Are these footwear modern — or only a flop?
Minimalist, ultra-luxe model The Row, based by the ever-chic Olsen twins, not too long ago debuted a pair of $690 rubber flip-flops, which has brought on a stir amongst model savants.
Whereas the thong-sandal model has lengthy been the topic of controversy, the value tag on this explicit footwear — with its easy rubber footbed, which is available in scarlet, iron grey or black, and cotton grosgrain strap — is probably essentially the most debatable half.
“The Row has misplaced it with the $690 rubber flip-flops they’re promoting,” lamented one TikTokker, referring to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s Dune Basic Sandal. “Can’t wait to see who buys these.”
“And it’s gonna be offered out,” quipped one commenter.
“I’m satisfied it’s a social experiment,” one other chimed in, whereas somebody scoffed on the “insane” sticker value.
“The Row is loopy however most of their objects are offered out!!” one consumer agreed.
“It’s not made for poor individuals,” one other particular person famous, including that additionally they can’t afford The Row’s objects.
They defined that the model is “for the wealthy who don’t care” as a result of “of their eyes, easy is wealthy, regardless of the look of it,” chiding that it “is senseless.”
“They’re simply not for you, babe,” one viewer commented. “Not your tax bracket and that’s okay.”
In the meantime, another person argued that the price of the standard sandal — additionally provided in a platform iteration for $750 — is “value it.”
Already, the iron-gray colorway is offered out in lots of sizes on The Row’s official web site, whereas some sizes and colours are solely out there in low inventory from department shops like Nordstrom.
The Guardian cheekily took a swipe on the trend label’s seemingly overpriced shoe, poking enjoyable on the price ticket by asking if the soles are “made from stable gold” or if the strap is “long-established from the tongues of endangered birds.”
“The seashore? At that value, I wouldn’t even put on them exterior,” they wrote.
Even the New York Instances slammed the sticker value as “egregious,” saying that “there isn’t any method to faux that they may presumably be definitely worth the cash.”
“I’m not saying all issues from the Row are bogus, however these flip-flops really feel like a stretch,” the publication argued.
Flip-flops have lengthy been thought of a contentious model selection. Not solely do they promote poor foot well being, however the laid-back footwear has been slammed as unhygienic — particularly in a giant metro space.
“You’re mainly strolling barefoot by means of New York Metropolis at that time,” one NYC resident, 25-year-old Selena Audrey, beforehand mentioned in a viral social media submit. “To me, it’s like strolling on the naked concrete. Your toes get so soiled.”
However flip-flops have undergone a status revamp, and the once-obscene footwear is now completely stylish and hailed because the “It lady” shoe selection for the “quiet luxurious” aesthetic.
Even celebrities like Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Jennifer Lawrence and Zoë Kravitz have been noticed sporting the shoe, whereas the straightforward sandal has additionally been paraded down runways for Chanel, Miu Miu, Burberry and Bottega Veneta in recent times.
“Do individuals know I’m carrying flip-flops in a Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, The Row, Olsen Twins, quiet-luxury, minimalist sort of manner?” one TikTokker requested in a video posted final 12 months, referring to the sandal’s trendy rebrand.
“Or do they assume I’m simply carrying flip-flops?”
