| 16 comments ]

It's a question I've been asking myself as well. So I've done a bit of research, and unfortunately, the answer seems to be: not anywhere cheap. I know that last year, H&M had them, in black and midnight blue velvet at different times (black pictured at right), and they were in the area of $35-40. And I foolishly, in a fit of parsimony, returned the ones I bought back then, so of course this year, I haven't been able to find them (although you may want to contact your largest local store just to be sure). This has left me to scour the online marketplace, and the results are decidedly unfriendly to the wallet. However, here's what I've found, in ascending order of price.


Church's, Embroidered Crown, £110
or £91.67 (approx. $145 US) if shipped outside the UK; available in black, but out of stock as of this writing

Church's is a venerable English shoemaker, now owned by Prada. Too bad these are out of stock right now - it's the best price I've found, and considering the heritage of this brand, I'd consider these a bargain (which is probably why they're sold out).



Herring Shoes, Embroidered Coat of Arms, £135
or £112.50 (approx. $180 US) if shipped outside the UK; available in seven colours; also available non-embroidered in navy, purple, and black (~$155 US)

Made in England, this is the house label of a UK online shoe retailer. Reasonably priced.

Brooks Brothers, Embroidered "BB" Monogram, $198
available in black; also available in non-embroidered black ($198) 

Made in England by Peal & Co. It's a shame that Brooks Brothers doesn't offer any other embroidered styles; using someone else's monogram is a bit gauche. I'd only recommend these if your initials are actually B.B.


Del Toro, Embroidered Skull and Bones, $215
available in navy, black; also available in non-embroidered navy, red, bottle green, and black ($270), logo-embroidered navy ($270) and black ($215), and custom styles ($295-$455)

Del Toro is new on the velvet-slipper scene, and has been getting a fair amount of publicity from The Wall Street Journal, Esquire, et al. Anytime somebody writes an article about velvet slippers, they're bound to be mentioned.


Shipton & Heneage, Various Embroidered Motifs, $255
available in five colours; also available in six non-embroidered colours ($215), several wraparound embroidered designs ($345), three monogram styles ($450), and four custom crest styles ($595)

Great selection, competitive prices. Enough said.

Stubbs & Wootton, Embroidered Heraldic Dolphins, $450
available in black; also available in a variety of seasonal colours and styles ($450) and numerous custom configurations (from $495)

Stubbs & Wootton is the name in velvet slippers. They carry a handful of seasonal designs, tending towards the irreverent (this heraldic dolphin is the most conservative). But they also offer an unparalleled custom range, allowing you to choose your material, colours, and embroidery style, with dozens of figural motifs ($495), three styles of machine-embroidered monogram ($600), and six styles of hand-embroidered monogram using silver or gold bullion thread ($900).

Ralph Lauren, Embroidered "RL" Monogram, $650
available in five different colour combinations; also available with a figural horse-and-rider motif in five colours ($650)

Again, the tackiness of someone else's monogram, but at three times the price. But they do use bullion thread, so if your initials are actually R.L., these'll save you $250 over the Stubbs & Wootton custom bullion monogram. Otherwise, just say no.



Barker Black, Embroidered Skull Logo, $825
available in black; also available in a silver-and-gold-bullion "skull and spade" motif embroidered on black ($825)

Are you an elitist brand-whore? Is your skull as vacant of brains as the ones embroidered on these slippers? Then look no further!

16 comments

ktmcf4 (at) gmail (dot) com said... @ November 29, 2011 at 12:13 AM

I am confused about your description of the Barker Black slippers... Can you please email me privately or respond here as to what your thought process was/is?
Thanks
KTM

Adam said... @ November 29, 2011 at 8:11 AM

Heh. That was probably a bit harsh, wasn't it? But here's my thinking: Barker Black is a relatively obscure shoemaker. They don't have the designer name recognition of a Ferragamo or a Gucci. Probably the only way you're going to know they exist is if you shop at Neiman Marcus (or, here in Canada, Holt Renfrew) or read GQ or similar magazines. That's where the "elitist" aspect comes in - that, and the price.

And the rest of it is because I cannot understand why anyone would pay $825 for these slippers, with such limited occasions on which one can realistically wear them, when there are versions that cost hundreds of dollars less that are equally (or even more) nice. Moreover, the only embroidery designs that Barker Black offers are either their logo or very close to it, so I think it rather smacks of ostentation (albeit ostentation to a very limited and knowing audience) to pay so much to have someone else's insignia on your feet, rather than, say, a customized monogram as with Stubbs & Wootton.

ktmcf4 (at) gmail (dot) com said... @ November 29, 2011 at 9:39 AM

Adam,

I love shoes. Always have and always will. I used to sleep in new shoes when I got them as a kid. I regrettably do not do it now that I am older, but I have a pair of Barker Black lace ups. I have admired Barker Blacks for years. I wanted a pair in high school... The price tag paired with the occasions or lack thereof, I did not get them. However, I admired the small details that Barker Black is known for, to me at least. For example, the logo on the toe of my lace ups are hand punched and unique to my own shoes (human error ensures that) and the logo on the bottom is the same way. That is cool to me. But, as my friends have proven to me, I am in the minority. The BB in NYC sells maybe one pair a day, says the salesman I have spoken with on a few occasions. I dont think I am an "elitist" because I like Barker Black... I am unwilling to compromise my taste in shoes due to the price or perception of others (even though only one person has noticed they were Barker Blacks). There are of course some UGLY shoes that are quite expensive, so in that regards it comes down to personal preference.

KTM

Ayana said... @ December 2, 2011 at 9:00 AM

Brooks Brothers shoes are so elegant!

Teliard said... @ June 30, 2012 at 6:00 PM

Check out Teliard.com great selection

Ivan said... @ September 11, 2012 at 3:50 PM

Teliard is a very unrealiable service. Placed an order with them and never received it. They kept giving me the run around. Extremely unprofessional. Avoid at all cost.

Anonymous said... @ September 29, 2012 at 2:03 AM

I order from Teliard and got my slippers in about a week and half. Love them. Got a pair for my father on his birthday and he got them in about the same time frame. I would order again.

Phillip said... @ October 31, 2012 at 10:10 AM

Ivan, at least you got the run around. I placed an order, got a few designs and never heard from them again. I almost just wish they came out and told me they took my money rather than me continuously emailing them.Stay clear of Teliard. If it seems too good to be true it is. If they decide to give my money back or get me my slippers I'd be happy to retract.

Jane said... @ November 8, 2012 at 4:15 PM

Does anyone have a phone number for Teliard? Given the comments included here, am wondering was anyone successful in speaking with a representative. Have ordered a pair of shoes at $275, and nothing recieved after 18 days....and no replies to requests for a status update sent via their contact link on their website.

Anonymous said... @ November 9, 2012 at 2:23 PM

Teliard is a scam. Called my CC company to dispute the charge. They had a phone number listed on the "UpFront Merchant" button, but that is gone now and all their eBay listings have been removed. They went radio silent on me immediately after placing an order.

Phillip said... @ November 12, 2012 at 10:50 AM

I got them taken down from "Up front merchant", but the number listed was not in service anyway.

I contacted the billing service they use but they said they never got any complaints. Please contact www.americart.com and share your story...maybe we can get them shut down.

Spread the word on this one...I can only imagine how many people have been taken for a ride with this scam.

Anonymous said... @ November 13, 2012 at 6:40 AM

What can i do? im from another country and theyve got my money!?

Anonymous said... @ November 18, 2012 at 7:07 AM

Friends please avoid Teliard they are a scam just as several of you had stated. Please do not give them your credit card information. You will see that there website is vague without any contact information. The web DNS is also hidden by proxy. They give you the run around, and then you don't hear anything from them. They have done business as several entities under the name of Duke of Paragon, Paragon Royalty, and Teliard. Further info that seems to be helpful can be found with the Florida Department of State's Division of Corporations.

http://visulate.com/rental/visulate_search.php?CORP_ID=L12000057026

Good luck!

Anonymous said... @ November 18, 2012 at 7:20 AM

In regard to Teliard, Paragon Royalty, Duke of Paragon, or who ever they are, Please file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General .

http://myfloridalegal.com/Contact

Anonymous said... @ December 3, 2012 at 4:14 PM

Teliard is a scam! I ordered a pair of shoes from them... and never received them! Not only did they charge my credit card for the initial order...but they also charged my card 6 other times. I turned them over to my bank's fraud department.

Anonymous said... @ December 28, 2012 at 9:34 PM

Try Smytheanddigby.com. Returned the uncomfortable pair i got form Aldo's and bough one from here. LOVING IT. Their price isn't half bad either.

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