What makes a great pair of loafers?

For me, a good pair of loafers comes down completely to the quality of the leather. C&J loafers are very light and soft, which mean they are extremely comfortable.

I agree. If I could afford it, I'd get Lobb penny loafers; their leathers are fantastic. Church's are pretty nice too.

Originally Posted by mrbig

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1. They're usually quick and easy
2. They look good with anything from a suit to jeans and a Belstaff
3. Michael Jackson wore them. 'Nuff Said.

However; where can one buy Bass-esque loafers that aren't Corrected Grain?

I have a Polo version that I got cheap on ebay. Not sure if they have them every season.

Originally Posted by howardu09

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Your opinion should really be the most important when it comes to how you spend your $$$
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson

Originally Posted by IndianaGeo

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I recently bought a pair of Church's Darwin loafers.
I might have to get a pair of those just because I like the name so much.

Originally Posted by cptjeff

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The english don't know how to make penny loafers, those are way too pretentious.
I'm sorry to hear you say that. I find myself staring longingly at the Mertons. In fact, I drooled just a little.

Originally Posted by bringusingoodale

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This thread just reinforces my belief: seen one loafer, seen them all.
I agree with you for the most part. The differences are indeed subtle -- perhaps even unnoticeable -- except to SF members and other connoisseurs of fine footwear.

What I've learned so far from this thread is that the feature I dislike most about the the iconic American penny loafer is its rounded toe, which I think would look silly and truncating on a man of my tall, slim build. That's probably why I'm drawn to the Mertons (above) and to the pair of Boss loafers that I already own. They feature longer toe boxes that balance with my height.

Originally Posted by cptjeff

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I certainly will admit to being a big fan of the Penny loafer aesthetic. A simple, unpretentious shoe that can be worn (by the right individual anyway) with anything from jeans to a tux (As Cary Grant had a habit of doing), and over time, forms into a slipper. It's a very democratic shoe.

I'll shut up now.
Well said. Don't shut up.

Originally Posted by Guero

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As for threadbearer's "no love" for his loafers issue, a sentiment I agree with, his particular dress sensibility in WAYWRN would benefit from the use of the more stylized dress loafers (of which his particular loafers are a poor example -- no offense TB) than the more tradly American versions above.
No offense taken, Guero. In fact, I deeply appreciate your frank assessment. Thanks, man.

Help me understand what you mean, though, when you say that my style would benefit from a more stylized loafer. I would think that you'd judge my black Hugo Boss loafers too stylized already, so what, in your mind, would constitute a more stylized loafer that would better suit what you've seen so far in my WAYWRN posts?

Originally Posted by mrbig

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Michael Jackson wore them. 'Nuff Said.
Really?

However; where can one buy Bass-esque loafers that aren't Corrected Grain?

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And to make matters worse, there's corrected grain leather and then there's "bonded" (corrected grain) leather. What's a feller to do?!

Originally Posted by DWFII

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Really?

And to make matters worse, there's corrected grain leather and then there's "bonded" (corrected grain) leather.

What's a feller to do?!



Ofcourse MJ RIP King of Pop rocked loafer en pointe at that!!!!!

Originally Posted by kohelet

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Ofcourse MJ RIP King of Pop rocked loafer en pointe at that!!!!!
Sorry, I was being a little sarcastic...hence the face palm. I don't think he was the "be all and end all" of men's style by any means especially when you consider the androgynous, Peter Pan affectation.

He did inspire a fair bit of the 'haute couture' we see, especially the military stuff. Despite my strong allegiance to tailoring, I did try to have a military jacket made by Magnoli, those of the current youth generation would use these words to describe his work : EPIC FAIL.

I will say though, some of his suits were very nicely cut, very Savile Row but made in L.A. - that restores my faith in American Tailoring.

Back to the topic: Bonded Corrected Grain? never even heard of it!

I think the OP would find some WAYWRN love for his loafers if they were either

a) Weejun style
or
b) Quite sleek, built on something like a C&J 337 last or a JL 8000. I saw a pair of Church's on Herring Shoes that looked quite nice, didn't pull the trigger though.

Originally Posted by mrbig

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He did inspire a fair bit of the 'haute couture' we see, especially the military stuff. Despite my strong allegiance to tailoring, I did try to have a military jacket made by Magnoli, those of the current youth generation would use these words to describe his work : EPIC FAIL.

I will say though, some of his suits were very nicely cut, very Savile Row but made in L.A. - that restores my faith in American Tailoring.

Back to the topic: Bonded Corrected Grain? never even heard of it!

I think the OP would find some WAYWRN love for his loafers if they were either

a) Weejun style
or
b) Quite sleek, built on something like a C&J 337 last or a JL 8000. I saw a pair of Church's on Herring Shoes that looked quite nice, didn't pull the trigger though.

Mr Big I concur. Michael had his piece bespoke. Even down to those loafs. The military look, the v neck undershirt is quite manly and sexy. The skinny pants which guys are rocking nowadays. People are still rocking the military look.

Originally Posted by DandySF

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The staff at Gucci can switch out the hardware on the loafer, with brass and silver as options. I expected a surly and indifferent reception at Gucci, but the gal who helped me was a delight. This was at their New York store, on Madison.

Hahaha, try some of the European stores and speak English to them.

Great leather, on a great last, with the least amount of hardware possible.

Some nice slip ons from Edward Green here: http://www.skyvalet1.com/EdwardGreen...erCasuals.aspx It would be good to find a happy medium between the pointy Euro style and the US penny loafer. Any love for the classic Weston loafer?

Originally Posted by CMD.EXE

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Great leather, on a great last, with the least amount of hardware possible.
Could I get you to elaborate on what makes a great last?

Originally Posted by HHD

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Some nice slip ons from Edward Green here:
http://www.skyvalet1.com/EdwardGreen...erCasuals.aspx
Agreed, but which ones in particular float your boat, and why?

Originally Posted by HHD

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Any love for the classic Weston loafer?
Can you provide an example or two?

I like the Piccadilly and the Montpellier from the assortment above, but I haven't seen the Sloane or Buxton, which look good too. This is the classic JM Weston 180 loafer:

Normally not into tassel loafers but this one from George Cleverly through Leather Soul is very nice.

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