How To Wear Jelly Sandals This Summer
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1 month ago
Jelly sandals are going to be everywhere this season
If you grew up anywhere between 80s and noughties, chances are you wore jelly sandals as a child. Years have gone by without much thought on the once-popular shoe – aside from maybe a grumble or two about how uncomfortable they were – but this season, the tide is changing in their favour. A number of high-end fashion labels are touting the rubbery footwear essential as the shoe of the summer, and, from what we’ve seen of its new iteration, we have to agree.
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Jelly Sandals Are The New Summer Must-Have
When audiences gathered in Paris for The Row’s pre-fall 2024 runway show, the last thing they expected to see were models traipsing around in PVC shoes. The collection was a mish-mash of transitional heroes – think blazers, scarves and trench coats – and beach staples, with towels slung over coat-covered shoulders and jellified cage flats peeping out from tailored trouser cuffs.
The show marked a new chapter for the jelly sandal, one which gave us a glimpse into how it will migrate from nostalgic summer shoe to the transeasonal footwear find. Worn with shorts on the beach, jeans in town or a sleek tailored look in the office, it’s shaping up to become the unexpected style pick of the season.
The Row’s take on the classic jelly sandal, which it dubs ‘cage flats’, went on sale last year for an eye-watering £860 a pair – and went on to sell out in mere minutes. But, lucky for us, the Olsen twin-owned label wasn’t the only brand to herald a jelly sandal renaissance; designers quickly picked up on the commotion of this nostalgic trend, making an even bigger market for contemporary styles.
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Fast forward to now, and jelly sandals are thriving. While luxury names continue to tap into the trend – think Gucci, Prada and Tory Burch – a number of high end and even high street labels have thrown their, ahem, sandal into the ring. Favourites include Ancient Greek Sandals, who dabble in both classic fisherman and contemporary slip-on jellies, Free People, who stock a huge range of jellies in all colours of the rainbow, and even M&S, who follows The Row’s lead with a caged ballet flat formula – a round toe and a flat heel in shades of red, black and white.
All of the above are perfect for teaming up with a maxi skirt and loose T-shirt in the spring, and with a sundress come summer. Whether you’re after something colourful or just a simple black jelly sandal, there’s plenty of choice out there. But if all else fails, there’s bound to be a pair or two lurking around in your local vintage shop (or the back of your wardrobe).
Looking for inspiration? Scroll on for our guide to wearing jelly sandals throughout the spring/summer months, plus our edit of the best pairs on the market right now.
How To Wear Jelly Sandals This Season
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The Summer Co-Ord
The perfect partner to your summer fit? All things jelly. Whether you opt for a ballet flat or traditional sandal, the textural pop will add a playful dimension to your look.
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Light Layers
You can wear a pair of classic jellies just like you would your usual sandal – but for some chic elevation, opt for light layers in co-ordinating hues. Think linen shirts and loose trousers, shorts and camis or even a maxi skirt and tank top.
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The All-Weather Look
And on those days when the British weather unexpectedly gives in, let your outfit fall back on a statement jacket. This is the ultimate protection for your outfit (no matter how summery), and it still leaves room for your jelly sandals to shine.
