Charentaises (litteraly, “from Charente”, a departement and historical region in southwestern France) are slippers with a long history dating back to the 17th century. Traditionally entirely made of wool, from the felt upper to the chain stitched sole, they’re super warm, fuzzy, soft and comfortable.
Their warmth made them popular to withstand chilly winter evenings in the countryside, and their soft soles made them common with servants who needed to move silently on hardwood floors. The current form, with a tartan felt upper and made in the cousu-retourné technique, dates back to the early 20th century. Yes, they can be quite kitsch, and lost popularity in the '80s. If the kitsch appeal of slippers identical to those worn by our great-grandparents doesn’t resonate with you, there are also more modern variants, with a wider variety of graphics, materials (linen, velvet, fake fur etc.) and colors.
As I saw them as “those old-fashioned slippers worn by my grandfather”, I would have never considered them until I tried a pair at a friend’s house. They are super comfortable and warm, and they are so soft and lightweight they very quickly mold to your feet and feel like barefoot shoes. I now feel they have a “so ugly they’re cool” vibe to them, like Birkenstocks. If it hasn’t changed in a century, it’s because it already achieved perfection. And who knows, maybe some day they’ll become fashionable again.
Three real Charentaises manufacturers still exist today, who still make them by hand in the traditional way in France:
- Rondinaud, near Angoulême in the historical manufacturing region of Charente
- Fargeot, in the neighbouring departement of Dordogne
- Rivalin further away in Brittany
If you’re looking for a holiday gift idea for yourself or someone with cold feet to face the winter months, they’re amazing!
Bonus: Wikipedia article (in French
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I bought a pair of alpaca wool socks this year and let me tell you they kick the shit out of any slippers I’ve had over the last 30 years. I have feet that sweat under any condition that’s even the slightest bit warm but those socks somehow hold my feet at the perfect temp where they don’t sweat but are still cozy. Worth every damn penny. Oh also they’re grippy. I’ve tried probably 10 different pairs of slippers and always ended up having to take them on and off constantly because my feet would get too hot. Yeah, not with these. Anyway, end my shill rant.
Just a question: Why are you wearing shoes at home? I understand putting on some slippers when you go into your garden/balcony or outside to grab the mail. But inside your living room?
hardwood floor no like soft human foot
Because of wood splinters? Or do you think it is just uncomfortable to walk on? I don’t mean this in a bad way, I am just really curious to understand this.
Shoes/sandals/slippers ONLY worn inside isn’t that uncommon. In fact in Japan many hotels provide you indoor slippers
It’s good for cold floors, if you have any pets, if you have those annoying showers that always seem to get the floor wet, can give you extra grip on the floor for older adults, and makes stepping on a Lego trivial.
I personally have a pair that I use whenever I mop or clean the bathroom
I know that it is not uncommon. I just don’t understand why people are doing it. In my opinion/experience you are fine by just wearing socks (maybe thicker ones if you want it to be extra comfy).
I get the point with the wet bathroom floor. But these textile slippers would not solve the problem. They would get soaked.
cold
You are not wearing socks? Just curious.
No, they feel too tight after a while, like they slightly reduce circulation.
I actually never wore slippers until around age 30, but always running around barefoot in the winter wasn’t really all that smart in retrospect.
Do they come in funny animals?
Yes.
I love these, wish they shipped to the states!
Thanks friend for this great tip. I live for this kind of slippers
Wool and leather slippers from Denmark.
im on my second year of wearing glerups every day while at home. still love putting them on. I strongly recommend the leather outsoles
I’ve had a pair of the leather out-sole boot style ones for 5 or 6years now. I finally had to buy some (wool) insoles since I had almost worn through to the leather.
alright i’ll target 6 years then! did you consider having a leather patch stitched on the outside? just thinking that adding a soft insole wouldn’t give much added wear resistance / longevity
The leather itself was fine. The wool inner sole was what was wearing out. My toes could feel the leather where the wool had worn away. The new insoles solved that.
You are crazy. These are typical home footwear for old people. In every country where the winter exists at some scale.
I’m not crazy, you’re crazy! /s
Of course they’re not the only slippers this side of the Mediterranean, I’m just advertising some nice, locally made products with a long history in a community dedicated to nice, locally made products.
Americans often don’t own slippers at all even in cold climate they just wear socks
„Hausschuhe“, as they call them in German
