'I'm a fashion editor who just got back from Europe. I wore one pair of shoes the whole time.'

This time last year, Melbourne fashion influencer Rozalia Russian posted about the pair of shoes she lived in on her European holiday.

They were the 'Jo Flip Flops' by Australian designer Christopher Esber, which retail for $400.

I wanted them so badly, and oh, did I hover over the 'add to cart' button. But $400 is a lot for a very chic slice of plastic, and I knew, in time, that affordable versions would pop up on the high street.

Watch: Leigh Campbell explains the Wrong Shoe Theory. Post continues below.

The waiting paid off. Eventually, Billini came out with a pair of clear-strap thongs for the bargain price of $69.95.

Billini Stellan, $69.95.

Billini's 'Stellan' thongs. Image: Supplied.

Just days before I left for our recent holiday to France, I popped into the store and tried them on. Despite the obvious lack of arch support, they're surprisingly comfortable. Truly, they feel like you're not wearing anything.

And that's the beauty of this style — it's a barely-there shoe you can slide on with literally any outfit.

A pair of jelly sandals are THE most versatile summer shoe I've ever owned, and you can hardly see them. The irony!

For someone who's forked out thousands on Gucci slides, Balenciaga flatforms and Chloe sandals in a career spent following fashion-forward footwear, this feels… humbling.

Of course, it's not the first we've seen of jelly sandals. The Row famously came out with a pair of red jelly cage sandals that broke the fashion internet, before similar styles popped up everywhere. You've likely spotted influencers on their travels wearing a popular pair of red jelly thongs by Ancient Greek Sandals.

New Zealand influencer Jessie Bush in Ancient Greek Sandals. Image: Instagram/@jessie_bush.

Cotton On has also dropped this dupe for the Christopher Esber pair for just $20, which comes in four covetable colourways.

Rubi Blake Jelly Flip, $20.

Cotton On's 'Blake Jelly Flip'. Image: Supplied.

Squishy shoes make a lot of sense for summertime in Europe, and mine got me through a heatwave in the South of France.

For one, they were the perfect shoe for nicking down to the beach, particularly when that beach is made entirely of pebbles.

They were the right choice for scooting around the pool at our Airbnb, and for chasing a busy toddler.

Easy to style with beachwear.

They also held up on the cobblestone streets and alleyways of Provence.

Perfect with a maxi-dress..

I love that you don't have to think about them matching, or clashing, with your outfits. Because they're invisible.

Back with trusty denim shorts.

And styled them with a sarong for a market run.

We were in France to attend a wedding, and I even changed into the shoes for the reception to dance the night away in my Kivari dress.

So if you're about to escape to somewhere warm for a holiday, or you're already planning your spring wardrobe, don't sleep on jelly thongs. Rozalia was absolutely right — they're a shoe you'll live in.

Feature image: Supplied.