All the Stars Who’ve Dared to Wear Thong Boots, From Sydney Sweeney to Rita Ora

10 months ago

Miu Miu is trying to make thong boots a thing – and it’s succeeding. The luxury brand first debuted the unexpected footwear hybrid during its spring 2023 show at Paris Fashion Week, where models like FKA Twigs, Bella Hadid, and Emily Ratajkowski strutted down the catwalk wearing them. The shoes fit snug like a sock boot around the calves and seamlessly transition into a toe-exposing, thong-style sandal with a petite heel and zipper up the inside.

Designer Miuccia Prada has churned out several iterations of the quirky heels. They come in both leather and suede in a variety of colors ranging from neutrals like black, white, and brown to more splashy options like pastel yellow and neon pink. There’s a knee-high style and lower ankle-high style, though the former is certainly the more divisive choice. A handful of versions are currently available to shop online, with prices ranging from $1,220 to $2,050.

Controversial as they may be, the shoes have landed on the feet of numerous celebrities since their unveiling in October. Rita Ora took them for a spin around New York City in January, despite the freezing temperatures. Gabrielle Union, Emma Corrin, and Ziwe all wore a pair for Miu Miu’s dinner event in March. Most recently, Sydney Sweeney posed for the ‘gram in a head-to-toe Miu Miu look featuring the label’s white knee-high sandal boots. Plus, Kendall Jenner modeled them for an ad she posted on Instagram, thus spreading the hype even more.

Considering how many “ugly” shoes have gained widespread endorsement in recent years – see: embellished Crocs, clunky dad sneakers, and Mschf’s cartoonish Big Red Boots – it’s clear that Miu Miu’s thong sandals are on a similar trajectory, pulling more and more adventurous dressers into their orbit by the day. Read ahead to absorb styling inspiration from Ora, Union, and more stars who’ve dared to give them a try.

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Zaya Wade Wearing Miu Miu's Thong Boots

Zaya paired Miu Miu’s white knee-high thong boots with a black jacket, matching cargo skirt, and white purse at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on March 30.

Getty / Victor Boyko

Emma Corrin Wearing Miu Miu's Thong Boots

After walking the runway in Miu Miu’s fall 2023 show, Corrin changed into the brand’s black thong boots for a celebratory dinner event in Paris on March 7. They styled the shoes with a white bra top, beige zip-up jacket, and gray shorts.

Getty / Victor Boyko

Ziwe Wearing Miu Miu's Thong Boots

The talk show host styled a pair of white sandal boots with a bra top, brown skirt and jacket set, and red purse for a Miu Miu dinner on March 7.

Getty / THE HAPA BLONDE

Rita Ora Wearing Miu Miu's Thong Boots

Ora stepped out in Miu Miu’s thong boots back in January while en route to SiriusXM Studios in New York City. She styled the eye-catching heels with a ribbed navy sweater dress layered under a black cargo miniskirt.

Getty / Victor Boyko

Gabrielle Union Wearing Miu Miu's Thong Boots

Union’s thong boots peeked out from underneath her collared zip-front dress at the brand’s postshow dinner in Paris on March 7.

Getty / Darren Gerrish

Beabadoobee Wearing Miu Miu's Thong Boots

The singer attended the same dinner event wearing black thong boots, a beige top, a distressed denim blazer, and a matching denim miniskirt with cargo pockets.