ICYMI, there’s a ‘freaky shoe’ movement happening right now, and it might be time for you to jump on board. It was trend forecaster and critic Mandy Lee, AKA @oldloserinbrooklyn, who first declared the ‘freaky shoe’ its own fashion entity. If you're wondering what that is, it's basically footwear that feels unexpected or ‘odd' thanks to the designer's choice of colour, shape and/or its details. It’s a shoe that plays with proportion and breaks traditional rules of footwear. Intrigued yet? As a hybrid piece that makes you question what you’re looking at, ballet trainers or ‘sneakerinas’ are a prime example. Another one is fluffy flats. Rich in texture but showcasing a sense of soft elegance, they’re the perfect winter iteration of the freak shoe trend.
Fluffy flats can come in a variety of shapes. From sandals and mules to trainers and Mary Janes, there’s something for everyone in this fuzzy universe.
A piece that arguably kicked this trend off has since become somewhat of an urban shoe myth – the Phoebe Philo-designed Celine Twisted sandals. Originally shown as part of the French brand’s SS13 show (yes, a spring collection!), the shoes featured a fur-lined insole, offering its wearer a perverse sense of tickling as they trot around town. The shoe quickly became a celeb street style staple, finding a megafan in the likes of Miley Cyrus during her peak Bangerz era. Miley's intense love for the shoe later prompted the singer to share a story of how Kanye West bought her five pairs of the Celine sandals after seeing her iconic yet controversial VMA performance. Oh, what a time to be alive.
As it usually happens, Phoebe Philo’s designs sent the fashion world into a tailspin with many other brands taking inspiration from her boundary-pushing shoe and creating their own versions of the furry flat. Alessandro Michele’s debut at Gucci marked the beginning of the Princetown mule, a slipper-like style with a horsebit detail. Some pairs in his AW15 collection were fur-lined, but a standout piece looked like a miniature furry pet, with its long fur upper bouncing down the catwalk.
Soon after, Miu Miu created the most decadent slider of AW16 – featuring bold colours encrusted with crystals and pearls. These shoes perfectly captured the mid-2010s Millennial look of bold impracticality as one particular question echoed around the world: ‘Aren’t you just wiping the streets with your shoes?’ With this discourse, it felt like people totally forgot how the 1990s rave scene kids wore their fluffies to the club. But even just a quick trip to Camden and its fashion institution Cyberdog will make it clear that neon leg warmers and yeti boots are not just a thing of the past.
Over the past decade, there have been many examples of this trend that can serve as great inspiration. British designer Simone Rocha has become a de facto queen of the furry shoes, having first released them in SS17 and consistently creating updates with fluffy ballet flats and kitten-heeled Mary Janes.
For the furry boot lovers out there, Jacquemus has recently collaborated with Moon Boots on creating a knee-high version of the classic snow shoe. It's basically the aforementioned rave shoe, but executed with an essence of sleek French chic. Another Brit, Charles Jeffrey, made his animalistic, Loverboy twist on the furry flat in the form of animal paws and claws for AW25. And while these might have a strong appeal for all the furries out there, they can also bring a playful addition to your winter wardrobe, especially in neon pink.
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If you’re a style classicist who’s looking for a tamer take on this fab shoe, don’t worry – the opportunities are endless here, too. Prada and Miu Miu have both released their own versions of the shearling ballet flat, while Axel Arigato created a sporty, trainer version in both brown and cream. Even sportswear experts at Adidas have reimagined the Gazelle as a fuzzy, grown-out version of the classic trainer.
But whichever route you decide to go, the experience of wearing a furry shoe is all about the undeniable comfort accompanied by strong visual impact. Maybe you're having a bad day and feel like your feet could se a hug? Or perhaps you want to find a way to winter-ify your favourite summer dress? Wearing a pair of fuzzy flats is the kind of rebellious approach to seasonal style that are bound to turn every look into its own fashion moment.
So, whether you’re investing into a luxury piece or looking for a high-street option, below are 22 pairs of fluffy flats that will ensure you have a fun, warm and cuddly winter.
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