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Forget Flip-Flops—Alexa Chung Just Confirmed This Divisive Style is Summer's It Shoe

By Swedan Margen

Forget Flip-Flops—Alexa Chung Just Confirmed This Divisive Style is Summer's It Shoe

I’ve always had a soft spot for a pair of "divisive" shoes. Be it a chunky brogue or a Jennifer Lawrence-approved garden clog, if it’s slightly ugly and unapologetically comfortable, I'm all in. Come summer though, the adventurous side of my footwear rotation begins to shift towards practicality. More often than not, the only pair of shoes on my feet is a minimalist pair of flip-flops that look straight out of the ‘90s. For the past few years, they’ve been the undisputed champion of my warm-weather wardrobe, but that was until today. After scrolling through my social media feed, I spotted the ultimate style muse, Alexa Chung, in some footwear I’d previously overlooked until now: jelly shoes.

As much as I’ve appreciated the return of the jelly from afar, I’d never been fully sold. Every time I saw a pair, they still felt a little too much like the dress-up shoes of my childhood rather than an unexpectedly chic footwear choice. But, of course, if anyone could change all that, it would be Alexa. Whilst island-hopping through Greece, she’d seemingly left her flip-flops at home, and in a Pucci-esque minidress and brown bucket hat, her shoe of choice was a clear pair of ankle-grazing jelly shoes.

Alexa Chung wears the jelly shoe trend 2026

Referring to them as "skin shoes" in her Instagram caption, they tied her outfit together in a fun way. Lightweight, flexible and breathable, this unconventional shoe lent her look a cooler, more fashion-forward finish that feels less contrived than if the look was finished with a pair of flip-flops.

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Since The Row dropped its high-end iteration of jelly shoes during the spring/summer 2024 show, the nostalgic trend has never been more popular, and if the reigning queen of cool is jumping on it, I’m sure it’ll continue to pick up as high summer approaches. Scroll to shop the jelly shoes that might change your mind.

Shop Jelly Shoes

Asos Design Luminous Jelly Caged Ballets in Black

ASOS DESIGN

Luminous Jelly Caged Ballets

These also come in red and clear.

Clear Open Caged Jelly Shoes

River Island

Clear Open Caged Jelly Shoes

I can't believe these are only £20.

Free People, Nola Jelly Mary Janes

Free People

Nola Jelly Mary Janes

We always love a red shoe.

Gucci, Women's Sandal With Double G

Gucci

Sandal With Double G

Your childhood shoes, but make them Gucci.

chloe, Chloé Jelly Mule

The coolest women on my social feeds are wearing these.

Anthropologie, Jelly flats

Anthropologie

Jelly flats

Style with a midi skirt and blouse this summer.

Jimmy Choo, Jelly Drop 50

I think these would be surprisingly versatile.

FARM RIO , Red Jelly Heel Sandal

FARM RIO

Red Jelly Heel Sandal

Just look at that vibrant red.

Stradivarius Kitten Heel Sandal in Clear Brown in Brown

Stradivarius

Kitten Heel Sandal in Clear Brown in Brown

Such an elegant evening shoe with jelly energy.

River Island, Pink Jelly Toe Thong Sandals

River Island

Pink Jelly Toe Thong Sandals

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