Hmm, sadly this is one of those threads that reminds me of why I visit this place much less than I used to. Velvet slippers are perfectly normal and worn by most of those with a love of the good things in life (shoes in particular of course) in this country. I suppose that, as ever, this might be one of those traditions that hasn't made it across the Atlantic, in much the same way that the well-dressed man in London dies a little when he sees a man in a suit and tassel loafers. Slippers with your own family crest or monogram on may well be considered OTT but, given that the British highstreet is full of mock velvet slippers, plains and embroidered designs most certainly are not. Wearing the slippers outside of your house is somewhat more unusual but, speaking as someone with a smoking jacket (in the proper rather than the American Heffner-style sense), wearing them in that context at home is entirely appropriate.
For the OP, 99% of slippers sold by decent retailers here or abroad are made by either Broadland as mentioned before or Bowhill and Elliott (the company that supplies the likes of Barker Black, Shipton and Heneage, WS Foster and son and New and Lingwood etc). Personally I don't think there's any difference in the quality of the manufacture of either company. Broadland will make you an odd pair (a size 9 for one foot and a 10 for the other etc) and work with bespoke lasts. However if you can get a great deal on B&E's in a retail store then they'll be exceptional too. I just got a pair of slight seconds from the B&E summer sale for £50.
https://www.bowhillandelliott.co.uk/Asp/ShowResults.asp?Type=Mens Slippers
and, as posted before,
https://www.broadlandslippers.co.uk/
The man to talk to about all slipper-related enquiries is the member here known as shoemaker. He knows more about the ins and outs of the Norwich slipper industry than just about anyone else and Norwich is to slippers what Northampton is to shoes.
Chris.
For the OP, 99% of slippers sold by decent retailers here or abroad are made by either Broadland as mentioned before or Bowhill and Elliott (the company that supplies the likes of Barker Black, Shipton and Heneage, WS Foster and son and New and Lingwood etc). Personally I don't think there's any difference in the quality of the manufacture of either company. Broadland will make you an odd pair (a size 9 for one foot and a 10 for the other etc) and work with bespoke lasts. However if you can get a great deal on B&E's in a retail store then they'll be exceptional too. I just got a pair of slight seconds from the B&E summer sale for £50.
https://www.bowhillandelliott.co.uk/Asp/ShowResults.asp?Type=Mens Slippers
and, as posted before,
https://www.broadlandslippers.co.uk/
The man to talk to about all slipper-related enquiries is the member here known as shoemaker. He knows more about the ins and outs of the Norwich slipper industry than just about anyone else and Norwich is to slippers what Northampton is to shoes.
Chris.