The Case For/Against: Loafers - Topic of the day 2/7/25
Perhaps one of the most common shoes encountered on the internet lately, I assume you already have an opinion: Are you pro- or anti- loafer? If so, what is their appeal and if not, what issues do you have, and is there a suitable alternative(s)?
64 Replies
Loafer look good
case closed
I would love them a lot more if I wasn't extremely flat footed
very versatile form factor
i hate loafers!!!!
black loafers make every outfit with sneakers look better
i dont make the rules
even the moo deng tabi babouches??
Dont have to lace it
show this sentence to a person over 40 to make them die instantly
I love when guys wear driving shoes thinking they're loafers
sometimes when someone has on loafers i hate loafers and other times when someone has on loafers i love loafers
It's almost as good as when you see an overcoat that still has the vent stitched
I do not get driving shoes at all. I see them in stores so often and I don’t get it at all
theyre like driving gloves but bottoms
they're like driving gloves for your feet
They exist to bring me delight and splendor
I bought a pair of cheap loafers that don't fit me and I hate them!!!!1!!!1
The right loafers are great! But there are so many bad ones with poor proportions and styling. I generally dislike really high vamps and longer toe boxes but I recognize that's a v American styling PoV.
Pros:
- No laces
- Tons of styles ranging from ultra conservative to super whimsical
Cons:
- Hard to fit
- I feel like they're becoming a lazy style choice like how no one got their raws hemmed in the 2010s so everyone had huge cuffs regardless of anything else.
all loafers i tried made my heels bleed. probably a skill issue but i can’t be bothered to keep trying
Loafers rock, obviosuly we need @LeisurelyLoafing to weigh in.
You don’t like loafers?
moleskin and/or gel patches!
could never bring myself to do that to those moles
i had the same issue with my doc loafers but one day they just became nice i guess
Does it happen no matter what kind of socks you wear?
i don’t have exceptionally thick socks so could also be a issue but for the record i did try gel patches
i always ended up getting sock fibers into my open wounds it was gross af
I can dig this. I can’t wear loafs for more than a couple hours without my feet screaming for the sweet release of death
I like em tho
I think they look nice but don't fit my style at all
that sucks!! i wear thick socks and so i sacrifice roominess for heel survival
:letsfuckinggo: loafer good
i like loafers just fine, but personally i have super big, wide, and flat feet with a really high instep and need to wear my custom orthotics 24/7. i’ve never found loafers that fit, but even if i did i feel like other leather shoes fill the role pretty similar. i think my black kleman padrors + a brown suede derby would cover all my bases
https://www.colehaan.com/mens-american-classics-penny-loafers/C39121.html
not sure i fuck with the colorway but pretty nice discount
Cole Haan
Men's American Classics Penny Loafers in Black | Cole Haan
Shop Men's American Classics Penny Loafers in Black at ColeHaan.com and see our entire collection of styles. Members receive free shipping. Always.
black madeira colorway is kinda nice
i can’t decide how i feel
hey like loafers
I like them. I have 3 pairs and want a fourth.
The fit can be unforgiving, though, without laces to help out. I ended up getting a shoe stretcher because they were a bit tight, even though they were the correct size.
good idea
hey yes i like loafers and think they're cool
DUKE + DEXTER
Wilde Black + White Penny Loafer - Men's
Discover our best-selling black and white leather penny loafer. Handmade in England. Built to last.
D&D are sick
i love the hand painted ones
I still feel odd wearing my 986, maybe a suede one is more appropriate
i love them so much
i was thinking of getting a painted too but i don't think they were on sale at the time
they have really nice painted cardholders tho, i might cop that
what kinda clothes are you wearing
ive worn alden lhs with a p wide variety of styles and the just kinda always work
love a kiltie + tassel combo
You mean to tell me a horse bit those loafers?
I HATE kilties
love kiltie tassels
and loafers in general; despite appearances otherwise i'm a slothful person and the loafer lifestyle is conducive to this
toot: half strap penny loafers, kiltie tassels, belgians
boot: full strap, kiltie without tassel/tassel without kiltie, most creepers
bit is largely fit and person dependent
How do people feel about camper? I can't decide if these are cool or not
https://www.gravitypope.com/collections/mens-footwear/products/camper-k100951-001
gravitypope
Camper - Pix Loafers in Black - gravitypope
Camper Pix shoes are modeled on classically-inspired typologies and have been enhanced with a signature, sport-grade outsole and unrivaled flexibility.
shutup, get brogued + kiltied + tassled on
cool
Adieu probably does that style better, but camper is a solid brand
sorry I hate kilties
They look like little mustaches
as someone who does not look good with a mustache I hate them
They represent something I lack
they’re cute tf
Love camper for fairly affordable interesting designs
They feel like good holiday shoes, for when you are staying in a hotel next to hot springs and wondering around cafes and restraunts and just generally chilling out.
I like the suede solovair models.
But really they just don't seem to be the sort of thing that fits the climate I live in or the lifestyle I live right now. Loafers feel like the sort of thing for short walks, or when you drive everywhere. They just don't look as secure as laces.
I can't really comment on that for sure because I don't own any yet. I might. Eventually.
i've definitely walked/run around in loafers for miles at a time
obviously not as good as a sneaker but you get used to it
not dressy ones for sure, mostly casual whatever straight fit and wider pants but my top layers game suck and i have no sauce, i just really like my 986 and i got a really good deal on them
yeahh i’ve found this
i’ve also only had quite shite loafers but i don’t particularly love em, would rather wear boots personally
some folks rock em though
i'm guessing it's mostly a fake it till you make it situation until i actually get better at fashion
i don't want to buy new pieces any time soon until i have a more coherent idea of what i want to dress like
I've been eyeing camper for something interesting I can wear casually. Half their stuff is evil looking though
Cowboy boots are basically the loafer of boots anyways
Im also not a big loafers guy, though I like my belgians on occasion and maybe could see horsebits working for me.
But maybe belgians or slippers.
so true
noob loafer here, are chunky black leather loafers with a brass horsebit too 'dressy' to pair with jeans?
no they go great with jeans
i just wore a vintage polo with light wash jeans and have some cool doc marten tassel loafers and it turned out really well
it’s a great fusion combo
Oh man this brought back a memory from college - I had to jog a mile or two back from the dining hall wearing loafers (kilties to be specific) 😂