Men shouldn’t fear baring their toes – it’s officially a runway-approved move. Photo composite (from left): Louis Vuitton, Kiko Kostadinov, Dries Van Noten
It was once considered a big no-no for anyone to attend fashion week wearing sneakers. Now, you see them all the time.
This perfectly illustrates how trends change.
What was once considered too informal has evolved into something stylish and intentional – even worthy of the runway.
Case in point: the recent menswear shows saw designers sending out male models in open-toe sandals.
These were not part of a beach-themed collection, though.
Such casual footwear appeared on the feet of men wearing tailored pants, trendy outerwear and sporty chic separates.
They represent a deliberate clash that redefines modern masculinity and ease.
Pharrell Williams, Louis Vuitton menswear creative director, unveiled flip-flops as part of his Spring/Summer 2026 collection.
“The LV Flip is a voluminous flip-flop crafted in dark leathers, pastel suedes and tan, blue and white crocodile. It also appears with bag-inspired construction,” read the official description.
It simply means that Louis Vuitton has taken a humble design and turned it into a luxury statement piece.
With a nice jacket and well-proportioned pants, sandals can take on a more formal look. Photo: HermesHermes showcased rope-soled sandals on the runway, pairing them with smartly tailored pieces that evoked the ease of a stroll through a waterfront resort.
“Just a nice, cool guy in the city!” Veronique Nichanian, artistic director of Hermes’ menswear division, however told Vogue.
“I was looking for lightness,” she said, when asked who – or what occasion – she had in mind while designing the collection.
Read more: Step up, guys! Let these stylish celebrities inspire your shoe game
Kiko Kostadinov’s models even wore flip-flops with toe socks.
Yes, toe socks – the kind that hug each digit like gloves for your feet – adding a slightly offbeat, almost futuristic twist to the look.
Was it quirky? Indeed so, but perhaps it also challenged conventional ideas of coordination and cool.
Dries Van Noten doubled down on the vibe with sleek leather sandals worn alongside softly structured suiting and breezy separates.
“A spirited lineup of classic tailoring and youthful style, playing between formal and casual,” the brand shared in an Instagram post.
The footwear may have been minimal, but the message was clear: the rules of menswear are being rewritten.
Lemaire kept it more classy with fisherman sandals – understated, utilitarian, and worn with fluid silhouettes that moved with quiet confidence.
According to the press release, the collection was “a play of opposites”.
It also sat between “the formal and the informal, the strong and the soft”.
Prada showcased T-strap sandals in its Milan show. That became a big controversy after Indian social media users accused the fashion house of cultural appropriation.
The design mimics the Kolhapuri chappal that millions of people wear in India on a daily basis.
Read more: What to know about the Prada 'sandal scandal' and India’s Kolhapuri comeback
Just before the menswear shows in Milan started, actor Jonathan Bailey broke the internet after he wore US$700 (approximately RM2,956) flip flops to a red carpet event.
A few days later, fellow actor Simon Baker appeared at a film festival wearing slides. The design he had on his feet were a minimalist design crafted from a luxurious suede nubuck.
The looks sparked an avalanche of commentary – many praised the confidence, while others bemoaned their choice as a sign that men’s fashion standards were slipping.
Well, who’s laughing now? It turns out Bailey and Baker were simply ahead of the trend.
Whether rugged or refined, playful or polished, these toe-baring shoes signalled a broader shift. Men’s fashion is finally finding freedom at their feet, so to speak.
