Last summer’s most coveted style, jelly shoes, is back and celebrating the half-naked foot once more. Somewhere between a sandal and a ballet flat, caged silhouettes come in all manner of guises. From classic jelly shoes—a carbon copy of the pair I used to wear at age eight—to cool-girl flats with a slim leather sole, the SS26 options are plentiful.
It was The Row who first welcomed the new-age jelly footwear to the runway in 2024, reviving an ’80s favorite in a way that got people talking. Controversial? Yes, but in The Row we trust. Unsurprisingly, other luxury brands and high street retailers quickly followed suit. Some deemed the trend fleeting, but as is the way with almost anything the Olsen sisters present at Fashion Week, it turns out it’s sticking around. And these shoes aren’t just for the beach, as my eight-year-old self might have previously been led to believe. While I packed them in my carry-on to Comporta when I headed there in May, I’m also planning to wear them as I pace the city streets on my next urban weekender.
Which pair should you buy? For those fully committed to nostalgia, Free People’s Melissa sandals and the women’s black jelly shoes by Ancient Greek Sandals are the clear choice, as there’s simply no questioning their commitment to the throwback. But if the rubbery disposition is a step too far, dip your toe in the trend with more approachable alternatives. Alaïa’s fishnet ballet flats, or H&M’s braided pair, for example, will bring a classic jeans-and-T-shirt combo up to date.
Then there’s the more elegant option, and a welcome alternative to heels. Semi-sheer mesh pumps are the cool-girl’s evening choice for this season. Khaite’s pretty designs are paramount, and Zara’s embellished shoes are a charming yet affordable alternative.
Love it or hate it, this shoe trend is here to stay, and its strongest suit is how well it travels. Lightweight enough to slot into your handbags as well as a checked suitcase and well-suited to both beachy and city-centric vacation destinations, it’s fast becoming my quick-win when it comes to packing. Read on for the season’s best jelly shoes, cage flats, and sheer-mesh ballet pumps for women.
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Jelly shoes
Meet summer’s newest and coolest comrade: the jelly shoe. This season’s styles come in everything from classic black to saturated shades of blue and green. Wear Ancient Greek Sandals’ colorful options to uplift monochrome looks—a cream satin midi skirt and cotton tee in the city and a white beach cover-up on one of the best Greek islands—and Vince’s burgundy mules with wide-leg tailoring in London, or a linen co-ord in sunnier climates.
