Why Are Men Suddenly Showing Off Their Feet on the Red Carpet?

At a time when red carpet dress codes seem to be tightening — particularly on red carpets, like this year at Cannes — a new form of defiance is emerging from the ground up. In just the past week, two high-profile actors have walked into official photo calls not in polished Oxfords or even a discreet loafer, but in wide-strapped sandals and exposed toes.

On Saturday, Simon Baker attended the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival in Birkenstock‘s Kyoto sandals.

The minimalist, nubuck-suede, open-toe silhouette drew as much attention for what it wasn’t as for what it was.

Just days earlier, “Jurassic World: Rebirth” star Jonathan Bailey appeared at his film’s London photo call in a full The Row look, complete with flip-flops. The reaction online was swift, predictably divided and a clear signal that men’s summer footwear is having a red carpet reckoning.

To be clear, this wasn’t a stylist’s oversight. Bailey’s choice — a charcoal crewneck sweater, relaxed black jeans and a pair of $890 thong sandals from The Row — was deliberate. So was the vibe: quiet luxury, just with a lot less leather up top.

The footwear in question, identified as The Row’s Constance flip-flops, has become a cult staple among fashion insiders, and Bailey is hardly the first high-profile man to test the waters. Bradley Cooper was spotted in flip-flops on the streets of New York earlier this month, while Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth have long been defenders of the form.

But it’s Bailey’s red carpet appearance that signals a shift. While women’s fashion has long played with casual footwear in formal settings, that tension is newer — and still more jarring — in menswear.

It hasn’t stopped brands from capitalizing. The Row may have led the luxury flip-flop revival when it introduced leather thong sandals in its spring 2021 collection, but it’s far from alone in 2025. Staud, in its resort 2026 show, paired novelty flats and minimalist slides with après-ski puffers and shell-trimmed bikinis — a juxtaposition the brand called “Fair Isle and flip-flops.” Brunello Cucinelli has leaned into strappy neutral sandals as part of its understated summer offerings, while Burberry, Auralee and even Dolce & Gabbana have taken the form to extremes. The latter’s ongoing capsule with Havaianas transforms the traditional rubber sandal with faux fur straps, bold animal prints and gold-tone branding.

The appeal, from a brand perspective, is obvious. A shoe long associated with low cost and casual wear becomes a high-margin item when remade in calfskin and priced near $1,000. According to data from Mr Porter, searches for men’s flip-flops have increased by 111% over the past three months, per GQ. As economic growth in the European luxury market slows, footwear — particularly entry-level accessories — remains one of the few categories with room to grow.

Of course, not everyone is ready to accept the red carpet flip-flop. The online reaction to Bailey’s look included confusion, derision and the kind of aesthetic debate typically reserved for Met Gala themes. For many, the issue was less the sandals themselves and more their proximity to the high-gloss PR setting of a global franchise launch.

Still, there’s little question that more men will follow suit — or rather, follow sandal. Whether it’s Simon Baker in Sardinia or Bailey in London, the message is clear: the traditional red carpet uniform is losing ground, one toe at a time.