Shopping For: Sherpa Shoes
Alison Pegg
Four inches of snow is currently on the ground where I live.
Four inches of water-based fluff, that when mixed with the softness of sherpa fabric - on a shoe - would guarantee a disastrous result.
Sherpa shoes might be highly impractical, but aren’t we sometimes willing to risk a fashion disaster for a little bit of fun?
Behold the power this teddy-bear fabric that wraps you warmth. No longer relegated just to coats - sherpa shoes have been popping up at retailers everywhere, continuing the cozy-craze launched by the pandemic. These shoes are brimming with texture and warmth, create visual interest, all while wrapping your feet in a cozy hug.
Sneakers
Rag & Bone’s retro kicks are what started my descent into sherpa shoes. Even without the sherpa fabric, their classic lines, speckled sole, and muted 70s colourway fit perfectly into my neutral wardrobe. But the addition of sherpa is a chef’s kiss of texture that put these over the top.
Slides & Mules
Lets be honest, I should probably just rename this the Birk’s section. If Rag & Bone’s beige sneakers started my descent into the cozy craze, Birkenstock’s teddy versions all but assured my crash landing to sherpa-land. These just look SO WARM. When I finally spotted them in person at my local Nordstrom, it was instant love. It’s hard to justify a winter sandal, especially in climate, so for now I’ll just keep drooling every time I set my eyes on them.
Loafers & Flats
Of the three styles I’m shopping for, sherpa loafers and flats are the trickiest to pull off fashion-wise. The placement of the sherpa fabric makes all the difference. That’s what makes these sherpa Mary Janes so special. An of-the-moment shape paired with an of-the-moment fabric make these textured, minimal classics irresistible.
