Work Slippers: A Growing Trend in Workplace Comfort

Work Slippers: A Growing Trend in Workplace Comfort

At most modern offices, professional clothes and dressy shoes are the norm for employees. Conventional wisdom says this stiff formal attire reflects the seriousness with which workers regard their jobs... but what’s the first thing a person does after getting home from a long day at the office? Answer: enthusiastically shed the restrictive clothing and all-too-often uncomfortable shoes (perhaps while shouting “freedom!” in their minds), and break out clothes that are more natural and relaxed. We all saw Mr. Rogers do this on a daily basis!

changing-heels-to-slippers

In recent years, some managers and CEOs—especially those at start-ups and trend-setting companies—have begun questioning common assumptions when it comes to “appropriate” workplace attire. What happens when comfort is emphasized over formality? Can casual, or even downright cozy options still be professional? And what are the effects on workplace stress and employee well-being when super-comfortable options, such as slippers, are encouraged at work?


Companies Embracing Work Slippers

When you walk inside the San Francisco headquarters of Rainforest QA, a tech company that offers quality testing for websites and apps, the first thing you see is a shoe rack full of slippers by the front door. Heather Doshay, VP of People at Rainforest, says every employee is given a pair of branded slippers when they start working at the company. She says she likes the statement this makes about reinventing the traditional workplace.

“If the average person spends eight hours per day at the office, it means they’re probably spending more time at work then they are at home (not counting sleep),” says Doshay. “We want every Rainforester to bring their authentic self to work, and in order to do that the environment needs to be both comfortable and inclusive.”

softstar-barefoot-office-worker
Softstar owner Tricia Salcido sets the standard by going barefoot in her office.

In this casual atmosphere—where footwear from tennis shoes to flip-flops are commonplace—about 30 percent of onsite employees at the tech company regularly wear slippers or socks at work. Doshay says employees are very positive about having the freedom to choose this option, and when potential hires come in for an interview, they always comment on the slipper rack.

“It really sets the tone for what we are about, and encourages flexible options for diverse preferences,” Doshay says. “​I think encouraging comfortable attire is one small gesture that contributes to our larger culture.” This and other initiatives, from catered lunches and onsite yoga classes to flexible work schedules, earned Rainforest a spot in Entrepreneur magazine’s “Best Company Culture” awards.

Companies in the U.S. aren’t the only ones shifting their thinking about workplace comfort. In fact, the trend of wearing slippers at the office might be even more popular in the UK and Scandinavia. The Telegraph reports that Sweden, especially, has joined what they call the “slipperati” in full force. In speaking with the paper, Swedish CEO David Brudo, who has instituted a no-shoes policy at his office place, says, “If you can have a relaxing office etiquette it can be very positive for workplace performance and how you experience stress and productivity. If you’re comfortable you’re less prone to feel stress and perform better.”


Workplace Comfort and Performance

As Brudo notes, encouraging employees to wear slippers or other comfortable items at work isn’t just about being cool or trendy. Much anecdotal evidence and some studies suggest that such steps could have an impact on how employees perform at work. Companies are taking their cue, in part, from educational research that shows how going shoeless at school can increase student learning.

soft-soled-shoes-waldorf-school
Many Waldorf and Montessori schools require soft-soled classroom shoes for students, and Softstars are a favorite!

A decade-long study by Bournemouth University in England found that schoolchildren who don’t wear shoes are likely to get better grades and even do better behavior-wise than kids who have to wear shoes. The researchers observed tens of thousands of kids over the course of the study and determined that wearing slippers instead of shoes led to better engagement by the kids, and this, in turn, led to better academic performance. Many Montessori and Waldorf schools worldwide prescribe soft-soled classroom “slipper” shoes for this very reason. It’s easy to see how this kind of relaxed, comfortable engagement could transfer to the workplace.

Read more about minimal shoes in the classroom


The Best Moccasins for Work

Here at Softstar, employees are encouraged to dress casually and we’re naturally thinking about comfy shoes already! Moccasins are especially popular among employees, and it is not uncommon to see several of us walking around in socks or bare feet, especially in summer. Softstar employee Emily says being able to wear socks, slippers or moccasins at work is important to her. “I know my employers really care about me and my comfort, and that means a lot,” she says. “Wearing socks or comfy shoes definitely affects my mood. I can’t imagine what my mood would be like if I had to wear uncomfortable formal shoes all day. I know I wouldn’t be as productive or happy.”

If you work in an office that encourages employees to don slippers or other comfy footwear, we have a few options that would work especially well.

Roo Moccasins

Our signature Roo moccasins are a longtime fan favorite, as we've been making them ever since Softstar was founded in 1985. Genuine sheepskin fleece insoles with soft leather uppers guarantee a comfortable fit to keep your feet in paradise as you work. An elastic ankle closure holds the Roo securely on your foot while allowing ample space for toes to spread. You can choose to have your Roos made with smooth full grain leather, soft Nubuck leather or buttery-soft wildharvested elk leather. You can also add your unique style by customizing these moccasins with your favorite full grain or Nubuck colors.

Softstar Roo Moccasins
Roo moccasins in a variety of leather styles and colors.

Merino Zen Moccasins

The Merino Zen is the newest addition to our moccasin family, and our first shoe made from 100% merino wool. These unbelievably lightweight moccasins feature an adjustable strap across the instep to fit as snugly or loosely as you prefer. Our merino wool is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, which requires high standards for safety in textiles.

Merino Zen Moccasins
Merino Zen moccasins, ultralight and adjustable.

Fireside Slippers

Our Fireside Slippers are feather-light and fully lined with genuine, high-quality sheepskin to envelope your entire foot in plush coziness. You can choose to wear your Firesides cuff-up or cuff-down.

Fireside Slippers
Fireside slippers, fully lined with genuine sheepskin.

Padraig Cottage Slippers

Although they are not made by Softstar, these wool slippers are elf-approved and we are proud to sell them at our shop. Padraig Cottage slippers are crocheted in British Columbia, Canada following a traditional Scottish pattern. The thick wool uppers will keep your feet warm on the chilliest of days, and they use the same sheepskin insoles as Softstar's moccasins. Available in Men's and Women's sizes.

Padraig Cottage Slippers
Padraing Cottage slippers, crocheted in British Columbia, Canada.

If your office place hasn’t yet embraced the cozy trend of work slippers, perhaps this article will convince you and your co-workers to kick your formal shoes to the curb! Otherwise, we still have many styles that give off a classy vibe but are still super comfortable and come with that barefoot feel we all love. Many customers are fans of our black Dash RunAmocs or Hawthorne Chukka boots for this kind of versatility.


1 Comment

  1. Nuboi
    I totally agree with the work slippers, as it wasnt against the rules and regulations in my work of space, these are the slippers i used to wear all the time, everyone looked at me like im crazy but i dint care.. as long as i was comfortable.
    Reply

1 Product

Leave a Reply