We're Calling It: Thong Sandals Are Going to Be Summer's Biggest Trend

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From Mary Janes to espadrille flats to mesh flats, there are slew of shoes vying for our attention this season. And now with warm weather just around the corner, there's one more style worthy of being added to your wardrobe: thong sandals.

Best recognized for its minimalist appearance, I like to think of the '90s-era sandals as the glowed-up cousin of flip flops. They have the signature Y-shaped strap that runs between the big and second toes, but are thoughtfully crafted with elevated details, such as walkable kitten heels, supple leather uppers, and dainty embellishments that make the shoes versatile enough for most outings. Seriously, you can wear them with dresses and power suits for fancier fetes, or pair them with barrel leg jeans or sundresses for a more laidback look—the style options are truly infinite.

To help with your seasonal shoe shopping, I did my research across the internet and narrowed down the very best thong sandals based on customer review and editor-favorite brands. Ahead, you'll find a style for every aesthetic, occasion, and budget.

The Irene Thong Sandal

The amount of ways you can wear these sandals: with jeans! with dresses! with denim skirts! We can go on, but you truly can't go wrong.

Material: Leather

Size Range: 5-11

Heel Height: 1.75"

Patos Sandal

Add a dash of glam to your summer ensembles with a '60s-esque flat sandal topped with an oversized metal ornament.

Material: Leather & brass

Size Range: 4-13

Colors: 2

Capri Low Heel Sandal

Pair these sleek metallic stunners with your best summer dress, and you'll be golden... so to speak.

Material: Leather

Size Range: 5-12

Heel Height: 1.38"

Emmy 80MM Leather Sandals

Cult Gaia takes the '90s sandal style into 2024 with a strappy split toe silhouette, slanted undercut heel, and sand color that looks stellar with denim, floral frocks, and beyond.

Material: Leather

Size Range: 35.5-40

Heel Height: 3.15"

Burma Jewel Sandal

When you want your shoes to do the talking, I give you these Gianvito showstoppers with a mid-heigh stiletto heel and bejeweled Y-strap.

Material: Leather & cabochon stones

Size Range: 6-9.5

Heel Height: 3"

Wishbone Leather Sandals

These criss-cross slingback sandals not only look elegant on the foot, but it gives the illusion of legs for days.

Material: Leather

Size Range: IT35-IT41

Heel Height: 3.5"

Colors: 3

Appliquéd Leather Wedge Sandals

Put your fancy footwork into action with a bubblegum pink thong-meets-wedge topped with a lovely rose appliqué.

Material: Leather

Size Range: IT35-IT41.5

Heel Height: 4"

Colors: 3

Edith Leather Sandals

Also in: toe rings. Studio Amelia offers both trends in one very sophisticated sandal.

Material: Leather

Size Range: IT35-IT41

Heel Height: 2"

Colors: 3

Portofino Sandal

Take your next formal look up a notch with Larroudé's sultry stiletto with straps that effortlessly wrap around the ankle.

Material: Leather

Size Range: 5-11

Heel Height: 2.5"

Colors: 2

Thong Kitten Heels

Between the suede upper and chartreuse, these thong kitten heels are to die for. And the fact that they're well-priced, too? If I were you, I'd snap it up in denim, white, and silver.

Material: Suede

Size Range: 5-10.5

Heel Height: 1"

Colors: 5

Sirène Pearl-Embellished Leather Thong Mules

Heeled thong sandals embellished with lustrous pearls are ladylike as can be.

Material: Leather

Size Range: IT36-IT40

Heel Height: 2"

Plage Braided Metallic Leather Sandals

Channel Greek goddess vibes in a metallic leather thong sandal with braided straps and criss-cross ties that wrap around the ankle.

Material: Leather

Size Range: IT35-IT42

Colors: 3

Brenda Woven Leather Sandals

Made of Andrea Gomez's signature woven leather, this thong silhouette has a square toe and stacked heel that's a breeze to walk, strut, dance, and do whatever else in.

Material: Leather

Size Range: IT36-IT41

Heel Height: 1.6"

Colors: 4

The Cooper Thong Sandal

If you want the height of a heel but the comfort of a flat, look no further than Madewell's Cooper flatforms.

Material: Leather

Size Range: 5-11

Colors: 2

Angela Leather Sandals

The chicest flip flops I ever laid my eyes on, don't you agree?

Material: Leather

Size Range: IT35-IT41

Heel Height: 2"

Colors: 3

Giselle Leather Toe-Post Sandals

Go ahead, add a splash of flash to your summer style with a high-shine thong sandal with a sleek sculpted heel.

Material: Leather

Size Range: 36-42

Heel Height: 5.5 cm

Colors: 4

Shel Suede Sandals

Function meets fashion with A.emery's ultra-comfy wrap-around thong sandals featuring a contoured footbed that molds to your feet with each and every strap. Perfect for sightseeing or day-to-day outings.

Material: Suede

Size Range: IT35-IT42

Cecilia in Washed Gold Nappa

Inspired by the bespoke sandals crafted on the Amalfi Coast, this understated flat offers a barely-there style that exposes the foot for a polished and refined look.

Material: Leather

Size Range: 35-42

Colors: 3

Natalia Thong Sandal

Everything about this buttercup yellow shoe screams fun in the sun.

Material: Leather

Size Range: 35-42

Heel Height: 35 mm

Colors: 3

Strappy Thong Sandals

An elevated take on the classic T-strap silhouette, this thong is pared back, but it definitely won't go unnoticed thanks to the geometric heel that offers the right amount of lift.

Material: Leather

Size Range: 5-11

Heel Height: N/A

Colors: 3

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