Magic slippers: why the babouche is making a comeback for summer

Sometime back in early February, we reached peak backless loafer. Thanks to Gucci’s “It-Shoe” — the Princetown — and the countless high-street homages that followed it, you’re currently almost certain to see at least half a dozen pairs of mules stomping the capital’s streets on any given day (and probably some on your own feet too). But just when you thought you didn’t need another leather slip-on in your life, summer comes along with a fresh incarnation of flat shoe — although technically the babouche slipper is anything but new.

Embraced this season by everyone from Prada to Zara, and often with metallic or embroidered finishes that nod to its Moroccan origins, the babouche’s design has changed very little since its inception hundreds of years ago. This year’s contemporary styles are missing their original Aladdin-style curled-up pointy toes, however (phew); instead you’ll be relieved to see a softer, easier-to-wear almond shape.

The key to distinguishing a babouche from one of the other myriad moccasins around at the moment is its naïve, simple design, usually with just one seam or none at all. The leather should be buttersoft, so much so that if the shoe has a back, the heel section must be able to be flattened down and worn as though it were a mule (versatile!).

Or, if your budget allows, find a pair made from velvet, such as Acne Studio’s sumptuous grey offering, for the ultimate in laidback “I wasn’t actually planning on leaving the house and besides, my driver will take me to Blanchette” cool (even if you are about to hop on the Tube). These are shoes to shuffle around in, so the vibe is seriously louche.

Babouches are more lightweight than their backless loafer counterparts, making them not only ideal for summer but more flattering to wear with a bare leg; use them as a modern way to masc up that floral frock you bought for a wedding but now want to style up for work. They’re also the perfect partner, for the silk dressing-gowns-over-jeans combo and pyjama-style trouser suits that are a hit now, but approach that idea with caution. It might be safer to team your slippers with something more incongruous such as boyfriend jeans and a logo sweatshirt to save any “did you forget to get dressed?” lols from your mates. Then cross your fingers for that long, hot summer we’ve been promised, because those supple leather soles do not fare so well in the rain.