There comes a time in a man’s life when he must begrudgingly down tools against the waning days of fall and — gasp! — wear clothes in his own home.
That time is now, and your sartorial directives start from the ground up: with your feet, which you should henceforth swaddle in a decent pair of slippers.
As with most garments, options abound. So we’ve sorted things into six general categories below, with notes on warmth, materials and — vitally — outdoor suitability.
That dog ain’t gonna walk itself, unfortunately.
The Traditional (Pictured: Mahabis Classic Men’s Slipper)
We don’t need to tell you what a standard slipper looks like, but we will anyway: single-piece construction, full foot coverage, typically finished in a knit or felt wool and sometimes lined with a second, longer-fibered wool (like fleece). Some have a heel cup; some don’t. Mahabis are our favorites: they come with a removable outsole for about-town use.
Alternative: Woolrich Fleece Mill Scuff Slipper
The Moccasin (Pictured: Minnetonka Sheepskin Softsole Moc)
Inspired by (and named for) the slip-ons traditionally worn by a number of Native American peoples, moccasins differ in that they feature a two-piece construction — note the stitching that attaches top sole to mid sole. They’re often embellished with a real or faux sheepskin liner, like the famous ones from Minnetonka that can be found under at least five Christmas trees on every block in America each December.
Alternative: UGG Olsen Slipper
The Mule (Pictured: Ted Baker Youngi Slipper)
A mule is a traditional slipper, minus the heel coverage. If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel that provides a pair of complementary shoes with the robes in the closet, they probably looked like this. Best for shoulder seasons; trot down an icy driveway in them at your own risk.
Alternative: Dolce and Gabbana Flocked Twill Backless Loafers
The Slipper Boot (Pictured: Sanuk Puff N Chill)
Your better half might call this one a “bootie,” but no man wants to say, “Hey, can you pass me my booties?”, so let’s call it a slipper boot. The obvious differentiator here is the cut: you’re getting ankle coverage, which makes it optimal for fetching the paper, especially if it’s got a decent sole and some down insulation, as is the case with the option from Sanuk pictured above.
Alternative: The Boot by Glerup
The Loafer (Pictured: Loro Piana Maurice Slipper)
This slipper borrows its silhouette from a classic driving moccasin: flat sole, two-piece construction, equal aplomb with chinos or a smoking jacket. The version you wear around your house will swap out patent leather for more pliable materials; the one pictured above pairs a suede outer with cashmere lining for max comfort.
Alternative: Vince Gino Slipper
The Chalet Sock (Pictured: Acorn Astronaut Slippers)
Slap a padded sole and vaguely alpine pattern on an extra-heavy wool sock, and you’ve got the chalet sock. Ideal for swaddling your tired, blood-starved feet after a day on the ski mountain or … space, apparently — the ones pictured above have been official NASA-issue garb for astronauts since 1982.
Alternative: LL Bean Knit Slipper Socks
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Main image via Minnetonka
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