Bold Beachin’ Over the pandemic, the slide has become a staple footwear style. From the most fashionable to the most homey clients, the slide was not to be missed in a home-based wardrobe. The slide became more sophisticated and opened up to experimentation. Now, slippers and sandals are returning to their usual territory: the beach. With a need for water-resistance and fun activities, jelly and rubber slides are the latest essential for a successful assortment. Preparing us for an enchanting season, slides are opting for exciting details and fashionable features. References range from the 70s to the 2000s and even spark a futuristic tone, find out more below.
The data in this report shows the evolution of searches year on year on summer season.

Hybrid Pieces. This slide is the perfect versatile piece to combine a product that serves at the beach and in the city equally, providing consumers with a modern 2-in-1 style. On one hand this rubber sandal is calling for elevated comfort and practical aspects that solidly hold the foot, while offering easy wear along the seaside as well. This look is suitable for a quick run to the shore right after an exciting city trip.

Sleek Samples. The clog has become favorite over recent seasons, as 70’s themes have amplified their presence. Now, the style is taking a shift towards a cleaner and more futuristic look. In virtual bold colors the rubber clog becomes a bold reminder of genderless utility. With sleeker and more refined outlines the look emphasizes the appeal of a current digital wave, performing well on and off screens.

Summer Whims. The Millennial aesthetic is ready to drive beach sandals with the same frivolous appeal of the good old days. As a reminder of girl groups and brats doll, the platform returns for the fashionable, younger cohort. The fun and girly shoe gives aspiring cover girls a thick-sole look – impossible to go unnoticed!

Walking On Air. Flip Flops are the most iconic beach sandal and are looking far beyond the basics for SS23. Updated fluffy flip flops are the ultimate trend choice to reverse a classical summer staple with an interesting twist. The appeal of lightness and comfort, as provided by tubular, puffed-up straps appeals to consumers who look for form and function equally. The more bulky, the more edgy and fun.

Sophisticated Sandals. With a deliberate criss-cross effect, slides take a more stylized turn and seem to reach far beyond the classic pool shoe. With a more creative touch, the criss cross slide is another hybrid piece that adapts to more dynamic consumer lifestyles. From office, to town, to the pool to the party, this sandal provides a sophisticated alternative to the more classic variations and appeals to consumers, who are seeking for performing elegance even when going to the beach.

A Kidult Summer. Fisherman sandals remind us of our childhood days and their easy playfulness. The classic jelly sandal has already shown up on the past summer runways and is turning into a more commercial trend again. The  joyful look is not just functional, to avoid unpleasant underwater encounters, but come in bold color-ways or glitzy designs for an exciting summer look. The style drives currently trending themes of #kidult and #dopaminedressing and promises to become a fashion favorite for next season. Prada rubber fisherman sandal has demonstrate the higher interest with +400% searches from the beginning of 2022.

Impactful Icons. For SS23, the simple voluminous design will propose the most commercial fashion slide for the market. With the enlarged, chunky shoes and bodies the slide maintains a minimalist form to give space to fun color options and pronounced outlines.  This look incorporates a distinctly modern element with those exciting volumes to express a balance of playful and sleek.

Edgy Fashion Provocation. For SS23, the edgiest and most fashion-forward client will look towards molded foam slides that seem to emerge from an otherworldly space. Based on organic forms and mechanical, engineered dimensionality this slide can be closed, open or even sandal-like. A thick sole is key and an overall disturbing appearance takes us to question our aesthetic fixations. For consumers this slide can be brave, bold and liberating all at once. However, the niche remains rather small in magnitude and successful for cutting-edge and luxury-inspired niches.

Green Options. Sustainability and eco-responsibility have become an integral element for the fashion industry. And while green-washing has shown to be a valid issue, we would like to remind that there are some, even small steps that can be taken to improve our impact on the planet. For beach slides, the options for sustainable material sourcing are still developing, but for a start recycled PU and natural rubber can propose accessible alternatives to most polluting materials. Take a look at some new materials and innovative brands for sustainable beach slide alternatives:

SUGARCANE
BASE

ALLBIRDS
CO2 negative EVA
lightweight
easy-clean &
odor-resistant properties

RECYCLED
TIRES

INDOSOLE
waterproof
vegan &
resistant

ALGAE
COMPONENTS

MERELL
EVA foam, 10% from algae
lightweight styles
soft wear

RECYCLED
TPU

XOCOI
resistant
robust &
easy to clean

NATURAL
RUBBER

ETHLETIC
(100% FSC-certified natural rubber, fairtrade)
strong
lightweight

NATURAL
RUBBER

HERON PRESTON
(certified recycled pre-consumer thermoplastic rubber)
circular approach
sleek finish