Jelly shoes might be controversial, but they're still the It shoe of summer
It's time to dip a toe into the trend


Penny Goldstone
If I had to describe last summer in one sound, it would be the rubber squelch of jelly flats.
Of course, The Row were to blame (/thank), with the introduction of their viral bright red jellies, previewed in their Autumn/Winter 2024 collection and immediately adopted by Jennifer Lawrence amongst many others.
Loeffler Randall also made waves with its bejewelled glitter jelly sandals, which quickly took over my TikTok and Instagram feeds.
Despite their viral aspect, the shoes are nothing new, especially if you grew up in the 90s. They had a brief resurgence in the 2010s, and have known many iterations over the years, from their original caged 90s silhouette to their American Apparel-era rubber fisherman sandals.
Like Crocs and Birkenstocks, they are widely considered the Marmite of shoes, but love them or loathe them, they're still set to be the It shoe of Spring/Summer 2025.
The Row 'Mara' jelly flats.
If you're ready to cave in, there are plenty of options for you to choose from, no matter your budget.
On the designer side of things, you simply can't ignore Chloé's kitten heel jelly sandals—a decidedly feminine and grown-up take on the trend—or Bottega Veneta's rubber Mary-Janes.
Over on the high street, Ancient Greek Sandals' Iro jelly flats are back in an array of fun new colours.
Whether you're heading to the beach or staying in the city this summer, the styling options are endless.
They're great paired with a classic denim dress, linen suit or a square-neck swimsuit and sarong.
Convinced? Here are the best jelly flats to buy now.
Shop jelly shoes
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Sofia Piza is the Fashion Writer at Marie Claire UK. With extensive experience and a degree in Fashion Journalism, she covers runway trends, shopping picks, celebrity fashion, and industry news.
Throughout her career, Sofia's work has ranged from in-depth interviews with industry experts and high-profile celebrities to creative production for editorial cover shoots and red-carpet coverage. Born in Mexico and raised in five countries, Sofia's multicultural upbringing has fed into her interest in international markets, leading her fashion week coverage across London, Milan, Paris, New York, and Copenhagen.
When she's not sourcing inspiration from social media, you will find Sofia anywhere from a local vintage market to busy central London streets, people watching to make sure she brings you the latest trends, from the best denim pieces to the must-have investment bags- the possibilities are endless.