Slippers are one of the oldest forms of indoor footwear on record. Slippers are so common that they can be found in just about every culture around the world that uses footwear. While slippers are common in many cultures, the term "slipper" was actually derived during the late 15th century in England from an Old English word for "slip." This term was selected because slippers are loose fitting and are "slipped" onto the foot.

Design of the Slipper

Slippers come in all shapes and sizes. Many slipper designs are modeled after fashionable shoe designs. You can find flip-flop style slippers in Asian cultures, clog-like styles in European cultures and moccasin-style slippers in North American cultures. Today the design options for slippers are nearly unlimited. In fact, there are entire sections of department stores and shoe stores that are dedicated to slippers.

Modern slipper designs include a collection of old time favorites like the bunny slipper, ballet-style slipper and moccasin-style slipper. They also include seasonal designs like rubber pool and deck slippers for summer use and plush character slippers for the holiday season. In addition to the basic slipper models and the seasonal slipper models, designer slippers also appear in stores seasonally. Just like other footwear, designer slippers fade in and out of style rapidly, with a new style hitting the hot list about every four to six months.

Historical Slippers

As mentioned earlier, slippers have been a part of fashion in a large number of cultures. However, some cultures developed slippers earlier than others. For example, slippers have been documented in India as far back as the 12th century during the Southern Song Dynasty. These slippers were made with a leather bottom and either a thong to fit between the toes or a leather strap to hold the slipper on the wearer's foot.

Conclusion

Slippers are comfort items that have a practical use. They keep our feet warm and protected while inside a house, and they keep dirt and debris from being trekked into a home. While traveling the world keep your eyes and ears open, as slippers are called by many different names. For example, in Scotland they are sometimes referred to as "baffies." In other parts of the world they are referred to as house shoes, flip flops and sandals.