The best jelly shoes – for all budgets

When pairs of electric blue and ruby-red vinyl shoes squelched down The Row’s pre-fall 2024 catwalk in Paris, it sparked a nostalgic yearning for the playful, practical jelly sandal. The caged silhouette offered a chic take on the beloved children’s footwear that ruled playground fashion in the 1990s. The netted Mara flats (£860) were an instant, sell-out success – and jellies are now the hottest shoes of the summer. 

The Row vinyl Mara flats, £860

Ancient Greek Sandals PVC and leather Homeria sandals, £155

Prada rubber Monolith sandals, £650

Miu Miu EVA platform cage sandals, £620

There are plenty of fun, contemporary twists on the classic fisherman style. Ancient Greek Sandals’s translucent sorbet-pink Homeria sandals feature a hand-stitched leather sole, while Loeffler Randall adds glitz to its Rhys glitter sandals with clear rhinestone embellishments. For a sportier look, opt for Miu Miu’s platforms which have a chunky but lightweight sole, or Prada’s Monolith platforms that come in a range of matte colours such as pistachio and barley.

Gucci rubber Interlocking G Slide sandals, £350

Melissa PVC Town sandals, £90

Birkenstock EVA Arizona sandals, £45

Tory Burch plastic Mini Miller sandals, £110

Others are breaking the mould with different jelly shapes. Gucci’s statement slides in fluorescent tangerine incorporate an interlocking G cut-out stamped across the front. And Brazilian brand Melissa – which has been making durable gummy shoes since 1979 – is forever expanding its range. Made from Melflex, a patented PVC with a distinctive bubblegum scent, its glossy Town sandals feature a grippy treaded sole and an adjustable strap that wraps around the ankle for support. For ultimate rubber comfort, though, Birkenstock’s Eva Arizona sandals feature the same anatomical moulding as its cork models, but are flexible, waterproof and ideal for holidays.