14 ’90s-Inspired Styles to Try

Love it or hate it, jelly shoes are officially back. The resurgence of the iconic ’90s trend has been brewing for a while, but A-list celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence and Taylor Swift have stepped out in the undeniably fun footwear, confirming it’s gone mainstream yet again. Jelly shoes have also gotten their runway debut, with The Row incorporating the style into its pre-fall 2024 collection, and countless labels across the industry (from Bottega Veneta to Telfar) placing their stamp of approval. Below, we unpack the nostalgia-fueled jelly shoes trend, plus a roundup of 14 product picks to help you embrace the playful energy.

About The Trend

Given the parade of ’90s and Y2K-inspired styles entering the trend cycle lately, from swim skirts to gym shorts, it’s not surprising that jelly shoes are making a triumphant return. If you’re unfamiliar with jelly shoes, the term describes any footwear in a plastic gummy material, which is often (but not always) made from PVC. Jelly shoes are quirky and fit into a maximalist aesthetic, often available in bright candy colors, but the nostalgic trend is getting a grown-up makeover in 2024. The Row’s pre-fall 2024 collection features an elevated netted style that evokes one of the year’s most popular trends: mesh ballet flats. Meanwhile, Melissa—the original jelly shoe brand, having produced its styles since 1979—has collaborated with high-fashion names like Telfar and Marc Jacobs. It’s common to find fisherman-style jelly sandals, a.k.a. the ultimate “ugly shoe” combination, but more and more brands are coming up with their own iteration of the jelly trend.

It’s important to remember that while jelly shoes often use a non-biodegradable PVC material, there are plenty of sustainable options available. The brand Salter House makes hemp plastic jelly shoes, and Melissa shoes feature 100% recyclable and vegan materials. If you do choose to purchase a pair of PVC jelly shoes, just make sure they’re an item you’ll want to rewear for years to come. Keep scrolling for 14 of our favorite jelly shoe styles that fit every preference and budget.

The Best Jelly Shoes to Shop

Melissa Possession Platform II

Established in 1979, Melissa is the leader of the ’90s jelly shoe phenomenon. Now, its classic fisherman jelly sandals are as popular as ever, but they’ve added more trend-focused options to the mix. The Possession II sandals are a platform version of the original shoe. Bring the style from summer to fall by styling the sandals with socks and a midi dress.

Ancient Greek Sandals Iro Jelly Flats

As if mesh ballet flats weren’t polarizing enough, why not add mesh jelly flats to the mix? Jennifer Lawrence wore The Row’s much-coveted (and sold out) mesh jelly flats, but you can get a similar look with the Ancient Greek Sandals Iro Jelly Flats. The ballet flats come in summery shades like aqua and pink, as well as a chic clear option.

Jeffrey Campbell Jellz Flats

These Jeffrey Campbell net-effect flats are another mesh jelly flat option to try out this season. The classic black style can easily transition into fall with denim and a chunky knit sweater. If you want something more statement-making, you can shop the flats in red or white.

Salter House Sandana Jelly Sandals

Instead of PVC, these fisherman jelly sandals are made from eco-friendly hemp plastic. According to the product description, the shoes’ brown-green color comes from the sugars present in hemp, which doubles as an ideal shade to transition into fall.

Tory Burch Buckle Bubble Jelly Sandals

These Tory Burch slides combine the bubble, jelly, and Birkenstock-inspired trends into one. The rubber jelly shoes feature a comfortable opaque bubble footbed, and the sleek gold hardware logo is the cherry on top. Whether you’re headed to the beach or a dinner out, these sandals will earn you plenty of compliments on the way.

Melissa + Telfar Jelly Slides

Melissa’s collaboration with Telfar granted us some of the chicest jelly sandals to date. The design features the iconic Telfar logo with a small heel for an added lift—ideal during our era of kitten heels. The collab also includes jelly handbags for the ultimate matching moment.

Meduse Sun Jelly Sandals

Meduse is a French jelly shoe brand, and for those of us in the States, it’s available to shop on Clare V.’s website. The brand’s jelly fisherman sandal is one of its most popular styles, and it comes in lots of bold colors, such as this cobalt blue. You can snag the pair for just $35, making it a wallet-friendly way to embrace the jelly trend.

Melissa x Marc Jacobs Ruby Ballerina Flats

Marc Jacobs is another brand that collaborated with Melissa to create contemporary jelly shoes. This limited edition style comes in an edgy, sleek silver shade with a subtle Marc Jacobs logo on the toe. The ballet flats also come in clear and gold varieties.

Stoney Clover Lane Jelly Sandals

It might be a Brat summer, but these Stoney Clover Lane slip-on sandals are for those still hanging on to last summer’s Barbiecore trend. Made in a semi-transparent jelly material, the shoes feature a cotton candy pink shade with a glittery finish, two adjustable buckles, and a tiny gold heart on each shoe with colored rhinestones.

Kendall Miles Icon Pumps

If Cinderella knew about the jelly shoe trend, we have a feeling these heels would be her first purchase. The baby blue shoes feature Swarovski crystals, and the translucent upper and back strap embrace the jelly effect in an elevated way.

Jeffrey Campbell Balanced Flats

Embrace your inner sparkle with these silver glitter jelly flats from Jeffrey Campbell. The statement-making style is nothing short of eye-catching, so pair yours with a classic little black dress for a night out, or embrace your inner child by styling them with overalls.

Bottega Veneta Amy Intreccio Dual Mary Jane Ballerina Flats

Bottega Veneta is putting a designer spin on the jelly shoes trend with a pair of woven Mary Jane flats. These shoes are certainly a splurge, but the unique design and bright orange color make them truly one of a kind.

Dansko Sonja Clogs

Comfortable and on-trend are the two best words to describe these white translucent jelly clogs from Dankso. The brand’s comfort-focused clogs, which are especially popular among nurses, will help you stay stylish even while you’re on your feet all day.

Aminah Abdul Jilil Soleil Ballet Flats

These glitzy jelly shoes take the trend to the next level. They come in a striking pink shade and feature chunky gems on the adjustable ankle straps. The pointed toe adds an elevated, evening-appropriate touch to the whimsical shoe.