Explore with AI & Follow Us
The early 2000s are back, and this time, they’re on your feet. From the runways of Paris to the sidewalks of major cities, the noughties sandal revival is sending ripples through the fashion world. For anyone who remembers the era of Paris Hilton’s strappy stilettos or Jennifer Aniston’s effortless flip-flops, the resurgence of these iconic silhouettes is both a blast from the past and a testament to the cyclical nature of style. But this isn’t a simple rerun. Today’s designers and tastemakers are breathing new life into these once-cringeworthy styles, blending nostalgia with a sharp, contemporary edge. Here’s why the return of '00s sandal trends matters, who’s wearing them, and how high fashion is rewriting their story for 2024 and beyond.
The Icons Who Defined a Decade of Sandals
To understand the seismic return of '00s sandals, it’s essential to revisit the icons who made them unforgettable. Paris Hilton, with her endless rotation of heeled, strappy sandals, set the standard for party-girl glamour. Jennifer Aniston defined understated chic, making chunky flip-flops and minimalist thongs look impossibly cool. Gwyneth Paltrow and Britney Spears added their own flair—think poolside wedges and platform slides—while Christina Aguilera dared to push boundaries with every step.
These women weren’t just celebrities; they were arbiters of taste. Their footwear choices shaped red carpets, magazine covers, and the collective imagination of a generation. Fast-forward to today, and their influence is unmistakable. Social feeds are flooded with modern takes on the very styles these icons made famous—a testament to the enduring power of a great sandal.
From Cringe to Coveted: The Noughties Sandal Reappraised
It wasn’t so long ago that the mere mention of gladiator sandals or platform flip-flops might have elicited a collective groan from the fashion set. Who What Wear UK’s SEO writer Ava Gilchrist puts it succinctly: “Noughties sandals can be borderline ghastly when you think back to them—the idea of wrapping the straps of Gladiator styles around my calf like some sort of deli meat makes me shudder.”
Yet, fashion’s greatest strength is its ability to reframe the past, finding beauty—and even genius—in what once seemed questionable. Through the lens of nostalgia, even the most divisive styles are being reappraised. Consider the legendary feathered Jimmy Choo heels immortalized by Carrie Bradshaw or the dazzling Giuseppe Zanotti crab heels—once outliers, now objects of cult admiration.
For Gilchrist, the noughties’ crowning achievement is the humble platform wedge: “the little platform wedges worn everywhere, from the pool to prom.” This style, once the footwear of choice for Y2K pool parties and high school dances, is now a symbol of carefree confidence and versatility—qualities that today’s consumers crave.
Runway to Real Life: How Designers Are Reinventing '00s Sandals
The noughties sandal revival isn’t just a social media phenomenon—it’s a bona fide runway trend. High-profile designers are reimagining early-2000s silhouettes, creating pieces that nod to the past while feeling resolutely modern. Consider Coperni’s foam-wedge Platform Thong Sandals, a sculptural update priced at £350, or Givenchy’s Marshmallow Wedge Sandals, rendered in futuristic rubber (£475). The Paris Georgia Dune Wedges (£580), already teetering on the edge of “sold out” status, have become the envy of editors and fashion insiders—including Gilchrist herself.
This renaissance isn’t limited to platforms. The jelly sandal—once the domain of playgrounds and beach holidays—has undergone a high-fashion metamorphosis. The Row’s Pre-Fall 2024 show introduced netted, see-through iterations, while Chloé and COS have incorporated jellies into their Spring/Summer 2025 collections. The result? A playful yet elevated take on a childhood classic, now at the heart of adult wardrobes.
The Key '00s Sandal Trends: A Definitive List
So, which '00s sandals are making the biggest impact in 2024? The answer lies in a series of revived classics, each offering its own spin on nostalgia and modernity. Here’s a rundown of the six essential trends taking both runways and real life by storm:
- Platform Flip-Flops: Chunky, playful, and unapologetically bold. These sandals blend comfort with a statement silhouette, evoking poolside glamour and a hint of rebellious spirit.
- Strappy Sandals: Delicate yet daring. With intricate strapwork climbing the foot and ankle, this style is equal parts elegant and edgy—a favorite for eveningwear and city strolls alike.
- Jelly Sandals: Once utilitarian, now undeniably chic. High-fashion brands have recast the jelly as a must-have, blending translucent materials and unexpected textures for maximum impact.
- Gladiator Sandals: The most polarizing of the bunch. Love them or loathe them, gladiators are back—sometimes in subtle, minimalist forms, other times as full-on lace-up statements worthy of the early-aughts runway.
- Thong Sandals: Minimalism meets nostalgia. A simple silhouette that’s been elevated with luxe materials and sculptural heels, perfect for both casual and dressy occasions.
- Toe-Ring Sandals: A sophisticated nod to bohemian style, these sandals fuse comfort with a distinctive, fashion-forward twist.
Nostalgia Meets Now: Why This Trend Resonates
What propels the '00s sandal revival beyond mere aesthetics is a deeper cultural undercurrent. In an era defined by uncertainty and rapid change, fashion is seeking comfort in the familiar. The return of noughties sandals offers more than just a visual callback; it taps into collective memories of optimism, experimentation, and playful self-expression.
But this isn’t mere imitation. Today’s designers and consumers are updating these classics with an eye for quality, sustainability, and inclusivity. Materials are more innovative, fits are more inclusive, and the styling is far more versatile than it was two decades ago. It’s a reminder that the past and future of fashion are inextricably linked—each reinventing the other in an endless, exhilarating dance.
From the Feed to the Street: The Democratization of Trend
Social media has played a pivotal role in this resurgence. Where once style was set by a handful of celebrities and glossy magazines, today’s tastemakers are as likely to be fashion editors, digital creators, or everyday women with a discerning eye. The endless scroll of Instagram and TikTok has transformed the humble '00s sandal into a viral sensation, as new generations discover—and reinterpret—the silhouettes that defined their predecessors’ youth.
This democratization of trend is itself a distinctly modern phenomenon. It ensures that the '00s sandal revival is not just a top-down mandate from luxury houses, but a genuine groundswell—rooted in nostalgia, but propelled by innovation and authenticity.
Conclusion: The Sandal as a Cultural Touchstone
The return of '00s sandals is more than a fleeting fashion moment. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of reinvention, the power of nostalgia, and the infinite possibilities of personal style. Whether you’re slipping into platform flip-flops for a beach day or lacing up gladiators for a night out, you’re participating in a trend that is as much about self-expression as it is about history.
As designers continue to mine the archives for inspiration, and as consumers embrace the old with the new, expect the noughties sandal revival to remain at the forefront of fashion’s creative conversation. In the end, sometimes the best way forward is to take a stylish step back.
Explore with AI & Follow Us
