Jelly sandals, a popular footwear option from the ’80s and ’90s, are making a comeback as the shoe of the summer, spearheaded by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen of The Row. The brand debuted the $890 Mara vinyl slip-ons for their spring/summer 2024 collection, which quickly sold out, indicating a shift in cult favorites this season. Other brands like Ancient Greek Sandals and Mango have also released modern versions of jelly shoes, with prices ranging from $125 to under $80, tapping into the trend seen on The Row’s runway.
Melissa, a pioneer in the jelly shoe movement, offers a variety of options, including their hallmark “Possession” caged sandal in numerous saccharine colorways. The brand recently collaborated with Undercover to release a series of jelly silhouettes, including loafers, further fueling the popularity of this style. The Y2K craze embraced by Gen Z has contributed to the resurgence of jelly shoes, with celebrities like Rumer Willis spotted wearing a periwinkle pair in New York City. The retro style is also seen in other fashion items like sunglasses and cosmetics, giving a nod to the past era.
The plastic fantastic trend has propelled jelly shoes back into the limelight, with their translucent and sometimes blister-inducing design capturing the attention of fashion enthusiasts. Taylor Swift was seen wearing a pair of pink jelly sandals in a photo from “1989 (Taylor’s Version),” hinting at the shoe’s revival this year. Several luxury brands like Gucci and Coach have also embraced jelly sandals, with Gucci introducing their own version a few years ago and Coach featuring them on the runway alongside a translucent rendition of their iconic Tabby handbag.
Despite being divisive in the past and sometimes considered “ugly,” jelly shoes are now back in vogue, joining other popular footwear options like UGG clogs and ballet flat-sneaker hybrids. The comfort and nostalgia associated with jelly shoes have drawn fashion-forward individuals to embrace this trend once again. The resurgence of jelly shoes can be attributed to the Y2K fashion revival, with its mesh ballet flats from summer 2023 paving the way for the current popularity of jelly footwear.
As fashionista Leandra Medine Cohen predicted, the jelly glove-style flats from The Row’s Spring 2024 runway have caused a significant buzz in the fashion world, leading to various brands releasing their versions of jelly footwear. From minimalist luxury labels to more affordable options, jelly shoes are becoming a must-have item this summer, attracting those seeking a nostalgic yet stylish look. The combination of past trends with modern interpretations has made jelly shoes a symbol of retro fashion’s enduring appeal, allowing wearers to stand out with a touch of ’80s and ’90s nostalgia in their footwear choices.
