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Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

Why Shoes Keep Shrinking: Flip-Flops, Flats and Slim Sneakers

Thinner, more minimalist — naked, even — shoes are driving growth from sandals to sneakers.
Slimmer, barely-there shoes are trending.
Slimmer, barely-there shoes are trending. (BoF Collage: Instagram, Courtesy)

When, last year, Nic Byrom, creative director of OOTD, an Instagram account documenting New York street style, first began sharing photos of city dwellers wearing barely-there jellies, mesh shoes and flip-flops, the comments were predominantly filled with concern and even revulsion.

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Further Reading

Sleepwear Is Having Its Athleisure Moment

Pyjamas are increasingly finding their way out of the house, as sleepwear and apparel labels alike roll out more fashion-style marketing and multi-use sets. For brands, it’s a multi-million dollar opportunity that’s only just begun to be tapped.

What Happened to the High Heel?

Once synonymous with power and elegance, high heels are adapting to new consumer values. As ballet flats, Mary Janes and kitten heels continue to rise in popularity, brands are shifting their focus to comfort and inclusivity, crafting narratives that speak to evolving ideas of femininity.

About the author
Joan Kennedy
Joan Kennedy

Joan Kennedy is Correspondent at The Business of Fashion. She is based in New York and covers beauty and marketing.

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