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The mule has waited a longtime for its coming out party.
The backless shoe dates back to Roman times, when it was worn by debating senators and known as a mulleus calceus, from which we derive the word “mule” today. But it was strictly reserved for indoor wear throughout most of its history, rendering it omnipresent yet invisible.
It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that mules began to step outside, thanks largely to post-war designers and the starlets they catered to. Today, the style feels particularly relevant to all genders, closing the gap between open-toe sandals and traditional footwear.
This season’s seen a bumper crop of mules, which have taken the form of everything from a riff on espadrilles by Frescobol Carioca to tassel loafer hybrids by Carmina and a slightly futuristic laser-cut version courtesy of Maison Margiela. We guarantee that there’s at least one mule that meshes with your personal style below—and perhaps a whole lot more than that.
King Kennedy Rugs Upcycled Leather-Trimmed Wool Mules
You usually walk on rugs—not in them. But King Kennedy Rugs has flipped the script with these leather-accented mules, which are made in L.A. from antique carpets.
Buy Now: $850
Vans Classic Slip-On Mules
We don’t recommend that you wear these slip-on Vans mules while attempting a kickflip, but they should be fine for pre or post-beach wear. Its cowhide suede upper is trimmed with canvas for that extra 10 percent.
See AlsoThe Best Men's Mules For Every OccassionThe 25 Best Men's Mules to Add to Your RotationWhat Are Mule Shoes: A Complete Guide | Vessi FootwearBuy Now: $55
Saks Fifth Avenue Collection Leather Loafer Mules
Featuring a sculpted almond toe and a high vamp, these Italian-made mules from Saks’ in-house line strike a decidedly formal tone. Make the most of their elevated appeal by matching to linen trousers and a silk dinner jacket—or your best pajamas.
Buy Now: $298
Smock Puglia Slip-On
Vibram outsoles indicate that Smock’s Puglia slip-on mule is meant to be a serious walker. Such an emphasis on function doesn’t mean that the designer has forgotten about form: The style’s upper is made from a velvety Italian suede.
Jil Sander x Birkenstock Men’s Berlin Suede Clog Mules
Many words have been used to describe Birkenstocks over the years, but we doubt that “sexy” was ever among them. However, that may be changing known that Jil Sander has introduced its iteration, which features soft lines and a supple suede upper.
Buy Now: $495
Frescobol Carioca Veloso Espadrilles
Frescobol Carioca’s suede espadrille is designed with a collapsible leather heel that effectively turns it into a mule. It will be at home with the maker’s terry cloth polos and drawstring shorts, or whatever you’ve pulled on to meet the delivery guy downstairs.
Buy Now: $215
Brother Vellies Greg Shoe
Made from black suede and finished with an engraved buckle, the Greg shoe from Brother Vellies could be convincingly worn by the villain in a Western movie (if villains in Western movies wore mules).
Buy Now: $395
Baudoin & Lange Sagan Stride Plain
Baudoin & Lange opted for glove suede to create its slip-on mules, which should ensure that they fit like…you know. On a more utilitarian note, a water-repellant treatment and a shock-absorbing rubber sole prep them for serious wear in even inclement weather.
Marsèll Flat Leather Slides
Who says that mules can’t be dressed up? Certainly not Marsèll, as the Milanese shoemaker has crafted a loafer-style mule that can be paired to your finest linen suit.
Buy Now: $866 $433
Hender Scheme MIP-24
Hender Scheme works with raw cowhide to create its MIP-24 mules, which are made by hand right down to the hand-nailed soles. Giving them a proper patina, however, is entirely on you.
Maison Margiela Laser Cut Leather Moccasins
2022 may not have given us jet packs—but it does feature laser-cut moccasin mules from Maison Margiela. Contrast whipstitch trim grounds their sci-fi appeal.
Buy Now: $560
Brooks Brothers Nappa Backless Slippers
In a move that may have shocked your grandfather, even Brooks Brothers has jumped aboard the mule train. Its contribution is a simple, English-made slipper crafted with a soft nappa leather upper and a suede sole.
Buy Now: $866 $178
Manebi Suede Traveler Loafer Mules
“What if we made an espadrille that was also a loafer that was also a mule?” is how we imagine this style was pitched at Manebi HQ. However it was proposed, the Traveler Loafer Mule made the cut and is built from soft suede with a microfiber lining.
Carmina Mules Shoes 80891
Upon losing his re-election bid in 1992, George H.W. Bush blamed “every trial lawyer who ever wore a tasseled loafer” for supporting his opponent. We’re not sure what the elder Bush would have made of these tassel loafer mules from Carmina, but we think they deserve a place in your late-summer rotation, regardless of your voting preferences.
Del Toro Men’s House Slipper
Sure “house slipper” is right there in the name, but these Del Toro mules are made from a nappa leather so fine that we dare you keep them inside. If venturing out, we envision them being worn with ecru jeans, a black tee and a lightweight navy blazer.
Buy Now: $225
Authors
Eric Twardzik
Eric Twardzik is a Boston-based freelance writer with a passion for classic menswear and classic co*cktails. He has a deep reverence for things that get better with age, such as tweed jackets and…
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