Ugly shoes have been quietly elevated from fashion taboo to street-style staple over the past few years, with everything from dad trainers to hiking sandals earning a spot in our wardrobes.
And now, thanks to lockdown life and long, cold winter evenings, the trend for garish footwear has infiltrated another category: slippers.
Read more: 8 best women’s ankle boots, from lace-up to leather styles
As staying in became the new going out and we traded the office for our living rooms, so too did cosy house-shoes replace chunky brogues and sky-high heels, with this new stay-at-home mentality putting comfort front and centre.
But, there’s nothing fashion lovers enjoy more than flipping the script when it comes to the rules – so it came as no surprise to learn that the ugly slipper has become a new staple among stylish homebodies.
We’re not talking about your classic Birkenstocks, or even UGG’s fluffy iterations. This is a new wave of slippers that are all about cloistering your feet in pillow-like shapes.
Luxury fashion designers have presented their own takes on the puffed-up slipper on recent runways, with Louis Vuitton’s pillow comfort ankle boots proving such a hit that they have quickly become a favourite among celebrities, with everyone from Selena Gomez to Sophie Turner spotted wearing a pair.
But, at £850 a pop, these padded boots are seriously pricey, meaning that getting your hands on a pair is likely to remain a pipe dream for the majority of us.
The good news is that fashion’s most unexpected brand of the moment, The North Face, has also dipped its toe into the world of not-so run-of-the-mill slippers to deliver an affordable version of the bulbous house shoes.
Known as the thermoball v traction mules, the slippers cost £50 and are made with the same insulating technology as the brand’s cult puffer jackets.
They have received rave reviews for their ability to keep your feet cosy and ward off sub-zero temperatures, with one person describing them as a “sleeping bag for your feet”.
It’s been a big year for comfortable footwear, but with more weeks of cold weather and working from home ahead of us, now is the perfect time to invest. However, you’ll need to be quick if you want to get your hands on a pair, because they’re already selling out fast.
Here’s everything you need to know about the thermoball v traction mules, which are available for both men and women.
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