January 3rd, 2008
Style on Trial: Jelly Shoes
Jelly shoes. They were acceptable in the 80s – well, sort of – and some designers would have us believe that that they’re still acceptable now. Marc Jacobs and Fendi currently have jelly styles in stock, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. For me, they call to mind sweaty feet, cheap shoes and an era in which it was considered totally acceptable to swap shoes with your best friend. These ones definitely aren’t "cheap" (the Fendi flats on the right will cost you the best part of $200) and so you probably won’t want to be swapping them with anyone, but what do you think of jelly shoes in general? A summer classic, or just the harbingers of sweaty feet?
Sweaty feet. But you’d think with technology they could fix this problem. Are there jellies with heels? Ugh, actually, that would probably make my toes rot off. In toe slime. Gross. Noooo, this is not a very good style resurrection.
Yes, the foul odor of foot makes jelly shoes less than sexy in my opinion.
And yes, there are jellies with heels, I have seen the horror. They were electric neon purple with silver glitter in them, and it was the chunky sort of heel, but a heel nonetheless.
apart from the foul smell and the ickiness of the feet, another reason why i really hate jelly shoes is that they tend to cut up your feet pretty badly! add their fugliness and – voila – you have the shoes from hell!
Oh sweet zombie Jesus, you know you’re getting old when the fashion mistakes of your childhood come full circle. I need a cup of tea. With some gin in it.
I agree with Natasha; I had a pair of jelly shoes when I was about 8 and the cuts and blisters they made on my feet the first time I wore them was enough for me to never wear them again.
Yes to the beach instead of flip-flops (or thongs as we call them in Australia), no anywhere else.
Seriously guys I saw a girl in class in shoes like that today and I just had to ask why.
Why would anyone want to see your feet especially with an ugly shoe on it. Plus they smell and who wants foot smell and slimey feet? Not me.
I’d have to disagree. Jelly shoes can be very distasteful, but I have a couple pairs that served me well last summer. they were more comfortable to me than flip-flops, and i didn’t notice a sweaty feet problem. they are also excellent for practicing ballroom dance in, believe it or not. I think it they are chosen wisely, and can look great and be useful!
Melissa/ Grendene of Brazil have developed a material called Melflex. It is breathable believe it or not, and the plastic is infused with a bubble gum smell. It will only last about 6 months but none the less, they are the original Jelly. There are new styles for 2008. The new jelly pump is the Melissa Neon Doc Dog. Quite cute. Check out what they have to offer. http://www.melissausa.com http://www.grendhausa.com
Cheers and enjoy your summer.
I love jelly shoes. But then again, the words that describe my personality (though I am 16) are pickle, socks, and skipping, so i wouldn’t trust my view on questionable footwear. I have some red jellies, and I love them. They are my ideal shoe.
oh yeah, but I only do jelly flip-flops and flats. No idiotic trainers or boots or whatever.