One loafer above all others

[Harr9882]

Quite a relevant topic for me. Firstly I’ve never owned a pair of loafers. I know that seems odd but I’ve typically bought Oxfords, split toe derbies and chukka boots and it’s only recently that I’ve become more interested due to their flexibility to go from formal to informal.
I’m off to my nieces wedding and wishing to pair some loafers with a mid grey suit. I’ve done extensive research and I’m coming down to either a Trickers Elton black tassel or a Trickers James in a lovely espresso brown. So which one will be more versatile and take me from the work place, through the wedding and into the weekend?

Elton Tassel Loafer

Elton is a new style for SS19 and is a classic tassel loafer built on our true to size 11659 last. The upper is made from high quality museum calf leather which is distinctive by its beautiful variations in dark and light patterns. Half lined and finished on our lighter weight flexi welt single...

www.trickers.com

James Penny Loafer Town Shoe

Tricker’s classic step in Penny loafer combines comfort with quiet confidence. In Espresso with Brown storm welt, leather uppers and linings for even greater refinement, channelled and stitched leather sole.

www.trickers.com

 

[Clouseau]

I wouldn’t wear « beefroll » Pennies with a suit for a wedding, nor Tassels, but it is up to you and a matter of personal preference. Each to is own anall that!

 

[Biogentic]

Edward Green Lulworth loafer
Still trying to break in to soften the leather... but now felt much better after 2 wears but the stiff leather still cuts me a little

 

[BPL Esq]

Quite a relevant topic for me. Firstly I’ve never owned a pair of loafers. I know that seems odd but I’ve typically bought Oxfords, split toe derbies and chukka boots and it’s only recently that I’ve become more interested due to their flexibility to go from formal to informal.
I’m off to my nieces wedding and wishing to pair some loafers with a mid grey suit. I’ve done extensive research and I’m coming down to either a Trickers Elton black tassel or a Trickers James in a lovely espresso brown. So which one will be more versatile and take me from the work place, through the wedding and into the weekend?

It seems like either of your possible choices would be good for your workplace to weekend purposes, but I'd wear some of those oxfords you have to your niece's wedding with the suit.

 

[Harr9882]

It seems like either of your possible choices would be good for your workplace to weekend purposes, but I'd wear some of those oxfords you have to your niece's wedding with the suit.

Good challenge, possibly I’m going to informal with this pick. Thanks.

 

[Harr9882]

I wouldn’t wear « beefroll » Pennies with a suit for a wedding, nor Tassels, but it is up to you and a matter of personal preference. Each to is own anall that!

Thanks for the feedback. What choice would you make for the wedding?

 

[Clouseau]

Thanks for the feedback. What choice would you make for the wedding?

If you want to wear loafers with your suit (why not), penny loafers without beefrolls, lot of models already seen on this thread (Alden, C&J, JM Weston, etc). Cheaper versions exist too. With a mid grey suit and for a wedding I would wear black but that’s me.

 

[mak1277]

Thanks for the feedback. What choice would you make for the wedding?

How formal is the suit? Standard, mid grey business suit, I’d probably wear oxfords. Something more fun/summery you could definitely go loafers.

 

[mak1277]

How formal is the suit? Standard, mid grey business suit, I’d probably wear oxfords. Something more fun/summery you could definitely go loafers.

But really, just wear loafers if you want. The CEO of my Fortune 500 employer wears Gucci horsebit loafers to our board meetings

 

[emptym]

It also depends on the time of day, imo. For a daytime wedding, I might wear dark burgundy loafers, but for evening, I'd prob go with black.

I agree that plain pennies would be better than tassles or beefroll. I also don't love the extra seam on the side of those Tricker James, or the heel counter, or the ridge on the heel counter. As Clouseau mentioned, something like the Alden LHS, C&J Harvard/Boston, or JM Weston 180 would better. The Aldens would be my choice, as I think they're the most versatile. C&J or JM Weston 180 would look most like the Trickers, with their higher, wider toe boxes, but they'd be much nicer imo and still versatile enough to go from suit to jeans or shorts. The EG Piccadilly or Lobb Lopez would be great too, but more formal. I wouldn't wear them w/ shorts, or even jeans or chinos if there were other options.

 

[Harr9882]

It also depends on the time of day, imo. For a daytime wedding, I might wear dark burgundy loafers, but for evening, I'd go with black.

I agree that plain pennies would be better than tassles or beefroll. I also don't love the extra seam on the side of those Tricker James, or the heel counter, or the ridge on the heel counter. As Clouseau mentioned, something like the Alden LHS, C&J Harvard/Boston, or JM Weston 180 would better. The Aldens would be my choice, as I think they're the most versatile. But C&J or JM Weston 180 would look most like the Trickers with their higher, wider toe boxes, but they'd be much nicer imo and still versatile enough to go from suit to jeans or shorts. The EG Piccadilly or Lobb Lopez would be great too, but more formal. I wouldn't wear them w/ shorts, or even jeans or chinos if there were other options.

Really appreciate your thoughts. Being a loafer novice this is very helpful.

 

[Clouseau]

Pretty cool ad

 

[barutanseijin]

What do you guys prefer - Alden LHS standard penny or the full strap version? And is everything else besides the strap similar (including vamp length and toe shape)?

I prefer the standard penny. I’m a hard size to find in the Aberdeen last. Sizing up from Van bumps me into a size range almost no retailers carry. But more than that, it’s the looks of the full strap: I just don’t like it.

 

[pasadena man]

Very informative thread. While versatility is a leitmotif here. I wanted to check on people’s views as to which brands, models, and materials pair well with denim, and which are a stretch.

My sense, from the thread (and my own experience) is the following:

-Calf usually more formal, suede casual, and the latter thus often more compatible with denim.

-Cordovan perhaps the most compatible material with denim.

-Most Alden and AE model loafers compatible with denim.

-Many C & J, some Church’s, compatible with denim.

-The next price level up seems often a stretch, maybe too sleek, for denim; EG, LOBB, AND J M Weston .

Others’ perceptions?

 

[dresden]

I don't mean to toot my own horn (well, kinda) but with Sons of Henrey we have created a very, very well balanced loafer last that has received a lot of praise, more so than any other of our lasts.

The last has been designed in cooperation with Springline, and the shoes are Goodyear welted in Spain.

On the left there is the lined Penny loafer in Dark Brown Utah calf, and on the right there is the unlined Penny loafer in Castoro suede.


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View of the toe:

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Have to agree with Sons of Henrey. Great quality and styling. I have two pairs of their loafers. Tassel suede and penny calf. Sleek enough to wear with tailored clothing. Here is a pic of each