the ae kenwood loafers sowtondevil mentioned are now being sold in the us. apparently they were only sold abroad:
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/ProductDisplay?catalogId=40000000001&storeId=1&langId=-1&productId=6525381&parentCategoryId=&imageType=2&parent_category_rn=0
found another. these are made by quoddy for a shop in japan. that damned exchange rate...maybe quoddy will make these on request.
http://www.secondstage2008.jp/L-QUODDY10SS-LOAFER-BROWN.html
looks like quite a wide fit, they look comfortable. nice for loafing..
Yes, they're both very nice indeed.
What makes those shoes particularly American? In France, the brand J. M. Weston is the top-of-mind name for "mocassins":
http://www.jmweston.com/home.html#fr/1-1/-1/16/168
Vass seem to have a pretty nice example too, though their pics aren't that good:
http://www.vass-cipo.hu/Eng/Modellek_05_Slipper/Modell_05_044_Nagy.html
Ah, I didn't know that. Thanks.
Weston 180 is apparently better made than anything coming out of the US these days, so if they fit buy them and wear them.
Didn't JS stock Weston as well at some time?
Get 5 of these for the price of a Weston lol
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/product_6525381_1_40000000001_-1?categoryId=123802&top_category=120552
And they actually come in widths which a lot of European made shoes don't. A shoe is worth nothing if it doesn't fit correctly.
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/product_6507715_1_40000000001_-1?categoryId=123802&top_category=120552