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#1 2008-07-28 09:34:52
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
The Origin of The US Style Loafer?
1936: Bass noticed the Norwegian Fisherman's slip-on, yes?
And the Norwegian shoe in turn was inspired by the Native American Indian's Moccasin...
I heard a story over lunch today that there is a missing link in this story which we think we all know so well - A now forgotten US maker who made a handsewn leather Moccasin style slip-on before Bass and who was directly inspired by the Native American chaps, not Norway.
Any help with this, anybody?
The story comes from a good source and, if true, dates the American style loafer back much earlier than '36.
I've always thought that the Weejun was the original...
????
Jim
#3 2008-07-28 14:00:27
- Peter Gunn
- Member
- Posts: 18
Re: The Origin of The US Style Loafer?
J M Weston claim that their signature loafer (mocassin) was introduced in the 1940s by Eugene Blanchard.
PG
Suave, sophisticated, hep to the jive, groovin' to the oh-so-cool jazzbo-beat and wearing his Ivy League finest.
#4 2008-07-28 15:20:17
- katon
- Member
- Posts: 363
Re: The Origin of The US Style Loafer?
Last edited by katon (2008-07-28 15:23:23)
#5 2008-07-28 15:36:53
- Howard
- Member
- From: Drimtaidhvrickhilliohattan
- Posts: 236
Re: The Origin of The US Style Loafer?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_loafers
Last edited by Howard (2008-07-28 15:40:53)
#6 2008-07-29 01:13:18
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: The Origin of The US Style Loafer?
Why do I never think of the most obvious thing first?
Why didn't I Google this?
Many thanks to Katon & Howard. I see we still have a Norwegian origin & not a Native American Indian one. So be it.
#7 2008-07-29 02:18:17
- Howard
- Member
- From: Drimtaidhvrickhilliohattan
- Posts: 236
Re: The Origin of The US Style Loafer?
Indigenous North American Natives of Siberian Ancestry, INANSA, pronounced "Engine" = moccasin/mocassin construction, no sole or heel. Mocassin/mocassin has a one piece bottom and sides with a vamp plug sewn on the front. Kind of an upside down wholecut. Must have originally been made of a species of amphibious reptile.
Norwegians = Sole and heel mocassin/moccasin with strap? The original shoe bottoms were made of densely tanned fish flesh, thus "sole".
Obviously, the WeeJun is ultimately of Siberian origin. Or fertile crescent. Perchance an entymological association with Iran?
#8 2008-07-29 02:32:48
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: The Origin of The US Style Loafer?
... And is it going too far to suggest that the original and therefore most traditional shoes were in fact Bucketmouthed Bass (Thanks Pat!) which somebody had the bright idea of inserting their foot into?
The dorsal fin being undoubtedly the origin of today's tassels.
#9 2008-07-30 07:33:26
- Speas
- Member
- Posts: 61
Re: The Origin of The US Style Loafer?
Here's a timeline of the loafer with pics.
http://www.style.com/trends/classic/032205
#10 2008-07-30 10:34:44
- bandofoutsiders
- Member
- Posts: 432
Re: The Origin of The US Style Loafer?
And here I thought they were given their name becuase one wore them while loafing around the house.
#11 2008-08-03 17:06:16
- Lucky Strike
- Member
- Posts: 64
Re: The Origin of The US Style Loafer?
Last edited by Lucky Strike (2008-08-03 17:06:38)
www.thechap.net
#12 2008-08-04 01:51:51
- Taylor McIntyre
- Son of Ivy...
- Posts: 342
Re: The Origin of The US Style Loafer?
Great stuff - Thanks. I was looking for all that the other day believe it or not. It's good to have it all together here for The Archive.
#15 2009-06-23 17:11:58
- Hard Bop Hank
- Ivy Soul Brother
- From: land of a 1000 dances
- Posts: 4923
Re: The Origin of The US Style Loafer?
... and the Norwegians were the first Europeans in the New World, way before Columbus... not sure if this has anything to do with shoes, though....
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