Jelly sandals: How the nostalgic ’90s shoe made a comeback for summer 2025
Your childhood candy coloured shoe is this season’s must-have sandal
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Love it or hate it, the jelly sandal is back. Yes, you may not have thought about these funny-looking plastic net shoes since your childhood beach days (mine were bright pink and sparkly and I was obsessed), but the iconic 1990s shoe is back in full force this summer – and not just for children.
As we know, fashion trends come and go. Some never to appear again, others to creep back up years, even decades, later. Jelly sandals, apparently, are the latter. It all started last year when The Row brought its Mara flat to the SS24 runway in Paris. A new-age jelly shoe with a modernised silhouette, made from PVC in various bright shades, it sold out instantly and marked the start of the resurgence of the nostalgic netted childish flat.
Other brands soon caught on to the playful shoe trend, and the jelly sandal can now be spotted everywhere, from high street shops to luxury boutiques and high fashion houses. In fact, Chloé’s SS25 show at Paris Fashion Week proved the jelly shoe is very much here to stay. The French fashion label went for something a little different, however, elevating the style with a thong strap and cute kitten heel for a more grown-up, polished look.
Whether a fan of the classic silhouette or keen to try a jelly sandal with a twist (be that a mule, chunky sole or heeled iteration like Chloés), the beauty of the design is its versatility. Wear with floaty dresses for a feminine, summery appeal, smart tailoring for office attire, or shorts and a tee for something simple but effective, and heatwave-ready. Choose between translucent, barely-there styles, minimal neutral shades, or go whole hog with the girly, glittery styles of your youth. The options are endless.
The classic jelly sandal
This is what we think of when we think of jelly sandals. A traditional basket weave design made from PVC with rubber soles, ankle straps and buckle closures. Ancient Green Sandals’ Homerias are about as classic as they come – this time around rendered in a slick black hue for a more grown-up appeal – while Cos’ sandals take on a fisherman's aesthetic in a versatile tonal brown shade. Meanwhile, over at Loeffler Randall, its Rhys style is going for gold, adorned in champagne glitter and rhinestone embellishments. And Juju’s jellies bring a big pop of colour. Taylor Swift donned a pair of its Reilys on her 1989 album cover. If they’re good enough for her… we’ll say no more.
More of a mule
The easiest way to update the classic jelly sandal design? Take off the back and make it a mule. Take Vince and Tory Burch as perfect examples. Vince’s Barcelona sandal slips on with ease and brings a touch of sophistication to the otherwise childish shoe with its backless silhouette, and is available in ganache, dark amber, jade water and oceanic shades for a modern, chic finish. Tory Burch opts for a vibrant scarlet red in an open back Mary Jane style – wear from day to night to give your summer outfits some elegant pizzazz.
Ballet flats
Then there’s the jelly sandal meets much-loved ballet flat style. A timeless silhouette that nails form and function with a big spritz of Parisienne elegance, the ballet shoe will never go out of style, and this summer, many designers have given the perennial flat a jelly upgrade for a quirky, fun edge. Jimmy Choo’s ballerina comes in a smoky black, sky blue and pastel pink for smart and playful options to see you from the office to summer parties (we just love the crystal embellished strap). Senso brings a slightly simpler style, but available in bright red, black or white shades, it's the perfect finishing detail to just about any outfit.
Slider style
Taking a more casual approach to the style is the jelly slider. Open-toed flats that look equally great pool and barside, slip on a pair for an easy, laidback look that is still undeniably on trend. Must-haves include Sam Edelman’s Bay design in white (perfect for showing off tanned feet) and Telfar and Melissa’s collaboration in eye-catching purple).
Well-heeled
We couldn’t not spotlight the star of this season’s jelly sandal trend: Chloé. Set on a cute kitten heel for an effortlessly chic finish, the maison’s jellies are inspired by the retro shoe and modernised with a refreshed thong silhouette. Available in pink, blue and brown, there is one for every taste. Ready to take it a step further (or higher in this case)? Look to Fiorucci, with its 35mm heeled sandal in cardinal red. Bellissima.
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