Loafers are frequently overlooked in favor of sneakers or brogues, but they can be an elegant addition to your wardrobe and are simple to dress up or down. So what are loafers exactly?
Starting with the basics, loafers are slip-on style shoes that do not have laces or any other fastenings. Loafers are typically made of leather or suede and have a low or no heel—think fancy slippers.
Learn more about loafers right now!
What Are Loafers?
The loafer is a type of shoe that is easily slipped on and off the foot without any laces to worry about. It is frequently mentioned alongside the moccasin because, according to some historical sources, both styles of footwear have comparable antecedents.
The loafer has developed to the point where it can now be worn both indoors and out for a variety of occasions, despite being initially intended only as an indoor shoe. It’s ideal for lounging around in.
The loafer is very adaptable in terms of style changes. As a result, loafers are much more elusive to categorize than other shoe types like brogues and derbies.
Loafers are produced using a range of materials, in a range of colors, and with or without embellishments.
History of the Loafer
Some contemporary shoe designs are simple to trace back to their earliest iterations, at least when they first gained popularity as everyday shoes. Such is not the case with the loafer.
It’s challenging to determine how much truth there is in each story because there are so many of them. The two most popular origin myths feature an English king and a Norwegian shoemaker.
In the first tale, King George VI talks about his desire for an everyday, casual indoor shoe. Matthew and Rebecca Wildsmith, who are from London, are said to have been hired by him to make the shoes. Because they had already established a business making and mending shoes for the King’s Household Cavalry, the Wildsmiths were chosen. Their style eventually became known as the Wildsmith Loafer.
According to the other legend, Nils Gregoriusson Tveranger, a shoemaker from Norway, is where loafers first appeared. According to legend, he first designed a pair of moccasins that resembled those worn by the Iroquois but were more suited to Norway’s colder climate.
The legend has it that Tveranger eventually combined the moccasin design with a more conventional outdoor shoe to produce what were known as Aurland Shoes. After he started exporting them throughout Europe and to the Americas, it is said that these changed into the modern loafer.
Types of Loafers
Over the years, some of the most popular loafer styles include:
- Penny Loafers: Penny loafer has a leather strap across the forefoot that has a penny-sized diamond-shaped slot. Since the 1950s, they have been a well-liked men’s shoe.
- Tassel or Kiltie Loafers: The Alden Shoe Company created this slip-on design, and Brooks Brothers popularized it. On top, it has decorative lace with tassels.
- Gucci Loafers: Gucci introduced a black loafer with a brass strap that was appropriate for business attire. Women’s Gucci loafers also gained a lot of popularity. For more information, read on Do Gucci Loafers Run Small and How to Wear Gucci Loafers.
- Moc Loafers: These have overcast stitching, like moccasins from the past.
- Apron Loafers: Over the forefoot, a leather apron with lacing is visible.
- High-Heeled Loafers: For the most part, loafers have flat or low heels, but women’s pumps with vamps that resemble traditional loafers are sometimes referred to as high-heeled loafers.
- Platform Loafers: Look no further than the It-girl approved chunky platform loafer for the current shoe trend if you’re looking for something a little lighter than the big boots we’re seeing everywhere this season and something with more heft than a ballet flat.
- Lug Sole Loafer: The contemporary sole of lug-sole loafers adds the edginess I always want in play while still giving a nod to the classic aesthetic I adore.
How and When to Wear Loafers?
Even though some people wear loafers in formal settings, the shoe is not considered formal due to its origin and lack of laces.
Your best bet is to consider your loafers casual footwear that, on some extreme occasions, can be paired with a suit for a formal event.
A straightforward loafer in black that has been polished to match formal suits is perhaps the best choice for formal attire.
Loafers are never appropriate with a tuxedo or white tie outfit. Additionally, three-piece suits generally forbid the wearing of loafers.
Loafers go well with various types of trousers in less formal settings. To go with dress pants, make sure the colors coordinate. Color contrast does not present a problem when worn with khakis or denim jeans.
Here are some loafer outfit ideas, continue reading:
- Do You Wear Socks With Loafers?
- Can You Wear Loafers With Shorts?
- Can You Wear Loafers in the Winter?
- Can You Wear Loafers With a Tuxedo?
- How to Style Prada Loafers?
How Do I Keep Loafers Clean?
For a polished and genuine appearance, your loafers must be spotless. Your loafers should be cleaned according to the material, for instance, a leather-styled loafer can be polished and cleaned with a hard bristled brush.
This will maintain their brand-new appearance and buff out any blemishes. To quickly clean and restore the luster to a patent-styled loafer, use a wet cloth or antibacterial wipe.
Conclusion: What Are Loafers Shoes
If you are looking for casual footwear that works well with just about any kind of outfit, the loafer might be just what you’re looking for.
Loafers come in a variety of styles and colors and can be constructed with both leather and synthetic materials.
They are very soft, flexible, well-ventilated shoes that require little effort to slip on and off.
FAQs about What Are Loafers
What Are Loafers Good For?
Given that they are made of so many different materials, loafers can be worn both formally and informally.
What Are Loafers With Laces Called?
The kilted loafer.
Are Loafers Good for Walking?
The short answer is yes, provided that they are the appropriate type of loafer.
