I Love My Havaianas: Wearing Flip-Flop Sandals with Style
As you probably know, I grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
When I was a child, Havaianas - those simple rubber flip-flops - were the sandals we wore to the beach. They were also what many people wore every day, sometimes because they couldn’t afford “real shoes” for work, and sometimes just because they were the most comfortable option. Probably both.
But one thing was for sure: you wouldn’t go out in Havaianas unless you were headed to the beach.
Then, some marketing genius turned Havaianas into a global case study. Suddenly, they were everywhere. The stores around the world are cute, but my favorite is still the one in Ipanema, with four open floors and walls covered in colorful flip-flops. Today, they also sell clothes and accessories, not just sandals.
Fast-forward to Summer 2025, and flip-flop thong sandals are trending. They’ve shown up in every possible version and price point, including The Row’s $620 rubber pair with grosgrain straps.
I need to say… seeing cool people wearing jeans + a nice top + thong flip-flops, or a tailored suit with flip-flops, or even a dress with flip-flops—even when they’re made of leather—reminded me of Havaianas.
I’m not sure I could bring myself to spend that much on leather flip-flops. So I asked a friend visiting Brazil to bring me a black pair of Havaianas—probably a color I’ve never had before. They’re ridiculously cheap over there.
Now I want to create some outfits and see how I feel wearing them again in NYC.
Let’s see how it goes.
(And yes, I’m already expecting a joke from my husband, who proudly wears Havaianas and Bermuda shorts the moment Summer arrives. Maybe he’s the real fashionista at home—and I never noticed.)
I’ll be back soon with updates.
Hi, I’m Marcia Crivorot, a Personal Stylist based in NY. I send newsletters with style tips, brands to know, and products twice a month. Unlock previous editions of my newsletters and receive my emails firsthand by subscribing.
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