Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Dressed up but bare feet?

171 replies

Flowerslamp · 16/12/2025 15:47

When we visit BF's parents. I've met them a handful of times they're definitely BF's parents, not ILs iyswim. If it makes a difference, I'm middleaged, they're 70s.

On the odd occasion that I've been to their house, I've taken the lead from BF and gone reasonably smartly dressed, in the same way as we would have gone "visiting" when I was a child.

The difference is no one from my childhood had a shoes off home.

I made the right choice re what to wear, his mother was beautifully turned out, as she always is. She was wearing gold block heel shoes with her outfit, which (possibly) are only worn indoors.

BF removed his shoes at the door, so I did the same. Mother didn't say don't worry about it, as I would, so I assume shoes off are a requirement. Father was wearing smart leather slippers.

This left BF in his socks and me in tights, feeling partially dressed. Should I have taken slippers co ordinate with my outfit ?! Or is there another way.

Fwiw, they were perfectly lovely and we have a fun afternoon. It's not the biggest deal in the world, I'm just wondering what to wear on Boxing Day.

As an aside they have under floor heating, which is lovely at forst but by the end of the day I felt horribly overheated, you can't move away from it as you might a radiator and without shoes you have this direct heat on your feet all day!

OP posts:
333FionaG · 16/12/2025 15:50

We are not a shoes off household but when we visit people who are, I always take matching slippers - usually velvet ballet shoe-type footwear.

dinesaurrawr · 16/12/2025 15:51

I’m sure I saw a thread like this the other day ? Any other time I would understand taking shoes off, but feels weird if you’re in a nice dress don’t it !

Noodles1234 · 16/12/2025 18:10

We are a shoes off household and I always do when visiting, yes I take slippers if not wearing socks. Only issue is when very hot and I’m wearing flip flops. I haven’t yet worked out a suitable alternative as bear feet is a bit icky round someone else’s house.

Jade247 · 16/12/2025 18:34

We never wear shoes inside neither do any of my family… it’s not an issue just wearing tights … or take some slippers - whatever you prefer xx

Picklejuiceleak · 16/12/2025 18:37

I cannot walk around the house with nothing on my feet - I hate it. I’d just take slippers with me. Wouldn’t be leaving my outside shoes on all day, not a chance!

Alexadidzammomarryjackie · 16/12/2025 18:44

I take my shoes off in my home, although I would not expect visitors too. I would be repulsed by someone walking around my house in bare feet, but tights are fine. As pps said, take slippers. Or I'd wear trousers so I could wear socks.

vincettenoir · 16/12/2025 18:47

I would be ok with being dressed smart without shoes myself. But if you want to bring some slippers or indoor shoes.

Overthebow · 16/12/2025 18:51

Take slippers if it makes you more comfortable.

Flowerslamp · 16/12/2025 18:52

Ok, can anyone recommend comfortable but smart ballet pump slippers? My fluffy ones would be worse than nothing, I think.

OP posts:
Mumof1andacat · 16/12/2025 18:53

Buy some pretty ballet pump style slippers

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 16/12/2025 19:03

I understand that Paul McCartney had a similar upbringing to yourself, as can be clearly seen on the cover of their Long Playing record Abbey Road.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 16/12/2025 19:08

My ideal date is dressing up

Not putting on shoes

And eating at home 😄

Feels fine, take some socks for boxing day, along with some comfy clothes to change into xx

NuffSaidSam · 16/12/2025 19:10

I wouldn't assume shoes-off just because she didn't stop you, she maybe didn't want to be rude and thought you'd be more comfortable. Check with bf and go from there.

I'd just go with socks if they had underfloor heating as too warm for slippers. Or slippers if their floor was cold.

Primark might be a good call for some ballet type shoes that you could wear just for their house.

PammieDooveOrangeJoof · 16/12/2025 19:34

How about these? Only £12 from Primark.

Dressed up but bare feet?
AppleDumplingWithCustard · 16/12/2025 19:37

Noodles1234 · 16/12/2025 18:10

We are a shoes off household and I always do when visiting, yes I take slippers if not wearing socks. Only issue is when very hot and I’m wearing flip flops. I haven’t yet worked out a suitable alternative as bear feet is a bit icky round someone else’s house.

I’d hate a visitor with bear feet. Their claws would scratch my parquet. 😂🐻

StruggleFlourish · 16/12/2025 20:26

Mine is not a strictly shoes off household, but I do have a selection of slippers and light footwear at the door for my guests (which may sound weird but to be perfectly honest 95% of my guests are my family members) And when I go to visit someone else, anyone else (!) I always go with the expectation that my shoes will be removed, so I make sure that I bring with me in my purse some cute clean fun socks, and/or some smart slippers.

AquaShark · 16/12/2025 20:33

I wear slippers at home and pack my slippers when i go to my in laws.

PloddingAlong21 · 16/12/2025 20:59

Shoes off household here and also grew up in one.

just take slippers - any.

Creesla · 16/12/2025 21:05

I am really curious about the responses. Shoes off is not a thing in Ireland. Out of interest what is the opposition to adults wearing footwear indoors? Why bring slippers - couldn't you just leave a pair of comfortable loafers/ballet pumps/ light runner in your car to only wear indoors (if dusty outdoor shoes concern them?) I would feel completely weird wearing slippers of any sort during the day..

Minjou · 16/12/2025 21:48

Creesla · 16/12/2025 21:05

I am really curious about the responses. Shoes off is not a thing in Ireland. Out of interest what is the opposition to adults wearing footwear indoors? Why bring slippers - couldn't you just leave a pair of comfortable loafers/ballet pumps/ light runner in your car to only wear indoors (if dusty outdoor shoes concern them?) I would feel completely weird wearing slippers of any sort during the day..

Please don't speak for us all. I'm in Ireland and we are a shoes off house, as are many people we know here. It's definitely a thing.

Outdoor shoes have been in dirt and mud and rain and god knows what. Why would you ever want that on your rugs/carpets/floors?

If you're not comfortable in bare feet/socks/slippers, you can have indoor only shoes.

RogueFemale · 16/12/2025 21:53

@Flowerslamp The essence of good manners is making guests feel comfortable and welcome. I loathe the virtue-signalling no-shoes brigade (other than in Japan or other cultures where that is the custom).

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 16/12/2025 21:56

I'd take indoor shoes - ie shoes you have cleaned

You don't want to be barefoot or in ballet slippers if you want to wear heels

I do think if if it's a dress up do, it's v rude not to tell your guests that they are going to have to take their shoes off

Swipe left for the next trending thread