Comfort collides with the winter fashion scene in a cozy display of Uggs, loafers and clogs. Cast one glance at foot traffic on the University of Miami campus, and you’ll find slide-on shoes have taken the student body by storm. Miami winters hardly experience a Fahrenheit below fifty, Still, January rocks a drop in temperature that inspires students to search for simple comfort in their footwear. So which brands are conquering comfort with their slide-on shoes, and how does one style these slippers to stay chic?
Brands Leading the Charge
The revival of Uggs has as much to do with cooler temperatures as it does with celebrity icons urging on a Y2K renaissance.
Pop singer Addison Rae was photographed by paparazzi countless times over the past few years while rocking the black Bailey Bow II Short UGG Boots. Her tiny black shorts and calf-high boots sent out social media shock waves as users praised her Y2K aesthetic.
Other fashion icons like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid followed suit this past year with the Ultra Mini Ugg Platform boot.
Isabella Joseph, a senior majoring in media scoring and production, considered the popularity of these shoes on campus.
“Once people see a trend like this, they latch on to it. Seeing icons on social media wearing these types of shoes makes the shoes go viral,” she said.
Uggs solidified their place in the fashion industry as trendy references to comfort and nostalgia.
They aren’t the only brand leading the charge for slide-on shoe styles, though.
Emily Hamm, store manager at Swap Boutique, said, “I’m eight years or so out of college, but when I was a student, I had lots of Birkenstocks. I chose them over a sneaker, for sure. It’s funny that almost ten years later, that’s back.”
Birkenstock Bostons are widely popular. Mules satisfy a similarly snug sensation that slide-on enthusiasts look for. MUK LUK slippers might be the comfiest of these brands repped on the University of Miami campus.
Hamm said, “For brands, our store has a couple of Kate Spade flats, a pair of Bottega slides. We’ve had Gucci slides. Everyone’s doing the slide-on shoe.”
There are plenty of slide-on options for people in need of an undemanding, fashionable fit.
Confidently Comfortable
Shoes to You is a trendy retail store based in Coral Gables with an impressive collection available to shoe connoisseurs. Kim Stone, creator and owner of this stylish shop, remarked on the store’s success.
“We opened thirty-one years ago. We were basically wholesale and then we went into retail down the road,” said Stone. “We’ve actually watched our clientele grow up. People who first came into this store as babies are now having babies. We’re very welcoming and friendly.”
Not only is Shoes to You well-versed in the art of customer satisfaction, but their shoe selection also offers a wide variety of slide-on footwear that shoppers are dying to get their hands — or rather feet — on.
“Our Maryjane slides are very popular,” Stone said. “The Bing Loafer slides are trending as well. We try to stay very modern.”
Shoes to You’s selection of slippers and slide-ons epitomizes versatility. The leather, off-white Bing Loafer slides can be thrown on before heading to class, paired with denim and a casual top. However, they can also be worn to a nice dinner, paired with a slip dress or a leopard-print skirt.
The possibilities are endless.
Stone reflected on the popularity of slide-on shoes. “It’s a combination of comfort and ease. You just slip them on and go. Even I wear mostly slip-ons, like the loafers. I just find them so comfortable and so chic.”
‘Canes’ Closets
Layla-Bleu Jackson, a sophomore studying sports administration, always comes to class with fashionable flair. Her style cultivates a combination of luxury and comfort, one of her favorite shoes being the Gucci sandal slippers.
Jackson said, “I think the five seconds that it takes to put on a slide-on shoe rather than a minute to put on sneakers is what’s making students want to wear them. “I like quick, efficient, get-me-out-the-door shoes because most of the time, I’m running late.”
Slide-on shoes aren’t just products of convenience, though. Jackson pointed out the potential that this form of footwear has in terms of sprucing up an outfit.
“The beauty of a slip-on shoe is you can style it with nearly anything. Shorts, skirts, dresses, you can even wear them with sweats if you’re cute about it,” said Jackson. “You see this with big brands like Chanel, Christian Dior and Gucci. They just elevate the same archetype of shoes. I don’t think slide-on shoes will ever go out of style.”
Julie Huth, a junior majoring in economics and psychology, said, “I’m just glad slide-on shoes have become more socially acceptable. I love a good oversized denim pant on a Birk clog.”
Oversized clothing couples well with slide-ons when the outfit is thought out carefully. Don’t be afraid to lean into a more casually composed aesthetic.
Consider an oversized sweater over top a miniskirt paired with Uggs and crew socks. If you’re feeling more eccentric, wear wide-leg pants and a boho blouse with the Uggs instead. Be bold with a denim-on denim look accentuated by Birkenstock clogs.
The versatility and effortlessly chic vibe these shoes promise are excellent reasons to invest in a pair. Just be careful not to slip out of your slide-ons when you’re racing to class.
If you’re looking for a new pair of slippers for the cold season, Distraction recommends these pairs!
Lands’ End Fleece Slippers: $30-60
Steve Madden Spice Dark Grey Suede Mule: $50
Lotta from Stockholm Clogs: $89-99
Glerup Slippers: $89-99
B&O Valen Slippers: $90-120
Stuart Weitzman Lennox Mule: $595
words_kelsey conrad. photo_marra finkelstein. design_sal puma.
This article was published in Distraction’s Winter 2024 print issue.
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