These Nostalgic Shoes Are Already The Style Of Summer – Buy Them Before They Sell Out Everywhere

The Row is no stranger to cult shoes (the brand has been first out of the gate with sleek leather flip-flops, butter-soft Mary-Janes, flat zippered boots, you name it). But for summer 2024, it's produced a shoe that's so atypical, so arresting, that, of course, it's already sold out in all four colours: the jelly shoe.

That's right, woven out of brightly-coloured PVC - in summer-ready shades including turquoise and coral - these are a grown-up, and highly covetable, take on the very same jelly shoes you probably begged your parents for before you hit puberty.

Not that it matters as they're completely sold out, but these vinyl flats also retail for £860, which is likely to drain your monthly pocket money almost immediately. Luckily, jelly shoes are having a moment this summer so the trickle-down effect has already started. In fact, they're a breakout search term on Google, where one particular brand is gaining traction for its own take: Ancient Greek Sandals.

Available in hot-weather hues that make you think of ice lollies - lilac, tangerine, aqua etc - Ancient Greek Sandals' Iro jelly shoe can be worn to navigate a pebble beach, as well as in the waves. Clever, no? It's also got the same closed-toe silhouette as The Row's pair.

Joining The Row in terms of sell-out appeal (but at a more affordable price) is Loeffler Randall, whose studded jelly sandals flew off the shelves everywhere. At £136, they bear one of the strongest resemblances to the shoes of our youth, so we blame nostalgia for their popularity. Unless you're a US size 5 (still in stock here), you'll have to wait for the restock which, we're told, is coming very soon.

Other brands to look out for include Melissa, whose jelly shoes are legendary among the style's acolytes, particularly its collaboration with Telfar. Taylor Swift, meanwhile, is a fan of the jelly shoes from Juju, wearing them on the album cover of 1989.

Maybe it's a step too far down memory lane - what next, a strappy top with a sparkly butterfly motif worn with low-rise jeans?! - but, if you're planning to hit the beach this summer, jelly shoes could be exactly what you've been looking for. Just don't forget to stock up on Compeed.

Shop: The Best Jelly Shoes

Natalie Hammond is Grazia’s Senior Fashion News Editor. She loves winter, hates summer and can often be found writing about the weather (and what on earth to wear).