What are loafers?
Loafers are super functional, fashionable, and valuable shoes. There are many plus points of loafers like they are very easy and comfortable to wear.
You can wear loafers almost everywhere, whether you are wearing them with a casual outfit or a formal suit.
Exactly, Loafers are lace-less, low-top shoes.
Generally, loafers are made of leather or suede but now canvas (cloth) and synthetic materials, are also being used to make them.
Generally, loafers are made of leather or suede but now canvas (cloth) and synthetic materials, are also being used to make them.
Loafers are also called slip-on shoes in many countries.
History of Loafers
The shoes that are available in a wide variety today, very few people know about their past and evolution.
The pair of shoes made for George VI, who was the king of the united kingdom is considered to be the first pair of loafer shoes in the world.
Which was made by Ramond Lewis in 1926 called “Wildsmith”.
After this, The Aurland Loafer was produced in 1936, It is said that The Aurland Loafer was built in 1908 but at that time the shoes have laces.
This is the reason, why Aurland Shoes made in 1908 were not considered as loafers.
After a few years of this, penny loafers came into the sensation and they became very popular in the twentieth century.
They are still popular and many people like penny loafers.
After this, The Kilted Loafers were built in the 1950s, and immediately after that, Gucci Loafers were built-in 1953.
Some people believe that Gucci loafers were entirely made in 1966.
These loafers also gained a lot of popularity because of the impressive and classic look.
A revolution that came in the era of 1960 is that the slip-on loafers also began to be worn with suits in America.
After this, Belgian shoes were created in 1954, and right after three years in 1957, Tassel loafers were brought out in front of the world.
Thus, different loafers were built, evolved, and became everyone’s choice.
Types of Loafers
There are many types of loafers and some of the most popular loafers are –
01. Penny Loafers
(a) What are penny loafers?
Penny loafers can be worn with casual and formal, both types of outfits.
(b) These loafers have a moccasin-type face, there is a leather saddle strap on the top of penny loafers.
(c) These are the most functional and versatile loafers ever made.
(d) Penny loafers are also called penny slip-on and the saddle is called penny keeper.
02. Tassel Loafers
(a) You can wear Tassel Loafers at formal events and they are also excellent for traditional occasions.
(b) Generally, tassel loafers are made from leather, but nowadays synthetic material is also used to make them more elegant and eye-catching.
(c) On the upper part of these loafers, there are some inwrought laces and this is why these shoes are called tassel loafers.
(d) These loafers are modern and elegant and very popular nowadays.
03. Gucci Loafers
(a) There is a designer strap made of metal on the top of Gucci loafers which makes them different from all the other loafers.
(b) These loafers are generally made of leather or suede and also has a low or no heel.
(c) These are also one of the most remarkable loafers, In several countries, Gucci loafers are also known as hazel loafers.
(d) These loafers can be easily paired with casual and formal attires.
04. Espadrille Loafers
(a) These are the Canvas Loafers, which are super comfortable and durable.
(b) Generally, there are no or low heels in espadrille loafers.
(c) These shoes are best for students and teens because espadrilles look very attractive with jeans, chinos, and joggers.
(d) Espadrille loafers are casual, so you can’t wear them with formal pants.
05. Driving Loafers
(a) As it is understood by the name, these loafers were made for driving.
(b) Driving loafers has a proper gripping system and these are also very comfortable and effortlessly wearable.
(c) Driving loafers has a moccasin structure and rubber sole.
(d) Basically, these are flat loafers and come with a 360° lacing system.
Materials Used In Making Loafers
Initially, two basic materials were used to make the loafers.
Leather and suede but nowadays some other materials are also being used in addition to leather and suede.
Which are faux leather, canvas (cloth), and some synthetic materials?
(a) Leather And Synthetic Leather
Leather is already well-known and traditional shoe material.
It is being used for a long time to make loafers and other shoes.
There is a shiny touch in the loafers made from leather and it enhances the charm of the look.
The loafers made of leather are very tough, durable, long-lasting, and stylish at the same time.
Leather loafers are more formal than other loafers.
Faux leather is man-made and therefore, it is also called artificial leather or synthetic leather.
This material was made to replace the natural leather.
Synthetic leather is made from polyurethane, dye, plastic, etc.
That is why there is no shine in the faux leather nor any uniqueness.
The loafers that are made of faux leather are not that comfortable, but due to being cheaper, people buy these loafers
So, if you can’t afford original leather shoes then you can go for faux leather.
(b) Suede
Suede is a velvety material.
It is also a type of leather.
It is being used to make clothes and shoes.
It seems very elegant and the loafers made from suede are super comfortable and incredible.
Generally, suede is used to make tassel loafers, horse-bit loafers, Belgian loafers, etc.
(c) Canvas (cloth)
The loafers made from canvas are casual, which means you can not wear them with formal suits.
This is a durable, comfortable, and soft material.
If you are a student then the canvas loafers will give you a wonderful stylish casual look.
Canvas is being used to make the espadrille loafers, boat loafers, and tassel loafers.
(d) Synthetic
Well, it can be completely artificial or semi-artificial.
Synthetic materials are not that durable compared to other materials, so the loafers made from a synthetic materials can’t last long.
Nowadays synthetic materials are being used a lot because the loafers made from them are quite cheap and reasonable.
Synthetic material is not that comfortable but if you can’t spend a decent amount on shoes then you may find synthetic loafers valuable.
Synthetic materials are mostly being used to make boat loafers, driving loafers, slippers, etc.
Top 10 brands of loafers
Nowadays there are thousands of brands that manufacture different types of loafers but there are only a few trusted brands which are very popular –
Thom Browne
Gucci
Mast & Harbour
Edward Green
Fausto
Knotty Derby
Loro Piana
Red Tape
Roadster
Rosso Brunello
Top 05 website to buy loafers
Conclusion
So if you want to buy loafers then this information will be beneficial for you.
When you go to buy loafers, first of all, make it clear that you are buying them for which type of occasion?
All I’m saying is that always buy loafers according to your needs.
There are many different types of loafers and you can not own all types of loafers everywhere, so it becomes distracting while picking.
Therefore, it is better to collect information first and then spend your precious money on something.
So, this is it for today.
If you have any questions regarding fashion and grooming then feel free to ask me in the comment section.
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