I remember many years ago going to see my cousin, an Eton music scholar, play in a concert at his school. One of the teachers tipped up wearing a suit with a pair of monogrammed velvet slippers - unfortunately, for me, this sight completely eclipsed the musical experience, about which I recall nothing.
Ever since I've needed a pair of velvet slippers, but have never quite got myself organised to buy some. It now seems I was ahead of my time, as slippers are now the must-have of the season. Here is what Mr Porter has to offer, made by Stubbs and Wootton.
No longer are slippers seen as a symbol of middle age, delivered by a faithful dog to warm one's feet in front of the fire while one puffs on a comforting pipe. I would probably pass on the pirate's pair and the camouflage slippers, but I suppose they're for the (richer) hipsters among us. I'd go for the carpet slippers or the blue Prince of Wales feathers - much classier.