Jelly sandals have made a comeback—regardless of whether you’re 20 or 40, this is a chic way to wear them.

Jelly sandals have made a comeback—regardless of whether you’re 20 or 40, this is a chic way to wear them.

      Even though summer is not officially upon us, jelly sandals have already made a splash everywhere. This nostalgic footwear has been seen on the streets of New York City, along the beaches of Los Angeles, and even within the opulent hotel lobbies of Cannes. Fashion enthusiasts are adopting this style and showcasing surprisingly sophisticated and chic ways to wear them—take Barbara Palvin's recent appearance as an example. While at the Cannes Film Festival, Palvin was seen leaving Hotel Martinez in a stylish outfit that seemed more fitting for a coffee run than the red carpet. Her casual yet elegant look included a classic blue plaid button-down shirt paired with black capri pants. To complete her outfit, the expecting mother accessorized with matching blue-tinted oval sunglasses, a black leather tote bag, and transparent kitten-heel jelly sandals from Jimmy Choo. The addition of the jelly sandals, particularly the kitten heel style, disrupted the formality of the pants, creating a modern and cool vibe for the entire ensemble.

      Barbara Palvin is wearing: Jimmy Choo Jelly Drop Slide Sandal ($595). Jelly sandals have traditionally been linked to vacation vibes, typically worn with a bikini and denim shorts or a one-piece and linen trousers. However, in 2026, the most fashionable approach to styling jelly sandals is to do so unexpectedly—consider the "wrong-shoe theory." One way to achieve this is to follow Palvin's example and wear them with capri pants. Because the tailored bottoms offer the polish of traditional trousers, one might assume jelly sandals, which are typically casual and playful, would not complement them. Yet this intentional juxtaposition is what lends it a chic quality. Moreover, the capri pants elevate the sandals, adding maturity and rendering the outfit timeless and stylish.

      Keep scrolling to shop for capri pants and jelly sandals that you can wear together.

      Shop Capri Pants and Jelly Sandals:

      - Open Edit Stretch Twill Capri Pants: Size up for the best fit.

      - A solid alternative to Palvin's Jimmy Choo pair.

      - Reformation Jill Cropped Knit Pant: I love the idea of pairing capris with a fitted cardigan.

      - Anthropologie Celandine Jelly Flip Flops: These look just like the designer pair every fashionista owns.

      - Eterne Stretch-Modal Capri Leggings: If you prefer leggings over trousers, this pair is for you.

      - Jimmy Choo Jelly Drop Slide Sandal: The exact jelly sandals Palvin wore in Cannes.

      - Open Edit Kick Flare Stretch Twill Pants: My mom just bought these since she wants to embrace the capri pants trend while showing just a hint of skin.

      - Steve Madden Tracie Sandal: These also come in brown.

      - Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Kick Flare Pants in Black.

      - Madewell X Melissa Jelly Thong Flip Flop: Madewell and Melissa have collaborated to create the perfect jelly sandals. I adore this muted green color.

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Jelly sandals have made a comeback—regardless of whether you’re 20 or 40, this is a chic way to wear them.

It's not with jeans or denim cutoffs.