In the 90s, children around the world carried these shoes. They invade the feet of trendy adults this summer … under the dumbfounded looks of those who despised them.
“Ugly”, “ridiculous”, “importable”, “uncomfortable”: innumerable are the unlveking adjectives used to describe these essential shoes. They were all worn during childhood: they then seem shimmering colors, large parallel and crossed straps on the front and sometimes, heels bringing a little height to our child’s silhouette. Made in transparent PVC, the parents praised them for their resistance, their impermeability facing the water; In short, their practicality long before their fashion appearance. Barefoot or feet wrapped in socks or tights, they were all out of the 90s.
Sometimes we loved them, sometimes we hated them, but one thing is certain: they were at all feet, whatever their size. After 30 years of fashion wandering, they now find their rank of trendy shoe … under the dumbfounded looks of the people who despised them. As you can see, these deatmed shoes are none other than jellyfish shoes, called “Jelly Shoes” in English.
Their shattering return is initiated in 2023 by the label The Row. During a parade away from monotony, the Olsen sisters present their own interpretation of the “Jelly” shoe, which is part of their Quiet Luxury vision. Thus are born the “Mara Flat”, PVC ballerinas made in Italy who will turn the head of the number of fashionistas.
Other brands do not take long to follow their steps to reinvent the emblematic toddler shoe. In classic jellyfish shoes at Carelin Tong sandal Chloein ballerina closed at Skimin compensated mule at Diesel x Melissa… All iterations are allowed. If in the 90’s, they only have a silhouette; Today, the jellyfish are therefore more versatile. Only plastic iconic remains, an unchanged element of said shoe.
Fashion surety giving all its glory to a tinged trend in a closet, the stars seize it and stylize them in their own way: in 2023, Lisa des Blackpink sublime with a midi satin skirt, a crop top, a surgery, a tote bag and a cap for a nonchalant quickdraw. A year later, Rumer Willis simply carries them with a flower dress for a regressive look at will.
A resurgence that actually follows more global fashion and societal trends: nostalgia for childhood in this anxiety -provoking context, the fisherman predicted by Pinterest or, the shattering return of “Ugly Fashion”. A hat -trick that today explains their great success. And you, are you going to succumb to it?
