Want To Walk In An It Girl's Shoes? Try A Thong Heel

If you've ever wanted to know what it's like to walk in an it girl's shoes, it might be time to update your rotation. According to a handful of it girls, the thong heel is the shoe of the season.

The thong heel is a grown up, elevated take on the flip-flop. Think of them as a tried and true way of instantly adding a bit of oomph to your otherwise casual spring and summer looks. They pair the casual, exposed nature of the flip-flop with the dressed up, ultra-chic vibe of a stiletto, kitten heel, or wedge—and in result, they strike the perfect balance.

Kylie Jenner, for example, recently paired a simple cropped black tank top with perfectly fitted black trousers and a pair of black thong heels for a date night look. Her complete look was simple, sleek, elevated, yet still casual, laid-back, and effortless.

Hailey Bieber considered the thong heel casual enough to wear to a celebrity flag football game—and paired with jeans, a black tank, and a crochet cardigan, I have to agree. The denim of it all pared the look back, the coordinated black top and shoes added sophistication, and the heel contributed an elevated element. The end result? A look that falls somewhere between casual and dressed up.

For a celebrity charity pickleball match, Lily Collins combined multiple trends in a single look. She paired a cropped white cardigan top with form-fitting black capris and black thong heels for a casual yet chic ensemble.

Spring/Summer 2026 runways embraced the thong heel trend, too. Alaïa offered strappy style paired with a formal statement skirt and white off the shoulder top, making a strong case for styling the trend as evening wear. Christopher Esber, on the other hand, offered a wedged style—perfect for those seeking a bit more comfort or those not the most comfortable in heels. The pairing made a strong case for the trend as casual everyday wear.

With so many thong heel styles available, we'll all be walking in an it girl's shoes soon enough.