As designer flip-flops command red carpets and price tags north of $600, Dwyane Wade is taking a definitive stance on the men’s sandals debate — and he’s keeping his socks on.
As part of his cohosting duties this week on the “Today” show, the NBA Hall of Famer joined Jenna Bush Hager and Zanna Roberts Rassi on Tuesday to weigh in on the men’s summer sandal trend that has made its way from poolside to red carpet. His verdict? Not a chance.
“That’s not my thing. I can’t do that,” Wade said when asked about the style that recently made headlines thanks to Jonathan Bailey’s flip-flop moment. “My toes can’t be out like that.”
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A male model wears leather flip-flops on the "Today' Show, which Dwyane Wade gave a "hard pass"
A male model wears leather flip-flops on the “Today” show, which Dwyane Wade gave a “hard pass.” The ‘Today’ Show
When Rassi pointed out that Bailey “broke the internet” in black leather flip-flops from The Row at a London photocall, Wade didn’t flinch. “Nope,” he said. “Hard pass.” Even when challenged to try a pair modeled live in studio, he barely entertained the idea. “Let’s see the model — I’m sure he got a size nine,” he joked as they looked at a pair of men’s leather flip-flops from Zara, priced at a slightly more modest price of $109.
“My toes can’t be out like that,” he said. “A lot of years of basketball on these toes.”
Instead, Wade is firmly in the slides-and-socks camp — a styling combo that continues to gain ground among celebrities from Kendall Jenner to Hailey Bieber and off-duty athletes alike. “That [flip-flop] won’t look good with socks,” he added. “And I can’t wear my toes out like that.”
The Zaramen Limited Edition Leather Sandals modeled on the 'Today' Show, $109.
The Zaramen limited-edition leather sandals modeled on the “Today” show, $109.
Wade’s stance may put him at odds with the current wave of fashion-forward men embracing exposed toes. From Pharrell Williams’ crocodile-trimmed LV Flip debuting at Louis Vuitton’s spring 2026 menswear show, to Simon Baker’s Birkenstocks and Bailey’s red carpet sandals, the flip-flop has reemerged as a symbol of casual luxury.
Still, Wade isn’t budging. “That’s not gonna be a good like,” he said, drawing laughter from the “Today” cohosts. “But you look — Jonathan, you look good.”
While the flip-flop debate rages on, Wade’s not interested in joining it. See which other celebrities are firmly in the shoes-and-sandals camp below.