it’s gotten. The unique design is halfway between a thong and a closed-toe sandal for a flip flop that shows a little skin while protecting your little piggies.
Handmade in New York, Kika’s all-leather flip flops are like if a work boot had its top chopped off. They’re stiff as bricks to start, but eventually mold to your feet with every step. A little hardwork tends to pay off, those Havaianas might be nice and squishy to start, but you can bet that they’ll flatten out over time.
Gabriela Coll
S18 NO.7 Leather Babouche
If you’re concerned about having so much of your feet exposed but you still want to partake in the toes-out summer, Gabriela Coll’s babouche sandals are a chic option. The supple leather uppers provide plenty of coverage while the shallow opening provides a cheeky tease of your freakiest digits.
Vibae
Saint Tropez Woven Leather Sandal
A brand doesn’t need the Comme Des Garçons seal of approval, but take Vibae’s collab with the legendary Japanese label as evidence that its comfy sandals are actually cool. They’re a bit funky, a bit old-man-coded, and those are all great things.
Kiko Kostadinov
Andras Sandals
The current king of weird fashion is arguably Kiko Kostadinov and, to be honest, his Andras sandals are a little conservative compared to the rest of his oeuvre. But for anyone in need of a standout pair of flip flops, these hit the mark. From the sage green color to the stable ankle strap, the zig-zag stitching to the textured sole, it’s a flip flop that resists blandness and overt trend hopping.
For the dude that appreciates niche fashion and craftsmanship, it doesn’t get much better than Niceness. The Japanese label deftly fuses artisanal techniques with cheeky references and subtle humor that would go over the heads of most guys with a passion interest in fashion. These sandals are crafted from high-end French calf leather, using hand-stitched details and nod to traditional dress shoemaking methods with a stitched welt that goes around the shoe. Trust me, for menswear nerds, that’s gratifying on several levels.
Bedrock Sandals
Cairn Evo Sandals
Bedrock Sandals pushes gorpcore into the next generation and has found a dedicated niche of fashion fans. The Vibram sole, the sturdy nylon straps, the 3-point adjustment system—components that all work in concert for a strappy sandal that’s capable of letting the dogs out for a heart-pumping hike on your local trail.
Chacos
Z/1 Adjustable Strap Sandals
An OG of the hiking sandal game, Chacos’ Z/1 sandal have found favor with steezy Japanese guys for years. Don’t be afraid to style them with some vibrant socks to play up their fashion side.
Vivobarefoot
VivoBiome Sandals
Vivobarefoot’s many contributions to the barefoot shoe space make it a go-to for health-focused footwear. And while they aren’t the prettiest shoes to look at (sorry), they’ve made some serious strides (sorry) in aesthetics. Its VivoBiome sandals use 3D scanning tech to make flip flops custom for each wearer, so while no two pairs will fit exactly the same, they’ll feel just as seamless. And by all accounts, they look pretty sick, too.