Whatever your first brush with jelly sandals was, it’s probably tinged with nostalgia. Maybe it was asking your parents for a pair after seeing them advertised on TV (Lelli Kelly, we’re looking at you); maybe it was seeing them in the Argos catalogue; perhaps it was discovering that all Melissa shoes smell like bubble gum. Fashion’s in a wistful mood right now — see: capri pants, the boho revival, and ’00s style in general — so of course it was only a matter of time before jelly shoes got the same treatment.
This time around, it all started (as many things do these days) with The Row. At the label’s pre-fall 2024 runway show, models walked the catwalk in mesh shoes made of jelly. While the brand’s Mara flats sold out nearly the minute they hit stores, the damage was done: jellies are all we want to wear this summer 2024, even if we’re only OOO mentally.
Image courtesy of The Row
The best jelly sandals for summer 2024
Are jelly sandals comfortable to wear?
Like mesh ballet pumps, another warm-weather shoe trend that plays with sheer materials, jelly sandals offer all-important airflow and comfort. We like that the PVC footwear is slightly more practical for everyday wear, given that the majority of pairs are waterproof, flexible, and (mostly) built to last. See? Practical footwear can also be fun.
Glamour US staff are also very much leaning into the sandal trend. Commerce Producer Leilani McQuay is pining after Jeffrey Campbell’s clear ballet flats, while Commerce Director Brie Schwartz owns and loves Melissa’s iconic glitter Possession sandals, swearing they’re the most comfortable summer shoe: “I’ve worn them for hours with nary a blister.”
How to style jelly sandals
Styling jellies is a breeze. Lean into the seaside vibes with a breezy white shirt layered over a tank top; finish the look with a crochet skirt, linen trousers, or boxer shorts. To channel the relaxed elegance of The Row’s runway, try wearing the shoes with trench coats, loose white T-shirts, and cropped wide-leg pants. They make great officewear, too; try them with a blazer, sculptural earrings, and a midi skirt. To elevate your day-off wardrobe, try pairing them with ankle socks and denim shorts. We promise you’ll be the coolest person in the supermarket.
This article originally appeared on Glamour US.