The real crime is how daft they look
AS A Girl About Town, I am always keeping an eye on the latest trends and I first spotted the furry Gucci loafers months ago at celebrity hotspot the Chiltern Firehouse, where Hollywood stars hang out when they are in London.
But recently I have noticed them popping up everywhere, with some people in the capital even wearing them on the Tube.
Indeed, they’re so popular that they are becoming increasingly hard to find in shops. However, using my impeccable connections, I made sure I got my hands on one of the last (copycat) pairs going, and went for a trot around London in them.
I first took them to a celebrity-filled gallery party where one or two people asked me: ‘Are those the Gucci Princetowns?’
I had to admit I was sporting the fake version – which come minus the telltale metal ‘snaffle’ across the front and luxurious tufts of kangaroo fur, so they didn’t quite cut the mustard in that kind of company. Their next outing was at a friend’s dinner party in trendy East London, where I was sure my footwear would go down a treat.
But my friends looked aghast, asking why I had turned up wearing bedroom slippers. My black leather backless shoes were ‘the new cool thing’, I replied. Cue howls of laughter. Ditching my so-called friends, I went for a walk around the famous Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, where everyone really is well-heeled.
Near Kensington Palace, I earned a couple of compliments at a French cafe which is so smart that even its waiters are famous (the Beckhams’ son Brooklyn has a Saturday job there).
But as I left, a local builder clocked my footwear – and he too had a good chuckle at my expense. So I gave up.
Though at times I felt rather foolish wearing these slipper-like loafers outdoors, I have to say that my feet were jolly comfortable, which was the best thing about them.
Sinking my feet into thick fur was delightful for my poor old toes – which are usually plunged into painful pointy stilettos every day.
Because the loafers are so fashionable that I remain tempted to wear them out in the evening.
But as winter draws in – and though my toes might thank me for the toasty warm fur – I am concerned my ankles will start to feel the cold. And it goes without saying that these backless loafers are no good in the rain.
The LA-based stars may keep wearing them, but I suspect this trend has a short shelf life in the UK.
My ultra-chic leather loafers now live where they really should stay – by the fireplace.