Just like eyes are the window to the soul, shoes give you the clearest picture of a decade’s fashion. For me, the ’90s will always be linked to sandals. From Carrie Bradshaw’s barely-there Manolo Blahniks to Jennifer Aniston’s casual flip-flops, a few sandal styles defined the look back then—and coincidentally, they’re the same ones we’re seeing everywhere now.

The ’90s Sandal Trends to Know

– The Strappy Sandal – Gianvito Rossi Gwyneth 85 leather sandals – $895 NET-A-PORTER
– The Flat Sandal – Aeyde Anna leather slides – $375 NET-A-PORTER
– The Thong Heeled Sandal – Khaite Archer sandals – $890 KHAITE
– The Flip-Flop – Ancient Greek Sandals Hera sandals – $205 ANCIENT GREEK SANDALS
– The Minimalist Mule – Manolo Blahnik Jadarona 70 leather mules – $895 NET-A-PORTER
– The Mule – Margaux The Clara mules – $325 NORDSTROM
– The Barely-There Sandal – St. Agni Petit Belt slingback sandals – $550 NET-A-PORTER
– The Strappy Flat – Prada patent leather sandals – $1,170 PRADA

As a ’90s kid who fell in love with fashion in the early 2000s, a few images and iconic moments from that era are stuck in my mind. Like Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in her Prada sandals outside her Tribeca apartment, or the strappy Manolo Blahnik heels backstage at Michael Kors. (I’ve sourced both styles vintage.)

That decade marked a big shift away from the stiff, overly conservative heels of the ’80s toward something more stylish and practical—for the woman on the go who needed shoes that worked as hard as she did. Designers like Manolo Blahnik and Miuccia Prada mastered this look in the ’90s, creating pairs that were just as desired then as they are now.

The minimalist nature of these sandals has given them a lasting power that’s outlasted almost every shoe trend since. I keep coming back to these same styles, not just for their cool factor, but for how they make me feel. Dressing in the ’90s felt lighter, freer, and more instinctive. Beyond the nostalgia that drives much of my vintage hunting today, there was an ease to these shoes that still feels modern. And it shows just how little a great sandal needs to change to stay relevant.

From Prada’s latest runway to Demna’s tribute to the Tom Ford era at Gucci, today’s most wanted sandals keep returning to what the ’90s got right: sensual without trying too hard, practical enough for busy women, yet polished enough to define an entire outfit. Let’s take a closer look at which ones they are.

The Strappy Sandal
To me, there are countless versions of the strappy sandal from the ’90s that look almost the same today. A favorite of Miuccia Prada and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, it’s a style that feels just as current now as it did back then. It really came into its own in the mid-to-late ’90s, when designers like Miuccia Prada, Tom Ford at Gucci, and Manolo Blahnik brought a more stripped-down approach to the runways—one that favored barely-there silhouettes over excess. Worn with high-waisted jeans or a slip dress with a cardigan tied at the waist, it’s a shoe that completes a look without ever feeling like too much.

– Reformation Jackson heeled sandals – $298 REFORMATION
– Khaite loop sandals – $920 KHAITE
– Jimmy Choo Leo 65 leather sandals – $875 NET-A-PORTER
– Gianvito Rossi Gwyneth 85 leather sandals – $895 NET-A-PORTER

The Thong Heeled Sandal
Barely there, simple, and totally effortless, the thong heeled sandal was a runway staple in the late ’90s (seen at Prada, Helmut Lang, Michael Kors, and Calvin Klein) and a supermodel favorite, worn by Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Gisele Bündchen. In the years since, it’s gone from a basic warm-weather shoe to one of the most lasting symbols of ’90s minimalism.Today, both on and off the runway, the thong heeled sandal continues to shape our sense of style, with endorsements from Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and many others.

The Flip-Flop
While ’90s models were stepping out in strappy heels, as a late ’90s kid, I was drawn to the flip-flop. Its simple, laid-back ease defined my wardrobe and shaped my style at the time—casual and carefree. (Growing up in sunny Los Angeles definitely helped.) Although it started as casual beachwear, the flip-flop had a strong runway presence in the mid-’90s—from Jil Sander’s spring 1994 collection to Calvin Klein’s spring 1997 collection—when off-duty style and West Coast minimalism turned it into an everyday essential.

Worn by everyone from Jennifer Aniston to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, the flip-flop came to represent a more relaxed way of dressing that still feels relevant today. Toteme, The Row, and Ancient Greek Sandals have the ones you need to know about.

The Open-Toed Heeled Mule
From Carrie Bradshaw to Kate Moss in her Manolo Blahniks, the heeled mule is another ’90s wardrobe staple. It became a symbol of late ’90s glamour through designs by John Galliano for Dior, Narciso Rodriguez, and Manolo Blahnik, pairing perfectly with the decade’s slip dresses and sleek tailoring. Today, it moves easily between casual and dressy, blending past and present references seamlessly.

The Mule
More structured than a sandal but still easy to wear, the mule is arguably one of the more underrated ’90s silhouettes. It gained popularity in the later years, with Calvin Klein and Manolo Blahnik embracing slip-on shapes that felt elegant without being too formal. Paired with jeans or a sarong skirt, the closed-toe mule offers a polished alternative to the sandal while keeping that slip-on convenience. One of my all-time favorite images of Carrie Bradshaw is a classic ’90s look—she’s wearing a headscarf, oval sunglasses, and a black satin coat over a purple midi dress. On her feet? You guessed it. It’s an outfit I’d wear in a heartbeat.

The Flat Sandal
Designers like Helmut Lang and Jil Sander included the flat sandal in collections focused on understated luxury. It also appeared off-duty (as seen on Jennifer Aniston at a premiere) for real-life dressing. The shoe still shows up in the same way—casual yet cool, and a perfect match for modern minimalist wardrobes. The flat sandal is the ideal choice for anyone looking for the effortless simplicity of the ’90s with a contemporary twist.NET-A-PORTER
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The Row
Malick strap sandals
$1,300

FWRD
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Prada
Patent leather sandals
$1,170

PRADA
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The Barely-There Sandal
An almost invisible silhouette that perfectly captures the era’s approach to dressing. From Carrie Bradshaw in her delicate Manolo Blahnik heels to the minimalist wardrobe of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the barely-there sandal is ’90s fashion at its best. Today, many of the most popular sandal styles keep that strappy look from the originals—whether worn casually or dressed up, this style is both elevated and versatile.

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Khaite
Loop kitten heel sandals
$890

KHAITE
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Neous
Chamu leather sandals
$835

NET-A-PORTER
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St. Agni
Petit Belt slingback sandals
$550

NET-A-PORTER
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Madewell
The Maycie asymmetric sandals
$118

NORDSTROM

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about how 90s sandal trends are making a comeback written in a natural conversational tone

Beginner Questions

1 Wait are you saying my new sandals are actually from the 90s
Yes Most of the big sandal trends you see todaylike chunky platforms sporty slides and strappy flat sandalsare direct copies or updates of styles that were huge in the 1990s

2 Which 90s sandal trend is the most popular right now
The chunky platform sandal and the sporty slide are probably the two biggest right now

3 What exactly is a slide sandal
A slide is a backless sandal with a wide strap across the top of your foot They were super popular in the 90s for being easy to slip on and off and now theyre back as a casual everyday shoe

4 Were jelly sandals really a thing in the 90s
Absolutely Those clear squishy plastic sandals were everywhere They were cheap fun and perfect for the beach Theyre back now but usually in more comfortable higherquality materials

5 I keep seeing strappy sandals everywhere Is that a 90s thing
Yes Think of the thin delicate straps that wrap around your ankle or go up your calf That lookoften called spaghetti strap sandalswas a huge 90s trend popularized by supermodels and on shows like Friends

Intermediate Practical Questions

6 Are chunky platform sandals comfortable to walk in
They can be The thick sole actually provides more stability than a thin flat sandal The key is to find a pair with good arch support and a lightweight sole not just a heavy block of wood or plastic

7 Whats the difference between a 90s sporty slide and a modern one
The main difference is the sole 90s slides were often very flat and hard Modern versions usually have a thicker cushioned and contoured footbed like Oofos or Birkenstock EVA