Belgian Loafers?

[Eli Curt]

Love them or hate them, these seem to be a pretty polarizing style. I'm trying to see who's making them currently.

I know of Rubinacci in Italy & Belgian Shoes here in NYC that are both priced around $450. These are both pretty slipper-like from what I understand.

I found a new company Bomberos which seem to be more structured shoe than slipper, based in Texas, who has them made in Spain priced around $200-$250 - these are blake construction. I ordered a couple of these and they should be arriving soon.

I've tried Belsire in the past which were a comfortable, structured option but after a year's wear, the piping has become destroyed and I chose not to resole them.

Do you know of anybody else churning these kinds of shoes out at a solid manufacturing level?

 

[Crispyj]

Baudoin & Lange are also considered one of the best makers of Belgian loafers. I tried some on in Barney's during their closeout sale (still going on?), had a few normal sizes left, too. I didn't buy a pair because I encountered heel slippage.

 

[thatboyo]

Cannonieri and Berwick make some lower priced options.
Gentlemen's footwear also has a brand called Bow Tie shoes.

No idea on quality of the three above. Only had og belgians and baudoin & lange.

 

[stijn]

The OG Belgians are made here in Belgium in a small factory, small village.

 

[johnmichael]

Love them or hate them, these seem to be a pretty polarizing style. I'm trying to see who's making them currently.

I know of Rubinacci in Italy & Belgian Shoes here in NYC that are both priced around $450. These are both pretty slipper-like from what I understand.

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I found a new company Bomberos which seem to be more structured shoe than slipper, based in Texas, who has them made in Spain priced around $200-$250 - these are blake construction. I ordered a couple of these and they should be arriving soon.

View attachment 1319052

View attachment 1319053



I've tried Belsire in the past which were a comfortable, structured option but after a year's wear, the piping has become destroyed and I chose not to resole them.

Do you know of anybody else churning these kinds of shoes out at a solid manufacturing level?

I'm from hating group. They do stand out. However, wearing these on a regular basis would made me flip to be honest.

I do know that friend of mine has pair of Calvin Klein's loafers, but this is whole another level - being hand made and all. I'll show it to him he might have idea about these.

 

[Eli Curt]

The OG Belgians are made here in Belgium in a small factory, small village.

Do you know who makes them?

 

[emptym]

In addition to the ones mentioned above, Luxire, Santoni, and Luui make them.
The Bomberos ones look nice. I like how the vamp is longer than B&Ls. But the website says they have "wooden stacked heels." I'm sure they're leather, but when a company makes that big of a mistake about their own product, it doesn't give one a lot of confidence.

 

[Fliegerguy]

Bronze Olive Belgian Loafers

Shaped with almond toes and finished with bow tassels, these smart yet comfortable shoes are a nice complement with tailoring or jeans. Bronze olive suede leather Leather trims and linings Rubber soles Blake construction This collection includes leather and limited edition fabrics.

www.yeossal.com

I believe this is a new product. Attractive pricing

 

[Mr G from SD]

Gaziano & Girling has a version, although I believe only available through made-to-order. These in alligator were posted on their instagram a couple of months ago:

 

[tripreed]

I have a pair of the suede Belgian loafers by Velasca and have been pretty pleased. Definitely built like a shoe rather than a slipper, which is what I was interested in.

 

[Eli Curt]

I received the Bomberos. Yes, they are stacked leather heels - not wood. I spoke a bit with the proprietor, Matthew Werner. I don't get the feeling that he's a typical "menswear enthusiast", but more of a waspy golfing type. I'd be interested to hear how he decided on such a seemingly niche style, but that's neither here nor there.

The shoes are very nice. The linen ones were their V1 and the last is a bit odd. Matt tells me they're similar, except V2's last is more roomy in the toe box and the arch area, but they feel shorter to me. The linen ones have my toes pushing up against the end - I hope they break in, and Matt is telling me because of the construction method used, they should stretch and adapt to my foot more than most shoes would.

The black ones I received are pretty much perfect out of the box. Whether these contort to my foot or not doesn't matter too much to me - they're great as is.

The finish on both are pretty nice. The black ones (V2) have more of a substantial construction with visible stitching on the outsole & a little rubber pad in the middle of the leather sole, I guess for longevity, but mostly for traction it would seem. The soles are pretty slim.

I look forward to wearing them both as the weather warms up in a few months and I'll post back here with some feedback after a few months.

 

[Encore]

How about Berwick? They make a lot of belgian loafers, but not sure about the quality

 

[Phileas Fogg]

I have a pair of the suede Belgian loafers by Velasca and have been pretty pleased. Definitely built like a shoe rather than a slipper, which is what I was interested in.

Very reasonably priced too. It's good to know they're working out for you. I like the bow tie.

 

[gmehra]

Scarosso makes a few

 

[Phileas Fogg]

I have a pair of the suede Belgian loafers by Velasca and have been pretty pleased. Definitely built like a shoe rather than a slipper, which is what I was interested in.

How is the sizing? True to size?