Jelly shoes have been "back" every summer for about five years, but 2026 is the year they actually mean it. The Melissa x GANNI collaboration sold out in hours — and then came back, because the demand was too loud to ignore. Chloé put TPU on a mid heel. Bottega Veneta did lace-up jellies in cranberry. Diesel x Melissa went full platform silver. Your most stylish friend has already ordered three pairs. This is not a trend — it's a reckoning. Here's everything worth buying.
Why jelly shoes? Why now?
The appeal is straightforward: waterproof, lightweight, increasingly well-designed, and they photograph brilliantly. In a summer where everyone is either at a festival, a rooftop, or a European city break, a shoe that handles all three without being destroyed is a practical luxury. The fact that they also happen to look good is the bonus.
The ones to buy
Melissa x GANNI — the sell-out that came back
The collaboration that made everyone take jelly seriously again. Full size runs are currently live on GANNI.com across the key styles — including the thong kitten heel, which is the one you actually want. Made from Melissa's signature scented Melflex, designed with GANNI's signature playfulness. Buy it now; don't wait. Shop at GANNI
Chloé Jelly TPU Sandals — the upgrade
This is the one that changes the conversation. Chloé's TPU sandal is a mid-heel with a clean, architectural silhouette — transparent, considered, and completely unexpected from a house known for its bohemian leather work. It's the jelly shoe for people who thought they didn't want a jelly shoe. Shop at Net-a-Porter
Ancient Greek Sandals Irini Recycled PVC Slingback — the craft pick
AGS applies their handmade Greek sandal heritage to recycled PVC and the result is exactly as good as it sounds. The Irini slingback has that effortless Aegean quality — simple, beautifully made, and the kind of shoe that looks better the more you wear it. Shop at Net-a-Porter
Senso Jellie Ballet Flats — the Selfridges exclusive
A jelly ballet flat done properly — the Jellie has a rounded toe, a neat fit, and that satisfying translucent finish that makes everything look a bit more interesting. Selfridges exclusive, which means you won't see them everywhere. The mid-luxury sweet spot of this edit. Shop at Selfridges
Sam Edelman Michaela Jelly Mary Jane — the accessible one
Not every jelly shoe needs to cost three figures. The Sam Edelman Michaela is a proper Mary Jane silhouette in jelly — rounded toe, neat strap, slightly elevated — and it's the entry point that makes the trend genuinely accessible. Also at Selfridges, which tells you everything about where this brand is positioning itself right now. Shop at Selfridges
Diesel x Melissa Quantum Platform — the statement pair
Platform silver jelly from Diesel x Melissa is exactly as good as it sounds. The Quantum takes Melissa's Melflex formula and gives it a Diesel-sized attitude — chunky platform, high-shine finish, zero apologies. For when you want the jelly shoe to be the whole outfit. Shop at Diesel
Melissa Possession Heel — the original
Before the collaborations, before the runway moments, there was Melissa. The Possession is their most iconic silhouette — a sculptural heel in Melflex that smells faintly of bubblegum and wears better than it has any right to. The OG jelly shoe, still worth buying. Shop at Melissa
Bottega Veneta Jelly Lace-Up Sandals in Cranberry — the investment piece
Bottega doing jellies in cranberry is the kind of move that makes you remember why you love fashion. The lace-up silhouette is unexpected, the colour is perfect for summer, and the BV quality means these will outlast every other pair on this list. Shop at FWRD
How to wear them (without looking like you're 7)
Contrast is everything. Jelly shoes work best when the rest of the outfit is doing something considered — a tailored linen suit, a sleek knit midi, wide-leg trousers in a neutral. Let the shoe be the unexpected element. Avoid pairing with anything too casual or the whole look tips into fancy dress.
The verdict
Buy the Melissa x GANNI if you haven't already — the full size run won't last. Buy the Chloé if you want the grown-up version. Buy the AGS Irini if you want something that'll outlast the trend. Go Diesel x Melissa if you want to make an entrance. And if you're still not sure — the Sam Edelman is a no-risk entry point that'll have you converted by August.