The humble Albert Velvet slipper, elegant homewear, alternative evening wear and increasingly popular.

The Velvet slipper is an item of clothing that has been around for some 150 years now, not the pipe and slippers grandad type slipper which comes to mind when anyone mentions the dreaded word 'slipper', but the type designed by prince Albert, specifically to be worn indoors and out, with a solid leather sole, a heel, instep and rigid structure, along with an elegant mongram these articles of footwear bridge the gap between evening formal and elegant homewear, with a generous dollop of practicality.

Although wearing them outdoors as many odd people, including Flavio briatore who wore a pair from his risible billionare collection to a wedding some years ago, since Briatore is not exactly a arbiter of style and taste, such excesses can easily be ignored.

In any case here is a selection of The very finest Albert style velvet slippers with various price points.

Albert slipper by Edward Green - £450 - Staring with the very best, Edward green produces this style, as with al velvet slippers it can be personalised with any colour or monogram of your choosing, the Edward green signature is deep green with a loin crest pictured here.  What really sets this apart is blake stiching to attach the sole inside means they can be resoled, the only pair here that have that distinction.

New and Lingwood pirate king - £199 - from Eton's venerable uniform maker, bears their unique pirate king crest and quilting inside for extra cosiness in winter.

GJ Cleverly Albert Slipper - £265 - Made on one of GJ Cleverlys original lasts, this has the ability to be extra customised if one wishes by going bespoke, at of course the cost of some £2000

Churchs Monogrammed slipper - £180 - The last offering from the traditionalist shoe makers, Churchs offering is typical of their products, it cant be resoled, cant be personalised, and offers very generic monograms on the toe, it does the job, but not well in other words.

Ralph Lauren Purple Label slipper - £450 - The first offering from designers is from Purple label, which anyone who knows will tell you means some other brand is making the items and they are branded rlpl, because they just dont have the capability at Ralph lauren to make the best quality schmutter.  Footwear is made by Edward green, what makes these stand out is the great big Polo horse logo, and the purple velvet colour.

Tom Ford Tassel Slippers - £550 - From Tom ford comes these rather ugly offerings, don't be put off by the colour its just one option from Mr Ford, they also come in plain navy and blue velvet, and thats it, not really ideal as there is tassels instead of a monogram, however they are still an albert slipper with a rigid structure and elegant shape - overpriced though as all Tom Ford items are.

SO there we have it, a nice selection of Albert slippers, bear in mind chaps, if you really want to go high end though, as with cleverlys slippers, you can always go to john Lobb and have them make you a pair Bespoke.