Toeing the trend: Fashion has an obsession with open footwear this season

Kaiai Gerber (left) is seen wearing a pair of heeled sandals in Paris. Photo: Instagram/Kaia Gerber

Remember when sneakers were all over the fashion runways? Well, the new footwear of choice by designers happens to be of the toe-baring variety.

At fashion weeks, models are seen walking in sandals (sans socks – that trend has mostly fizzled out) to denote a more relaxed vibe.

The specific design that’s hot right now is the fisherman sandal.

First worn centuries ago by European men out at sea who needed quick-draining shoes, it was eventually adopted by style lovers for its “I don’t care” attitude.

In the 1990s, jellied versions of the fisherman sandal popped up. Black or brown ones are often worn by middle-age men too – which then led to the nickname, “dad sandals”.

A model walks the runway wearing a pair of Fisherman sandals. The footwear is said to be a fashion must-have this season. Photo: Loewe

To dress fisherman sandals, keep the rest of your outfit tonal for a sophisticated feel. Photo: Hermes

Read more: Ask The Expert: Finding the right footwear to fit your lifestyle and needs

To note, 1990s fashion is witnessing a resurgence right now. Dadcore, where one dresses up like the average, unfashionable parent, happens to be a current trend as well.

The fashion crowd is very focused on heeled flip-flops too.

Model Kaia Gerber was seen wearing a pair in Paris just recently. It was her Olympics trip. She shared a photo of herself, where she posed with her mother, supermodel Cindy Crawford, in front of the Arc De Triomphe.

Kylie shows off strappy flats in the campaign pictures for her Khy fashion brand. Photo: Instagram/Kylie Jenner

Similarly, television personality Kylie Jenner has been seen wearing heeled flip-flops in the pictures shared to promote her fashion brand Khy.

Kylie, together with her sister, Kendall, and other stars like Zoe Kravitz, are also rocking beach flip-flops – specifically a US$650 (approximately RM2,900) design from The Row, the fashion brand founded by former actresses Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen.

While holidaying in Rome in July, Kylie paired her flip-flops with a denim Marni dress. Earlier that month, actress Kravitz matched hers with a plaid shirt and wide-leg trousers.

Kendall, who is a model, went the classic route, wearing her flip-flops with a T-shirt and a pair of jeans.

Read more: Looking for stylish shoes? The trend now is all about ballet flats and loafers

If you are wondering why anyone would pay that kind of money for footwear that are essentially slippers, the The Row’s designs feature a polished leather insole – making them look more luxurious.

Then again, fashion labels such as Proenza Schouler, Saint Laurent and Tory Burch are carrying flip-flops in their current collections.

Perhaps, this is the essential fashion vibe of the season – where comfort and practicality takes precedence over anything else.