Slippers/Casual Footwear: 2008 Key Retail Trends

• Ballerina flats continued their popularity as classic slipper silhouettes—often with quilted treatments, contrasting trim and bow details. Additional core slipper silhouettes stayed traditional (including moccasins, clogs, slides, scuffs and booties, as shown from Dearfoams).

• Boxed slippers remained strong as key items for fourth quarter in particular—not only as gifts, but also self-purchases.

• In terms of practicality, indoor/outdoor soles remained a strong selling point for slippers.

• Comfort dominated in terms of materials—the most popular of which included fleece, microfiber terry as well as terrycloth, velour and faux shearling.

• Isotoner introduced two “niche” categories for slippers and casual footwear: Ecosentials (comprised of bamboo-blend materials), in addition to a bridal line within its ESNY division.

• In the casual footwear category, the most popular silhouettes included thongs (a.k.a. “flip-flops”) and wide-banded sandals. This non-sized category appeared on department store mainfloors well ahead of the spring and summer seasons.

• So popular are thongs, in fact, that even designers such as Tory Burch added them to her collection (as seen above).

• Gladiator sandals were the hot silhouette in footwear, a look that appeared in many variations, including up-the-calf wraps. Looks were most popular in naturals and metallic leathers.

• Due to the popularity of gladiator sandals in true footwear, the look also translated into casual footwear.