I‘ll never forget the first time I saw a pair of Melissa shoes. I was 13 and on a family trip to Florida, combing through the racks of the surf shop, when a display of pastel "jelly" sandals stopped me in my tracks. The shimmery, translucent plastic and playful floral cutouts looked like they‘d been dreamed up by Lisa Frank herself. I begged my mom for a pink pair and practically lived in them for the rest of the summer.
Flash forward a couple decades and jelly shoes are suddenly everywhere again. But this time around, they‘re not just cheap, throwaway pool slides. The Brazilian brand Melissa has been redefining the jelly shoe since 1979, creating fashion-forward, eco-friendly styles that are built to last.
As a long-time jellies lover and sustainability nerd, I was beyond excited to get my hands on a few pairs of Melissas to review. In this post, I‘m going to give you my honest thoughts on Melissa‘s quality, comfort, and style, plus a deep dive into the brand‘s history and values. By the end, you‘ll know whether these nostalgic-yet-modern shoes are worth the splurge.
Overview of Melissa Shoes
Melissa has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1970s Brazil. What started as a small operation molding plastic shoes has grown into a global footwear brand sold in over 70 countries. Some key facts about Melissa:
- Founded in 1979 by Brazilian company Grendene
- Known for their signature "Melflex" recyclable & recycled PVC material
- Collaborates with famous designers like Vivienne Westwood and Jason Wu
- 100% vegan and cruelty-free
- Offers a wide range of jelly shoes for women and children
- Sold online and at retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Asos
Melissa releases new styles and collections each season, but they‘re best known for putting trendy twists on classic jelly sandal and flat silhouettes. The shoes come in every color of the rainbow, plus glitter, metallic, and even scented options. Prices typically range from $55-$150.
While jelly shoes inherently have a youthful, whimsical look, Melissa keeps things fresh and modern with sleek designs, edgy details, and unexpected materials. It‘s not unusual to see a pair of Melissas in an editorial shoot or on the feet of A-listers like Katy Perry and the Olsen twins.
Best-Selling Melissa Shoes for Women
My Melissa journey began when I treated myself to three of their best-selling women‘s styles:
Melissa Beach Slide + Disney
As a huge Disney nerd, I couldn‘t resist the Beach Slide + Disney collection. These comfy pool slides feature Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Pluto, and Goofy in their signature colors on a clear or black jelly strap. I went with the classic Mickey print and it makes me smile every time I slip them on.
The Beach Slides are super lightweight and flexible, molding to your foot within a few wears. I love throwing them on with denim cutoffs and a striped tee for casual summer days. You can even pair them with glittery socks when temps cool down for a streetwear-inspired look. At $79, they‘re an easy way to get in on the character shoe trend.
Melissa Possession Sandal
The Melissa Possession sandal is one of the brand‘s most iconic styles, instantly recognizable by its floral-printed straps. For this summer, they released the Possession in four new dreamy patterns, and of course I had to go for the pastel butterfly print!
Let me tell you, these sandals are a work of art in person. The 3D butterfly appliqués have an iridescent sheen that makes the shoes look magical in the sunlight. The colorway also perfectly ties together all my flowy summer sundresses. I‘ve worn these for full days of walking with zero blisters or pain. They‘re cute, comfy, and always spark conversations when I‘m out and about.
Melissa Coturno Boot
Think jelly shoes are just a summer trend? The Melissa Coturno boot is here to change your mind. With a combat boot silhouette rendered entirely in glossy PVC, the Coturno is a statement shoe that can be worn year-round.
I chose the Coturno in classic black for maximum versatility. The chunky lug sole gives just the right amount of punk rock edge to floral dresses and skinny jeans. I also can‘t wait to pair them with plaid trousers when fall rolls around. The vegan "leather" lining and memory foam insole make them way comfier than your typical rain boot, while the PVC outer keeps your feet dry in downpours.
Mini Melissa: Jelly Shoes for Kids
In addition to their main women‘s line, Melissa also makes the most adorable mini-me jelly shoes for babies and kids. Tiny fashionistas will flip for these fun, colorful styles that match back to the grown-up options:
Mini Melissa Possession & Ultragirl
The Mini Melissa Possession and Ultragirl take all the whimsy of the adult versions and shrink them down to pint size. Toddlers can twin with mom in the pastel floral Possessions or add some sparkle to their step with the Ultragirl‘s subtle glitter finish.
Both styles have a closed toe and secure strap to keep little feet safe during playtime. The Ultra Girl‘s oversized velcro closure and lightweight, flexible material also make them easy for kiddos to take on and off themselves. Choose from sweet shades like cotton candy pink, pearly white, or classic metallics.
Mini Melissa Cosmic Sandal
For a jelly sandal that‘s out of this world, check out the Mini Melissa Cosmic. This space-themed t-strap style features a glittery, iridescent upper that looks like a dreamy nebula.
The Cosmic sandal‘s hook-and-loop closure and cushioned footbed mean interplanetary levels of comfort for busy toddlers. Style them with a NASA tee and denim shorts for an easy summer look that‘s cute enough for birthday parties but practical enough for the playground.
Whether you‘re shopping for yourself or the mini fashionista in your life, Melissa‘s unique jelly shoes prove that sustainability and style can absolutely go hand in hand. Now that I‘ve gotten a chance to test drive some of their bestsellers, I can confidently say the quality and craftsmanship is light years beyond your typical jellies.
What Do Melissa Customers Have to Say?
Of course, you don‘t have to just take my word for it. Melissa has amassed over a thousand reviews from verified buyers across Nordstrom, Zappos, Amazon and more. Here‘s a sample of what customers are raving about:
"I bought these in the blue sparkle and I‘m OBSESSED. They fit true to size, super comfortable, and the sparkle is unreal." – Zappos customer on the Possession sandal
"These are the only jelly shoes I‘ll let my toddler wear. The quality and comfort is miles above cheaper brands and they always get tons of compliments." – Nordstrom customer on Mini Melissa
"Absolutely the BEST jelly ballet flats! They are so easy to clean and maintain. Very well made and durable for daily wear to work. I have 3 colors already." – Amazon customer on the Ultragirl flat
Reviewers frequently call out Melissa‘s comfort, style, and durability as major selling points. Many say they can walk for miles in the sandals with no blisters and that the shoes hold up beautifully over time. Unsurprisingly, the fact that they‘re completely waterproof is also a big draw for rainy climates.
The few negative reviews tend to mention inconsistent sizing between styles and some squeaking in the plastic at first. Melissa does note that their shoes can run slightly small and may require a brief break-in period. They have a helpful size guide with tips for finding your perfect fit.
Melissa‘s Sustainability Practices
Aside from the fun, nostalgic factor, one of the biggest reasons I stan Melissa is the brand‘s genuine commitment to sustainability and ethical production. Some of the ways Melissa is leading the charge for a greener footwear industry:
- All of their shoes are made from Melfex, a durable PVC material that‘s 100% recyclable and toxin-free
- Melissa‘s factories run on renewable energy and participate in water conservation and tree replanting programs
- Their manufacturing process prioritizes waste reduction and has eliminated the use of plastic packaging
- Melissa shoes are 100% vegan and PETA-certified cruelty-free
- The brand supports philanthropic projects around education, health, ecology, and human rights
It‘s refreshing to see a company making cute, accessible shoes that are built to last. By using super durable PVC and offering repair services, Melissa ensures their shoes won‘t end up in a landfill after a few wears. The fact that every pair is recyclable is a game-changer in an industry notorious for waste.
FAQ About Melissa Shoes
To round out my Melissa shoes review, I wanted to address some frequently asked questions about the brand. Let me know in the comments if you have any other Qs!
How much do Melissa shoes cost?
Melissa shoe prices typically range from $55 for kids‘ styles to $150 for women‘s boots, with most adult sandals and flats falling around $90. You can sometimes score deals on past season colors and patterns.
What is Melissa‘s return policy?
Melissa offers free returns and exchanges within 30 days of delivery for orders placed on their US website. Sale items are final sale.
Where can I buy Melissa shoes?
You can buy Melissa shoes directly from their website, or at retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, Zappos, and Amazon. Melissa also has flagship stores in NYC, London, and several cities in Brazil.
Are Melissa shoes comfortable?
Yes! In my experience, Melissa shoes have a cushioned insole and flexible PVC upper that makes them super comfortable for all-day wear. Many reviewers agree that Melissas are way comfier than your average plastic or jelly shoes.
Do Melissa shoes run true to size?
Melissa shoes can run slightly small, so the brand recommends going up a size if you‘re between sizes. They have a size guide on their website with measuring tips to find your ideal fit.
Are Melissa shoes safe to wear? Do they smell?
Melissa shoes are made from non-toxic, BPA-free PVC that exceeds safety standards for wearable plastics. The shoes can have a subtle vanilla scent at first due to the manufacturing process, but it fades quickly. Melissa does not use any phthalates or other harmful chemicals in production.
So, Are Melissa Shoes Worth It?
If you‘re on the hunt for cute, well-made shoes that don‘t harm the planet, I can‘t recommend Melissa enough. The combo of whimsical jelly designs and legit eco-friendly practices is unmatched in the footwear space.
While Melissas are definitely pricier than your typical fast fashion jellies, I think the quality and longevity makes them well worth the price tag. These aren‘t shoes that will fall apart on you after a couple wears. With proper care, Melissa shoes can last for years and still look fab.
My main critiques are that the online sizing can be slightly inconsistent between styles and shipping windows are longer than some other shoe sites. But Melissa‘s free 30-day return policy makes it easy to swap for your ideal fit.
If you‘re ready to take the Melissa plunge, I vote starting with a signature style like the Possession sandal or Campana Papel flat. Both are super versatile and can be easily dressed up or down. For kiddos, you can‘t go wrong with the Mini Melissa Ultragirl or Mar sandal in a fun pastel or metallic.
I hope this honest Melissa shoes review helped you decide if these sassy-meets-sustainable jelly shoes are right for you. In case it wasn‘t obvious, I‘m a huge fan and already plotting my next pair (those Disney slides in glitter are calling my name).
Melissa is breathing fresh life into a footwear category that was long overdue for an upgrade. By making jelly shoes that are durable, recyclable, and timelessly cute, they‘re proving that fashion and sustainability can coexist. The fact that their styles give us elder millennials a heavy dose of nostalgia is just the icing on the cake.
If you end up snagging some Melissas for yourself, I‘d love to hear what you think! Leave me a comment with your Melissa shoe reviews and be sure to tag me in all your cute styling pics.
