Opinion on penny loafers

[MilanoStyle]

What do you think guys? Can a well dressed young man look sleek and modern with penny loafers?

 

[AlanC]

As an advocate of the penny loafer, I will say "well dressed" most certainly yes. "Sleek and modern" somewhat debatable. There are some Italian versions or even, say, Crockett & Jones that have more sleekness than the traditional Alden version. You might want to look in those directions. I have an Alden penny on my (overly long) "to get" list.

Addendum: It's interesting that you would associate the penny loafer with "old man" as it is traditionally a campus shoe for students.

 

[T4phage]

What do you think guys?  Can a well dressed young man look sleek and modern with penny loafers?

Of course, as long as it is the Weston 180 "Reference".

 

[RIDER]

not to self promote...but: R.Martegani Penny Strap well, maybe a little (if it works).

 

[johnw86]

Black penny loafers seem more up-to-date than cordovan if you're looking for a "younger" look (and mine are cordovan--oh no--I'm an old man.)

 

[mcarthur]

I am happy to see their are older men like myself on this website. Both the burgundy and black shell cordovan penny loafer made by alden is a good shoe;however, in my company penny loafers do not go with a business suit.

 

[johnw86]

I agree with Michaelw--no penny loafers with suits.

 

[MilanoStyle]

I agree with Michaelw--no penny loafers with suits.

Really? Then what sort of pants do you wear with penny loafer? I was thinking of wearing wool dress pants/suits.

 

[oscarthewild]

Loafers are for "loafing". That is, notT working. Why would you wear them to the workplace?

 

[Renault78law]

anything from wool slacks down, just not with a suit. see contra miami vice.

 

[spatten]

I think wool pants are fine with the penny loafer. Many people probably will wear chinos. I might even say a casual suit is possible - but a business or dress look should be paired with lace up. I think this is a fairly prevelant rule that probably should be obeyed - the loafer just doesn't have the presence of a lace-up.

Scott

 

[MilanoStyle]

When it comes to formality of shoes, I look at the toe style / texture of the shoes, not whether sheoes are laced or loafer.

But then I am not kind of person who like to obey 'traditional' way of doing things. When i get my penny loafer, and if it looks good with suits, I'll wear with suits.

Thanks for your opinions reguardless.

 

[drizzt3117]

are we going to start this whole tired discussion again about loafers and suits? I usually wouldn't wear penny loafers (or other loafers) with suits, but many people do, and I wouldn't really feel underdressed in doing it, I just prefer the aesthetic of laceups, perhaps I will start going the loafer route for fun.

 

[johnw86]

I don't mean to prolong this, but this thread has started me thinking. I don't wear penny loafers with a suit, but I do wear tasseled loafers and tasseled slip ons with suits. Any thoughts on that?

 

[jcusey]

Quote:

(MilanoStyle @ 22 Oct. 2004, 3:24) What do you think guys? Can a well dressed young man look sleek and modern with penny loafers?
Of course, as long as it is the Weston 180 "Reference".
Or JL Paris's Lopez or Campus or EG's Harrow or Vass's Slipper or... Lots of very nice penny loafers out there. The Martegani version that RIDER linked to is attractive, but I like the brown version better.