Why I'm Finally Wearing Jelly Sandals Again
I wasn't convinced jelly sandals belonged in my adult wardrobe until this elevated pair proved me wrong.
Up until a few weeks ago, I hadn’t owned jelly sandals as an adult. This isn’t because I don’t like them, but rather that I wasn’t sure I could ever get past the peak jelly-sandal era I lived through in the early ‘90s. Fighting with my two sisters over who called “dibs” on which color at Gap Kids and convincing our mother to get the coordinating rubber raincoats to our designated sandal color was clearly a core memory for me.
With all this delightful nostalgia attached to this shoe style, I didn’t think I needed to relive it. And yet, a water-resistant sandal with great ventilation seems like a great addition to my function-forward New England wardrobe. But how would I make them make sense for me now?
Traditionally, they come in the form of fisherman-style sandals, but I wouldn’t want to replicate the same vibe as the ones I had when I was nine. I would need something that still felt charming but not so juvenile. Enter this fabulous Vince pair that just launched this summer. This narrow babouche slipper style in a grid pattern is a more streamlined, chic version and, as a bonus, has a very comfy padded leather footbed. Side note: I am also very cautious and will wear extra sunscreen on my feet to avoid a potential grid tan, as these stay in constant rotation.
As far as what to wear them with, is “everything” an annoying answer? Yes, but it’s also the right one. The “chive” green of this pair is a pretty traditional army green, so it’s a great neutral, but I also think this style in a pop of color could be just as versatile. I love how my toes are covered in case I’m caught between pedicures, and that when traipsing through dewy grass on the first dog walk of the day, they don’t leave me with a soggy shoe for the rest of the morning.
In terms of reviving the nostalgia of the '90s, I think this pair is the modern answer that still feels just as playful but a little more polished for my adult life. I’ve pulled a few more variations of jellies too that speak to the same sleek sophistication. Here’s how I’ve been wearing them recently.
Jellies With a T-Shirt Dress
For a super sunny summer day of doing a walking backyard garden tour in town, I opted for a “fancy” Prada T-shirt dress I snagged on the RealReal, tied a striped long sleeve around the waist (mainly because the dress is so sheer), grabbed a straw shoulder bag, and slid on my jelly slides. It felt effortless and casual, yet still pulled together enough to be out and about around people, and the jellies were the perfect shoe for strolling through gardens. I clocked about 11,000 steps this day, and these jellies gave me no issue. 10/10 would wear this ‘fit again for brunch or a summer playdate with my kid.
Jellies With Denim-On-Denim
These old Junya Watanabe cropped patchwork jeans from 2013 are my true summer jeans that I wear at least twice a week. Paired with a denim shirt is classic look and adding the jellies felt like “farmers-market fabulous” but I didn’t want to pigeon-hole myself there. So I topped the look off with a polished Chanel mini bag with a silk scarf that brings it off the homestead and into a coastal downtown vibe for lunch al fresco or even a casual happy hour drink. I would probably have just worn my tried and true boat shoes but the jellies feel way more fun and a little more of a considered choice for an otherwise rugged look.
Jellies With a Monochromatic Vibe
Inspired by the raincoats my sisters and I coordinated with our jellies 30 years ago, I decided to lean into the olive green of my jellies for a head-to-toe look. These old Marc Jacobs shorts I got from The RealReal in 2018 are always a summer crowd-pleaser, especially now that board shorts are very hot. I paired them with a dark green Jungmaven linen tee (a summer must-have) and my olive-green nylon Prada backpack, filled with water bottles and sunscreen, for a morning of strawberry picking. I might have been the only person wearing runway Marc Jacobs at the berry patch, but I somehow didn’t feel out of place. I’m crediting the low-key charm of the jellies for that.
