A tricky style of shoe to master, the country house shoe for any landed gentry, plenty of men get the Loafer all wrong. Providing unparalleled comfort, a timeless silhouette, the Loafer is bound to add some flair to your wardrobe.
Considered to be everyday wear for any Norwegian farmer, the Loafer style underwent a renaissance to favour 21st century fashion moguls. As you can imagine, since they have been around for almost 80 years, they are bound to go through some changes. Your everyday loafer has gone through update after update, continuously evolving with the changing times.
Unlike the holy trinity of shoes that require effort, the Loafer is a seamless fit. Often labelled as flamboyant, these lace-less beauties are anything but that. They are practical and versatile to say the least. Before you start searching for men’s loafers online, it is better you learn how to master them into your style.
A Matter of Materials
Before we dive into the categorisation of formal loafers and casual loafers, let’s take a few notes on materials. Borrowing from the holy trinity, every smart shoe is made of two materials – leather and suede.
Finished with a gleaming look, leather loafers are the perfect exclamation mark for any formal outfit. Leather loafers have the feather of durability in their hat; the longer they last the better they get. Finding a good pair of leather loafers for men is like finding the right black dress for women, rare but necessary.
Suede loafers on the other hand are seasonal fruits. They are perfect for the spring/summer seasons. They boast of a lavish look, but need heavy maintenance. Suede also sways more towards the casual side of your wardrobe.
A Swamp of Styles
The best aspect of loafers that distinguishes them from other formal shoes is the fact that they have multiple styles you can choose from.
The Penny Loafer
The penny loafer is a preppy footwear classic that is a must in everyman’s wardrobe. The penny loafer is the true personification of versatility. Although it can work well for formal looks, the penny loafer is best suited to amp up your smart-casual attire. Think varsity jackets, chinos, printed shirts, or tailored shorts.
The Tassel Loafer
The carefree cousin of the quintessential penny loafer, the tassel loafer was America’s calling for a practical yet trendy shoe. Distinguishing them from the classic penny style, the tassel adds an extra wow factor to the shoe. While dressing up tassel loafers, think Hamptons chic. Add panache to your everyday suit with a smart pair of brown tassel loafers. This adds character to your outfit, along with a boost of confidence.
The Horsebit Loafer
The blue blood among the three, the horsebit loafer is definitely the dressier of the three. Adorned with a brass strap that is in the shape of a horse’s snaffle, the horsebit loafer belongs to classy living. The distinguishing element of the horsebit loafer that sets it apart, is its refined design. It blends into your most suave suit and competes it.
How to float your boat?
When wearing loafers, picking a design that suits your personal style is one thing. However, styling this is another. Regardless of which pair of loafer shoes you pick, there are some sacred rules you have to follow.
- Always make sure that the pants you wear are cuffed at the bottom. If you have bottoms that are slouching onto your ankles, it will make you look boxy and take away the attention from the shoe and put it on your badly tailored pants. Your trousers should end right before your ankles. This will make your silhouette look sleek and bring attention to detail.
- When you wear your loafers in the chilly weather you can choose to adorn some fun, printed socks to show off. However, in the warmer months, you can choose to let your feet breathe. This does not mean that you go sockless. Instead opt for the trendy no-show socks. They sneakily fit into your loafer shape without making your feet stink.
Colour me Blue
While styling your loafers, remember this hack; whether you wear black loafers or brown, they will always look great when paired against blue. So, if you are ever in a fix, keep this in mind. Other than that, there are various other colour marriages that you should be aware of.
Brown – This classic colour will go well with every colour under the sun. From navy blue to dark green, deep shades of red to naïve colours like beige.
Black – Better suited for darker cooler colours. While styling black loafers choose shades of blue, green or grey. Black leather loafers offer a layer of sheen making it appear of superior quality.
Now that you have everything you need to know about the suave Loafer, you are ready to make your pick. Log onto your favourite shoe store and select your new favourite pair of loafers online. Make sure you keep versatility and usability in mind. Decide whether they look better with your blue suit or your dark wash jeans. You will be a loafer aficionado in no time!