This ‘quietly flirtatious’ shoe has sparked a new fetish for people who love feet

Which shoe do you think is the sexiest? (Picture: Getty Images) In a world full of sexual fantasies, few are as popular or widespread as podophilia. Or, as it’s more commonly known, the humble foot fetish. Surveys suggest that between one in four and one in seven adults have reported having experienced some degree of sexual interest in feet. But it’s not just toes that give men and women the horn, some have also expressed a sexual fascination in a particular pair of shoes: flip flops. Like them or loathe them, flip flops have had a stratospheric comeback this summer — emerging as one of TikTok’s most popular fashion trends for 2026. Jennifer Anniston was regularly spotted in a pair of Archies, while legacy brand Havaianas reported an 82% spike in US sales compared to last year. And while the heady days of the heatwave are behind us, we’re still wearing our flipflops around the house, and none other than Jennifer Lawrence was seen sporting a fluffy pair in New York from Valentino’s AW17 collection — proof that they are, in fact, a winter shoe. The flip flop’s popularity has given rise to an emerging new fetish, meaning for some, that sexy little strap sitting between your big toe and second toe might just be the most alluring thing about you. Could flip flops be men’s sexual superpower? (Picture: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images) Did someone just say ‘flip flop fetish’? Data from leading adult site RedGIFS proves that foot fetishes remain as popular as ever. Sign up to The Hook-Up, Metro's sex and dating newsletter Love reading juicy stories like this? Need some tips for how to spice things up in the bedroom? Sign up to The Hook-Up and we'll slide into your inbox every week with all the latest sex and dating stories from Metro. We can't wait for you to join us! According to the platform, membership within the foot fetish category has increased by 23% over the past year. And, next to popular footwear fetish niches such as shoejobs and girls in leather boots, flip flop content is gaining traction. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. According to RedGIFS, the flip-flop niche currently has 1,200 members with 566 posts. While it doesn’t quite rival the site’s most popular footwear niche, High Heels, which has 19,000 members and 8,000 posts, there’s clearly a healthy appetite, Lylli Dupéré, head of community & creator success at RedGIFS, tells Metro. Flip flops are not just chic in 2026, they’re also a major turn on (Photo by Mauricio Santana/Getty Images) ‘We’re constantly seeing the breadth of sexual interests represented across our platform. Something that might seem incredibly niche to one person can be a well-established interest and community to someone else,’ she says. On Reddit, one user @jack_in_black89 shared that he’s always been ‘more turned on when seeing a girl in flip flops than if she were in stiletto heels’. Beginning his post by admitting to have a ‘self-confessed foot fetish’, he adds: ‘My main reason being that flip flops offer more to see of an undistorted foot, whereas heels make her feet an unnatural shape.’ And it’s not just men that find this footwear attractive. In a recent TikTok post poking fun at men who wear flip flops, dozens of women in the comments were quick to jump to the man’s defence, admitting to find the fashion statement seriously ‘attractive’. ‘Everything about this man is perfection,’ @beautybymax wrote. While @papparappu added that a man wearing flip flops is ‘a plus’ for them. So, what’s so sexy about flip flops? You may not realise it, but ‘for many people with a foot fetish, footwear is a big part of the allure’, sexologist Becky Crepsley Fox tells Metro. ‘As with all sexual desires, there’s huge variety in what people are drawn to. One person might love a high heel, while another is far more excited by a flip-flop or a sandal. Some people love the tease of seeing just a glimpse of the foot, while others are drawn to shoes that cover and wrap it,’ she continues. Becky goes on to explain that the appeal of flip-flops can come down to several things. Understandably, flip flop fetishes tend to boom in the spring and summer seasons (Picture: Getty Images) For some, it could be connected to the sound they make, ‘the slap of a flip-flop as someone walks can echo the sounds of sex’, for example. Plus, the open design also means more of the foot is on show. Becky adds that there’s something to be said about how, when you wear a flip flop, your foot has to grip the shoe with every step – meaning others can almost see your muscles working in real-time. ‘There can be something quietly flirtatious about that strap sitting between the toes…’ Referring back to the Reddit comment regarding flip flops versus high heels, Becky understands why this particular individual might be more attracted to flat footwear. ‘A heel changes the shape of the foot: it tips the weight forward, arches it dramatically and squeezes the toes. For heel lovers, that’s exactly the point, because it’s sculpted, dressed-up and performative. ‘But for people who are drawn to the foot itself, a flip-flop shows it as it really is. Neither is right or wrong. It’s simply the difference between being drawn to the look and being drawn to the real thing.’ Would a man with his raw dogs out be an aphrodisiac for you? (Picture: Getty Images) As for men in flip-flops, Becky isn’t surprised the opinion is split. For some women, a bare, hairy man’s foot isn’t exactly pleasing to the eye. Others, however, clearly find the ‘unkept’ look deeply erotic. ‘Some people who find feet sexually appealing love them freshly pedicured and well groomed,’ Becky explains. Deals of the Day The Orlando holiday deal Disney fans shouldn't miss We're adding this discounted NEOM gift set straight to basket Want an LED face mask for less? This Black Friday deal could save you hundreds This teeth whitening sale could save you up to 64% before Black Friday The best Black Friday sleep deals to upgrade your bedroom with Simba’s 33% off sale ‘For others, seeing a foot in all its natural glory, rough edges and all, can be part of the attraction.’ Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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