I don’t have to tell you that thong sandals are set to be the shoe of the summer. From chunky, Y2K styles to ultra-thin rubber pairs you once only saw poolside, every version is making a comeback.
The latest to join the mix? Rope sandals. Most still stick to the classic thong silhouette—the separation between the big toe and second toe—but swap out rubber or leather straps for rope as the defining detail. The result is a simple, outdoorsy update that feels fresh compared to the usual styles we keep seeing.
First ignited in the luxury fashion space via Miu Miu’s spring/summer 2024 collection, when the Italian fashion house sent models down the runway sporting paracord-strapped footwear, the gorpcore design is officially back in a big way for the third summer in a row.
Adding a subtly sporty feel to any outfit, the rope sandal achieves the perfect balance between pretty and practical. Coming in an array of colorways from neutral blacks and creams to punchy bright hues that liven up even the most minimal of outfits, rope sandals often feature an ankle strap that makes them far more substantial than your flip-flops.
After a bit of internet digging, I came across this chic pair from Old Navy, and they're currently 40% off, bringing the price down to just $18. That's about the cost of two iced coffees these days, by the way!
Featuring chunky red flecked rope straps and soft footbed, I wouldn't be surprised if these become your go-to sandals this summer. Easy, comfortable, and stylish, they'll pair just as well with a simple T-shirt and jeans as they will with a white maxi skirt and peplum top for a more elevated warm-weather look.
I'm officially obsessed with this trend, so naturally I went looking for more pairs to add to my wishlist. Shop my favorites below:
Megan Uy is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she's also written for Delish, House Beautiful, and People. Follow her on Instagram to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is TikTok.
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
