Younger Guys Wearing Penny Loafers?

[JordanH.]

I'm 20 and my "best girl" just bought me a pair of burgundy penny loafers. I love the look. It's just so "Carlton" from Fresh Prince.

 

[bluemagic]

I kind of like looking older.

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

I think they're awesome, they go great with wild socks...since they show them off well.

 

[lmaligaya]

i wear these and am 21 years old:

They are pointier in the toe and less traditional than penny or tassel loafers. However, they are often described as penny loafers or monks for reasons i am not sure of. the only drawback to these is that they are the preferred shoe of John McCain, but he is trying to be young like me. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/isabel..._b_115692.html

 

[extempore]

Originally Posted by lmaligaya

They are pointier in the toe and less traditional than penny or tassel loafers. However, they are often described as penny loafers or monks for reasons i am not sure of. the only drawback to these is that they are the preferred shoe of John McCain, but he is trying to be young like me.
'Penny' because of the strap in front (purists will say that it's still not a true penny though), 'monk' because the strap appears to have a metal buckle at one end - shoes that fasten (implying actual function) with a strap that goes across the front are known as 'monk straps'. Technically, a 'true' penny loafer should have a cutout in the middle of the strap that goes across the front (across the vamp) - that's where the penny goes, or was meant to go. Penny loafers were once commonly worn by women, with the penny (or whatever coin) storing capability so that they would never be caught out in an un-ladylike fashion - they could always use the stored coin to call for a cab or a male relation. Another variation on penny loafers are the ones that come with 'beef rolls', which are the 'rolled' and stitched bits of leather on the sides of the strap that goes across the front, like so:

Compare them to this beef-roll-less penny loafer:

 

[lmaligaya]

thanks extempore. you have taught me something today with the beef roll.

 

[Ich_Dien]

I'm in my 20's and wear suede tassled loafers. I love the look.

 

[chuckseabreeze]

Wore my "penny" loafers today (they are weejuns so they also have the "beef rolls&quot with APC jeans and no show socks. I think it makes a world of difference without the socks.

^^^^
I really like the no roll version. What is the second shoe you posted?

 

[Steven Aver]

Originally Posted by chuckseabreeze

I like many of the loafers posted a lot. I fear the price is going to be hard to swallow, lol.

Steven, what types of socks to you usually wear, and what pants are you rocking?

Usually something with a narrow (7.75in my preference) leg opening and very little break.

 

[ChicagoRon]

I love them with tan slacks and a blue shirt. It's a little trad, but it's classic. I don't feel age has anything to do with it, really.

 

[w.mj]

This summer I was sitting on a park bench on my college's green, wearing khakis, tan pennies, and a blue button down. Never gotten so many compliments for an outfit in my life. People went out of their way to say something.

I say you should go for it.

 

[irishnick]

I just turned 24 and was in a similar predicament when I wanted to buy some new shoes to wear with jeans. I work in politics and for Democratic campaigns the uniform is jeans, a nice shirt, and dressy but not too dressy shoes. I went to Nordstroms and chose the Gordon Rush 'Fitzgerald' Slip-On. I got them for about $200 which was a bit of a splurge for me, but after a couple months I am very happy with them. I think it is very easy for young men to over dress and look silly. Penny loafers, cuff links, and pocket squares can all be tricky.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2941585/...bo=6005346&P=1

 

[chuckseabreeze]

Yeah, I like my bass loafers, but I feel like making loafers my go to casual shoe, after (cough, cough) el tennis (I think that's the Spanish vocabulary I'm looking for). Thus, I'd love to find a nice pair of non beef rolled shoes, much like the AE parklands recommended earlier, to add to a rotation.

I tried on some brown blucher captoes with jeans, and while I like the look, I find it a tad too dressy for day to day wearing. Now some suede brogues or even clark's desert boots would be nice though...

 

[inquirer89]

I've seem tasseled loafers make a come back at college, but only among the "prep" crowd. I think it's a nice look.

 

[randallr]

Loafers are m go-to shoes for sure. I want more lace-ups though.