Although summer hasn’t officially started, jelly sandals have already arrived everywhere. The vintage shoe has been spotted on the streets of NYC, on the beaches of LA, and even gracing swanky hotel lobbies in Cannes. Fashion people are adopting this style and showing the most sophisticated And Unexpectedly cute ways to wear them—case in point: Barbara Palvin’s recent dress.
While attending the Cannes Film Festival, Palvin was seen leaving the Hotel Martínez in a flowy dress that looked more appropriate for coffee than the red carpet. Her casual yet sophisticated ensemble consisted of a classic blue plaid button-down shirt with black capri pants. To complete the look, the mom-to-be added matching blue-tinted oval sunglasses, a black leather tote bag, and Jimmy Choo’s clear kitten-heel jelly sandals. The inclusion of jelly sandals, especially kitten heel sandals, instantly disrupted the formality of the pants, making the entire look feel modern and cool.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
On Barbara Palvin: jimmy choo jelly drop slide sandals ($595)
Jelly sandals have long been associated with vacation settings, often styled with bikinis Denim shorts or one-piece and linen pants. However, in 2026, the most interesting way to style jelly sandals is to do it unexpectedly—think wrong-shoe theory. One way to do this is to follow Palvin’s lead and pair them with capri pants. Because tailored bottoms adopt the polish of traditional trousers, you might think that jelly sandals, a style that is inherently comfortable and playful, would look strange. Yet it is this deliberate “struggle” that makes it fascinating. In addition, capri pants dress up the sandals, adding a sense of maturity and making the outfit formula timeless and elegant.
Plus, keep scrolling to shop capri pants and jelly sandals to wear with them.
Buy capri pants and jelly sandals:
open edit
stretch twill capri pants
Size up for best fit.
A great alternative to Plavin’s Jimmy Choo pair.
Improvement
Jill Cropped Knit Pant
I love the idea of styling capris with a fitted cardigan.
anthropology
Celandine Jelly Flip Flops
These look like that designer pair that every fashion person owns.
infinity
Stretch-Modal Capri Leggings
If you prefer leggings over trousers, this is the pair for you.
jimmy choo
jelly drop slide sandals
The exact same jelly sandals that Palvin wore to Cannes.
open edit
Kick Flare Stretch Twill Pant
My mom bought this pair just because she wanted to get into the capri pant trend but only show a little bit of skin.
Steve Madden
tracy sandals
These also come in brown colour.
quince
Ultra-Stretch Ponte Kick Flare Pant in Black
Madewell
x Melissa Jelly Thong Flip Flops
Madewell and Melissa have teamed up to create the ultimate jelly sandals. I like this muted green shade.
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