Summer 2008 Trend in Jelly Shoes
Fun and Flirty Fashion Footwear in PVC Rubber
If jelly shoes evoke memories of childhood summers, wallowing around in shallow pools or playing on the beach, then this season it is time to revisit your youth.
This summer sees a resurgence in this fun and flirty rubber womens footwear which has now become stylish enough to take any adult from beach to bar.
Inspired by hot, carefree summer days, jelly shoes are back in the market with a bang. According to juijuijellies.co.uk, they are the shoes to be seen in this summer. No longer just simple utility footwear to protect the feet when on the beach or by the pool, but embellished with beads, butterflies, petals or rhinestones, elevating these rubber shoes to new heights in the world of fashion footwear.
Prettier and more elegant than you remember, jellies such as the Beverly Feldman range offers sandals with butterflies, gems and plastic petals to make you feel like a little girl again.
Designer Jelly Shoes
Top designers have seized upon the trend, with fashion icons such as Fendi, Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors offering eveything from rubber ballet flats to sandals to beach thongs. Fendi have released a buckled jelly version with ankle strap, priced at $175 and Marc Jacobs has a cute and comfortable blue jelly flat at $160.00.
In addition to two Michael Kors single-strapped jelly sandals with toe rings (Jada and Jupiter), Michael Kors seems to have won over the jellies fiercest critics by releasing its Pistols range, a sexy platformed three-and-a-half-inch-heeled sandal which turns the image of jelly shoes on its head. Says blogger MJ of Shoewawa.com, “I have only found ONE reason to like jellies, the Michael Kors Pistols in black, white, and lime. I want them, but I can't afford it! They aren't disgusting jellies with glitter. They look classy and sexy.”
In addition to platform jellies, there are platform wedges such as Brazilian designer
Melissa’s Campana or soft jelly rainboots such as the Mia Paddington, with its graphic prints. The most on-trend of all is an even newer twist on this season’s must-have Roman gladiator shoe, a tough looking jellied version by Givenchy (completed with logo) that looks as if it would more at home in the Coliseum than on the beach.
The History of Jelly Shoes
Jelly shoes initially got their name from the porous semi-transparent PVC rubber making up the shoe. This rubber usually has a transparent jelly-like sheen and can come in a variety of colors.
Jelly sandals were first introduced after the Second World War, when there was a shortage of leather in Europe. They became very popular as practical, chunky children’s footwear in the 1980s, given their durability and cheap price. They remerged again in the mid 90s, although the range was somewhat limited. In 2008 have been modified to appeal to a more adult clientele, more elegant and pretty they now incorporate current fashion trends and offer a wide selection of styles.
Pros and Cons of Jelly Shoes
As well as being on of this year’s hot fashion items, jelly shoes are ideal to protect the feet from heat from hot sand, or searing concrete. In the water, where there are corals, shells or stones, they also offer protection to soles of the feet from being cut or damaged.
Initially because of the tough rubber, many jelly shoes were hard and uncomfortable when worn for long periods. These days jellies are kinder to the feet and can be extremely comfortable. Blogger Hilary of theshoegoddess.net, says “I have been wearing these Marc Jacob's flats for the past few days to walk my dog in the mornings and they are the most comfortable thing!! It feels as if you're wearing nothing at all.” However, feet do have a tendency to loose grip when the shoe is wet or feet get sweaty.
Where to Buy Jelly Shoes
In addition to retail stores, a number of online sites are dedicated to "jelly " womens footwear. Juijuijellies is a UK based jelly site offering a funky range of shoes and sandals, with styles to suit everyone. GrendhaUSA.com is one of the pioneers of this fun rubber shoe.
