The monsoon is the best time to visit Mumbai. It’s the best time to understand what the lashing rains can do to a person’s existence, whether she sleeps in a hut or a house. It’s the best time to understand how she goes to work, when the city’s local trains fail her. And the best time to understand how a Mumbaikar dresses for the weather. All of the above employ the good, old-fashion tricks of the Indian jugaad, or an inventive quick-fix.
One evening last week, when it was coming down in sheets, some friends and I had planned a girl’s night at a local bar. I went trudging to the swanky space in a slinky black dress, and a pair of red Havaianas slippers. My monsoon hair was rolled up into a ponytail, or else I would risk looking like Kim Kardashian at the Ambani wedding last weekend—as if Princess Jasmine had just gotten off Aladdin’s magic carpet and forgot her frizz-control serum for the whirlwind ride. My slippers, a swankier version of the humble Bata chappal, was let into the bar without a hitch. Turns out three of the four women came in their rubber slippers, too. There truly is no other way to walk in the rain, even if it’s just from the car to a restaurant, without damaging the shoe forever.
I first heard of the jelly slipper almost 15 years ago. I think it was Chanel that introduced the first one; of course, I had to get myself a pair. Mine was a lime green diaphanous pair with glitter all over. At the centre of the slipper’s thong was a camelia, the brand’s signature flower, in the same material and colour. It was so chic and so incredibly practical, I wore it every day of the year. When it was done, I got myself another pair, a black slipper with a white camelia. And when that was done, I moved on to an open-toed sandal with the flower.
Melissa jelly shoes have existed since 1979 | Instagram@melissashoesindia
But almost immediately after Chanel’s introduction of the jelly slipper, several big brands launched their own line of the jelly slipper, for a little fun in the sun during European summers. Prada, Gucci, Badgley Mischka, and what have you, each brought their signatures to the slipper.
At this year’s Fall 2024 Paris Fashion Week collection of The Row, the label sent a pair of red-blue vinyl shoes on the runway. Jelly shoes are all over summer collections once again. Gucci has a pair of interlocking G slides; Prada and Miu Miu have platform Roman sandals in rubber that retail for over $600. Even Birkenstock has a range of PVC slippers made in pop colours that are quite cute.
One of the most well-known brands for jelly shoes is the Brazilian label Melissa. I discovered them on a work trip to the Sao Paulo Fashion Week over a decade ago, but they have existed since 1979. They even collaborated with Jean Paul Gaultier in 1983, and several designers after that, including the late superstar architect Zaha Hadid.
The one brand that I cannot bear is Crocs. Yes, they are also rather monsoon friendly or summer friendly, but they are so ugly they hurt the eyes. If I ever see you wearing Crocs, I will not say hello.
I’ve recently bought myself the cleverest shoe from Zara. It is a sinuous pair of black heels, four inches, made entirely of PVC. It has a giant black camelia on top. It’s a Chanel knock-off obviously, and life comes full circle each monsoon.
X@namratazakaria