For those of us who grew up in the mall, Old Navy’s wall of flip flops is a staple memory. Those plastic and foam sandals would surely be chewed up by the family dog, left at a friend’s house, or torn into pieces after much use.

Now that we’re a little older and the summer 2026 flip-flop trend is in full force, celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, and others have found a more sophisticated option: Tkees’ minimalist flip-flops and sandals.

Five of us with different skin tones tested their flip flops for color compatibility, fit, and comfort. It was difficult to get a perfect match every time, especially for those of us with reddish undertones. Still, we found the Tkees flip flops much more stylish than other flip flops we’ve tried.

Our review of the Tkees Lily Nude flip flops

While on vacation at the beach, Tkees founder Carly Burnett struggled to find a really simple sandal, the kind that’s as stylish as it is simple. Instead of continuing the fruitless search, she and her husband Jesse worked to create their own.

The Tkees may look like any normal thin strap sandal, but that’s the point. Tkees’ appeal lies in its simplicity: high-quality materials and minimal, barely-there silhouettes. They’re comfortable enough to wear strolling along the sand, but minimalist enough to wear to a nice dinner. At $65 a pair, they’re a bigger investment than $1 Old Navy flip-flops, but they’re made with durable leather (or vegan leather) made to last.

Nude Lily Flip Flops at Sunbliss

“These are the best shoes for a beach holiday. I packed them in my bag for two summer weekend trips and they took up very little space in my weekend, however, the flip flops were among my most worn items. I wore them on the beach, at a casual dinner, by the pool and on short walks around Southampton. I had to be a little careful wearing them near water as they are not made to get wet all the time, but a little bit of pool water and grass They didn’t hurt me.

Although I have to admit that I barely use them in the city. Spread toes and the feeling of being barefoot don’t exactly go with long walks to the subway, so they stay in the closet until the holidays. However, I’m looking forward to using them in Hawaii in a few months, as the combination of beach living and a car-centric location is the exact environment where they shine. —Samantha Crozier, Copy Editor, Insider Reviews.

Lily Nude Flip Flops in Coconut Butter

“I have to admit, the only pair of flip-flops I own are the $1 Old Navy flip-flops. They’re great to throw on when I don’t feel like wearing sandals, but they tend to become an eyesore if I’m wearing a nicer outfit. I thought my Tkees were comfortable enough to wear for a few hours or run to the store, but I found that the strap between my toes was a little stiff and uncomfortable. I think this was attributed to the fact that my normal size was a little small in I found myself pushing my foot forward to keep them on. Because of this, I would recommend a size medium.

As for the accuracy of ‘my nude’, it was difficult for me to choose a color since I tan easily – my face, arms, legs and feet are all different shades, and my feet are probably the least tanned part of me right now. I chose Cocobutter, which was actually the shade closest to my arms, but really, I probably should have chosen Sunkissed. However, I still felt like the nude shades available were warmer than my actual skin tone, which is olive. “Still, I would consider wearing them again as ‘my nude’ if they were a little bigger.” Francesca Rea, former producer, Insider Reviews

Nude Lily Flip Flops in Heatwave

“I’m not a big fan of wearing flip-flops, but the Tkees became a go-to when I was running errands on the weekend. The Heatwave color in their Nudes collection matched my skin tone quite well. Shout out to the photos of a diverse set of models on their site; this made choosing my shade easier. Unlike other flip-flops, I didn’t feel underdressed and, most importantly, they were comfortable. The only downside is if you often trip or scrape the tops of your flip-flops. shoes (like me) will be noticed.” — Alyssa Powell, Senior Graphic Designer, Insider Reviews

the riley

“I already had a pair of classic Tkees in a light gray color, so I was ready to try a new style to review. The Riley is a great shoe. The toe box reminds me of a more outdoor sandal (think Chacos), but the really simple silhouette elsewhere also makes them a little more suitable for pairing with nice linen pants or a work dress. The toe box was a little uncomfortable, especially for walking long hours. What I love about the Tkees, though, is how thin they are. They are, you really love them. I feel almost barefoot. This design makes the sandals really comfortable, but I wouldn’t recommend them if you walk a lot or travel in a city like New York. I made this mistake and felt like my feet were a little bare. also exposed to the sidewalks of New York.

In terms of nude, I thought Sunkissed would be the perfect match for my really sun-kissed summer skin, but it didn’t really work. It was a little too stark against my skin, which has reddish-pink undertones. Personally, I don’t need them to be the perfect match and I’ll keep wearing them anyway because they look great anywhere else.” Remi Rosmarin, Freelance Style Reporter, Insider Reviews

the sarit

“I have two pairs of Tkees: this one and the Riley flip flops that Remi tried. Between the two, I prefer the Riley style because my wide feet don’t fit as well in this pair. If your feet are relatively narrow or at least average width, you shouldn’t have the problem I have, which is that the band around the midfoot is a little tight. This pair also only comes in one pair of colors instead of the full range of nudes, which is a bummer.

I normally wear a size 7.5-8 and opted for an 8 in the Sarit pair, which was definitely the right decision, but it still wasn’t enough to make them perfectly comfortable. The next pair I buy will definitely be simple flip flops as I think that’s what the brand does best.” Sally Kaplan, Executive Editor, Insider Reviews

The final result

More than 11 colors are needed to create a complete range of flip flops that match the shade. Consider the root of the success of Fenty Beauty’s foundation, which offers 50 shades: It considers undertones, not just surface-level skin color. Additionally, flip flops are not very supportive walking sandals.

However, if you want a pair that is stylish enough to wear to the office or out to dinner, Tkees is a great option. We can see why their comfort and style appeal to the likes of Miley Cyrus and Gigi Hadid, as they are easy to pack and wear.

Keep in mind that they are small, but we loved that they have slightly different variations on the classic thong sandal and, at best, these flip flops practically disappear into your outfit.