What screams elegance and refinement while also being classically stylish and timeless? The bow, this season’s perfect accompaniment to the slipper trend currently dominating social media. Fashion mavens agree: Bows offer a feminine, tailored look that eschews the cutesy, perhaps ancillary embellishments that have been popular as accessory charms for what is a perennial best-seller in women’s fashion, the slipper. But things are taking a step back to an era when slippers were not cute or casual, but rather a statement of defined style and modernity.
The shift from playful to polished representation in women’s footwear largely comes on the heels of what some would call saccharine or twee styles that have dominated in the past. There’s nothing wrong with cute, but it has a definite time and place. The shift to bows as embellishments for slippers largely follows this trend in that bows are acceptable in a range of venues and formats, while charms or other accessories that “individualize” slippers are falling out of favor. Again, this is because consumers need something that can do double time in that it is both functional and comfortable, chic and casual. Bows help take slippers into this undefined space, thus making them a must-have, particularly for capsule collection wardrobes.
Even though bows on slippers indicate a more formal style, they are not without variety and individual potential. Let’s start with materials: bows come in satin, grosgrain, velvet, leather, and even metal. The symbolism here is that a bow is graceful, feminine, elegant, refined, and timeless. They work best on slippers that are paired with outfits that convey this overall aesthetic. You have perhaps noticed that major labels have latched on to this versatility and styling, noting that it is both restrained and yet also a statement piece.
For boutiques, the message is quite clear: bows on slippers offer yet another way to capitalize on staple sales without sacrificing fashion-forward looks. Offering a selection of bows alongside slippers gives buyers the option to embellish their slippers in a way that speaks to both occasion and individual preference while also riding current trends. Bows photograph well, are relatively timeless, offer a range of styling options, and are relatively affordable, particularly when compared to other accessories. Boutiques that have developed a reputation for stocking slippers need to take note of how bows can help them increase the attach rate for accessories and other margin-lifting items at checkout.
To help shoppers with this process, boutiques should give buyers styling ideas and how-to guides on incorporating this latest trend into their current style. This not only shows customers how they can immediately wear the product but also encourages them to “think outside of the box” when it comes to bows and accessories in general. Remember that every shopping experience at your boutique is a journey and, as a guide, you can help your guests discover new and unexpected ways to wear and enjoy the clothes they buy.