Velvet Flats: The Party Shoe You Can Walk Home In
Velvet Flats: The Party Shoe You Can Walk Home In
The short answer: velvet flats give you the richness of an evening shoe with the comfort of a slipper, so they work for parties, long dinners and the office in winter. Choose a soft construction, a cushioned insole and a small heel for stability, and wear them with tailoring, velvet dresses and cropped jeans. The pair we keep reaching for is the Khaite Jane Flat in Black Velvet, made in Italy with sacchetto construction. Shop the full designer shoes edit and every Khaite piece at Coveti.
Velvet slippers started as smoking slippers, the indoor shoe of 19th century country houses. Today they are the answer to the question every December raises: what do I wear to a party I want to enjoy? Khaite is the New York label Catherine Holstein founded in 2016. It won the CFDA American Womenswear Designer of the Year award in 2022 and again in 2023, and it is known for reworked wardrobe essentials: cashmere knitwear, denim, leather and a very particular kind of evening dress.
What makes a good velvet flat
| Feature | Why it matters | On the Khaite Jane |
|---|---|---|
| Sacchetto construction | Stitched like a bag, so it bends with the foot | Yes |
| Cushioned insole | All-evening comfort | Flexible and cushioned |
| A hint of heel | Stability, protects the sole | Yes |
| Detail | Lifts a plain shoe | Gold staple at the vamp |
How to wear velvet flats
- Parties: with a velvet dress and sheer tights, one texture in two weights.
- Dinners: with a wide trouser and a cashmere knit.
- Work: with a cropped tailored trouser and a long coat.
- Weekends: with a straight jean and a chunky sweater.
Our picks
1. Jane Flat in Black Velvet
Luminous velvet, a rounded vamp with the gold staple and the hint of a heel. Start here if you buy one pair.
2. Jane Flat in Midnight Velvet
The same shoe in a deep navy that looks black by night and blue by day.
3. Jane Flat in Black Multi
Embroidered with flowers on black, for those who want a party shoe that is clearly a party shoe.
4. Julie Loafer in Black Patent Leather
This one is patent leather, built on the same slipper idea: a glossy babouche upper made with the sacchetto technique.
What to wear with them
Try the Valetta Dress in Black Velvet for dinner and the Clover Pant in Charcoal with the Juniper Sweater in Midnight Navy for work. Read on with black velvet dresses, and if you would rather a heel, pointed-toe pumps.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear velvet flats in the rain?
Avoid it. Water marks velvet and flattens the pile. Keep them for dry days and indoor evenings.
How do you clean velvet shoes?
Brush them gently with a soft brush in the direction of the pile, steam lightly to lift it, and take stains to a specialist.
Are velvet flats appropriate for a wedding?
For a winter wedding, yes, especially in black and midnight with a long dress.
Do Khaite flats run true to size?
Khaite sizes its flats in Italian (EU) sizes and Coveti lists whole sizes. Check the fit note on each product page.
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