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Once synonymous with Aussie surf culture, the humble thongs are now a style icon. They still go to the beach, but now they’ve got dinner plans, too.
To be clear, we mean the shoes. Known as ‘thongs’ in Australia, ‘jandals’ in New Zealand and ‘flip-flops’ elsewhere, the summer staple is trending amongst the style set, emerging as one of the hottest shoes of the season.
Relaxed, minimal and easy to wear, their simple appeal hasn’t changed. Thongs are now intentional, not just the shoes you grabbed on the way out. Thong sandals are a key footwear shape in 2026, appearing in everything from classic rubber and minimal leather styles to platforms, kitten heels and statement jelly thongs.
“Thongs are already part of how Australians dress. What has changed is the context. We're seeing cleaner leather, platform and heeled styles paired with tailoring, dresses and denim, so a very familiar shoe suddenly feels new again.”
Charlotte Glover, General Manager Womenswear at THE ICONIC
The 2026 thongs
The new approach is about playing with contrast. As casual shoes, they can make a tailored outfit feel laidback, while a leather or heeled version can bring relaxed ease to dresses and evening pieces.
We’re seeing classic rubber thongs styled with linen, dresses and tailoring alike. Leather versions are on rotation as alternatives to strappy sandals, while platforms and heeled thong sandals take looks from day to night.
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The five thongs styles to know
Heeled
Kitten-heel, high heel and wedge styles take the familiar thong shape into elevated styling with soft tailoring, satin dresses and evening outfits. Wear kitten heel thongs with workwear for laidback ease, or slip on a pair of wedge thongs for drinks. Look to labels like Billini, Wildfire and Verali for on-trend heeled thongs in classic black, tan and neutral shades, as well as metallics and event-ready styles with sculptural hardware details.
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Classic rubber
The beach and summer original. Choose black or neutral shades for versatility, or opt for red, chartreuse, blue or metallic as a colour accent. Havaianas are the longtime heroes in the rubber thongs space. A rounded toe is a timeless classic, a pointed toe adds a refined feel or you can try a trending square toe for a contemporary take. Experiment with classic, slim and puffed strap styles to change up the proportions.
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Leather
Leather thongs lend a more polished finish to linen trousers, jorts, maxi skirts, relaxed tailoring and simple dresses. Choose from plain leather with a smooth finish for a minimalist aesthetic, suede for understated texture and a buttery soft feel, or pony hair for a statement look with tactile interest. AERE, Alias Mae, Assembly Label and Tony Bianco are leading labels for leather thong styles, with classic black and muted tones to complement your seasonal capsule.
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Platform
The thick sole of platform thongs adds grounding structure, working to balance wide-leg pants, long shorts, oversized denim and maxi lengths. Brands like Dazie and Therapy have chunky thong platforms down pat, delivered in fresh colourways with trending details, like animal prints and studs, to anchor your look with intentional personality. Flatform thongs are a happy medium if you want a little more height than a regular pair but a little less drama than a large platform.
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Sporty
Wider straps, translucent jellies and cushioned soles work with cargos, bike shorts, relaxed denim and simple dresses for funky Y2K vibes. Melissa and GAP are the names to know for sporty jelly thongs with nostalgic appeal. Consider two-toned designs and classic jelly thongs by GAP, or explore architectural shapes and limited-edition collaborations by Melissa, with each pair infused with Melissa’s signature bubblegum scent.
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How to make thongs look polished
Simple rubber thongs can look intentional in clean shapes and premium constructions. Leave your worn-out pair for the beach and opt for design-led styles. Tailoring, crisp cotton, satin, linen and clean denim give thongs something more structured to sit against. A good bag, simple jewellery or well-cut blazer can also shift the mood from casual to laidback-luxe.
“Don't overcomplicate the styling. Choose a refined shape and let another element do the work such as a bermuda short, satin and lace trim skirt or a cute top. I personally love the jelly thong heel or a leather thong in black. You want the outfit to feel relaxed, not accidental. And make sure you have a great pedi colour”
Nicole Adolphe, Head of Style at THE ICONIC
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7 ways to wear thongs
Pair leather thongs with tailored pants
Leather thongs and tailored trousers are an easygoing combination. Choose wide-leg, straight or softly draped pants and make sure the hem sits clear of the ground. Add a fitted tank, crisp shirt or blazer.
Wear rubber thongs with a blazer
A blazer is one of the best ways to make rubber thongs look deliberate. Style them with a white T-shirt and tailored shorts, relaxed trousers or jorts. The blazer brings the polish.
Add them to a dress
Minimal thongs work with everything from a simple tank dress to a linen maxi or playful babydoll shape. Choose leather for a polished daytime outfit, rubber for a relaxed summer look or heeled thongs when the dress needs a little lift.
Style them with denim
Try leather thongs with long jorts and a blazer, rubber thongs with relaxed jeans and a fitted tee, or platform styles with wide-leg denim. A darker wash feels more polished, while faded denim keeps the outfit casual.
Try heeled thongs after dark
A kitten-heel thong sandal is an easy alternative to a traditional strappy heel. Wear it with a satin skirt, tailored pants, a slip dress or dark jorts. Metallics, black and chocolate are mainstays for eveningwear.
Add a scarf
Accessorising with a hair scarf or bandana can give a simple outfit with thongs more personality. Choose a coordinating colour palette for a connected look that doesn’t feel uniform.
Lean into colour
A bright pair of thongs can give your look that finishing touch of energy. Try red with blue denim, chartreuse with cream or chocolate, butter yellow with white, or powder blue with grey and navy.
Can you wear thongs to the office?
In a creative or relaxed office, leather thongs or heeled thong sandals work with tailored trousers, a midi skirt or a longer dress. Add a blazer, crisp shirt or fine knit to keep the outfit polished.
Rubber or leather thongs
Rubber thongs are best for the beach, pool, travel, relaxed weekends and casual outfits. Their simplicity is part of the appeal, especially when styled against tailoring or a strong colour.
Leather thongs are better suited to occasions and smarter outfits. They have the same relaxed shape but feel more considered.
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What pants look best with thongs?
Minimalist thongs balance the volume of wide-leg pants, as well as straight-leg jeans, cargos, linen pants, capris and tailored trousers. With cropped pants, thong sandals feel light. For full-length pants, choose thongs with enough structure to remain visible beneath the hem, such as a chunky platform sole or kitten heel.
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How should thongs fit?
Your heels and toes should sit comfortably on the sole without hanging over, sliding off or gripping the footbed. The straps should also feel secure without rubbing or digging in. For heeled thong sandals, both the heel and toe post should feel stable and comfortable.
How to wear coloured thongs
Red
Style red thongs with blue denim or white, grey, navy and khaki pieces for a vibrant pop of colour that doesn’t overpower the rest of the outfit. For a more subdued finish, try a pair of thongs in a trending deeper red shade, like maroon or burgundy. Deeper red colourways still feel playful yet give a more subtle colour accent. For a fresh feel, try a summery coral or pink pair.
Chartreuse
Contrast the brightness of chartreuse or citrusy lime thongs with cream, chocolate, black and olive. Muted tones let the splash of colour stand out against the rest of your ensemble, while the thongs visually remain a small part of the overall look. Bright yellow-green thongs can add a lively feel to utilitarian cargo capris, straight-leg jeans and more.
Butter yellow
Pair butter yellow thongs with white, tan and light denim for a sunny colour palette with a hint of warmth. Trending buttercream shades lend a burst of energy without oversaturating your look, coordinating with pieces like resort-ready two-piece sets, linen pants, capris or jorts, and airy sun dresses in light and fresh shades.
Powder blue
Team powder blue thongs with colours like chocolate, navy, grey and ecru to softly complement the sweet shade. Think baby blues peeping out from underneath chocolate wide-leg jeans or an off-white skirt. Alternatively, you can switch shades to cobalt, aquamarine or teal for an on-trend feel with a little more punch.
Metallic
Coordinate metallic thongs with evening outfits and neutral pieces for a touch of lustre. Metallic silver, gold, rose gold and champagne can seamlessly team with your jewellery or the hardware of your accessories for a cohesive look. Look to thongs with metallic details, like studs or sculptural placement hardware, for a more subtle way to incorporate metallics.
Black or chocolate
Tone down bright outfits, like saturated dresses and maximalist prints, with classic black or chocolate thongs. You can also match with polished tonal looks for a monochromatic ensemble, such as a black blazer and bermuda shorts with black heeled thongs for the office. White and neutral thongs can also work to keep things lowkey.
Thong brands to explore at THE ICONIC
Explore fresh takes on trending styles from local faves and international labels. Havaianas and Crocs have classic rubber thongs and beach-ready pairs covered, while AERE, Tony Bianco, Alias Mae and Assembly Label lead the way with minimalist leather thongs. Look to labels like Dazie, Billini and Therapy for on-trend chunky designs, heels, platforms and wedges. For detailed designs, try BETTS and M.N.G, or pick up a pair of jelly thongs from the likes of Melissa and GAP.
Build your Summer season wardrobe with thongs on THE ICONIC app, with quick shipping, easy returns and weekend delivery. Join THE ICONIC Front Row for free to earn ICONS as you shop, plus member-only perks.
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