'Unpopular opinion: This Y2K sandal belongs in communal showers, not street style.'

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Thongs. Jandals. Flip flops. Whatever you call them.

As an elder millennial, I have history with these shoes. We're talking a proper relationship here.

I lived in those rubber beauties throughout my early twenties, built up the necessary calluses between my toes, and could power-walk kilometres in them without breaking stride.

I would even wear them out at night.

How did we get into clubs wearing them, you ask? Simple supply and demand — we were all wearing them, so venues had no choice.

They were my everything shoe. I even had a "thong tan line".

Watch: Are peplums also making a comeback? Post continues below.

Let sleeping thongs lie.

But somewhere along the way, the humble rubber thong, affectionately known as "havvy's" short for Havaianas, got relegated to its proper place: the beach, the pool, or a quick dash to get a pedicure.

And in my opinion? That's exactly where they should stay.

And don't even get me started on the millennial flashback of thongs-with-jeans. Shudder.

When I see a bloke rocking pluggers (rubber thongs) with denim jeans, it shoots straight to the top of my ick list – and it's staying there.

Nicole Ritchie serving peak 2003 energy, thongs and long jeans on a red carpet- eek. Image: Getty

There is also the practical problem that, unless you have built up that resilience between your toes, the so-called "havvy callous", they can really hurt.

I wore some after a pedicure recently, and proceeded to run around doing errands in them.

I had blisters in between my toes when I got home, for real.

And at the risk of sounding a hundred years old, they are not recommended by podiatrists because they typically lack the necessary support and structure for healthy foot mechanics.

Okay, let's pretend I didn't reveal that last point. I do feel a hundred.

Thongs in their modern era.

Modern era thong street style L-R: Instagram @tessavanmonfoort / @nataliekanchanawat

We've resurrected practically every other Y2K trend (no thank you, again, low-rise jeans), and now thongs are everywhere too.

Sure, in these cost-of-living times, I get the appeal. Most decent pairs hover around $40, they're easy to clean, and they're practical.

But rocking up to work in pluggers? Complete with the familiar sound of them slapping down the office corridor? I just can't.

Last year they were dubbed the 'it girl' sandals of 2024. And I thought they'd have their time in the sun, then the fad would blow over (again).

It has not. It's gotten bigger.

The Gen Z take.

As always, I had to check in with the Gen Z oracle at Mamamia to find out why the 'flip' on flip-flops.

Isabelle Dolphin, our Social Video Producer, confirmed it. "Yeah, they're cool again," she said.

"In my opinion, they're a continuation of that Y2K style but tailored to both minimalist styles and Gen Z fashion,

"Like the younger sister in 10 Things I Hate About You, she's the perfect example. It gives like Malibu beachy 2000s vibes.

"Also, they're so affordable, and they go with everything like capris, baggy jeans, activewear and jorts."

The designer effect.

Luxury brands like The Row and Burberry have released elevated thong sandals, leading to a surge in designer flip-flop searches.

Because nothing says high fashion quite like expensive rubber between your toes, right?

Burberry Thongs just over a cool $1k. Image: Burberry

In the second year running of their comeback era, they've become symbolic of "holiday-core," a trend focused on vacation-inspired fashion that looks carefree, effortless, and reminiscent of summer escapes in Europe.

Circling back to The Row, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's high-end brand, The Dune Classic Rubber Flip Flop is considered a top fashion sandal of 2025.

They'll only set you back (from) $1,255 – if you can manage to get your toes in a pair. Demand is so high they continue to sell out.

The Dune' in the wild. Instagram: @lauravidrequin; @laurenratner; @jessiebush

Back in April, Hailey Bieber became the first A-lister spotted wearing these flip-flops, pairing them with her Pilates outfit during an LA outing.

The Dune style is also available in beige or red with contrasting black straps. It's graced the feet of fashion-forward celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Elizabeth Olsen, Jennifer Lawrence, Zoë Kravitz and Dakota Johnson, plus countless influencers.

I found a pair! For $1954… Image: Farfetch

Is it just me, or has the world gone mad when people are spending over a thousand dollars on rubber thongs?

These are something you wear in a communal shower to avoid tinea, not a fashion statement worth more than a month's rent.

Don't even get me started on the different iterations of elevation that are more than on the rise: leather, heels. Make it stop.

Maybe I'm being a thong snob, but some trends deserve to stay in their lane. And for me, that lane leads directly home from a pedicure – where they belong.

Do you agree, or will you be buried in yours? Share in the comments below!

Feature Image: Instagram @Havaianas.Australia

You can hear more news and views from Annaliese Todd here.