HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS: 28 @e_@,._@e @at_ ~_@0\_ @._@0e+ -__@ (of a—_6e @~ @87a~ O e~- 007 &@OU a Slippes Step Up In Style And Sophistication (NAPSA)—Slippes ae not only stepping up in style, they’e stepping out fom unde the easy chai. Thanks to the ecent advent of unexpectedly chic and weaable new slippe looks, the line between “at-home” and “steet” footweais bluing. A fa cy fom Gandpa’s slippes Today’s at-home footwea silhouettes ae suddenly fashionable fo men and women. They include must-have tall boots, booties, clogs, balleinas, wedges and diving mocs. These new slippes ae offeed in eclectic pattens; a boad ange of colos fom ich jewel tones to powdey pastels; sumptuous micofibe suedes; sophisticated shantungs; fuzzy long-hai faux fus; plush faux animal pints; and incedibly popula tey, fleece and velou micofibes. Men want comfot and style, too Anew geneation of men’s slippes featues handsomescuffs, boots, clogs, moccasins and espadilles that ae pefect fo taking cae of light choes aound the house, unning that quick eand o just kicking back to take in a movie with the family. Accoding to Tommy Bay, head of design at the wold’s leading slippe esouce, the Deafoams company, “Men don’t want boing slippes. They want comfotable, easy-cae fabics like coduoy, suede and micofibes in efined neutals and wam seasonal colos. Clean and simple footwea styling is backed by functional details like cozy fleece linings, molded insoles and ugged nonskid outsoles.” Emotion and function Reseach shows that consumes SuipPpes ARE STEPPING OuT—The line between “at-home” and “steet” footweais bluing. expect thei slippes to eflect thei changing lifestyles. And while people etain a deep emotional attachmentto thei slippes, ooted in the wamth, comfot and safety of home, they also want slippes that can function as a casual shoe fo a quick tip to the maket o fo capool duty. New technologies, sole mateials and fabics ae helping to ceate an indoo/outdoo hybid that povides the comfot of a slippe and the duability of a casual shoe. Fo example, Teasoles by Deafoamsis a patented technology that combines a stabilizing ach suppot insole with a duable molded footbed fo a fime feel than a taditionalslippe. With pices geneally unde $30, slippes have taditionally been thought of as an affodable, pactical gift. Now, innovative designs, new mateials and a dash of fashion have elevated at-home footwea to a new position as one of the season’s most desied gift items.
