Putting Toronto slipper company Mave & Chez to the work-from-home test

Somewhere along my work-from-home journey, I went from wearing everyday casual outfits at my desk to dressing like a bit of a slob. While it may be a harmless habit, I feel more professional when I look more professional. But why should that mean sacrificing comfort?

Mave & Chez is a Toronto slipper company that's offering the best of both worlds. These aren't your grandma's slippers. Mave & Chez sells luxury ergonomic house shoes designed to support your health and elevate your style.

They’re effortlessly chic and podiatrist-approved, but are they work-from-home approved? It’s time for me to find out.

How Mave & Chez came to be

If the name sounds familiar, you might recognize Mave & Chez from Dragon's Den, where founders Dani and Victoria were able to secure a deal from two Dragons and cement their legacy.

Before that, the pair were competitive dancers and athletes. During the pandemic, they took their journey as friends to the next level by becoming business partners, launching Mave & Chez to help women build confidence to live bolder, healthier lives. 

Caring for feet shouldn’t stop when you leave the gym or studio, and while slippers are a popular work-from-home option, they don’t have the support needed for all-day wear.

And so, I put my regular old slippers back in the closet in favour of trying out a pair of MAVES.

Me and my MAVES

MAVES come in two main styles – classic loafers and backless mules, and each style can come with or without a tassel. They come in classic colours like black, navy, and sand, and also fun options like speckled cow, champagne, and leopard pony.

Since it was my first pair of MAVES, I kept things simple yet sophisticated, opting for the Maya Backless Mule in Black Velvet.

The first thing I noticed upon slipping them on was the level of support, which is, of course, one of the main selling features, but I was impressed nonetheless. I have pretty low arches, which my MAVES accommodate quite nicely. They’re designed by podiatrists to contour to your unique foot shape, so I can only imagine they'll become even more comfortable as time goes on.

My MAVES kept my feet warm, but not too warm, which is important when it's summer and you have no air conditioning. Turns out this is by design as well; MAVES are made with 100 percent moisture-wicking genuine shearling, and removable insoles mean keeping them clean is a breeze.

Working from home or the office

Comfy and cute is all I need in a work-from-home-approved shoe, but I couldn’t help but think just how great MAVES would also be for someone who works from an office, as long as the dress code allows.

The top-grade soles mean you can wear them indoors and outdoors, and the sophisticated design doesn’t scream "I’m wearing slippers at the office." Except, you totally are. Now that's a game-changer.

New styles coming soon

Speaking of game-changers, Mave & Chez is coming out with some new styles that you’ll want to keep on your radar. One is a slipper and robe set in collaboration with Michele Romanow. The floral pattern is adorable, and the lightweight, all-day wear makes the slipper an ideal option for summer.

Then, in the fall, the newest loafer called The Catherine will make its debut. This design is the result of community feedback. Customers wanted a gorgeous loafer that acts as a secret slipper, equal parts perfect for home lounging, office days, and evenings out. It's the same comfortable support in a super stealthy design.

Whether you're working from home, juggling mom tasks, or going from one thing to another, comfort and style don't have to be mutually exclusive.

Visit the Mave & Chez website to shop all of the available loafers and mules, and find the perfect MAVE for you!