Flip-Flops Are the Unexpected It Shoe of 2025

While nothing new to Filipinos, the "tsinelas" now has luxury fashion smitten.

Published on Aug 11, 2025

Flip-flops—or as Pinoys know them, tsinelas—have been ingrained in local culture for as long as anyone can remember. Walk down a street in any barangay and you’re bound to spot at least a dozen people sporting the slippers, toes out. Designed for the equatorial climate Filipinos live in, they offer mobility, comfort, and—when styled right—a touch of flair. While they weren’t invented by our people, they’ve certainly woven themselves into our way of life.

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PHOTO: Instagram/islander.ph.

Outside our doorsteps, the humble tsinelas has been reimagined, particularly by those with a taste for luxury. The second half of 2025 has seen slippers make frequent appearances on the runway, often paired with sharp tailoring and layered looks. This isn’t the first time flip-flops have stepped into the spotlight, but it reflects how fashion continues to embrace the unexpected. Ahead, discover how luxury labels are interpreting this household staple and why it’s steadily becoming the shoe du jour.

Trend Report

Flip-Flops Are the It Shoe of 2025

Flip-flops are a universal wardrobe MVP, with brands like Havaianas and Melissa putting them front and center. In the early 2000s—a time when people dressed with carefree abandon and ignored strict fashion rules—slippers were the footwear of choice. Paired with low-rise jeans and camisoles, they were worn everywhere, even in settings you’d least expect. Sisters Hilary and Haylie Duff famously sported them on red carpets, creating polarizing style moments now etched into sartorial history.

Fast forward to the 2020s, and these slip-ons have made a street-style comeback, spotted on the likes of Kendall Jenner, Olivia Rodrigo, and Gigi Hadid. Often paired with designer ensembles, they’ve been given a fresh lease on fashion life.

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Haylie and Hilary Duff in flip flops at the 2002 Teen Choice Awards. PHOTO: Instagram/capsulenostalgia.

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Kendall Jenner in Paris wearing flip flops. PHOTO: Instagram/pipoxdabad.

Such resurgence may be attributed to houses such as Prada and Louis Vuitton, which showcased their own iterations of the flip-flop in their Spring/Summer 2026 collections. Models took to the catwalk with toes peeking out, styled in airy resortwear and free-flowing trousers. The influence of Indian dandyism and other Asian aesthetics was unmistakable, underscoring how the flip-flop was originally intended for lifestyles in such climates.

Prada Spring/Summer 2026. PHOTOS: Prada

Louis Vuitton Men's Spring/Summer 2026. PHOTOS: Lpuis Vuitton

The versatility of flip-flops has always been evident to those living in Asia’s tropics. Their return to the sartorial consciousness has not gone unnoticed by homegrown regional labels such as Vietnam’s Fanci Club and Japan’s Auralee. Whether rendered in multi-colored tones or muted hues, these shoes bring a sense of familiarity to a range of ensembles. They add a nonchalant touch to suits and button-ups, perfectly aligning with the devil-may-care attitude of their wearers.

Fanci Club Spring/Summer 2026. PHOTOS: Fanci Club

Auralee Spring/Summer 2026. PHOTOS: Auralee

With many discovering the wonders of flip-flops, debates over their ownership have been discussed online. TikTok users from Brazil, where Havaianas originated, have aired out their disapproval of attributing the style cue to Eurocentric aesthetics. In the same vein, Filipinos have taken to the digital space to emphasize the long-standing presence of slippers in our realm, arguing how there has always been a "Manila way" to wear them.

SHOP:

The Best Designer Flip-Flops

Auralee

Leather Thong Sandals

Fully rendered in black leather, Auralee's thong sandal can be considered the genesis of flip-flop design. Low-key yet sleek, it draws inspiration from the straightforward slipper style originating in ancient Japan.

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Prada

Rubber Thong Sandals

Adhering to the "less is more" philosophy, Prada’s take on the flip-flop features its iconic Symbole logo. With a thicker sole and straps, this pair promises all-day comfort without compromising style.

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Maison Margiela

Tabi Flip-Flops

Didn't think flip flops could be Tabi-fied? Well, think again. Maison Margiela adds its infamous split toe to a simple leather base—instantly taking the shoe from a 10 to a 100.

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Christopher Esber

Jo Flip Flop

If you can't choose between flip flops and jelly shoes, then just go for both. Thanks to Christopher Esber, the delightfully squishy and nostalgic style is fused with an easy-to-wear slipper.

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Fenty x Puma

Cat Cleat Jelly Shoes

Fenty's collaborations with Puma have led to some of the coolest kicks in recent history. Among their shared releases is the Cat Cleat Jelly Shoe, a rubber slipper with a feline-like sole. Consider this the pop of color your outfits need!

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Diesel x Melissa

Quantum Flip-Flop

Melissa has given the flip-flop multiple makeovers in the past, and their recent work with Diesel takes it to extremes. The Quantum Flip-Flop possesses the designer brand's edgy appeal while still retaining the shoe's comfortable feel.

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Dolce & Gabbana x Havaianas

Flowers Flip-Flop

Flip-flop pioneer Havaianas links up with Dolce & Gabbana to craft a dainty model perfect for trips to the beach. The floral print on the sole is accented by a rope-like fabric wrapped around the straps, which is where you can find both brands' logos.

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JOS Mundo

Kislap Flipflop

It would be remiss not to shop local when splurging on your next pair of tsinelas. Inspired by the country’s subtropical climate, JOS Mundo offers the Kislap, distinguished by iridescent sequins lining its straps.

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Dries Van Noten

Platform Sandal

Should you require a height boost but still want to rock flip flops, opt for Dries Van Noten's platforms. Emulating kitschy Y2K styles, this pair has a glossy finish to it with its patent leather exterior.

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Coperni

Branded Wedge Sandal

Similarly, Coperni gives you a literal spring in your step with their wedge sandals. Available in denim or leather, these steppers proudly carry the label's name on its signature strap.

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Em is queer and probably daydreaming somewhere. They're Preview's associate entertainment editor who's often spotted in cowboy boots and lemon-tinted sunnies.