One loafer above all others

[DcDrape]

If you were to only have one loafer in your collection, what would you chose?

I am currently looking to add to my loafer collection and, while perusing multiple different shoe brand threads on this site, I thought this would be a good thought experiment to see what people thought was the one loafer they would want to have in a collection.

 

[dieworkwear]

If you mean all types of loafers and something to wear with tailored clothing, then for me, it would be a black tassel loafer. Specifically, the one from Brooks Brothers made by Alden (now discontinued). Goes with suits and sport coats. Has great history and provenance. Looks chic. Can be worn with any tailored outfit where you'd wear a black silk knit tie, which is basically most tailored outfits. Great for someone who likes classic American style.

If you mean penny loafers and something to wear with tailored clothing, then Edward Green's Picadilly in dark oak. Has a beautiful shape. Not too aggressive in terms of styling, but just the right amount of sleekness for a tailored jacket. One of the best dark brown leathers on the market.

If you mean a penny loafer you can wear with casualwear, then Alden's Leisure Handsewn in suede. Can be worn with jeans or chinos. If your style leans very trad, then tailored trousers, as well.

Comes in snuff suede and #8 shell cordovan. Brooks used to sell an unlined shell version, but it's been discontinued.

If you want something to wear with more contemporary outfits, then JM Weston's 180. I like it with slim jeans and a casual topcoat.

 

[Keith Taylor]

I’d hate to limit myself to just one, but recently I’ve found myself grabbing a pair of unlined tassel loafers from Yanko (bought vintage, with the tassels removed) more than any other, because they fit like an old pair of leather gloves softened through years of wear. By comparison my next favourite pair, in suede from Zegna and almost identical to Alden’s classic LHS, look and feel positively clunky.

 

[mak1277]

If you mean all types of loafers and something to wear with tailored clothing, then for me, it would be a black tassel loafer. Specifically, the one from Brooks Brothers made by Alden (now discontinued). Goes with suits and sport coats. Has great history and provenance. Looks chic. Can be worn with any tailored outfit where you'd wear a black silk knit tie, which is basically most tailored outfits. Great for someone who likes classic American style.



View attachment 1600162



If you mean penny loafers and something to wear with tailored clothing, then Edward Green's Picadilly in dark oak. Has a beautiful shape. Not too aggressive in terms of styling, but just the right amount of sleekness for a tailored jacket. One of the best dark brown leathers on the market.


View attachment 1600159



If you mean a penny loafer you can wear with casualwear, then Alden's Leisure Handsewn in suede. Can be worn with jeans or chinos. If your style leans very trad, then tailored trousers, as well.


View attachment 1600163



Comes in snuff suede and #8 shell cordovan. Brooks used to sell an unlined shell version, but it's been discontinued.


View attachment 1600164 View attachment 1600165



If you want something to wear with more contemporary outfits, then JM Weston's 180. I like it with slim jeans and a casual topcoat.


View attachment 1600169

Peak styleforum?

"Name one single loafer you want"

"OK, here are 6"

 

[dieworkwear]

Peak styleforum?

"Name one single loafer you want"

"OK, here are 6"

"Here are 10 bespoke options that you can only get in London, and then a ready-to-wear pair that has been discontinued. Hope that helps!"

 

[Viral]

@dieworkwear all them ***** look like orthopedic joints.........I get they are well made blah blah blah but what is the appeal aesthetically?

 

[dieworkwear]

@dieworkwear all them ***** look like orthopedic joints.........I get they are well made blah blah blah but what is the appeal aesthetically?

I have fairly traditional taste in clothes, so my shoes match my other aesthetic sensibilities.

 

[RSS]

I'd pick the Brooks Brothers Alden tassel in brown. I never need a black loafer. If I'm wearing something that requires black, it's going to be a Oxford or maybe a Derby.

I think I have everything shown by Dieworkwear except the tassels are in brown as well as shell cordovan.

 

[Viral]

I have fairly traditional taste in clothes, so my shoes match my other aesthetic sensibilities.

that's interesting..........I imagine these all appealed to you after being on clothing forums? Or were these your dream loafers from day 1?

 

[dieworkwear]

that's interesting..........I imagine these all appealed to you after being on clothing forums? Or were these your dream loafers from day 1?

Are you asking if I have "forum" taste? I assume my taste conforms to some people's on this forum, and doesn't conform with others. I think my taste in shoes is somewhat in the minority now on this forum.

I bought the black tassels a few years ago after seeing a friend wearing black Alden tassels. I liked how he looked, so I purchased a pair. This is a friend who's not on the forums. We go out to dinner together when he visits San Francisco. I don't remember how I came across the EG Picadillys, but those were my go-tos for a very long time. Aldens are a pretty natural fit for me because I've always liked classic American style.

 

[Viral]

Are you asking if I have "forum" taste? I assume my taste conforms to some people's on this forum, and doesn't conform with others. I think my taste in shoes is somewhat in the minority now on this forum.

I bought the black tassels a few years ago after seeing a friend wearing black Alden tassels. I liked how he looked, so I purchased a pair. This is a friend who's not on the forums. We go out to dinner together when he visits San Francisco. I don't remember how I came across the EG Picadillys, but those were my go-tos for a very long time. Aldens are a pretty natural fit for me because I've always liked classic American style.

thx for the info - I'm always curious as to how people are influenced by groupthink and forum chatter, that's all.

 

[dieworkwear]

thx for the info - I'm always curious as to how people are influenced by groupthink and forum chatter, that's all.

You're like a scientist. ??‍????

 

[RSS]

I'm always curious as to how people are influenced by groupthink and forum chatter, that's all.

There are a few of us on here who learned to dress before there were Internet forums addressing men's style. There wasn't much of a "group think" in those days. One might pick up something from a tailor here, a cordwainer there, and those deemed to be good dressers.

Personally my style hasn't changed much since I joined Style Forum. Then again, I'm not exactly a fashionista.

 

[thatboyo]

A bit controversial but belgians.

 

[Viral]

@dieworkwear thanks but not really

@RSS I'm in the same boat.......I've been able to fine-tune my style in certain areas but I never suffered from "how do I buy XYZ garment that fits?"