How to style thongs beyond the beach, according to six local creatives

Adding height can instantly (and literally) elevate an outfit.

Thongs are finally having their moment in the sun as we embrace more comfortable and casual fashion for the holidays. After squeezing our feet into sneakers, loafers and occasionally heels all year, there’s nothing more freeing than slipping on a pair of thongs and heading to the beach. 

This summer, we’re noticing more people embracing the ‘wrong shoe theory’ and pairing practical thongs with unexpectedly dressy outfits. Remember when Jennifer Lawrence wore thongs under her Christian Dior dress at the Cannes red carpet? Iconic wrong-shoe-theory moment.

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With party season in full swing, we asked some of our favourite local stylists, models and creatives to share how they’re elevating thongs from (excuse the fashion mag cliché) beach to bar.

Kitty Le, stylist

The secret to making something comfy look put-together? Structure. These Cotton On flip-flops have a little platform to give me some height. Adding height can instantly (and literally) elevate an outfit. Along with a form-fitting tailored dress and a couple of sharp accessories, I’m ready to take on the town and stay comfortable the entire time.

@kittyle_stylist 

Camelia Farhoodi, model

I genuinely believe if you have a chic outfit on, maybe some silk pants or a maxi skirt paired with a cute top, hair or makeup done too, flip-flops can really be suitable for any event. I heard some advice once that really stuck with me, it’s the two out of three rule: hair, makeup, or outfit. You’ll always look chic if you choose to put effort into two out of three. 

“On days when I have an event and want to be more comfortable, I go for a fresh hydrated face, a little bit of blush and lipstick, and I also make sure my curls are looking fresh and bouncy. It balances everything out, even if I want to wear the most casual flip-flops on my feet.

@cameliafarhoodi 

Ash Grats, content creator

To me, thongs have a feminine feel,  especially when heeled. I like to balance out their delicacy through styling with masculine pieces. Think structured denim, textured fabrics and tailoring, always. 

@ashgrats 

Sally Mackinnon, personal fashion stylist

I’m loving an elevated thong this season and these red leather ones from Staud have been on high rotation. I’ve been wearing them with everything from summer cotton dresses to my everyday work wear including (as you can see here), my tailored blazer and trousers. For me, a leather thong adds a casual yet modern vibe to my wardrobe and lends itself really well to dressing up and down.

@styledbysally

Candy Brat, stylist and content creator

As a maximalist and a self-diagnosed trinket girlie, my main tip for dressing up thongs is to accessorise; think anklets, toe rings, ribbons, or any charms you could attach to the straps. For this look, I added my Ramp Tramp Tramp Stamp poetry ribbons around my ankles to make them feel more like a strappy shoe. 

Otherwise, I’d suggest looking for thongs with unique shapes, made with elevated materials to take you beyond your average rubber thong that you wear to the beach. Heeled or platform thongs can make you look and feel more dressed up, while still staying comfortable. And make sure your toenails are painted too! It’s that extra detail that’ll help to complete your look. 

@candy_brat 

Naima Fatema, content creator

I bought a pair of square toe Havaianas for a holiday to Mexico earlier this year and I’ve been obsessed with them ever since, especially styled back with a nicer dress. I have a whole wardrobe filled with nice dresses that I have been making a conscious effort to wear more and to me, adding a pair of thongs instantly transforms the outfit to something more casual and effortless. This Katharina Lou dress and my Havi’s are going to be my go-to outfit for the summer for that exact reason.

@lil_bangla

For more on styling thongs, try this.