NICE TOES! YOUR GUIDE TO STYLING FLIP FLOPS

Let’s start with the most fundamentally important thing about flip flops: they’re incredibly comfy. You’d be hard pressed to find a comfier pair of shoes, to be honest. But not all flip flops are created equal – and there are certain people who hate the sensation of something between the toes. These might not be classed as flip flops in the traditional sense, but they have all the features required for an effortless, toe-baring stroll. With cushioned soles, easy Velcro straps and supportive ankle fastenings, Tevas are up there with slippers when it comes to ease of wear. Plus, thanks to their minimalist design, they look great with almost anything. We’d opt for jorts and a simple T-shirt for height-of-summer style.

GET THE LOOK: 

ASOS DESIGN longer length denim jort in black, £35
Topman regular fit t-shirt in white, £9
Similar: Rains Trail waterproof rolltop tote bag in black, £99
Teva Hurricane XLT2 in black, £70

If you fancy tapping into the zeitgeist with your flip flops, then this ASOS DESIGN pair are a solid option. With a wider strap than your usual slip-ons, these boast a thick sturdy sole not too dissimilar from Jonathan Bailey’s favourite pair from The Row. Since then, brands like Auralee have proven flip flops deserve a place on the high-fashion runway – pairing them with tailoring and crisp cotton shirts that perfectly balance the stoic subtlety of an exposed foot.

GET THE LOOK: 

ASOS DESIGN classic flip flops in black, £18
Pull&Bear tailored fit wide leg trousers in black, £35.99
Cotton On knit tank top in black, £23
ASOS DESIGN smart co-ord oversized blouson jacket in brown, £45

Of course, the flip flop craze didn’t start with The Row. These trusty shoes have been a mainstay in the wardrobe for centuries (no really, evidence suggests people were flip-flopping about as early as 4000BC), so it’s not hard to find a versatile pair. We love this AllSaints style for their leather detail, making them easy to dress up or down depending on your plans.

GET THE LOOK: 

AllSaints Sydney leather thong sandals in black, £99
Similar: Topman rigid baggy jean in washed black, £40
Similar: ASOS DESIGN oversized overhead textured shirt in grey, £32
ASOS DESIGN retro frame square sunglasses, £12

Another not-quite-flip-flop option is the slider. Great if you’re rushing or can’t quite commit to the OG thong design, these do exactly what they say on the tin. If you’re after a pair that feels a little more interesting than your average poolside shoe, then these chunky sliders from The North Face are the answer. With a gorpcore design and supportive cushioning, they’re stylish and practical in equal measure. (We can see these with a pair of oversized cargos and a windbreaker, if you were wondering.)

GET THE LOOK: 

The North Face Explore Camp chunky slider in black, £60
ASOS DESIGN baggy pull on cargo trousers in black, £32
ASOS DESIGN windbreaker jacket with hood in khaki, £55
OLEND Nico large nylon shoulder bag in sand, £76

And so we arrive at an old faithful. Everyone's owned a pair – or at least knows someone who has. Havaianas are arguably the MVP of flip flops, and rightfully so. We’d go as far as to say they encompass all the categories above. Comfortable, durable and easy to style, these will always be a mainstay on our holiday packing list. But don’t doubt their wearability on home turf, too. From jeans to shorts and everything in between, a simple black pair of classic Havaianas is always worth adding to your lineup. If nothing else, they’ll see you to the corner shop and back when you forget to buy milk.

GET THE LOOK: 

Havaianas unisex classic flip flops in black, £23
ARKET alpaca wool blend jumper in blue, £85
ARKET wide fit drawstring workwear trousers in beige, £97
ASOS DESIGN chunky round tortoiseshell frame glasses, £14