Black loafers - what do you wear them with?

[Holdfast]

I really the look of sleek black loafers like this Barker Mahler:

Enough that I'm tempted to buy them. But I'm not sure what outfits I'd actually wear them with. I wear lace-ups with suits, and already have a range of loafers to wear with any season's casual outfits (pale brown venetians, chocolate horsebits and navy drivers, all in suede; tan pennies and dark brown tassels, both in calf). I already have a pair of black loafers too, but they're not as pretty as these, don't fit well, and have an annoying nick on the toes so I'm never sure if my disinclination to wear them stems from lack of an inspiring outfit or dislike of that particular pair. What clothes niche do you wear sleek black loafers with? Let's see if you can persuade me to spend money.

Off the top of my head, the only outfit I can think of would be one with grey odd trousers, and if that's it, there's almost always a different shoe I would prefer to wear instead. Any other ideas?

 

[JayJay]

I find black loafers hard to wear with other items. To me they are too casual for suits and the wrong color for casual wear.

 

[Holdfast]

^ yes, that's exactly my problem with them. I'm half-hoping to be proved wrong, so I can justify buying the shoes. And half-hoping to be proved right, so I can justify not buying them.

 

[coldforge]

I'll confess that I picked up a pair of black ferragamo buckle loafers from the massive shoe sale that I love, but haven't figured out how to wear them yet. Maybe I just need more light grey trousers or shorts.

 

[SpooPoker]

I have one pair of black loafers - a nubuck Gucci horsebit suede - and thats relegated only for jeans. But with a sleeker shoe like this one, I would think a POW trou, with a shirt/sweater look - no jacket or tie.

 

[gladhands]

Black loafers are for "dressier" nightspots.

 

[pvrhye]

Dark slacks, light shirt rolled up to the elbow and no socks would be my line of thought.

 

[acecow]

I have a pair that I like, but I find that I need to "force" myself to wear them once I realize I haven't put them on for a while. I usually choose white or gray pants with a shirt to go with them. I don't think I ever put them on with a suit or even an odd jacket.

 

[emptym]

I have a few black loafers. They don't get as much wear as brown ones, but I like them. My most worn are vintage Nettleton plain toe slip ons that I wear with oxford gray pants and a Filipino barong. My most versatile are unlined shell LHS's that go nicely with gray suits, navy blazer and gray pants, or a dark gray herringbone tweed SC with off-white corduroys. They also look good with blue jeans or khakis. Finally, I'll wear suede slip ons from Rider Boots with black jeans or gray flannels/covert twill.

 

[bloke11]

I have a pair of black loafers but I couldn't figure out how to wear them. So I turned them dark brown.

 

[Azzurri]

I have the same problem too. I find black loafers sit in the middle ground between formal and casual wear. I would definitely prefer to wear lace-ups if I am dressing formal. For casual, I would choose brown/burgundy over black any day. It is just so much more versatile.

 

[Prince of Paisley]

I had a pair like this. Gave them to a friend, now they're his problem.

 

[sellahi22]

Maybe slim chocolate brown, grey-brown, or grey cotton trousers.

 

[acridsheep]

Originally Posted by JayJay

I find black loafers hard to wear with other items. To me they are too casual for suits and the wrong color for casual wear.

+1

 

[HRoi]

pretty much only when i'm in shirtsleeves and gray or black dress pants