Christie Brinkley embraced timeless Hamptons style as she celebrated her recurring cover for Social Life Magazine during a party at Polo Hamptons at the Fischel Estate.
The supermodel looked effortlessly elegant in a head-to-toe white ensemble that was perfect for the sunny outdoor celebration. Airy yet sophisticated, the look captured everything you would expect from a classic Hamptons summer event!
Christie Brinkley celebrates her recurring cover for Social Life Magazine in a summery all-white Hamptons-style look, with the magazine owner Allie Mitchell, at Polo Hamptons at the Fischel Estate on July 25, 2026 (Credit: Iris Zimmerman / INSTARimages)
While Christie Brinkley has worn everything from towering red-carpet heels to relaxed summer flats throughout her career, one constant is her preference for polished, feminine footwear that suits the occasion. Her latest Hamptons appearance continues that approach, trading height for comfort with René Caovilla’s crystal-embellished “Diana” sandals.
It’s a natural evolution from earlier Your Next Shoes features, including her Gianvito Rossi lace-up sandals at a 2017 Social Life Magazine celebration and her sparkling Christian Louboutin wrap sandals at the 2025 Footwear News Achievement Awards, showing how her shoe choices have adapted while maintaining the same understated elegance.
Christie Brinkley Wears René Caovilla Diana Crystal Thong Sandals
Brinkley slipped her red-pedicured feet into a pair of René Caovilla “Diana” crystal thong sandals, and I thought they were the perfect choice for a summer party.
Their flat silhouette made them practical for walking on the lawn while still looking elegant enough for the upscale daytime event. They featured slim thong-style straps with a delicate T-strap design that remains a warm-weather favorite year after year, along with adjustable slingback straps that offered a secure fit.
What really made them stand out were the sparkling crystal embellishments along the slender straps and around the edges of the insoles. They added just enough shimmer to elevate the otherwise simple design!
Finished with flat rubber soles, the Diana sandals offer an easy balance of comfort and polish, making them just as practical for garden parties and resort vacations as they are for long summer celebrations. The crystal-trimmed design has become one of René Caovilla’s signature warm-weather styles, with several variations still available.
At Mytheresa, you’ll find the classic Diana embellished thong sandals, satin-and-leather versions, and discounted satin styles priced from $896 to $1,340. Farfetch also carries an extensive selection, including the Diana crystal-embellished flat sandals worn by Christie Brinkley alongside heeled, ankle-strap, T-strap, leopard-print, and drop-pendant Diana styles, with prices currently ranging from $670 to $1,595.
Christie Brinkley embraces chic and comfy summer style in René Caovilla “Diana” thong-style flat sandals featuring shimmering crystal embellishments along the straps and around the insoles (Credit: Iris Zimmerman / INSTARimages)
Christie Brinkley isn’t the first celebrity to embrace René Caovilla’s “Diana” sandals. Jennifer Lopez previously styled the crystal-embellished flats with a breezy embroidered LoveShackFancy maxi dress while shopping in East Hampton, proving the design works just as well with bohemian vacation dressing as it does with Brinkley’s polished Hamptons tailoring.
Christie took a more refined approach, pairing the same sandal with a satin slip dress and a blazer draped over her shoulders, while Lopez leaned into effortless resort style.
Christie Brinkley Styles a White Satin Slip Dress and Draped Blazer
Brinkley, who made history as the first model to appear on three consecutive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers from 1979 to 1981, opted for a refined yet easy-to-wear look.
She paired her flat sandals with an effortlessly chic flowing white satin slip-style midi dress. The silky fabric had a soft sheen and draped beautifully over her figure, giving the dress graceful movement as she walked.
It also had a plunging V-neckline that added a feminine touch, while thin double shoulder straps provided a delicate contrast to the fluid silhouette.
Adding another layer of elegance, Christie draped a crisp white blazer over her shoulders. I loved how it created a cape-like effect that gave the relaxed slip dress a more polished finish, making the outfit feel appropriate for a high-end daytime social gathering.
Christie Brinkley pairs her flat sandals with a breezy white slip-style midi dress, styled with a draped white blazer (Credit: Iris Zimmerman / INSTARimages)
Christie Brinkley Finishes Her Hamptons Look With Ombré Sunglasses and Soft Curls
Brinkley kept her accessories minimal, wearing only a gold watch with a white strap that blended seamlessly with her monochromatic outfit. At one point, she also added oversized ombré sunglasses, which gave the look an extra dose of glamorous summer style.
Her signature blonde hair was styled in soft, loose curls, while her natural-looking makeup completed the effortless aesthetic.
Christie Brinkley completes her elegant summer look with oversized ombre aviators, a white watch, and soft curls (Credit: Iris Zimmerman / INSTARimages)
Why Thong-Style Flat Sandals Remain a Celebrity Summer Staple
Christie Brinkley’s René Caovilla sandals reflect a wider shift toward refined flat footwear that prioritizes comfort without sacrificing style. From off-duty errands to Hamptons gatherings and even red carpets, celebrities continue to embrace thong-style flat sandals for their clean ’90s-inspired lines, understated luxury, and remarkable versatility.
Whether crafted from crystal-embellished satin, buttery leather, or soft suede, today’s elevated designs are a world apart from basic flip-flops. Fashion favorites including Alessandra Ambrosio and Heidi Klum have helped redefine the silhouette, pairing minimalist thong sandals with everything from relaxed denim and breezy dresses to sharp tailoring and structured separates. The contrast captures the “wrong shoe theory” at its best, proving that an intentionally simple sandal can make polished outfits feel more modern, effortless, and wearable.
👡 Explore More Ways to Style Thong-Style Flat Sandals:
- 🌊 Alessandra Ambrosio makes white thong sandals part of her laid-back California uniform, wearing Gucci “Tess” flats with a striped maxi dress and similar T-strap sandals with denim cutoffs and a crisp white shirt.
- 🐆 Heidi Klum grounds head-to-toe leopard print with simple brown thong sandals, letting the understated flats and Saint Laurent raffia bag soften the impact of her boldly patterned separates.
- 👖 Milly Alcock pairs white Gianvito Rossi “Sofia” thong sandals with loose Y2K denim, using the minimalist shoes to balance a metallic McQueen fringe top during the Supergirl London press tour.
- 🌼 Sophia Hammons leans into relaxed ’90s style with strappy flat thong sandals, teaming the casual Universal Thread pair with wide-leg jeans and a playful polka-dot bandeau top.
- ✨ Nicole Kidman proves flat thong sandals can work with full-length eveningwear, pairing simple gold sandals with a flowing white Yves Saint Laurent dress for an ethereal red-carpet finish.