One of my favorite things about traveling is discovering the little fashion nuances that distinguish one city from another. While I'm always paying attention to what women are wearing in fashion capitals like Paris and Milan, I've found that Madrid is particularly good at making a case for shoe trends I hadn't previously considered. Case in point? The velvet Mary Janes and Venetian-style slippers that seem to have taken over the city's streets during my visit earlier this fall.
Every time I visit Madrid, I make a point of stopping by Flabelus, the Spanish footwear brand that's helped popularize the style, to pick up a new pair. The shoes actually have roots in Italy, where traditional velvet flats, known as friulane or Venetian slippers, originated in the Friuli region before becoming a staple in Venice. Once favored by Venetian boatmen for their soft rubber soles, the slippers have since gotten a decidedly fashionable makeover.
On my most recent trip in October, I noticed I was hardly alone in my obsession. Everywhere I looked, women were wearing the pretty velvet flats, recognizable by their contrast piping and rich, jewel-toned colors. Some had delicate Mary Jane straps (sometimes two!), while others were simple slip-ons but all had that same slightly old-fashioned charm I love.
Below, shop the velvet flats I'm convinced everyone in the U.S. will be wearing this season after following European women's stylish lead.
Shop the Trend Vibi Venezia Brigitte Velvet Mary Janes celine Eve Triomphe Ballerina in Velvet Flabelus Pierre Mustard Mar Soreli Tradizionale Tiffany TOTEME Venetian Leather-Trimmed Velvet Loafers Vibi Venezia Timeless Delfina Velvet Mary Janes Flabelus Pierre Leopard Mary Jane Flats Boden Flexi Tie Mary Janes-Oxblood Flabelus Antonia Velvet Mary Jane Flats Flabelus Frances Quince Leather Slip-On in Vintage Olive Universal Thread Women's Eva Velvet Flats Celine Eve Triomphe Ballerina in Velvet Flabelus Georgina Shop More Flat Shoes for Fall COS Satin Ballet Flats Sam Edelman Alie Ballet Flat Nordstrom Maddox Ballet Flat COS Croc-Effect Leather Loafers MARGAUX The Phoebe Flats Dolce Vita Caret Flat Steve Madden Quest Penny Loafer Veronica Beard Cailey Ballet Flat Veronica Beard Narcisa Flat Mule COS Square-Toe Leather Flats Schutz Hadley Flat Dolce Vita Baxen Penny Loafer Steve Madden Sherman Mule Nordstrom Lennon Leather Loafer Beek Swallow Mary Jane Mule