Last updated on July 24, 2026 by Eve Dawes
Jelly shoes are officially back in style, and it won’t be a quiet return. Women’s jelly shoes have gone from a childhood memory to a true 2026 fashion trend, appearing everywhere from the runways to the high streets to the beaches. What started out as viral grid flats on The Row a few seasons ago has attracted the likes of Chloé, Loewe, Tory Burch and even Nike, proving they’re more than a fashion-adorned perfume. It took me a while to embrace the jelly sandals 2026 shoe trend, but I’m so glad I finally did. Playful and cool-girl jelly shoes are practical, comfortable, and one of the easiest and most affordable ways to update your look this year. Keep reading for the best women’s jelly shoes, kitten heels, and cage flats to wear this season.
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Why jelly shoes are trending again
The modern jelly shoe revival can be traced back to The Row’s Mara flats, a grid-cut ballet style that sold out almost immediately in every colorway upon its debut. Since then, the trend has not gone away and has continued to build. Chloé’s creative director Chemena Kamali took the material even further with translucent TPU mules and kitten heel sandals, while Loewe’s spring 2026 campaign channeled the surreal and slightly bizarre appeal of clear plastic shoes. Tory Burch, DKNY, Steve Madden, and Jeffrey Campbell have all released their own takes, and even Melissa, long known as the original modern jelly shoe brand, continues to collaborate with major brands to keep the trend fresh.
Are jelly shoes just nostalgia for the 80s and Y2K?
Partially, but not entirely. While the trend clearly taps into ’90s and Y2K nostalgia, 2026 jelly shoes are focused more on material and form innovation rather than straight throwbacks. Think smoky, translucent finishes, sculptural kitten heels, and caged silhouettes rather than the stiff, shiny plastic flip-flops many of us grew up wearing. Today’s versions include cork soles, cushioned insoles, and soft PVC, making them truly comfortable, not just nostalgic.
Will jelly shoes actually be popular in 2026?
yes. Love it or hate it, this shoe trend is here to stay. Between runway validation from celebrities like The Row, Chloé and Loewe, Kylie Jenner, Zoë Kravitz, Jennifer Lawrence and the Olsen Twins, and the fact that major retailers and high street brands are all following suit with their own versions, jelly shoes have gone far beyond a passing fad. If you want to know how to wear them in practice, check out our How to Style Jelly Shoes guide, and if you decide on a specific brand, check out our Melissa Jelly Shoes review to break down whether the originals are still worth your while.
Which pair is right for you?
If you love:
- 80s nostalgia: I have free people’s Melissa sandals or ancient Greek women’s jelly shoes.
- Mesh ballet flats: Alaïa, H&M’ or Steve Madden.
- Elegant Style: Khaite, Melissa Jelly Heels, Zara, Cinderella Blue Jelly Mules from Chloé (I can’t wait to get my hands on them) or Glam Jelly Ballet Flats from Heavenly Jelly.
Shop the trendy jelly shoes to wear this season
If you’re looking for a pair of these sandals SS26 options are numerous! If you still can’t find a shoe you like, head to Melissa, which has over 900 jelly shoe styles. You might just find a pair or two with your name written all over them!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Jelly shoes are a true 2026 fashion trend, supported by runway collections from The Row, Chloé and Loewe and widespread adoption by high street and contemporary brands.
This footwear trend was reignited by The Row’s viral Mara flats, and has since grown through its own takes at Chloé, Loewe, and Tory Burch, evolving beyond simple ’90s nostalgia into more sculptural, material-forward designs.
Modern jelly shoes are much more comfortable than the versions many people wore as children. They often feature cork soles, cushioned insoles, and soft PVC materials.
This year’s jelly shoes feature more surreal, translucent finishes and sculptural shapes like kitten heels and caged silhouettes, rather than the stiff, shiny plastic styles of our youth.
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