Glerups: Gentle wooly souls
Until I moved to Montréal, shoes were shoes: you know, those things you put on your feet, and leave on till bedtime.
But here, many households run shoes-off. That's partly because we are in snow boots or Wellies about five months of the year, and easily trek in whatever's on our streets. We carry shoes to visit homes; hosts appreciate non-abrasive soles that preserve their floors.
When I was recently buying a pair of Blundstones (cherry red), I was taken by Glerups, the Danish indoor shoe. Now there is an simple, amiably Scandinavian shoe (or slipper), heavy enough to foil cold floors, plush enough for comfort, finished with a soft moccasin-style leather sole. And they come in absolutely biteable colours.
Here's the slipper:
The shoe is higher-cut, so warmer:
There's a boot model too, all of them similar—rather like Blunnies. They offer kid's, women's and men's sizing, and one rubber-soled outdoor model.
The US site introduces the new ballerina, which adds silk to the wool:
In Montréal, the Neon location on St.-Denis has a good assortment, including these ballerinas. (They are truly "slippers" without arch support, but you could slip in insoles.)
Glerups are hand-washable in cool water, or machine-washable on "wool program" setting. There's a sweet family story about the Danish grandmother who designed them, and a few more encouraging tidbits on Glerups' site.
The Shop feature on the Canadian site seems to be on vacation; the US one works. Some models are available via Amazon or well-stocked The Australian Boot Company. Price is around $CDN 90.
Splendid gift idea, but if one family member receives a pair, that could incite deep envy among others.
Any readers Gleruppping? How do you like them?
But here, many households run shoes-off. That's partly because we are in snow boots or Wellies about five months of the year, and easily trek in whatever's on our streets. We carry shoes to visit homes; hosts appreciate non-abrasive soles that preserve their floors.
When I was recently buying a pair of Blundstones (cherry red), I was taken by Glerups, the Danish indoor shoe. Now there is an simple, amiably Scandinavian shoe (or slipper), heavy enough to foil cold floors, plush enough for comfort, finished with a soft moccasin-style leather sole. And they come in absolutely biteable colours.
Here's the slipper:
There's a boot model too, all of them similar—rather like Blunnies. They offer kid's, women's and men's sizing, and one rubber-soled outdoor model.
In Montréal, the Neon location on St.-Denis has a good assortment, including these ballerinas. (They are truly "slippers" without arch support, but you could slip in insoles.)
Glerups are hand-washable in cool water, or machine-washable on "wool program" setting. There's a sweet family story about the Danish grandmother who designed them, and a few more encouraging tidbits on Glerups' site.
The Shop feature on the Canadian site seems to be on vacation; the US one works. Some models are available via Amazon or well-stocked The Australian Boot Company. Price is around $CDN 90.
Splendid gift idea, but if one family member receives a pair, that could incite deep envy among others.
Any readers Gleruppping? How do you like them?
Comments
These are great slippers and I am going to look into purchasing them. Thanks for the heads up.
Some people have to wear more supportive shoes, even indoors, but many of those have rubber soles.
I thought these woollen blankets spun and woven in a small mill in Prince Edward Island, would make a lovely present as well: http://www.macauslandswoollenmills.com The prices are very reasonable.
I was brought up to take my street shoes off in the house so that's what I've always done at other people's houses as well. Most seem to expect it although the odd time I'm told to leave my shoes on - I always feel uncomfortable doing that. Now I take my Glerups with me and it works just perfectly. In Toronto they're available at a number of locations, I bought mine in Peterborough so retailers are carrying them for sure.
One note - a friend who had a pair wore them bare foot and they picked up some odours so socks are probably advised.
I wear First Nations-beaded moccasins (sheepskin against my feet, so comfy) at home, and my handknit socks -- and everyone in the family gets my socks at Christmas (not necessarily each one for each Christmas!).
I don't mind shoes on our fir floors -- having a golden retriever distressed them nicely! And I do mind having to take off shoes carefully chosen to go with a festive outfit. But I get how destructive salt and road sand can be on floors, and I'd happily carry a pair of those Glerups along.
I love the portability of the Glerups- and the colours. At home, I wear Garneau or LL Bean sheepskin moccasins, but when it is time to replace, I'm trying these.
What kind of flooring you choose depends a great deal on what you •do• in your house- people who frequently host parties where heels would be worn often will use large rugs to protect the most-trafficked areas.
Choose the floor to withstand the house's purpose; cork might be fine in a bedroom but not the living or dining areas. When the former owners of our apt. moved to a larger one, they installed concrete floors in the public areas because they host large parties regularly, and heels are a given. You could roll a tank over that floor, no problems.
Also, it's a matter of what the occasion is. If Joe brings Susie home for her first meeting with his family, he could ask her to not wear her high-heeled boots. But if you are hosting an elegant soirée to announce Joe and Susie's engagement, the guests will dress in honour of the occasion; do not dictate their footwear.
Fussell pointed out, the upper class lives with faded wallpaper and frayed silk piping on cushions- the wear is part of the continuity of family traditions. (And I would add, nicks on the floor from dogs, heels and just living). The middle class values the pristine new, the "redone", everything fresh and perfect.
The decorating blogs, shows and books have put pressure on everybody to redecorate at the slightest sign of wear.
https://www.quora.com/Ethnic-and-Cultural-Differences-1/Where-is-taking-off-your-shoes-when-entering-a-home-common-How-common-is-it-in-those-places
https://www.quora.com/Do-people-wear-shoes-indoors-in-countries-other-than-the-US
There's a lot of beautiful footwear out there that is fine for floors and good for your feet.
Here some people provide baskets of slippers for guests- but some of them are not all that clean, and not very pretty, either. I prefer to pack my own.
http://shop.walrushome.com/collections/all-products/products/wool-slippers