Loafer Shoes Guide For Men – Tassel, Penny, Gucci, Horsebit, Weejuns & Slip-on Slipper Explained

In this video, find out everything you need to know about Loafers. What constitutes a loafer, its different variations, how to style and when best to wear them. We discuss the Penny Loafer, Gucci or Horsebit Loafer, slip-ons and slippers, why they are technically not a loafer, weejuns, Alden, Tassels and more.

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Let me explain what a loafer is. In casual situations, a loafer can substitute any other shoe that you have may it be a canvas shoe or like a sandal or whatever.

A loafer is:
– a laceless shoe
– it has an exposed ankle
– it has a moccasin like welt or seam on top of the vamp
– unlike mocs, it has a separate sole
– has low heels

A Slipper is:
– like the loafer, it has an exposed ankle
– NO lacing
– NO seam on top

A loafer has Norwegian origins. A Norwegian actually went to the US and saw the native american moccasins, brought them back to Norway, modified them slightly, added a separate sole and that’s how the loafer was created. In general, Loafers are casual shoes because they’re slip on and as such they’re usually not worn with double breasted suits or more formal garments.

The Duke of Windsor broke these classic rules of style and he would often wear a two-tone loafer in brown and white or off-white that he would wear with double breasted suits so by traditional style rules, this was completely wrong but he was so powerful and impactful that today, you can see people wearing loafers with different kinds of suits and double breasted suits.

When it comes to loafer construction, most of the time you will see that it has a very thin sole, it’s much thinner than a sole that you would see with a Goodyear welt shoe, that means they’re usually Blake rapid stitched or just glued. If you have to walk a lot, definitely go with Goodyear welted loafers otherwise, Blake rapid stitched loafers are fine or blake stitched. Glued, I would probably personally say to stay away from it simply because it’s usually an indicator of lower quality.

LOAFER STYLES:
– Wildsmith loafer (British invention)

– Aurland Loafer – it is a town in Norway which was home to Nicoli Gregori who’s the one who invented this Norwegian loafer style in the 40s and the 50s.

– Tassel Loafer – features these dangling tassels. It has a very long last, it’s flat and elegant. The original tassel loafer was invented by the Alden shoe company.

– Penny Loafer – invented by G.H Bass in the US and it was really popular with people from the Ivy league who put pennies in this diamond shape just to stand out from the crowd. Particularly popular sometimes in cordovan leather or like a red color, you can also find it in suede. It comes in all shades of brown, sometimes spectators and it’s just a really great casual shoe that people like to wear after work, maybe to resort towns, to more casual dinners, it’s also very popular during the summer.

– Gucci Loafer – has these characteristic horsebits on top and usually come in gold or in silver and they became so popular in the US. You can certainly consider adding it to your shoe closet because it’s a timeless style and you should be able to wear it in 20 years from now and still look very classic and timeless.

In terms of formality, loafers are overall more casual but I would rank the Tassel loafer slightly higher than the Penny loafer, Of course that is impacted by the choice of leather. A black penny loafer is more formal than a yellow, suede tassel loafer but given that colors and leather are equal, I would classify the penny loafer as slightly less formal. Nevertheless, it can be business appropriate, I think it looks great for example, with a chino-blazer combination.

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50 Comments

  1. D Ulrich on March 30, 2020 at 6:59 pm

    you always produce great videos! I really like your channel

  2. Kenneth Wolters on March 30, 2020 at 6:59 pm

    I don’t like the way he talks. He tries to be fancy but he keeps swallowing his words. It’s almost like a German guy tries to hide his German accent 😉

  3. Miska Dean on March 30, 2020 at 7:00 pm

    Nice videos, I’m in! I like your style and you def have a very unique accent, enjoyable to listen to my friend!

  4. Johan Fagerström on March 30, 2020 at 7:01 pm

    Loafers looks good.
    Sad I can’t wear them😔

  5. mydogskips2 on March 30, 2020 at 7:05 pm

    I cannot stand how the shoe only goes half way up my foot, to me it looks bad and can be too loose fitting; why don’t many loafers go further up the foot closer to the ankle?

    I’m actually looking at a nice weaved tassel loafer right now, but they are so "short" in the foot area that I cannot see how I would wear them stylishly, which is a shame because I really like them.

  6. Kevin Lee on March 30, 2020 at 7:07 pm

    Thanks to my wife I have a large wardrobe. It’s been disorganized and care has been neglected but since I watched your first video about bow ties, I’m now spending hours and hours on it. cleaning it up, caring for it. It’s as if you are the voice of my wardrobe telling me it loves me so love them in return. I showed her this video, and she says she highly approves of me spending time with you on learning to dress myself. haha..love it

  7. kyriakos on March 30, 2020 at 7:07 pm

    Sebago my friend

  8. Kaleel Day on March 30, 2020 at 7:07 pm

    Hey can you make a video on the slipper?

  9. Simon Haagenrud on March 30, 2020 at 7:09 pm

    Im norwegian

  10. Matěj Kincl on March 30, 2020 at 7:09 pm

    Where can you get those fort Belvedere shoes?

  11. Gurpreet Lehal on March 30, 2020 at 7:10 pm

    Gloood! 3:45

  12. michael wade on March 30, 2020 at 7:12 pm

    Don’t forget to talk about the texture, weight and size of the pants in relation to the shoe; tie a corduroy pair of would need a thicker, wider shoe to match it.
    Also talk about mixing materials, textures and patterns in relation to pant, ties, shirts and jackets.

  13. Aziz Gilani on March 30, 2020 at 7:13 pm

    Thanks for the guide! Do you know what a ‘Turner’ loafer is? At least 4 major brands market Turner loafers, but I’m confused on what makes them Turner’s (Bass, Allen Edmonds, Santoni, and Dr. Scholls).

  14. Anthony Soto on March 30, 2020 at 7:14 pm

    Loafers are more comfortable better than dress shoes

  15. Kade Berrier on March 30, 2020 at 7:16 pm

    Are the loafers with the front split seem in the middle of the toe good?

  16. Bernard Talbert on March 30, 2020 at 7:16 pm

    I could buy some Gucci loafers or I could pay my rent.

  17. Guest House on March 30, 2020 at 7:20 pm

    i really ,really hate your accent

  18. regalblue41 on March 30, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    So the moral to the story is…Don’t wear Speedos and loafers…

  19. DoozerTown on March 30, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    I am out of my fashion league with this vid. I keep thinking Hefner.

  20. David Gardiner on March 30, 2020 at 7:23 pm

    he would do well as a Norman bates type psycho serial killer

  21. احمد العتيبي on March 30, 2020 at 7:24 pm

    بس دي وحده من جلد الخنزير شاكرر نوران العصيمي…مخصص للزبون حديدان 😂😅😂😅😂😅😂😅😂😅😂😅😅😅😂

  22. Noor Mohammad on March 30, 2020 at 7:25 pm

    The way he says the letter T is horrible

  23. Sc0rphionx on March 30, 2020 at 7:26 pm

    Horse-bit is an icon, created by Gucci, but and Icon, you can find designers, bespoke, and a lot of good quality companies that sells loafer w/ horse-bit, from cordovan to crocodile. You don’t have to buy Gucci. Equestrian sports continue to be a world of wealth and high class (Horsebit), a class where buying a shoe is not a matter of "thinking what is best or what is not" is just To Like or Not, But it has to feel comfortable. Gucci offers that, Gucci is a trademark for rich people that change shoes season after season. That today is popular with kids or young stars, cool. But it’s simple, is Gucci loafer a good shoe? Yes, leather, sole, color, design, iconic and symbolic. Worth every penny in the right scenario and social class. is it the best shoe? No, Worst quality/price shoe ever. Overpriced and stuff.

    You can identify yourself with one of this scenarios. Did you care about "Yes, leather, sole …." or "No, Worst quality /price shoe …." . If you even REMOTELY care about how much Gucci shoes worth, Gucci is not a brand for you. There is no price tag in High renown fashion brands, only "reputation".

  24. Aadithya Vlogs on March 30, 2020 at 7:27 pm

    Look at your tie

  25. Jimmy on March 30, 2020 at 7:27 pm

    Tassel loafers are lame

  26. MrTrenttness on March 30, 2020 at 7:27 pm

    Regardless of how one may feel about these shoe styles I think there could’ve been a better name for the "loafer". Some men can pull off loafers but in my opinion ultimately the shoes come off has emasculating. Just my two cents. I do love this channel and its become one of my favorites.

  27. احمد العتيبي on March 30, 2020 at 7:29 pm

    اووووووو😅وووووووه 😅شاروخان😅 حبيبي هاه يقلبي😅 صاروخ 😅شوف هاه 😅دي جزمة😅 مصنوعه من😅 جلد😅😅 الخنزير😂 شاكرر😂 نوران العصيمي ابو سعبوله جلدة 😅مصدي وع هااه ودي😂 يحبيبي إلا 😅حديدان 😂حمد عوض😅 العصيمي اوكشيش 😅شاروخان اوكشيش صاروخ يلا ودي تيب خد بالك تيب يلا ودي حديدان 😂😅😅😂😅😂😅😂😅😂😂😂😅

  28. Torchwood Pride on March 30, 2020 at 7:30 pm

    I just love the complexity of your very apt name!

  29. WDGFE on March 30, 2020 at 7:30 pm

    Where would butterfly loafers fit in the formality scale? Maybe between the penny and tassel loafers?

  30. Rouge on March 30, 2020 at 7:30 pm

    dont wear socks with loafer god .. please …

  31. Roberto Rojnic on March 30, 2020 at 7:33 pm

    SUperb video. Thank you for your efforts! Cheers

  32. Godzilla gojira 123 on March 30, 2020 at 7:33 pm

    Michael Jackson’s shoe is gh bass

  33. Keehong Lim on March 30, 2020 at 7:36 pm

    Great guide

  34. Edward Coleman on March 30, 2020 at 7:40 pm

    Hi Sven can you please make a full video on turtleneck sweaters. How to, history, do and don’t etc

  35. Dean Christensen on March 30, 2020 at 7:43 pm

    Rafael, what loafers do you wear?

  36. Robert Thorn on March 30, 2020 at 7:43 pm

    When I was growing up ,to get a pair of Bass weejuns I had to mow 10 lawns to get enough money, the shoes sold for 17dollars. Pair with a Gant shirt($3.50), gold cup socks($1.50) and Levy cords ($4.50), you a fashionable outfit, this was 1965….

  37. Ahmed Raza on March 30, 2020 at 7:44 pm

    How to price the is shoes

  38. Sjef on March 30, 2020 at 7:44 pm

    I like oxfords except the plain black balmorals. They are so dull. Therefor I would like to know if under a business suit, a black leather penny loafer (slightly elongated) would be a good alternative?? (otherwise I probably go with a single strap black monk)
    Note: I mean nice loafers, elegant and not the boxy ones with round noses. But more like the black Carmina loafer.

  39. Derek Mitchell on March 30, 2020 at 7:44 pm

    1. Loafers can be worn without socks. 2. Loafers don’t have to have that seam on the vamp.

  40. UltimateBargains on March 30, 2020 at 7:45 pm

    Paul Evans no longer carries grey suede stewart penny loafers. sigh…

  41. Ali Shah Ghazi on March 30, 2020 at 7:46 pm

    You have no knowledge

  42. Fredrik29Sweden on March 30, 2020 at 7:47 pm

    👏👍

  43. James Meyer on March 30, 2020 at 7:48 pm

    Sven, Great video. Just curious what do you think of the Navy M. Gemi Volo loafers for men? Also, I assume youd have to have a navy belt to go along with these? Finally, what would you were with these loafers. Suit wise? color of chinos? Thanks

  44. apostolic bible polyglot on March 30, 2020 at 7:48 pm

    Check out Prada wingtip penny loafer…beautiful, but for $600 it should.

  45. neoyum on March 30, 2020 at 7:50 pm

    The horsebit on the Gucci loafers is gimicky… Very tacky! It’s all about brand slavishness rather than quality! 🤔🙂

  46. Praveena Jilles on March 30, 2020 at 7:50 pm

    Can anyone recommend a loafer that is similar, hopefully exactly, like the Church’s Karl loafer

  47. Big Ralph on March 30, 2020 at 7:51 pm

    This Loafers are so popular here in Brazil. Love to wear it, specially in the summertime (It’s always summer in Rio!)

  48. kung fu fury 2 on March 30, 2020 at 7:54 pm

    Horse-bit loafer all day

  49. jharris947 on March 30, 2020 at 7:54 pm

    Leather loafers with no socks? Are you sure? You’d look a right knob mate.

  50. Kyle Peterson on March 30, 2020 at 7:56 pm

    What are the brand and model and color of the tassel loafers in the picture for this video?!

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