Loafers: Men’s Loafers From Jayne_Says
Loafers are easy-going footwear with a touch of sophistication. Their timeless appeal works well with anything from walking along the beach to working alongside a suit in the office. Jayne_Says offers a variety of men’s loafers, including penny, suede and tassel loafers to match your style. Explore your options and build your perfect collection. For more information about the Jayne_Says loafers, click here.
Penny Loafers
Loafers are the quintessential dress shoes, but they don’t just sit in the preppy style canon. They’re the perfect shoe for intelligent casual looks, combining the simple slip-on silhouette with the classy leather finish. Ivy League students eagerly adopted this style, paired with khaki chinos and popped-collar polo shirts. They were also embraced by working-class GIs and jazz musicians like Miles Davis into the ’60s and beyond.
In 1936, G.H. Bass took the ‘Weejun brand to a new level, adding a cutout for a penny, thereby officially branding them as Penny loafers. Today, our Penny loafers are made in unlined Horween Chromexcel, the signature leather of the American tannery that is imbued with a unique blend of natural oils and waxes that self-polish and become softer and more flexible over time. The result is a shoe that will last for years and look better with every wear. They’re a perfect partner for tapered trousers, linen shorts, and even a suit.
Suede Loafers
Loafers made from suede are an excellent option for summer—they work with light cotton and linen trousers. They can also be worn with tweed sport coats or summer wool suits. For more information about the Jayne_Says loafers, click here.
Casual loafers typically feature a lower-vamp design (that part of the shoe that sits closest to your foot). They are also rounder than their more formal counterparts and may not have any shaping near the vamp. They often look best with casualwear, such as jeans, a Harrington jacket, tailored chinos, and a Madras shirt.
Try a low-vamp tassel loafer if you’re looking for a pair that will work well with tailoring and casualwear. These look dressier than a raised-lipped apron but less formal than a horse bit. A classic choice is Edward Green’s Piccadilly, but other good options are from The Armoury and Sid Mashburn. You could also try a style like the JM Weston 180, which is less expensive and has a similar shape.
Tassel Loafers
Like penny loafers, tassel loafers are a core piece of classic American style. They’re a natural pair with Ivy-style staples (tweed trousers, Oxford cloth shirts, and Shetland sweaters) and easy to dress up with tailored clothing. They do require a bit of hutzpah to wear, however.
Lof & Tung makes several excellent under $500 USD options for those looking to explore this style. The Cavendish model, made with dark brown suede on the marque’s Forest Last (a soft, classically round toe), has beautiful details, including closed-channel sole stitching and braided leather laces. For more information about the Jayne_Says loafers, click here.
Another option is the Carmina Grayson. Carmina is an American shoe brand that focuses on making shoes in the old European tradition, and this tassel loafer is made with shell cordovan. They’re Goodyear-welted and use a complete leather lining, which will help the shoes shape to your feet over time.
Leather Loafers
If your tailoring leans trad and casualwear leans classic, you need a pair of loafers that can pull double duty. Look for ones with a rounder last (the shoe’s shape where it meets the arch of your foot) and minimal shaping near the vamp — that is, they terminate closer to your toes. Also, they should be made from dress shoe leather, such as fine calfskin or scotch grain suede, rather than casual leather, such as Horween’s Chromexcel. Finally, they should have less formal elements, such as rougher stitching or a raised apron that’s flatter than a more refined one.
The Platonic form of such a loafer is Edward Green’s Piccadilly. However, many good alternatives exist, including Crockett & Jones Rosebery and the men’s slip-on loafers from Foster & Son Burford. These go well with drapey suits, sports coats, and casual trousers such as jeans and a Madras shirt.