Buy and Hold: Slippers and almost-shoes
There are but two headlines in fashion now: the fight for retail brick and mortar survival (including the precarity of brands that fill those shops) and the sister issue of how what we wear in 2020 changed faster than you can flip a pancake.
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| Photo: Intervalle.com |
A local boutique that I pass often had, until April, windows full of sexy stiletto-heeled boots, which I would admire as if they were Amazonian parrots: spectacular but not quite of this world. In the real world, I still wear jewellery, but proper shoes—you know, those things with some kind of heel—seem to have vanished.
From now on, is it house slippers all the way down? If so, I want the solidly snuggly kind,
Serious slippers, Canadian winter variety
If you voted yes, you'll be looking for house slippers that do not make you look like swiped them from the nail salon—something substantial and snuggly. I have a few biases: no clogs or backless styles (too cold), and at least spot-cleanable if not washable.
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Top left: A no-pile slipper is an alternative if a fuzzy one is just going to become a foot-powered Swifffer. Raab Down Slippers, made with ripstop-fabric outers on an EVA sole—warm, light, comfortable, and fine in the washer and dryer. They're light and squash up to pack, so ideal for a plane, if you get on one anytime soon. Price, $CDN 80; at Altitude Sports and other outdoor suppliers, in unisex sizes.
Top right: I like the minimalist Cocoon Slippers, from Celtic Company. Made entirely of ivory sheepskin on a soft leather sole, machine washable with specialty wool-friendly soap. Price, $CA135.
Bottom: Everyone knows about the renowned LL Bean Wicked Good line (no longer USA-made), but here's a sheepskin slipper handmade in Vermont. This is the Women's Short Cuffed Slipper by Shepherd's Flock. If you are willing to give them time, you can send an outline of your feet to have them made for you, a blessing for differently-sized or shaped feet. Price, from $US 66; available with a crepe-sole option. Order now, the busy season means they will need a month to make them.
Below: Garneau sheepskin slippers should get their own Order of Canada. Note that all sheepskin linings will eventually wear down to a flattened footbed that look like felt, but those clouds around the ankle stay lofty. I have worn both Garneau and Bean; Garneau is prettier—and they're made here. Shown, Lazybones Slipper in "Lazer"; price $CDN 110 for suede sole, $28 more for an EVA sole.
Almost shoes: sleek hybrids
This category, perched between slips and street shoes, is a sweet spot: not as plush as a thick-piled wool, but they can handle a brief hop to the next-door neighbour's.
Top left: A ballerina with detail (pleats!), and leather upper and insole. I'm not sure if the rubber sole would leave those black marks but I find them more polished than only-slippers. Price, $CDN 99, from Mango.
Top right: Topaz of Norway Teddy Elkskin Slippers deliver Garboesque, retro elegance; I see myself writing a letter with a fountain pen, while wearing an Indian jamavar shawl. Price, €99.
Bottom: The Allbirds Tree Breezer, made from renewable materials (the fabric is a eucalyptus derivative) is odor-resistant and washable. (Remove the insoles, wash in a lingerie bag.) A big plus is its palette—colour-soaked even on the soles! Shown in (s/o) Elephant Grass. Price, $CDN 135.
The Velvet Revolution: Slippers as art objects
The finale in the Passage always aims for fabulousness. My old friends Vicky and Patrick possessed it aplenty in their Crockett & Jones velvet slippers. They have been on my Someday Shoe List ever since I saw them wearing theirs. Shown, "Poppies"; price £330. Please pass the port.
Comments
Honestly, I'm getting slightly impatient with their sensible grey longevity, especially since I've just peeked at their website and, oh my, they also come in some delicious colours!
Those stilettos made me laugh. I always notice them in the shop window, as you say, they seem like visitors from another world!
spacegeek33: Good for you—now take them to the donation box. missus. I once had a day with an image consultant (as payment for a project). By the end of the afternoon, we had filled eight huge garden trash bags with things that no longer worked. (I was a pack rat then.) She made me put them in her car and we went straight to the charity store to donate. She said, "Even if you put these in your garage, you're going to go get stuff out." I always think of her when I do a purge.
Have you tried Mahabis? Very cool styling but apparently also super-comfortable and practical with different weight uppers/soles for different requirements. I never wear slippers, but my picky friend with 70 year-old, sensitive feet swears by them!
Jane in London
Jane in London: Uggs or that type are very comfortable abd work well if one does not need much support.... I suppose it is nigh impossible to have it all iin one house shoe.
Adele: Not sure about your preferred model but there are many varieties on Isotoner.com
Mardel: I think given the intersection of sending time here and Glerups, that's me ;) Maybe donate yours, and treat yourself to a colour?
All: Uggs boots offer no support whatsoever and podiatrists routinely advise against walking far in them, but for lounging at home, I am guessing OK. I mean, some of us just wear our socks, so what's the diff?
I get round this problem by wearing a partial orthotic inside my Ugg-alikes, which provides a proper heel cradle and arch support.
I also wear them inside my Wellington boots, and they have literally transformed the comfort level of long, muddy hill walks! Being British, Wellies are a key element of my wardrobe ;)
Jane in London
For those in cold climates: Blundstone make an insert covered in sheepskin. They are rather expensive but turn Blunnies or any similar ample boots like a Wellie or Chelsea into a toasty little cabin for the foot.