After two weeks in Italy, I'm convinced I must adopt the shoe trend that every stylish woman in Milan and Rome was sporting.

After two weeks in Italy, I'm convinced I must adopt the shoe trend that every stylish woman in Milan and Rome was sporting.

      I’ve just returned from a two-week summer vacation in Italy, a destination that those in the fashion industry, like myself, often look to for style insights. While this trip was planned as a chance to recharge before one of our busiest seasons—fall, which brings fashion week, Black Friday, holiday preparations, and much more—I also needed a boost of creative energy. As a result, I spent a lot of the trip observing people, whether it was enjoying a pre-dinner aperitivo in one of Rome's many plazas or strolling through Milan from one store to another. I truly enjoy seeing how people dress in their everyday lives in different locations, and in Italy—especially in the two cities mentioned—everyone stylish seemed to be sporting one particular shoe trend: Venetian slippers. Having witnessed so many people rocking them, I’m now certain that I need a pair as well.

      Women all over Italy opted for Venetian slippers, which are famously associated with gondoliers from Venice, over other types of footwear, including ballet flats, loafers, and various styles of heels. I noticed these slippers being worn with jeans and T-shirts, dresses, and skirts paired with tank tops and sweaters. The signature velvet material of these shoes came in an array of bright and subdued colors, such as jade green, navy, and burgundy. I spotted pairs in gold, red, and even orange, all of which appeared to be effortless, distinctive, and comfortable (especially when compared to the often uncomfortable shoes I wore throughout my trip, which isn’t surprising).

      After seeing them for the fifth time on my first day in Rome alone, I realized what I needed to do as soon as I got home: purchase a pair of Venetian slippers to wear this fall and beyond. Who's next? Keep scrolling to shop some of the best options available—brands like Scarosso, Flabelus, and Vibi Venezia are among my top recommendations.

      SCAROSSO

      Valentina Loafers

      Vibi Venezia

      Mary Jane Satin Velvet Flats

      Birdies

      The Heron Loafers

      MANGO

      Velour Slippers With Piping

      Flabelus

      Lucrecia Mary Jane Flat

      Vibi Venezia

      Velvet Mary Jane Ballerina Flats

After two weeks in Italy, I'm convinced I must adopt the shoe trend that every stylish woman in Milan and Rome was sporting. After two weeks in Italy, I'm convinced I must adopt the shoe trend that every stylish woman in Milan and Rome was sporting. After two weeks in Italy, I'm convinced I must adopt the shoe trend that every stylish woman in Milan and Rome was sporting. After two weeks in Italy, I'm convinced I must adopt the shoe trend that every stylish woman in Milan and Rome was sporting. After two weeks in Italy, I'm convinced I must adopt the shoe trend that every stylish woman in Milan and Rome was sporting. After two weeks in Italy, I'm convinced I must adopt the shoe trend that every stylish woman in Milan and Rome was sporting. After two weeks in Italy, I'm convinced I must adopt the shoe trend that every stylish woman in Milan and Rome was sporting. After two weeks in Italy, I'm convinced I must adopt the shoe trend that every stylish woman in Milan and Rome was sporting. After two weeks in Italy, I'm convinced I must adopt the shoe trend that every stylish woman in Milan and Rome was sporting. After two weeks in Italy, I'm convinced I must adopt the shoe trend that every stylish woman in Milan and Rome was sporting.

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After two weeks in Italy, I'm convinced I must adopt the shoe trend that every stylish woman in Milan and Rome was sporting.

Forget about ballet flats.