Designer Thong Sandals: Flat, Heeled and How to Wear Them

A thong sandal has a strap that passes between the first two toes. The designer version has moved a long way from the beach flip flop: there are fine leather thongs, mesh and fishnet thongs, and heeled thong mules for evening. US Google searches for “thong sandals” run at about 12,100 a month. Alaia makes more thong styles than almost any other category, 50 at Coveti, from $1,140 to $2,310. This guide explains the types, how they fit and what to wear them with.

Key facts

• What it is: a sandal with a strap between the first two toes.
• Types: flat thongs, thong sandals with an ankle strap, and heeled thong mules.
• At Coveti: 50 Alaia thong styles, $1,140 to $2,310.
• Heights: flat, 30 mm, 55 mm, 75 mm and 90 mm.
• Made in: Italy, on every Alaia shoe, bag and accessory product page we checked.

Flat thongs

The Alaia Invisible Thong is the minimal one, a fine strap in patent leather and satin on a flat sole. The Fishnet Thong Sandals use the house fishnet, and the Vienne Thong Sandals are cut in velvet calfskin. Flat thongs suit holidays, linen and long summer days.

Heeled thong mules

For evening, a heeled thong is easier to slip on than a strappy sandal. The Heel Thong Mules come with a 55 mm and a 90 mm stiletto heel, the Cube Thong Mules sit on a 75 mm cubic wedge, and the Thong Mules come in mesh and crocodile embossed calfskin.

Thong sandals with an ankle strap

An ankle strap holds the foot better on a high heel. The Invisible Thong Sandals have a 90 mm transparent heel and the Infradito Sandals a 90 mm heel in patent calfskin.

How thong sandals fit

The strap between the toes should sit snugly without rubbing. Your heel should not hang over the back of the sole. Alaia gives no fit advice on its thong styles, so take your usual EU size; the Invisible Thong runs EU 35 to 41, most others to 42.

Thong sandal heights at a glance

House heel heights; some styles come in two heights.

Materials

Patent leather is glossy and wipes clean. Satin, a blend of viscose and silk on the Alaia thongs, is the evening fabric, and it marks with water, so keep it for dry nights. Suede is soft against the foot. Mesh and fishnet keep the foot cool. Mirror calfskin and mirror fabric give a metallic finish, and paper straw is the summer texture on the Cube Thong Mules.

How to wear them

Flat thongs: with a long linen dress, wide trousers and a white shirt, and cropped jeans. Heeled thongs: with a slip dress, a column skirt and tailored trousers at night. A bright satin thong is the piece to wear with an otherwise plain summer outfit.

Thong sandals to buy

1. Invisible Thong in Patent Leather, Black, $1,140

Flat thong with patent calfskin straps. Pvc sole molded in a unique way. 100% patent calfskin. Made in Italy.

2. Fishnet Thong Sandals in Patent Calfskin, Black, $1,360

Thong flat sandals in fishnet. Adjustable buckle strap closure. 90% polyamide, 10% calfskin. Made in Italy.

3. Vienne Thong Sandals in Velvet Calfskin, Black, $1,680

Flat thong sandals with the iconic Vienne leather perforation. Velvet calfskin leather. 100% calf suede leather. Made in Italy.

4. Heel Thong Mules in Satin, Lemon Yellow, $1,680

Thong mules with stiletto heels. Padded straps, 3D effect. Heel height 55 mm. 78% viscose, 22% silk. Made in Italy.

5. Cube Thong Mules in Suede, Black, $1,680

Wedge thong mules. Distinctive cubic heels. Heel height 75 mm. 100% goatskin leather product. Made in Italy.

6. Invisible Thong Sandals in Mirror Calfskin, Blush and Silver, $2,150

Wedge thong sandals with plexi heel. Tappered toe and rear. Heel height 90 mm. 100% calfskin. Made in Italy.

7. Thong Mules in Mesh, Black, 55 mm, $1,520

Thong mules with stiletto heel. Upper in see-through mesh fabric and trims. Heel height 55 mm. 100% polyester, 100% viscose. Made in Italy.

Buying Alaia at Coveti

Every piece is authentic and checked before dispatch, and ships worldwide by insured express courier (DHL Express and FedEx International Priority). On US orders Coveti covers the majority of import duties, and the delivery FAQ has the detail; most other regions ship Delivered Duty Unpaid. Shoes are listed in the EU sizes the house makes, with sold out sizes shown as unavailable. Full terms are in the logistics and returns protocol.

Frequently asked questions

What are thong sandals?

Sandals with a strap between the first two toes, from flat to high heeled.

Are thong sandals comfortable?

A soft leather strap and a cushioned sole are the most comfortable. Heeled thong mules are easiest at 55 mm and under.

Can you wear thong sandals in the evening?

Yes, in a heeled version such as the Alaia Heel Thong Mules and the Invisible Thong Sandals.

What is the Alaia Invisible Thong?

A minimal flat thong with a fine strap, in patent leather and satin, made in Italy.

How much are Alaia thong sandals?

$1,140 to $2,310 at Coveti on 14 October 2026.

Do Alaia thong sandals run true to size?

The house gives no fit advice on them, so take your usual EU size.

Read next

The Alaia shoes guide, designer slingback heels, mesh ballet flats, the Alaia size guide.

More Alaia guides

Who was Azzedine Alaia, the Alaia ballet flats guide, the Alaia bags guide, the Alaia shoes guide, the Alaia size guide, and the full Alaia collection at Coveti.

Sources and method

Checked on 14 October 2026 by Gemma Deeks, Fashion Editor at Coveti. Product facts (materials, heel heights, dimensions, sizes and country of manufacture) are the brand’s own product-page text; prices and counts are the live Coveti catalogue on that date and move with stock. Where a claim could not be checked it was left out.

• maison-alaia.com, Shoes: product pages read on 14 October 2026 (heel heights, materials, sizes, Made in Italy)
• DataForSEO Google Ads search volume, United States, read 14 October 2026
• Coveti, logistics and returns protocol
• Coveti live catalogue, 14 October 2026: prices, sizes and stock

Gemma Deeks is Fashion Editor at Coveti. Prices, sizes and stock on this page were checked against coveti.com and maison-alaia.com on 14 October 2026.