10 Jelly Sandals For Summer That Your Inner Child Would Approve

the nostalgic summer shoe gets a grown-up makeover

Khaoula Ghanem

May 5, 2025

Khaoula Ghanem

05/05/2025

Fashion

One of the first pairs of shoes I ever owned came from my grandfather’s wheelbarrow. Not a boutique, not a box—just a rickety metal cart in Algeria, piled high with plastic jelly sandals he used to sell in our neighborhood. My family couldn’t afford much, but I’ll never forget those tiny pink jellies he handed me—squishy, sparkly, and somehow perfect.

Decades later, those same shoes—well, their runway-worthy descendants—are having a full-circle fashion moment. After The Row sent out a minimalist pair of jelly sandals during its Spring 2024 show, the nostalgic summer shoe has been quietly creeping its way back into the zeitgeist, with the help of designers, celebrities, and it girls such as Blake Lively, Jennifer Lawrence, and Sofia Richie. Call it nostalgia-core, Y2K redux, or just smart summer styling—either way, jellies are back and cooler than ever.

Once written off as childhood novelties or poolside throwaways, jelly sandals are now the season’s most unexpected hero. They’re waterproof, low-maintenance, and wildly comfortable—but don’t be fooled. Today’s iterations are styled with linen tailoring, sheer slips, and even socks (yes, socks). They’re proof that fashion can be playful without being unserious, and chic without trying too hard. Below, 10 jelly shoes that your inner child would approve.