Dries Van Noten Drops Padded Nylon Backless Mules for FW21

Belgian designer and legendary Antwerp Six member Dries Van Noten knows how to produce garments that are both outlandish but subtle, often achieved by combining traditional designs with contemporary or colorful applications, and the designer’s just-dropped backless mules are no exception.

Made from padded nylon and finished in khaki, the loafers feel like a slight transition from the Dries that we’ve seen as of late. From Len Lye’s psychedelic prints to the art-filled flagship store, these loafers don’t feel very on-brand. However, they do fall within the Fall/Winter 2021 collection, which was a collection that subverted traditional tailoring with a heavy presence of slouchy cuts and billowing fabrics.

With this in mind, the loafers make sense. A traditional silhouette is worked in khaki padded nylon, while tonal stitching helps to puff up the padding and make the shoes look more technical and modern. Paired with a black Vibram Gumlite sole unit, and a matching black insole, and the shoe isn’t just perfect for FW21, but for taking you around in comfort inside or out.

Dries Van Noten’s padded nylon mule can be bought from retailers such as Très Bien now for $830 USD. Take a closer look at the pair above.

For more cozy footwear, the YZY KNIT RNR in “Sulphur” is dropping very soon.