As the final shows of Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027 draw to a close, the sartorial elite have descended upon the Danish capital, bringing with them a footwear trend that is as unexpected as it is undeniable. Forget the minimalist leather slides and chunky loafers that have dominated recent seasons; the streets of Copenhagen are currently being conquered by a wild, unapologetic iteration of the thong sandal.

The Feline and Canine Takeover

While leopard print remains a perennial staple in the fashion zeitgeist, the Scandi style set is actively pivoting toward more idiosyncratic animal motifs. According to street style photographers on the ground for WWD, the most coveted silhouettes this August feature striking zebra stripes, fierce tiger patterns, and even playful Dalmatian spots.

In one particularly striking display of juxtaposition, an attendee was spotted wearing black-and-white zebra-print thong sandals featuring a towering stiletto heel and a wide strap across the foot. The bold footwear was grounded by an eclectic mixed-print ensemble, pairing a red-and-white striped skirt with a vintage green "I Heart NY" T-shirt.

Kitten Heels and Calf-Hair Wedges

The trend extends far beyond standard flats. Copenhagen-based brand Rotate Birger Christensen has heavily influenced the market with tiger-print calf-hair styles, inspiring a wave of kitten-heel thong sandals that offer a sophisticated lift without sacrificing the breezy, barefoot aesthetic of a traditional flip-flop. In a brilliant display of fashion week camaraderie, two attendees were seen swapping the exact same tiger-print kitten heels, styling them with everything from dark leopard midi skirts to belted black mini shorts.

Meanwhile, the ubiquitous Naked Wolfe Rampage wedge has been reimagined in a Dalmatian-spotted calf hair, complete with slender wrap-around ankle straps that elevate the humble thong into a piece of high-fashion armor. Even Havaianas, the quintessential rubber flip-flop brand, made waves by debuting a kitten-heel iteration on a Copenhagen runway, proving that the elevation of the thong sandal is an industry-wide phenomenon.

A Rejection of Quiet Luxury

This embrace of loud, textured, and highly patterned footwear signals a definitive shift away from the muted tones of "quiet luxury." Copenhagen Fashion Week has long served as the global crystal ball for emerging trends, and the SS27 street style confirms that consumers are craving tactile, joyful, and slightly unhinged styling. The animal-print thong sandal is no longer just a beachside afterthought; it is the anchor of a highly curated, maximalist wardrobe.

As the fashion pack packs up their zebra stripes and tiger claws and heads toward New York and London for the next leg of the global fashion month, one thing is certain: the thong sandal has officially gone wild, and the rest of the world will soon be following in its spotted, striped footsteps.

Further reading: Read the original trend report on WWD / Footwear News