The Best Slipper Shoes for Women to Wear Outside This Winter

3 min read

At this point, we’ve all probably accepted that slippers are no longer strictly house shoes. They’ve been part of our everyday wardrobes for years, and it’s hardly unusual to see someone wearing a fuzzy pair of slip-ons with jeans and a nice coat. What’s more interesting is how far brands have taken the idea lately. And honestly, some of these new styles are just really good shoes, slippers or not.

Take Ugg’s Western-inspired designs. Cowboy boots aren’t going anywhere, and the brand has found a way to bring that look into the comfortable footwear it’s known for. It’s a fun alternative to a traditional Western boot, especially if you want something a little more relaxed for everyday wear.

Brunch’s collaboration with Madhappy is another one worth knowing about. The two brands share co-founder Joshua Sitt, so the partnership makes sense, but the shoes themselves are what caught our attention. Made with colorful crochet and lined with shearling, they look like someone turned a chunky knit sweater into a slipper. And considering how much we love a good sweater this time of year, why shouldn’t our feet get a sweater of their own?

For Sitt, the idea of making slippers part of an everyday wardrobe has always been central to Brunch. “Originally, the entire concept for the brand was taking the hotel slipper product which is famously associated with vacation and travel, and bringing it into something you can wear every single day inside and outside of your home,” he tells ELLE.

You can see that thinking at work in the Madhappy collaboration. “The shoe itself morphs the comfort that both brands prioritize as well as the fashion pieces of both brands,” he says.

What’s particularly interesting is that this isn’t limited to brands you’d normally associate with slippers. Hunter, whose rain boots have been a wardrobe staple for years, has a cozy option of its own. Simkhai has entered the category, too, and Alo has a pair that feels especially fitting for the Pilates-to-coffee crowd. It’s a pretty good indication of just how much room there is to play with a shoe that used to be purely practical.

The styling is arguably the best part. A Western-inspired pair would look great with straight-leg jeans and a suede jacket, while a softer, more understated slipper can make tailored trousers and a wool coat feel less formal. You don’t need to rethink your wardrobe to wear them. In fact, that’s part of the appeal.

As Sitt points out, slippers haven’t exactly been the most considered purchase in our wardrobes. Ask people what pair they own, and “you’ll get some crickets,” he says. Or maybe they “stole a pair at a wedding.” No offense to wedding favors, but we think it’s time for an upgrade.

Whether you’re looking for an alternative to your usual boots or simply want a pair of slippers you won’t want to change out of before leaving the house, these are the styles worth a closer look. Shop our favorites below.

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