While flip-flops have been the shoe of choice for summer 2025, Taraji P. Henson opted for a pair of flat slides, providing an alternative to the current thong sandal trend.
The “Straw” actress was spotted leaving her hotel in New York on Thursday wearing a much more casual look than the one she wore for Megan Thee Stallion’s Pete & Thomas Foundation Gala on Wednesday. For the outing, she popped on a pair of Simkhai‘s Monogram slides in camel color.
Taraji P. Henson seen in Midtown on Thursday in New York City.
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The calf leather sandals feature a monogram detail on the upper, a flat heel and an open-toe design. They are a slide style with a square toe that adds a bit of an edge and a modern twist to the sandal. The sandals retail for $295 and are also available in red, navy blue, brown and ivory colors, which have a black trim throughout, and more.
While Henson styled her slip-on sandals with baggy blue denim trousers and an ivory cropped button-down, the shoes can be paired with long dresses for a night out or formfitting pants for a more formal look. The toned down look was a bit of a departure for “The Color Purple” star, who usually wears towering heels by René Caovilla, Gianvito Rossi, Christian Louboutin and more for Hollywood events and red carpets.
While flip-flops are a must-have every summer for outings and adventures, thong styles have evolved beyond the beach and taken over this year. The shoes have already been worn by celebrities on red carpets and by models on the runway, with popular brands like Havaianas partnering with stars like Gigi Hadid and Dolce & Gabbana.
However, brands like Simkhai have continued to release strappy flat sandals or leather slides for those looking for a more elegant and timeless shoe to beat the summer heat. Simkhai was founded in 2010 by designer Jonathan Simkhai, who takes inspiration from architects and sculptors for his collections and designs.
Simkhai was the 2015 winner of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. The studio has since earned recognition for its original silhouettes, quality constructions and timeless elegance, and was an early inductee to the CFDA Incubator program at the start of his career.