This week, The Row’s flip-flops have taken center stage in the fashion discourse. They are igniting conversations over what constitutes luxury and how much we should charge for basic goods. For reference, these sandals cost $690. They’re just trying to bring the updated classic thonged sandal up a notch and catch the attention of both consumers and competitors in the process.
The Row Big Buckle Arizonas Steamrolled this season by the likes of Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga, big buckles are a major look. They make common objects uncommon and simple things fantastically complicated. This surprising the public is not a new phenomenon. It takes us back to the 1980s when Saint Laurent sold cigarettes as high fashion. These are just a few extreme examples that underscore a deeper fixation in the fashion world on making everyday essentials into status markers.
Behind their luxurious cost, The Row flip-flops don’t offer cutting-edge design features. They even keep a low profile look, which means they can slip right into just about any everyday outfit. Most recently spotted on actress Dakota Johnson, the shoes have been getting a lot of press. Consumers are attracted to the luxury goods status more than their craftsmanship.
In a time when ostentatious peacock displays are all the rage, the Big Buckle Arizonas are a welcomed and unexpected turn. They are refreshing in a culture seemingly flooded with luxury items that can be stylish but are not always useful. The question remains: can a basic shoe truly justify such an exorbitant price?
Critics say that the flip-flopping of this luxury label on The Row underscores a pattern more widely felt through the fashion industry. These days, it feels like everything claiming luxury comes with a premium price tag. Consumers are being given the opportunity to really look and think about what value means to us in fashion. Others are wondering if these sandals really merit their price point, or if they’re simply another example of overblown branding.
Fashionistas, celebrities and Royalty alike have all been spotted in these iconic sandals. Shoppers aren’t merely attracted to their aesthetic appeal, they crave the opulence and elitism that these atrocious sandals signify. Celebrity culture and social media play a huge role in shaping consumer preferences. This leads to a misalignment between product quality and value.