Ah, the jelly shoe. If you’re anything like me, these translucent, rubbery pumps and sandals have a way of pulling you straight back in time. For me, they instantly transport me back to sandy beaches, on holiday with my family as a child, and that unmistakable squeak with every step.
The jelly shoe trend actually dates back to the 1980s, when they were popularised for being waterproof, lightweight and cheap to mass manufacture. Practical, yes, but also playful. And, like most cyclical trends, they’re having another moment. The latest resurgence may have been sparked when The Row (the fashion brand owned by former actresses and twin sisters Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen) featured them in its pre-fall 2024 collection. Their £840 Mara Jelly shoes are now sold out everywhere and are only available on resale sites at the moment.
Still, you don’t need to rely on designer labels or shell out hundreds to tap into the look this summer. Marks and Spencer has stepped in with its own take on the jelly shoe, offering a range of colours and shapes that capture the same look without the eye-watering price tag. Over the last couple of years, the brand has got better and better at mimicking designer trends at affordable prices, and these shoes are no exception.
Granted, they won’t be for everyone, but that’s part of their charm. They’re a simple summer statement. Easy to chuck on, nostalgic, and perfectly suited to hot days and holidays. I’ve always had a soft spot for them myself. I actually snapped up a pair from US brand American Apparel (now rebranded as LA Apparel) back in 2013, and I’ve been wearing them every summer since. So it’s fun to see more options popping up on the high street again, especially from Marks and Spencer, which has really been doing well.
The Marks and Spencer range includes the classic Flat Jelly Shoes and the Ankle Strap Flat Jelly Mule Sandals, both priced at just £20. Compared to the designer pair, that’s a saving of £820 for something that feels remarkably similar. Shoppers have noticed, too. One Marks and Spencer customer said: « Excellent designer-inspired shoes at a fraction of the cost. Saw shoes for 10x the price that are very similar to these. The colours are lovely, but the clear ones or blue ones look the most expensive for sure. »
Another customer added that they brought back « childhood memories ». They continued: « Bought for holiday in June in France to wear to the pool. Lightweight to pack. »
The classic flat shoes are an easy slip-on style, with a closed toe and cut-out design all over, available in brown or red. They’re the closest match to The Row’s designer pair. Meanwhile, the Ankle Strap Flat Jelly Mule Sandals offer a slightly more grown-up take on the look—an open back, a strap across the centre of the foot fastened with a metal buckle, and that familiar cut-out detailing across the closed toe. These come in clear, black, green and blue.
Both styles are available in sizes three through to eight and, so far, reviews suggest they’re true to size. Whether you’re in it for the nostalgia or just looking for an easy summer update, it seems the jelly shoe is once again ready for a starring role.
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