Opinion on penny loafers

[Dan G]

I'm 23 and I dig penny loafers quite a bit. I have a brown pair of C&J Scotch-grain loafers that are quite casual, but I also have a black pair of Grensons that are very dressy. I would wear the Grensons with a suit.

 

[kidkim2]

Flusser's marvelous book--no need to read it, just look at the pix--has several remarkable pictures of penny loafers: Jimmy Stewart in chinos (p. 203); Humphrey Bogart in slacks (p. 180); and a Laurence Fellows frat rat in the best looking casual color-and-pattern-mixed ensemble ever seen (p. 134).

BTW, not to stir up mouldering threads, but on p. 267 there's an absolutely unforgettable snap of Jackie and her dacadent Pop, in silk suit, loafers--and tee shirt.

 

[acridsheep]

Thread resurrection time, though, with the time elapsed since the last post, I think this qualifies as more of a rapture than a resurrection. Anyway, I'm thinking about harkening back to my youth spent in New England and picking up a pair of Penny Loafers. I would wear them casually, and exclusively without socks for summer fits. Any SFers do this?

 

[Master Squirrel]

Both penny and tassel loafers.

Use Indian-head pennies if you are nerdy like me.

 

[The Louche]

I love penny loafers. I have two pairs and wear them with all sorts of outfits, but never a suit. I wear them most often in the summer, with shorts (never socks). I also wear them for casual Friday pretty often. Casual Friday for me is a blazer or sportcoat and odd wool trousers. Sometimes in the summer I can get away with wearing chinos and a blazer on Fridays. I particularly love wearing pennies with that outfit.

 

[MBreinin]

I need some shell Pennies.

Mike

 

[Simplicio]

Thanks for resurrecting the thread. I had just recently been thinking about some penny loafers for the summer. But it is hard to know which to get. My impression is that this fairly simple design ranges over different levels of dressiness. I too would want something to wear casually, with chinos or jeans, and sockless (or no-show socks). The two I've been looking are these (in brown):

http://www.theshoemart.com/alden-men..._calfskin.html

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatP...lor=Black#null

I like the overall look of the Brooks Bros. better (but not the price). But the Alden has the advantage of the flex welt sole, which I think makes it more comfortable and more casual. Opinions?

 

[aphextwin07]

too formal for warm-weather months imo. drivers on the other hand...

 

[Cuttingboard]

My two rules regarding penny loafers:

1. Do not wear with suits; and
2. No tassels on penny loafers.

 

[Cuttingboard]

Originally Posted by aphextwin07

too formal for warm-weather months imo. drivers on the other hand...
Yes, too formal for shorts but not for the office!! For the office, I wear a nice tropical wool or linen/cotton pant, dress shirt and some type of loafer or lace up.

 

[porcelain monkey]

Originally Posted by Simplicio

Thanks for resurrecting the thread. I had just recently been thinking about some penny loafers for the summer. But it is hard to know which to get. My impression is that this fairly simple design ranges over different levels of dressiness. I too would want something to wear casually, with chinos or jeans, and sockless (or no-show socks). The two I've been looking are these (in brown): http://www.theshoemart.com/alden-men..._calfskin.html http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatP...lor=Black#null I like the overall look of the Brooks Bros. better (but not the price). But the Alden has the advantage of the flex welt sole, which I think makes it more comfortable and more casual. Opinions?
Those BB will go on sale at some point soon. As for the broader discussion, I think if I had to have only one shoe it might be a penny loafer. I'd wear them with everything from shorts to a suit. The thing is I don't have to have only one shoe, so I tend to wear mocs or boat shoes with shorts and lace ups with a suit. My penny loafers are reserved for in between outfits - khakis, odd jackets, even jeans. My personal favorite are the unlined shell Aldens (mine are via Brooks Brothers) in #8. I am wearing them right now, so what the heck, here is a picture. Boy I love my iPhone.

 

[UrbanAesthetics]

Of course! Penny Loafers are one of those items that separate the Men from the boys. I'm only 19 and own an extensive shoe collection with 2 pairs of Penny Loafers. I recommend investing in the classic Bass Weejun Penny Loafer. It's practically a must-have....
http://urbanaesthetics.tumblr.com/

 

[stant62]

The Bass Gilman is a better alternative if you're sticking with Bass.

Originally Posted by UrbanAesthetics

Of course! Penny Loafers are one of those items that separate the Men from the boys. I'm only 19 and own an extensive shoe collection with 2 pairs of Penny Loafers. I recommend investing in the classic Bass Weejun Penny Loafer. It's practically a must-have....
http://urbanaesthetics.tumblr.com/

 

[jrd617]

Originally Posted by porcelain monkey

I am wearing them right now, so what the heck, here is a picture. Boy I love my iPhone.

Those look painful. Looks like you have high arched feet like me.

Do they cut up the top of your foot?

 

[cbbuff]

I an not a fan of the loafer in general, penny or otherwise. I have two loafers that I almost never wear.