Maison Margiela’s cloven-toe Tabi pumps, the rise of the ‘Frankenshoe’ (looking at you, Puma Speedcats and New Balance snoafers), and even a ballet flat iteration of Crocs – the original hideous-but-essential shoe – this year, we’ve all completely surrendered to ‘ugly-chic’ footwear. But wait – there’s more. With the launch of the Havaianas Kitten Heel, this year’s It-Girl sandal is shaping up to be your classic beach must-have, topped off with a little extra something-something. Enter the kitten-heeled flip-flop.
It feels inevitable, really. First came the great flip-flop revival of 2025, sparked by The Row’s eye-watering £670 Dune sandals and cemented by the likes of Gigi Hadid and Jennifer Lawrence, who were both spotted pairing their off-duty Havaianas with more formal tailoring. This year, the trend continues into what is – maybe? – its final form, with the addition of a teeny 1.5” heel.
Iconic flip-flop purveyor Havaianas unveiled its first low-heeled rubber design, complete with its signature toe-post, at Copenhagen Fashion Week this year. It isn’t the only brand to give its sandals a micro-lift, with Gucci and Staud both releasing their own thong heels for summer 2026, along with a glut of high street chains. John Lewis has reported a 300 per cent increase in sales for kitten-heel thong styles, searches on Depop and Lyst have exploded, and they’ve been spotted everywhere from the Wimbledon crowd to Instagram’s street style accounts.
For our editors, however, where they really come into their own is on a beach break. This is the ultimate resort footwear hack, helping you neatly sidestep packing dilemmas while easily toeing the line between casual and polished dressing. The slight heel offers just enough height to elongate the leg and feel appropriate for dinner, while the familiar thong construction keeps that breezy sense of holiday ease. Plus, they won’t leave your feet hurting, even after all-day wear. They also lie virtually flat in hand luggage, which is another perk for overpackers.
More so than the Speedcats, or the Croc ballet flats, the kitten heel flip-flop is eminently versatile. On the resort, pair them with wide-leg linen trousers and a loose poplin shirt, or a sheer maxi dress over your swimwear. For evenings, they’ll go well with a slinky silk midi skirt or dress, or with denim shorts and summery knit for sundowners or brunch.
The kitten heel flip-flop proves that you don’t need to take your holiday wardrobe too seriously. They’re light, versatile and actually chic – precisely what holiday dressing should be. See some of our favourite pairs to shop now below.
