There is only one step from the drawing-room to the street…which is happily traversed by slippers, slippers, trampled shoes, mules, and other slippers. Required home spirit
or is there an aesthetic struggle?
Did you notice that? It is now common to meet people in slippers or similar on the street. But not just any! We see fur-lined Boston Birkenstocks, plush mules, Tasman model Uggs, furry Gucci slippers… And this, regardless of the weather. But why the hell would you want to go out in slippers? The latter by Vincent Cockbert Cocoon Civilization (Éditions Arkhê), this boom in outdoor homewear is a sign of the “desire to be at home everywhere”. Since the 2020 restriction, a form of radicalization of this “cocoon civilization” has occurred. With the economic or climate outlook objectively worrying, there has been real downsizing in homes. It’s the triumph of a cuddly toy accessory, you take your bubble everywhere.”
Is this a sign of a stylistic softening of it all? For Vincent Cockbert, “the brand fetish makes what was perceived as indiscretion become a mark of distinction. In an increasingly harsh world, the slipper is soft, the ultimate shoe in our self-service society.” CQFD:
In the video: 10 tips to reconcile yourself with your shoes
The genealogy of the fashion slipper
First there was Phoebe Philo. When the English designer slipped a fur-trimmed sandal-like slide down the catwalk in 2014, it was a riot. Fashionistas flock to Birkenstocks, which then make a huge comeback with hype (LVMH to acquire majority stake in German brand in 2021, editor’s note). This is the trend’s birth certificate.”ugly shoes(ugly shoes), the most incredible creations of which will become fashion totems. Following in the footsteps of this star, let’s list Gucci’s Princetown Mule, which debuted in 2015, a true surprise hit.
Brookner, slipper theorist
In late 2022, essayist Pascal Bruckner complains about “the shrinking of our lives” between the sofa and the wifi connection. Ritual of slippers (Editions Grasset). For him, this “sedentary tyranny” that forces us to go out into the house is simply a rejection of the world. , which replaces the globe. Everything, or almost, can be delivered to us at home. Why then come out of the cocoon and reveal yourself? The modern sadness of the Deliveroo generation?
Spa mule, totem self service
Who better to sum up our era than Kim Kardashian? In 2022, the billionaire influencer appeared in tap shoes, pedicures (Balenciaga, $450) or box slippers with Yeezys (her ex-husband Kanye West’s brand). A few years ago, it was followed by Justin Bieber who started the trend of wearing white spa slippers on the street. Undoubtedly, the inner sphere invades the outer.
The Dude, indifference
Long before the homewear explosion, he was a man who prioritized comfort above all else; The Big Lebowski, the film of the Coen brothers (1998). Played by Jeff Bridges, this lazy king called The Dude steps out in nothing but a robe and tired slippers. For him, it’s an existential statement: he goes through life in his pajamas out of conviction. Farsighted.
dumpling, “that shoe» about the remote working world
In France, according to Kantar, the market of slippers is 371 million euros. During the restrictions, that is, between 2019 and 2020, it even increased by 9%. This winter, with energy prices on the rise, we’re betting on peak sales of wrinkled slippers, which are very practical when the thermostat shows the 19°C setting and the Zoom meeting drags on. The story does not say whether, in addition to the turtle neck, Bruno Le Maire wears slippers at the Ministry of Economy.
At Disney, a “glass” slipper
Glass or curtain? The controversy is well known. In the Disney cartoon released in 1950, Cinderella wears transparent slippers that have made more than one dream come true. A 1697 fairy tale by Charles Perrault, adopted in many versions in the regional languages of France, then by the Brothers Grimm in the 19th century.e In the century there is indeed talk of “glass” slippers, an impractical material for dancing, but above all, wonderful. It was Balzac who in his novel About Catherine de’ Medici (1830), mentions “wild” as referring to the fur of a small squirrel. Hence the debate. More comfort, but less fashion.
The Charenteise, beloved Gen Z!
Who would believe that? The world’s most ridiculous bag has finally left the hip. In 2017, it was Gwyneth Paltrow who revealed to Goop that she is a fan of this traditional slipper, which originated in the late 17th century.e century in the Rochefort region and made from felt scraps used to manufacture military uniforms. Long synonymous with the grandpa look, ideal for slipping into their jams, this slipper is now popular with Gen Z, who love its retro cockade look. In 2019, it even received the IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) label for the first time. To choose your stitched-inverted insert, it’s best to buy made in La Rochefoucald, Charente, of course.
Tap dance, sports mood
In the mid-2000s, we discovered a new breed: the pool tap-dance geek. His name is Mark Zuckerberg and he will soon conquer the world. He was the first to step off the edge of the 50-meter pool, the plastic version of the closed shoe. After that, this semi-rigid slipper will forever be combined with socks. For better and especially for worse.
The ballet slipper, the new cool ballerina?
After years of fashion purgatory, this little flat slipper that had its heyday in the 2000s is back. Insulted by Gen Z, it’s been revived here thanks to Miu Miu, who last year released a pink satin version with elastic at the back; like doing ballet, circa 1986. A huge box. Singer Rosalia and trendsetter Bella Hadid adopted it, and the flirty slipper was the most desired style at the end of last year, with +1,100% searches for the keyword, according to fashion platform Lyst.com.
Source: Le Figaro
