Rick Owens on OnlyFans for feet pics, €1000 flip flops by The Row, and Jacob Elordi walking barefoot along the Australian coast: this summer, the trend that puts feet in the spotlight seems to have conquered us. After years of chunky sneakers and increasingly massive soles, it’s time to turn the page. Or rather, take off our shoes. We’re moving toward a minimal, radical, and decidedly divisive approach: showing the foot in its most natural form.
In the midst of this cultural and stylistic phenomenon, the Vibram FiveFingers — the toe-separated shoes once seen only on the feet of hardcore runners and functional fitness fans — have become the coolest accessory of the moment. On TikTok and Instagram, styling videos featuring FiveFingers are blowing up, and Google searches for the brand have skyrocketed over the past year.
But what’s going on?
The truth is, we’re entering a new phase of post-pandemic fashion: after the boom of performance and comfort, today there’s a hunger for authenticity. And no garment or accessory conveys truth better than a bare — or almost bare — foot. FiveFingers don’t hide, they don’t mask, they accompany. They’re the perfect hybrid between technical utility and style statement. With its new SS25 collection, Vibram strongly reaffirms this message: “Shift into Presence” is not just a slogan, but an invitation to slow down, feel, and rediscover one’s body.
What’s new at Vibram for Spring Summer 2025
There are four new models — Breezandal, Graspifier, Roadaroud, and Scramkey — designed to suit every situation, from extreme outdoor adventures to metropolitan daily wear. Alongside them, new colorways for historical best-sellers. All featuring Vibram’s signature high-performance sole and a design that fully respects the foot’s anatomy. The result: improved balance, natural agility, and a more intense sensory connection with the world around us.
FiveFingers and the world of fashion collide
In reality, this trend shouldn’t surprise us all that much. After Yeezy and Bottega Veneta’s sock shoes, the boom of urban flip flops, Balenciaga’s mutating silhouettes, and the touch grass vibe of the latest menswear, feet have become the new statement.
Vibram is also standing out on the runway, collaborating with brands like Suicoke, Brain Dead, 1017 Alyx 9SM, and Balenciaga, giving luxury sneakers a decisively anatomical touch. Even Ferragamo, Proenza Schouler, and Alaïa are exploring the more sensual and provocative side of the bare foot, with minimalist heels and deconstructed flip flops. And then there’s Coperni, which debuted runway-ready models perfect for Summer 2025: lightweight, breathable, ultra-comfy. Shoes you can wear from morning to night, in any situation, confirming that the barefoot look is now mainstream — no longer just for leisure time.
But FiveFingers aren’t just about aesthetics. They’re also a statement of intent for well-being. Walking naturally activates dormant muscles, improves posture, and reduces stress. The practice of earthing — walking barefoot to reconnect with the earth — has become a tangible way to care for ourselves in an era where we spend too much time disconnected from our bodies. Vibram embraces this philosophy and makes it wearable even in the city. A real revolution.
And so, while Demna designs shoes that cover only the big toe and heel, and The Row turns flip flops into €1000 collectible items, FiveFingers become the most comfortable and intelligent alternative. One step at a time, they bring us back to feeling, to moving mindfully. To “touching grass” — even on the pavement.
