There are garments that, suddenly, shift their context. Something that for years we wore exclusively in one place starts appearing elsewhere and, almost without realizing it, ends up becoming a trend.
That is exactly what is happening with the rubber flip-flops. For a long time, to me they were synonymous with vacation. With sand, the pool, and sun-filled days. I would have never imagined wearing flip-flops to stroll through the city or, even more, to accompany a dress.
But fashion has that capacity to make us change our minds. We saw them in Paris, part of relaxed yet carefully thought-out looks. Also on the streets of Copenhagen, one of the capitals where urban fashion is experienced with greater freedom and personality.
And Pampita even showed us how to wear them during her vacation: she combined summer dresses with rubber flip-flops and managed to demonstrate that, sometimes, the key is precisely in dialing down the formality of a look.
Rubber flip-flops step off the beach and into the city
I believe the great appeal of this trend lies in the contrast. Flip-flops are probably among the most casual footwear there is. That’s why, when they appear paired with more refined garments, the result exudes a different attitude.
The look is no longer exclusively beach-oriented. The idea is to incorporate them into urban ensembles and to take advantage of the comfort they provide.
A dress that could seem overly polished completely changes when paired with simple rubber flip-flops. The result is more relaxed, fresh, and, to me, far more interesting.
And that mix of apparently opposing garments is one of the things I like most about contemporary fashion.
How to pair rubber flip-flops for city wear
My favorite formula would be, without a doubt, to wear them with dresses. A long, flowing dress, a midi one, or even a more polished model can gain a completely new air with this footwear. The key is to embrace the contrast and not try to make the flip-flops look like something they are not.
I also imagine them with loose-fitting trousers and a shirt. It’s a simple, comfortable combination, perfect for hot days.
Straight-leg jeans or relaxed silhouettes are another good option. A basic T-shirt, an open shirt, and some flip-flops can become a very easy-to-replicate summer uniform.
The secret lies in contrast
For me, wearing rubber flip-flops outside the beach has a lot to do with understanding one of the big keys of modern fashion: not everything needs to match in a literal sense.
Indeed, the attraction is in wearing a feminine dress with informal footwear. Or an urban look with an accessory that inevitably evokes vacation.
That said: it’s not about wearing any flip-flop with any outfit. To make the look work in the city, I would choose models with simple lines, in neutral colors or with a clean aesthetic.
Black, white, brown, or natural tones are, for me, the easiest options to incorporate into the urban wardrobe.
Should I dare to wear rubber flip-flops to go out?
A few years ago I would have answered no. Today, after seeing how this trend has settled in some of the chicest summer destinations across Europe, I have my doubts. Because there is something very appealing in the idea of not taking fashion too seriously.
Rubber flip-flops aren’t trying to be elegant. And perhaps that is precisely their charm.
My advice would be to start small: wear them with a simple dress on a summer day, pair them with wide trousers, or dare to wear them for a stroll around the city.
Because this season, it seems that one of the simplest shoes we have in the closet is ready to conquer a completely new territory.
