"My family has an ongoing bit about how I came out of the womb as a woman with particular taste. Growing up, my mom wasn’t allowed to choose my outfits. Instead, I meticulously styled everything that went onto my body beginning at the ripe age of two. I opted to wear dresses in lieu of pants, always sport a carefully chosen accessory (or five), and had one pair of shoes that you were my most prized possession: a pair of sheer, sparkly jelly sandals.
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I wore the sandals day, night, and even have a picture of me sitting in the bath tub with them inexplicably still on my feet. If I had to choose between the sandals or my comfort blanket—nay, the sandals or my family—I honestly would have chosen the sandals. When jelly sandals began to slowly creep onto trend forecasts this summer, the little four-year-old girl in me rejoiced, but the 28-year-old that I am wondered if I could work jelly sandals into my adult wardrobe without feeling like I was cosplaying as a toddler. I decided I wouldn’t buy a pair just for the trend’s sake, but committed to keeping my eye out for a pair that would naturally fit into my summer wardrobe. After months of stealthily searching, I stumbled upon J.Crew’s Fisherman Jelly Sandals, placed an order, and they’v been all but glued to my feet ever since.
Since jelly flats are made of plastic, spending an exorbitant amount on a pair wasn’t something I was willing to do, but I also didn’t want to buy a pair that would fall apart after a couple of wears. The second I took J.Crew’s pair out of the box, the under-$100 price tag felt worth it. The material didn’t feel too rigid or plastic-y, unlike some of the other pairs I had investigated that left sure I’d be hobbling around with blisters after taking 100 steps in them. These have a thick, flexible upper that moves with my feet instead of making them feel like they’re trapped in a cage of plastic.
The other element that sold me on J.Crew’s fisherman jellies are its details. The gold hardware is a reminder that they’re the grown-up version of jelly sandals I was looking for, and the sheer, green color feels a bit more wearable to me than a completely clear pair. While I feared jelly sandals would feel too juvenile once they were actually on my feet, I’ve been using them to bring a little bit of fun to whichever summer outfit I pair them with. Whether I style them with a linen dress or jeans and a tank, they have a cheeky effect that injects a dose of joy into my outfits that makes me reach for them almost every time I get dressed. There’s really nothing they don’t look good with; they compliment casual outfits to perfection, but also let me utilize the wrong-shoe theory to bring a little bit of intrigue to my more dressed-up looks.
After walking 10,000 steps in them last weekend without a blister in sight, they’ve earned the first spot in my suitcase when I pack for upcoming summer trips, and have even accompanied me on my morning commute (which includes over an hour of maneuvering around the city). It’s still early in the season, but if I was a betting woman, my money would be on J.Crew’s jelly sandals being my most-worn piece of summer.
Madeline Galassi, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
Madeline Galassi is the Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor at The Everygirl, where she leads the site’s fashion and beauty coverage, including trend reports, shopping roundups, and celebrity style. A trend expert with an eye for the latest must-have products and up-and-coming brands, Madeline is always on the pulse of what’s next and making sure readers stay in the know.