Rihanna just dropped the answer with her Fenty x Puma ’90 Lime Sheen Cat Cleat Jelly Sandals—a neon-green middle finger to boring footwear and a masterclass in turning sidewalks into runways.
Let’s cut to the chase: These aren’t sandals—they’re weapons of mass disruption. Imagine if a disco ball mated with a jungle cat, then got dunked in radioactive slime. The chunky cleat sole? A nod to Riri’s 2016 Puma Creeper chaos that crashed websites. The translucent jelly straps? Pure Y2K nostalgia, but with a 2025 twist—like if Bratz dolls designed armor for Coachella. It’s the kind of shoe that makes TikTok’s algorithm scream, “WHAT IS THIS?!”
We’re drowning in a sea of bland flip-flops and “safe” espadrilles, but Rihanna’s Cat Cleats are here to drag summer fashion kicking and screaming into the future. Remember when her Savage x Fenty lingerie line redefined “sexy” as inclusive? Or her 2019 LVMH deal that made her the first Black woman to helm a luxury house? These sandals are that same energy—democratizing audacity. A 2024 NPD report found 62% of Gen Z buyers prioritize “statement footwear” over bags—and Riri’s serving it on a radioactive platter.
Cue the haters: “Who needs 3-inch soles on a sandal?!” But let’s get real—when has Rihanna ever played nice? The controversy is the point. These cleats weaponize the same “too much” energy that made her 2023 Met Gala pope coat break the internet. It’s a direct descendant of Lady Gaga’s 2010 meat dress—except this time, it’s wearable rebellion.
The ’90s jelly sandal revival isn’t just retro—it’s reclaimed. The lime sheen mocks Instagram’s beige-filtered “clean girl” aesthetic, while the cleat sole screams “I’ll walk through fire in style.” And let’s not forget: Each pair uses 30% recycled jelly plastic—sustainability with a side of sarcasm.
After Rih’s 2016 Puma collab spiked the brand’s sales by 75%, analysts predict these sandals will dominate summer 2025. Why? Because 58% of millennials now seek “functional fashion” (per McKinsey)—and nothing says “function” like stomping through festivals or grocery runs with equal drama. Even Balenciaga’s meme-worthy Crocs look basic next to this flex.
This isn’t just footwear—it’s a mood. The neon green hue mirrors Gen Z’s obsession with “ugly chic” (see: Lily-Rose Depp’s viral chartreuse Crocs). The chunky sole? A direct descendant of Demna’s platform mania at Balenciaga. But here’s Riri’s genius: She makes elitist high fashion accessible. As one fan tweeted: “These aren’t shoes—they’re a personality transplant.”
