The Gentleman's Guide To Loafer Shoes

The Complete Guide To Men’s Loafers

TABLE OF CONTENTS

01.

02.

03.

Introduction

What Are Loafers?

History Of Loafers

04.

05.

06.

Material To Choose

Characteristics

Loafer vs Moccasins

07.

08.

09.

Key Styles Of Loafers

Loafer Color Choices

Final Words

Introduction

Every man should have a minimum of one pair of loafers. Unlike the three holy shoe styles i.e. brogues, Derbies and Oxfords – all classic, but quite similar – loafers are often referred to as flamboyantly ‘dandy’ and straddles the 2 worlds of casual and formal styles, making it quite unique shoe style.

What Are Loafers?

The loafer is a classic slip-on shoe style that doesn't feature any fastenings or laces. Being laceless, they’re practical and offer plenty of options – from traditional penny loafers to luxuriously finished horse-bit loafers – there’s a shoe style for every gentleman out there. Loafers are typically made of suede or leather and shaped like moccasins with a flat heel.

Although starting as casual shoes, loafers have grown to adapt to any sort of fashion be it casual, smart, outdoor, officewear, etc – you name it, there’s a loafer style for the occasion.

HISTORY OF LOAFERS While it's relatively difficult to track down the definitive origin of the loafer compared to other styles of shoes and boots, its evolution remains quite interesting. The leather loafer has been an essential menswear staple since its invention in Norway in 1930. Its brief history goes something like this: Early 1930 Nils Gregoriusson Tveranger introduced a new design called the ‘Aurland moccasin’ (later renamed to ‘Aurland shoe’) in Norway.

Late 1930 The Spaulding family in New Hampshire started making shoes based on Tveranger’s design and called them ‘loafers.’

1934 G.H. Bass started making loafers under the name ‘Weejuns’ (as in, Nor-wegians).

1950 Loafers become a significant part of the men’s casual shoe collection.

Material Matters: Leather Or Suede?

Like other smart shoe styles, loafers are generally made using one of two materials: leather or suede, which both have their own pros and cons.

With their sleek and gleaming finish, leather loafers make the perfect ingredient for smarter looks, whether that’s a full suit or casual tailored separates. Leather Loafers are significantly sturdier than those crafted from suede and they also wear well over the years, developing a unique patina in the process.

Suede loafers, contrarily, should be exclusively reserved for the spring-summer months. Suede loafers should be protected from excessive moisture at all costs because of their luxurious but delicate finish.

Characteristics of a Loafer Loafers now have a vast range of formality from casual to dapper. Each of the different loafer styles is discussed in detail in the next slides. Some of the defining characteristics of loafer shoes are: ● ● ● ● ● ●

A loafer has no laces; in other words, it’s a slip-on shoe.

The loafer is a “low shoe,” which means the ankle is exposed, and the shoe does not wrap closely around it.

The sole of a loafer is separate from its upper.

Loafers often feature heels with a comparatively low profile.

The upper vamp has a moccasin-like construction.

Loafers sometimes feature a piece of leather across the vamp, known as a saddle.

Difference Between Loafers And Moccasins While to the majority loafers and moccasins look pretty much identical, they're quite different styles.

Major differences between Moccasin and Loafers are: ● ● ●

●

All loafers have a separate sole; which is not the case for the majority of moccasins.

While loafers have a defined heel, moccasins do not.

Unlike moccasins, loafers do not feature beading, embroidery or other ornamentation on the uppers.

The last difference is that these shoes evolved into two different and distinct kinds of footwear.

One important fact to note is that loafers and moccasins developed on separate continents.

Key Styles Of Loafer The loafer has faced update after update, evolving continuously with the changing times. Mentioned below are some loafer styles you'll encounter in your search for the perfect loafer: ● ● ● ●

Penny Loafers Tassel Loafers Horse-Bit Loafers Belgian Loafers

The Penny Loafer:

One of the most traditional loafer styles, the penny loafer is a stylish men's shoe staple. Undoubtedly smart, the penny loafer is a classy footwear that still takes pride of place on shoe racks today, almost a century on from its invention. The name "penny loafer" was first coined in the 50’s when it enjoyed huge popularity with prep students.

With a strap called saddle across the top for decoration that young American students used to keep a dime in, it’s pretty clear where the term Penny loafer was derived from. Penny loafer is quite versatile and multifaceted, making it an excellent purchase.

Styling Penny Loafer: “The beauty of a penny loafer is its versatility; this shoe style can be dressed up or down easily and works with most outfits,” says Gilad Yogev, former creative director of G.H. Bass & Co. Penny loafer works for smarter attire like summer suiting, but they are best used to add polish to casual looks. Think a varsity jacket, T-shirt and chinos, or an Oxford shirt, jumper and tailored shorts.

The Tassel Loafer:

Tassel loafers are referred to as the most casual of loafers. Dating back to around the 1950's tassel loafer is a close cousin to the Belgian loafer in design and fall just below Belgian loafer on the formality scale.

Tassel loafers feature dangling leather or suede tassels which decorate the top vamp of the loafer. Clean, sophisticated and simple with the playfulness of a single tassel on each shoe, this one is ideal for your wardrobe.

Styling Tassel Loafer: Tasselled loafers are the perfect men’s shoe choice to pair with chinos and a blazer. Perfect alongside a pair of slim chinos or paired with a well-fitted cotton suit, tassel loafers work well with shades of brown, beige, navy and khaki.

While the tassel loafer is usually made of leather, suede is also an excellent choice. Suede loafers will also allow you greater freedom when it comes to adapting your tassel loafer to different dress codes.

The Horse-Bit Loafer:

Equipped with brass or metal piece in the shape of a horse’s snaffle, no surprise why it's known as a horse-bit loafer. Invented and popularized by Gucci in the 1960s, it's widely called a “Gucci loafer” The defining piece on these leather shoes is the gleaming snaffle or metal bar that looks like a horse's bit, running horizontally across the vamp.

Styling Horse-Bit Loafer: The horse-bit loafer in black leather or suede presents a fine option for suits, however, they are not technically appropriate for black or white-tie affairs.

Combining elegance with ease in a way that no other shoe really does, the horse-bit doesn’t look out of place with a formal suit but completes it instead.

The Belgian Loafer:

Belgian loafers are soft-soled slip-on, elegant loafers known for a small bow on the top of the vamp. They were invented in the 1950s

by Henri Bendel, whose family store also brought Chanel, Dior and Balenciaga shoes to the U.S. Originally produced as a slipper for indoor use, these soft-soled shoes for men are made using a 300-year-old meticulous turned method. The shoes are sewn inside-out and flipped once they are completed.

Styling Belgian Loafer: Belgian loafer falls under the casual formality similar to the Penny Loafer. Though really comfortable, Belgian loafers are basically slippers, and extended use can cause them to break down too quickly.

Belgian Loafer offers many choices in color, pattern and material that it is quite easy to find a pair for almost any occasion whether you want to wear them at a cocktail party, the office, at a restaurant, the theatre or at home — as long as it doesn’t involve an excessive amount of pavement pounding.

Loafer Color Choices: The wide variety of style options and range of colors available can make the process of choosing a pair of loafers slightly tricky. Unless you're trying to make a fashion statement, stick with conservative colors – brown, navy, black and grey. These color options are the most versatile and will match most outfit combinations. The traditional color for dress loafers is black in Hi-shine finish. Brown and Tan loafers are, however, more versatile than black.

Final Words: If you are on your feet a lot during the day, a combination of quality and comfort is essential for your footwear. Shoes are no place to skimp on quality.

Loafers have practically taken the shoe industry by storm in recent times because men all over the world appreciate the convenience and comfort they offer.

If you don’t own a pair of Loafers already, it’s about time you make some room for them in your wardrobe.

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