I still favour Dexter.

Most loafers back in the day were cheap but cheerful. They looked great due to the classic style, but up close the use of low grade leather was obvious to anyone into good shoes. Also they don't do the feet and back any favours. To a certain extent the aforementioned classic style compensates for their disposable nature, particularly if they are worn intermittently, however it explains why vintage shots and film suggest that they were far more of a young person's thing.

Due to their vast popularity for so many years, vintage made in the US loafers could often be found on ebay etc for a reasonable price, even when including shipping and possible custom charges. Nowadays such finds are rarer and shipping and customs charges seem to have risen drastically. Perhaps the only remaining budget option is new Weejuns or similar, and even they probably cost a bit in the UK. Some of the new Weejuns do actually look ok but I wouldn't recommend them for someone hoping to get a lot of wear out of them.

Quite a variety of really good quality loafers can be found new, although of course they don't come cheap. Even some of the UK loafers look very good.

So far so obvious. What the compromise is that has supposedly inspired this thread, I have no idea. If you don't have the funds for some decent loafers but were able to get some cheapos a few years ago, then obviously you stick to what you already have. Or am I missing something?

Last edited by Yuca (2022-01-25 12:30:45)

Who knows?

How much are they?

The middle ground, where the Ivy Look thrived, has disappeared. You have £700 Alden at one end and £140 plastic Bass at the other. Alden are great, but something of a luxury, special occasion shoe and modern Bass are an insult to the well informed. The likes of Dexter, Eastland, and Wilton, Maine Weejuns occupied the middle ground of sensible, affordable, very American footwear. Walkover too on the wingtip front. It's the modern market place and I hate it.

Agree with that Yuca

Most people I know would see themselves as never being able to afford or justify that on a pair of shoes.

They think nothing of going into JD Sports four or five times a year to buy new Lonsdale velcro strap lumps of pvc. Before chucking the old ones in landfill. Part of a much wider problem.

I'm happy with Sebago. Tried on a pair of Loake Princeton the other day. Which are priced similarly. Quality was ok, but the shape was just slightly off.

For anyone lucky enough to be an 8 or 42 there are a pair of Lorens beefroll's on ebay at the moment starting price £50.
I used to have a pair of their penny loafers years ago and they were great, I don't think they still make them, sadly.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284619020441?hash=item42449d9899:g:K64AAOSwJ1FhRhOY

The oxblood beefrolls I got from Peter Christian a couple years ago were decent for price.  Full-grain: https://www.peterchristian.co.uk/oxblood-peter-christian-penny-loafer/

The Peter Christian look reasonable. I notice the blurb mentions ivy league and modernists. Someone knows the market they're seeking.

Even the most hardcore ivy extremist might struggle to distinguish them from US beefrolls.

Tassels and basketweave were all the go with the junior suedeheads circa 1971.  Not a good look.  Keep loafers sleek and unadorned.

There's a better solution: start frequenting dancefloors again.

Robbie, are you back in England yet?