Sartorially Inclined: Del Toro

In a perfect word, if you've got the cojones to wear Prince Albert slippers there should be nothing standing in your way. Unfortunately that's not always the case. Bespoke versions can cost upwards of $600 and even brands like Stubbs & Wootton, who have made the shoe style more accessible in recent years, still charge around $400. Thankfully, Del Toro Shoes has taken matters into their own hands. Alleviating price barriers has always been Del Toro's M.O. When its founders were attending boarding school they decided against paying the exorbitant fee for their school's own embroidered slippers and decided it was time they make their own. Del Toro's slippers are made outside of Madrid, Spain and come in a variety of takes on the iconic Prince Albert style. Unlike most formal slippers on the market these come fully lined in leather lending themselves to everyday wear if you were so inclined to do just that. And that's really what Del Toro is pushing. They've raised the vamp on their slipper and tweaked it to make their offerings much more analogous to a loafer than anything else - just remember to order up a half size. This attention to detail enables Del Toro's shoes to transition much more easily into your wardrobe.

I recently got my hands on a Lapo-esque sample of linen slippers from Del Toro and was immediately surprised just how damn comfortable they really are. The construction was extremely solid despite the almost weightless quality of the slippers. While red linen probably isn't the best choice for this time of year, Del Toro offers a classic model in velvet that is a much better bet for F/W. In fact, when it comes to slippers I'm thinking the more subdued, the better. The last thing you want to do is draw even more attention to your feet. Whether for around the house knockabouts, formal occasions or everyday wear, Del Toro shoes have truly opened up a whole new market for formal slippers and that's really the most impressive thing. Nobility not included with purchase.