The new Japanese-style flip flops set to take over summer

By Hannah Hughes 2020-06-25T18:00:00Z

Welcome to woman&home’s online shopping guides, where we reveal where to buy the most popular and top-rated products. This guide is about the new Japanese-style flip flops, but you may also be interested in our edits of the Monsoon dresses our fashion team are obsessed with, lightweight summer sleepwear and where to buy face masks.

Every summer there’s a pair of stand out sandals that drip down from the catwalk, flood social media and make it onto a high street shelf near you. This summer meet The Row’s 'Ginza' slides, responsible for the new stylish platform flip flops that are currently making waves on the fashion scene.

At a whopping £725 (and a waiting list longer than you nearest supermarket queue) they might be off your menu. However, we’ve found loads of stylish alternatives, including a chic range at FitFlop, whose Microwobbleboard midsole are designed to help absorb shock and diffuse underfoot pressure - delivering extraordinary comfort without forgoing style.

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The platform thong shoe is certainly not a new design; its inspiration lies in the ancient Japanese Zori shoes – a rounded sandal usually worn with a kimono. Traditionally, Zori are low but modern styles can have platforms in varying heights. For those of us lacking in the height department this new style not only adds a few extra inches, they are perfect for slipping on to nip to the supermarket or into the garden.

Even the iconic Brazilian flip-flop brand Havaianas has been inspired. They’ve ramped up their best selling beach flip flops with the new 'Tradi Zori' shape - the first Havaianas sandal designed for urban style. With a square base and fabric strap, these babies come in at £130!

For some serious style inspiration check out Monikh, the stylish instagram influencer who mixes her sandals up with sophisticated neutrals and soft summer tailoring. Our styling advice is to avoid busy prints such as florals or polka dots, sticking to sophisticated muted tones or large abstract prints. Think loose palazzo pants, white shirts, shirt dresses and off white or Japanese indigo denim.