As a glasses-wearing, Harry Potter-reading, eight-year-old nerd, I wasn’t allowed to wear platform flip-flops when they truly hit their peak circa 2001. I remember a friend having a pair of ‘flatforms’ that had the thickest sole I’d ever seen – at least four inches. She wobbled into our school disco, towering over everyone else, and that was my first memorable experience of seething jealousy taking over my body.
Happily, as us millennials know, all trends come back around. It’s just a matter of biding one’s time. And now at the ripe age of 30, it’s my time to wear platform flip-flops. That is because Y2K fashion is firmly back in, well, fashion, and while I can’t bring myself to wear a dress over jeans or layer five fluro-coloured singlets, I will seize this trend revival with both hands.
Celebrity fans include Emma Chamberlain, Bella Hadid, Addison Rae, Kim Kardashian, and according to photo library Getty Images, a lot of very chic people in Berlin. That’s good enough for me.
My hunt for the perfect black flip-flops (okay, jandals here in Aotearoa) led me to the mall during the Black Friday sales. I tried on four different pairs from retailers that will remain nameless. None were right.
My qualms were as follows:
- Sole so thick it felt like I was on stilts
- Uncomfortably wide bit between the big toe and the second toe
- Slippery fake leather that I could tell was going to be sweaty and/or smelly in 0.7 seconds
- Eye wateringly expensive for what is essentially a pair of jandals
Enter the Crocs Getaway Platform Flip
My TikTok algorithm knew of my search. It was this video I was served on my FYP that first captured my eye:
@elena__cameron Will not be taking these shoes off, perhaps ever #summershoes #summerclothes ♬ original sound – Elena Cameron
In a video that has now racked up more than 200,000 views, Elena Cameron opened my eyes to the fact that Crocs, the brand behind the signature comfortable loafer make flip-flops/jandals. I shouldn’t be surprised – they have diversified into sneakers, loafers and even cartoon clogs for kids, after all.
The TikTokker dubbed this new Crocs ‘flatform’ “the only summer shoe you need.” I was immediately converted. With more than 9000 likes, I’m sure I’m not alone. Luckily, they’re readily available here in New Zealand through various retailers. Within a week, my new pair was sitting pretty on my feet.
Now to Love’s Croc Getaway Flip verdict
Pros
- Incredibly comfortable (they are Crocs after all)
- Breathable
- Give a nice amount of height
- Subtle Crocs branding
- Conversation sparker (“They’re CROCS?” etc. )
Cons
- Do make that classic jandal slapping noise when walking on concrete floors
- According to commenters, they can shrink if left in the sunshine
My thoughts:
My first thought is that I really should have gotten a pedicure before writing this piece, and my second is that it’s very hard to get pics of open-toed sandals without it sliding into ‘feet pic’ territory. Elena called these Crocs her shoe of summer and I can’t disagree. I’ve been wearing mine to the office, to Pilates and the supermarket. I wore them to a semi-formal Christmas lunch and I threw them on to put the bins out. The duality of woman! And the duality of the Crocs Getaway Flip!
Wearing them around the office I forced colleagues to give me their thoughts which ranged from: “Love, I’m buying a pair right now, where is my card”, to “Oh, they’re actually quite snazzy on”.
Even my boss, a certified Crocs Hater (™), said “I suppose they don’t look like Crocs,” which is truly the highest praise she could give.
Convinced? Here’s where to buy the Crocs Getaway Flip:
- Crocs, $109
- Shine On, $109.99
- Amazon, From $93.87
- K’s Shoes: $104.95
If you’re not convinced by the Crocs but want to be part of the platform flip-flop crew, here are some other styles we’re big fans of.
- Platypus Platform Thong, $89.99
- Bouncer II Flatform Thongs, $91.94
- Verali Bouncer II Sandals, $99.99
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