The Complete Melissa Shoes Review: Iconic Jelly Shoes With Modern Flair

An In-Depth Look at The Beloved Shoe Brand

Melissa shoes have been delighting fashionistas since the late 70s with their nostalgic jelly shoe designs and playful flair. But are the plastic fantastics worth the investment? This comprehensive Melissa shoes review will give you the inside scoop.

We‘ll explore the brand‘s origins, take a close look at several top-selling styles, summarize customer feedback, provide styling recommendations and tips for finding the best deals. By the end, you’ll know exactly what makes these shoes so unique and whether they deserve a spot in your closet!

Melissa Shoes Company Background

Melissa was founded in 1979 by Brazilian footwear company Grendene. Twin brothers Alexandre and Pedro Grendene Bartelle established the company years earlier to produce plastic basket wine holders.

Inspired by European jelly shoes, Grendene later pioneered injection molding techniques to create their signature Melflex plastic. Melflex has a jelly-like texture but remains strong, flexible and comfortable for all-day wear.

The Melissa brand debuted in the 90s focusing solely on women‘s shoes. The tagline "The shoe with feeling" captures their aim to design footwear that combines fashion, comfort and self-expression.

Fun fact – even Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen has been spotted in Melissas over the years!

Sustainability & Ethical Sourcing

Melissa has adopted eco-conscious practices in recent years. Their Melflex plastic is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. It‘s also totally recyclable and produced using recycled PVC materials.

The brand actively participates in social responsibility initiatives in Brazil like providing quality education access. They also monitor production facilities to ensure safe, ethical working conditions.

Popular Melissa Collections

Now that you know a bit about the origins of Melissa, let‘s discuss some of the brand‘s most coveted shoes. They offer an incredibly diverse selection with everything from jelly flats and sandals to knee-high boots and platforms. Prices typically range from $50 – $150 USD.

The collaborations in particular generate lots of hype. Big names like Vivienne Westwood, Jason Wu and Karl Lagerfeld have all teamed up with Melissa over the years to release limited edition capsule collections.

But you don‘t have to break the bank to score a pair of signature Melissas. Their plastic Peep Toe, Ultragirl flats and Aranha tie-up sandals remain classics season after season.

Let’s analyze a few top sellers in detail so you know exactly what to expect in terms of fit, comfort and overall quality.

Beach Slide in Mickey & Friends Print

These are the perfect summer sandals to inject playful vibes into any outfit. True to Melissa form, the base is made of flexible Melflex plastic with a textured insole for comfort.

The standout Mickey & Friends print features a colorful design with the iconic mouse front and center. There‘s also a coordinating Minnie version along with Pluto and Goofy prints.

The Good

• Lightweight and comfortable
• Trendy design stands out
• Plastic construction means easy to clean
• Great for beach/pool/park days
• Runs true to size

The Bad

• Sizing slightly narrow
• Minimal arch support
• Can make feet sweat

The Bottom Line

For only $89, the Melissa Mickey sandals deliver on style and comfort. The slim fit may not work for wide feet. But they break in nicely and the distressed rubber soles offer decent traction. Throw them on with shorts or a casual summer dress for an effortlessly cute look.

Coturno Knee-High Boot

channel your inner Spice Girl with the 90s-inspired Coturno boots! They have a thigh-skimming height with rounded toes and sturdy block heels.

You can choose between a matte finish or transparent glittery plastic. Either way, these playful boots are guaranteed to become a fun statement piece.

The Good

• On-trend jelly shoe appeal
• Decent traction on heels/soles
• True to size fit
• Height is flattering for most

The Bad

• Heel rub can cause blisters
• Hidden inner seam uncomfortable
• Tight calf fit

The Bottom Line

The Melissa Coturno boots offer lots of visual appeal with their transparent finish and throwback jelly vibe. However, the plastic material also has some comfort drawbacks that become apparent over long wear.

If you love the look and want to test drive it first, consider the similar but more affordable Street shoes. They have a lower ankle boot silhouette minus the frustrating hidden seams.

Possession Open Toe Flat Sandals

Perfect for casual summer style, the Possession sandals feature delicate straps and a rounded open toe. These are a modern iteration of Melissa’s Ultragirl ballet flats with contemporary prints.

Choose from fun floral, butterfly and abstract patterns rendered in vivid colors. The finishes all coordinate back to glossy black bottoms.

The Good

• Lightweight flexible construction
• Cute girly prints to choose from
• Budget-friendly price point
• Decent arch support

The Bad

• Narrow fit
• Thin sole wears down quickly
• difficult back strap closure

The Bottom Line

For just $47, the Melissa Possession sandals deliver adorable style without breaking the bank. They do run narrow like most Melissas so size up a half or full size if you have wider feet. But once broken in, the distressed rubber soles should hold up decently.

Notable Mentions

While we can‘t review every style, here are a few other bestselling Melissas that frequently receive rave reviews:

• Harmonise Mary Jane Flats – classy pointed toe flats updated with jelly transparency
• Campana Fitas Slingbacks – chic knotted details on these low kitten heels
• Ultragirl Sweet III Flats – charming heart and bow embellishments
• Space Love Ballerinas – out-of-this-world holographic flats

Mini Melissas For Kids

Your mini fashionistas can get in on the fun too with adorable Melissas made just for them!

The kids‘ line features pint-sized versions of their most popular women‘s styles. This allows for cute parent + child matching moments.

Some current bestselling Mini Melissas include:

• Street Sneakers – metallic slip-on sneakers
• Possession Sandals – butterfly/floral prints
• Ultragirl Mary Janes – pearlized/glitter options

Melissa Shoes Sizing & Fit Guide

Like most shoes today, Melissas tend to run narrow. So those with medium or wide feet may need to size up, especially in closed toe styles.

Here are some key fit tips:

• Size up at least a half size if you have wider feet
• The toe box fits snugly on most styles
• Arch support is moderate to minimal depending on the shoe
• Backless styles (like the Harmonise slingbacks) can stretch over time
• Break-in time averages 1-3 wears before they mold comfortably

If possible, trying Melissas on in-store first is recommended. But if buying online, order your typical size in sandal styles and go up a half size for flats. Materials like Melflex will give slightly but have less give than leather.

You can always remove the insoles for a roomier fit if needed. This may reduce arch support but provides more interior space.

Where To Buy Melissa Shoes Online

Melissa has an online boutique at ShopMelissa.com that ships to over 80 countries. Simply select your region to view available inventory.

Some popular retailers like Nordstrom and Zappos also carry select Melissa styles. Stock tends to be limited to core classics like their Ultragirl flats though.

For the biggest selection of unique Melissas, the brand’s own web store is your best bet. They run sales throughout the year that you can preview on their Sale page.

You’ll also get free shipping and returns on US orders over $50. International shipping fees vary by destination.

Melissa Shoes Reviews: What Do Customers Really Think?

So what’s the overall consensus from real Melissa owners? Reviews run the gamut from 1 to 5 stars, with comfort being the biggest point of contention.

Negative feedback about Melissa shoes focuses on three key areas:

Sizing/Fit Issues

Many first-time owners don’t account for the narrow fit and order their standard size. But sizing up fixes most comfort complaints right off the bat.

Durability Concerns

A handful of customers report problems with heels splitting or sole traction wearing down quicker than expected. But this seems limited to specific styles.

Customer Service Complaints

Some shoppers vent frustration over delayed shipping times and difficulty getting exchanges approved. Melissa‘s policies could be more seamless in these areas.

Satisfied customers highlight the cute styles you can‘t get anywhere else and standout comfort:

"I get so many compliments whenever I wear my Melissas! Going on 5 years and still look brand new."

"The Melflex material is so flexible and comfortable, I can be on my feet all day with no issues."

The shoes seem to be hit-or-miss depending on the individual fit. But overall, most agree Melissa offers excellent quality and unique style per dollar.

Pros & Cons of Melissa Shoes

Pros

• Unique jelly shoe designs
• Vegan and sustainable materials
• Lightweight flexible construction
• Some widths accommodate wide feet
• Good quality relative to price points
• Fun collaborations and prints

Cons

• Many styles run narrow
• Minimal arch support
• Traction decreases over time on some soles
• Slow shipping and returns
• Inconsistent sizing between styles

Are Melissa Shoes Worth the Money?

At the end of the day, whether or not Melissas are "worth it" comes down to personal preference and fit.

They can require some trial and error to find the right size combo for your feet. Wide sizes are limited too. But the brand offers a unique style you won‘t get anywhere else.

For less than $100, most Melissas deliver decent quality and stay trendy for multiple seasons. The PVC construction means they‘re also waterproof and easy to clean too – perfect for unpredictable weather!

Overall, if you find a style that suits your needs, Melissa shoes can be a smart buy. Just be mindful of sizing and set realistic expectations for slender plastic footwear.

How to Save on Melissa Shoes

Want to score Melissas on sale? Here are some savings tips:

• Join the email list – Subscribers get early notice of promotions and 15% off first orders
• Shop the sales section – Sort by size to view markdowns up to 50% off!
• Buy out-of-season styles – Older models like the Ultragirl flats can dip below $50
• Checkout cashback websites – Rakuten and Honey offer bonus cashback at Melissa‘s site

The brand only hosts one major sale a year during Black Friday weekend too. So November is definitely the optimal month for Melissa deals.

Melissa Shoes Review Conclusion

Melissa shoes offer a unique expression of personal style you won‘t find anywhere else. Their focus on sustainability and ethical production also appeals to the modern conscious consumer.

This beloved brand has certainly earned its reputation over the past 40+ years. While the narrow fit and minimal arch support don‘t work for some feet, their signature Melflex formula strikes an impressive balance between flexibility and durability.

As long as you account for slim proportions, cute styles like the Ultragirl flats and Vivi Wingtip Oxfords can easily become closet staples. They‘ll maintain relevance across seasons too with Melissa‘s continually fresh prints and colors.

So don‘t be afraid to channel your inner ‘90s babe and welcome the nostalgia-inducing fun these plastic fantastic kicks invite! Whether you‘re looking to add a bold pop to casual dresses or a dose of irony to business wear, this iconic brand presents unlimited styling potential.