Ruby slippers. Glass slippers. Fuzzy bunny slippers. One of these things does not belong.

April 4, 2007 5:46 AM

Are there any attractive slippers out there? Since moving into a house that is much colder than the condo I used to own, I have been buying things to keep me warm: an electric blanket, eight pairs of wool work socks, a very plush bathrobe, and ugly slippers. I’m now on a mission to find myself some not-ugly slippers.

I do not want my slippers to make my feet look (much less sound) like something off a Sesame Street prop table. I do not want my slippers to look like recycled toilet seat covers. I definitely don't want them to be made out of repurposed feminine hygiene products. I'd like something with a bit of style to them, if not actual elegance. Years ago I had some very fetching velvet mules, but I'm damned if I can find anything like that now.

What are your favourite comfortable and warm yet attractive slippers, and where did you get them? Alternatively, if you know of a nice slipper pattern, go ahead and link to it — I can do just about anything in the way of needlework – knitting, sewing, crocheting, embroidery, etc. If you’ve just got a picture of the ultimate slippers, go ahead and link to that because I usually can create my own pattern and directions from a good picture.

posted by orange swan to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (18 answers total)

Daniel Green is an old line shoe company that has specialized in making slippers for more than 50 years. In particular, they make lots of stylish and practical women's slippers.
posted by paulsc at 5:56 AM on April 4, 2007

Comfortable and warm: Down-filled
Attractive: Anything not down-filled, since down-filled is puffy and will make you look like something off a Sesame Street prop table.

Seriously, we keep our house around 67 in the winter and I'm just sitting there, but if I have my down slippers on my feet actually get hot.
posted by DU at 5:58 AM on April 4, 2007

I've long been a fan of LL Bean's slippers, which are very practical and comfortable, if perhaps not the most elegant. I rock the Wicked Good Clogs in winter--I like being able to kick them off easily, and the rubber sole means I go out to get the mail without ruining them (plus, aaaaah, shearling). But perhaps you'd prefer something like these. They're not beautiful, either, but at least they look more like a real shoe.
posted by CiaoMela at 6:27 AM on April 4, 2007

My friend got me a cute pair of slippers from Target that look like knit mary janes, and although I can't find them on their website I found a pattern here. (More slipper patterns here; "mae's" and the "felted mary janes" are similar.)
posted by AV at 6:46 AM on April 4, 2007

If I were to knit another pair of slippers, I'd be sure to felt them - both for warmth and the illusion of elegance. I've made several pairs of the furry felted slippers in the second Stich & Bitch Book - stay with me now - I suspect that if you were to do them without the second strand of furry yarn and just stuck with the wool, you'd have a nice pair of custom fit mule-like slippers. Reports from those I've given them to is that they're hella warm, as in make your feet sweat warm. (Also reported, that with the fur yarn they are hated by all cats who come across, with ambush attacks. So beware.)

If you crochet, these look lovely. The artist states in an earlier entry that the pattern is from Simple Crochet. Also, the Happy Hooker crochet book has a pair of bunny slippers. I know from the title of the query that you're not looking for bunny slippers, but I suspect from the pattern that you could just leave the ears off. Or use them as a basis for a pattern of your own creation. Patternworks also sells a felted Mary Jane pattern that might work as a good basis.

To purchase - I've had good luck with Nordstrom. Several years ago I got a pair like these, but without the fur. I love them, the hard sole is nice when I run out for the paper, but I don't obviously have a pair of slippers on. (Like I do when I'm wearing my bunny slippers.)
posted by librarianamy at 6:50 AM on April 4, 2007

If this link works, this would be the pair of slippers that I would get. They struck me as v. cute not-slippery slippers.
posted by that girl at 6:59 AM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]

I also love the knit mary jane-type slippers from Target. I don't think they'd be hard to make, and if you decide to go the route of just picking them up at the store, I don't think they're more than $5-6.
posted by pril at 7:04 AM on April 4, 2007

Cthulhu.
Mine are pretty warm, and now that my dogs have been at them the arms flap around adorably. They seem to be out of stock, though.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 8:05 AM on April 4, 2007 [2 favorites]

Velvet mules? See Acorn slippers. Very soft and warm, very cute. There are several (discounted) styles of Acorns there; these just seem closest to what you described.
posted by torticat at 8:21 AM on April 4, 2007

I rock a pair by Patricia Green, myself. They were expensive but they've lasted for years. Super comf.
posted by missmobtown at 9:18 AM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]

These from Crabtree & Evelyn are really cute! As are these from Foot Petals. And these Hush Puppies. And these from Daniel Green! Cute slippers for everyone!
posted by tastybrains at 10:31 AM on April 4, 2007

Footsmart.
posted by notyou at 10:37 AM on April 4, 2007

Brookstone slippers with Tempur-pedic memory foam. Classic look, ridiculously comfortable.
posted by kanuck at 11:13 AM on April 4, 2007

I knit a few of these slippers and gave them as gifts for the holidays. They were a big hit. You can knit them from something really soft and warm, like merino or cashmere blend. Mmmmm.
posted by Flakypastry at 2:50 PM on April 4, 2007

Make zine recently had some cute slippers sewn out of denim. I don't have my copy handy, but they have only come out with 2 issues so far, so it shouldn't be too hard to find. Basically, multiple layers of denim with a mary-jane type upper, and a button to hold them on.

Also, Etsy has some cute slippers.
posted by yohko at 3:51 PM on April 4, 2007

Oops, I meant Craft zine. Easy to get them mixed up when they put shirts involving batteries in one, and MIDI sock monkeys in another.
posted by yohko at 3:54 PM on April 4, 2007

Response by poster: Lots of ideas here. I'm thinking ideally I would have several pairs of slippers — a slipper wardrobe, if you will.

I LOVE the Daniel Green velvet scuffs in the celery green, which would be pretty with a nightgown/lingerie/bathrobe.

I would also like a moccasin-type pair with soles to wear with regular clothes and for when I'm ducking out to the curb with the garbage. I haven't seen anything that's quite right, though I do like these.

And then perhaps I could make myself a pair of felted booties (I like these, though I would need to resize the pattern since it's for men) to wear when I'm curled up on the couch — mostly just because I want to try felting something;-)

Thanks everyone!
posted by orange swan at 6:35 PM on April 4, 2007

I don't know how warm they'd be, but you might consider knitting twinkletoes...
posted by rikhei at 7:22 AM on April 6, 2007