Not Suede, Not Strappy—the Unexpected Style That's Just Been Crowned Summer's Chicest Sandal

This year has undoubtedly been the year of the shoe hybrids. From sneakerinas, a mixture of trainers and ballet flats, to fledges, a combination between a flip-flop and a wedge heel, there’s no shortage of footwear concoctions that can be conjured up. As we inch through the next few months of warm weather, fashion experiments like this are thrown to the wayside in favour of simpler styles that we can slip on and fling off with abandon. That was until a new blend piqued our interest—jelly fisherman sandals.

With stylish netizens gearing up for, what they’ve coined to be a, “sardine girl summer” saturated with small plates of tinned fish, jaunts to the seaside and days spent off the grid in favour of playing board games in a beach shack, it’s fitting that this coastal-influenced shoe takes off as the latest style to covet. Because when the sea beckons on hot days, why not embrace the sartorial codes of the summer through footwear? Addison Rae might sing on her self-titled debut album—and contender for record of the season—that life’s no fun through clear waters. But it could be with a shoe that offers an opportunity to inject a sense of oceanic bliss into our everyday outfits.

As both fisherman sandals and jelly sandals derive from the footwear styles worn by locals living and working close to the shoreline, it’s fitting that the tropes of each style be amalgamated into one covetable shoe. And like any successful union, the fisherman jelly sandals prove that the sweetness and vibrancy of the plastic texture blended with the woven structure of fisherman styles are actually stronger together.

On their own, jelly sandals like The Row’s Mara flats, the Ancient Greek Sandals Iro or Christopher Esber’s Jo flip-flops bring a youthful flair to any outfit because of their candy colours and Haribo-esque finish. Fisherman sandals, on the other hand, are more architectural, courtesy of their caged shape. Dating back to ancient times but modernised by halcyonic brands like Hereu and Emme Parson, contemporary versions of this timeless footwear design are often fashioned using luxurious monochromatic leather to bring a sense of sturdiness and polish to resort looks. But, when paired with one another, the result is something tailored yet whimsical—the perfect descriptor to summarise the mode of summer 2025.

Indeed, if you haven’t noticed already, the biggest summer accessory trends for 2025 are ones that encourage everyday luxury with an affable charm. Jelly fisherman sandals don’t take themselves too seriously. Sometimes rendered with glitter or studs, like the viral Loeffler Randall pair, they’re imbued with a sense of nostalgia that style insiders can’t help but be drawn to. Still, they’re refined enough to keep you looking put together, even if they are slightly on the eclectic side.

As many fashion tastemakers have also showcased, they can easily be rotated into minimalist wardrobes while being discreet enough to make any minimalistic outfit remain elegant. This is something Jennifer Lawrence has silently campaigned for years, with jelly fisherman sandals a crucial part of her summer capsule wardrobe.

As showcased during a recent outing by the actress, jelly fisherman sandals also lend themselves to high-low dressing, meaning they’re equally suitable with pleated trousers and straight-leg jeans. (Or as the Oscar winner has shown in the past, floral denim dungarees.) Ready to dip your toe into this style? Ahead, the best jelly fisherman sandals on the market, from expensive-looking high street buys to sophisticated designer purchases.

Shop the Best Jelly Fisherman Sandals for Summer