Friday thing(s) : travel slippers
Being bougie on a budget.
I had never been on a plane until I was in high school then didn’t fly again until my honeymoon nearly a decade later, so when I took the long trip to London in 1995, I was not yet a seasoned enough traveler to know how to do it well.1 It wasn’t until years later that I learned there were some things I could do to make flying a little more comfortable & agreeable: stretchy pants, loose top, mints & Origins Peace of Mind in my carry-on bag. And a few years after that, flat comfy slippers to change into.
Actually, the idea came to me when I got a pair of cute pompomed slippers free when I bought pajamas at Victoria’s Secret. I already had slippers I loved but still really really wanted to keep the freebies, because they were spunky. And, they were a gift, from Victoria!2 I first started packing them to wear in hotel rooms, after a particularly unpleasant experience with gritty old carpet. Then I found myself on a lengthy flight with cramped shoes and had the brainstorm that has changed my traveling life.
Last year, I finally had to retire my beloved Victoria’s Secret free pompom slippers. I’d been ignoring the fraying around the [surprisingly solid] soles for awhile, but then they started to stretch & rip and fall off my feet when I walked. I hung onto them, hoping to find another perfect gift with purchase pair but ended up settling on $6 GAP clearance slippers; they were cozy, though required me to sit and pull each one on instead of just sliding into them. Plus they didn’t have real outdoor soles, just little non-slip dots, meaning extra caution where it might be damp. After a few months I started looking for new ones. In October, I actually cheered upon discovering E-Central provided complimentary slippers in our LA hotel room.
I haven’t yet spied any other travelers swapping out their shoes for slippers on flights, but then I work very hard to not make eye contract with anyone. Hopefully someone is more inspired than bewildered by my ritual, and maybe Victoria’s Secret will start offering more practical freebies again.
Full disclosure: I still forget to pack at least one relatively significant item on every trip.
I am clearly the exact demographic for Free With Purchase.
I travel a lot these days--often over seas. I appreciated your hints--particularly the Peace of Mind lotion--love it. I am also cheap so I may take my shoes off during a flight but then I pull the socks that come in the little swag bag they give you for overseas flights. I have never thought about slippers. I may need to invest.
I have also learned to keep spares in my carry on travel bag: reading glasses, napkins or kleenex because I am messy, cough drops (those flights dry me out), chap stick and little snacks that I probably got on a previous flight but didn't eat. So that may explain why I don't eat the current snacks they provide. . .