I always resented the fact that they were priced exactly the same as the far more substantial wingtips in the Squire Shop.
But you needed them then to ring the changes.
Nowadays there are boat shoes that will cover the casual side of clothing. I am less inclined to wear loafers with smarter suits/jackets.
The Lormoc loafer did get me thinking - especially in the tan colour :-http://www.filmnoirbuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1213
However, somebody else posted recently and reminded me that beefroll loafers used to fall apart around that weak beefroll joint. I never found the topstiching all that robust either.
Oh and I hate the sockless thing as well....
If I had to come down on a side I'd pick the brogue , I prefer a chunky shoe and besides I have 10 pairs of brogues and only 5 pairs of loafers
Just two very different animals, brogues and loafers.
I only recently 'got into' loafers. My wife hates them, which is kind of cool.
Only difficulty is keeping them from looking too poncy and effeminate, a thin line.
Brogues look good with anything.
Me too Moose. I used to wear loafers a lot years ago and slightly went off them. I've just rediscovered my old Sebago beef rolls, had them soled and heeled and they look great. I think the chunkier, heavier styles work best as I agree they can look a bit dodgy if they are too soft and slippy with the almondy toes. They remind me of shoes some old Greek geezer in a cream suit with a black open neck shirt would wear, going out on the pull. But maybe that's just me...
They remain, if nothing else, a decent casual slip-on for most occasions that don't call for 'heft'. 'Heft' requires something more solid that laces up. I probably wouldn't buy Bass Weejuns again. Weston do a nice one - that slightly continental Ivy look.
Is anyone finding their loafers uncomfortable during this hot weather when going sockless? I tend to favour Sebago, but they can cut you to ribbons if you're not careful. They seem to take some breaking in.
With the current trend of everyone wearing loafers, i've largely given them away for now (far too ubiquitous). l also like the feel of my lace-ups better. BUT....l do have a very soft spot for the ole loafer because l always loved them in my youth and saw them in a special light (might explain that more later).
l wear loafers once or twice a year these days. Some beautiful loafers have been sitting in my cupboard for nearly 10 years with only a few wearings; l will wear them again when all the turkey-punks stop wearing them with pointed or square toes. lt's like every second 20 year old office boy has fake snakeskin pointed loafers the length of snow ski's.
Another thing.....only cheaply made loafers are available from my town (except Artioli). You won't find any traditional goodyear welted loafers. That's another reason why l grit my teeth at loafers...because all Australia sells is shit loafers....loafers worthy of being puke bags.
Last edited by The_Shooman (2009-07-01 04:26:21)
Goodness me. Shooman using loafers as puke bags, Gibson wiping his arse on a harrington. Is this the rise of a reactionary new Punk Ivy crossover cult?
I'm off to put some safety pins through my sack jacket and sew some zips in my bondage chinos....
Last edited by The Beatnik (2009-07-01 04:36:26)
Ah Louche and Shifty, one of my favourite music hall comedy duos. Saw them at the Tufnell Park Empire. They made some movies but were never as funny. Dickie Louche is still alive, he has the prosthetic limb shop in Archway...
The loafer is a thing of beauty.....good enough for John and Bobby Kennedy good enough for me. The sockless thing reminds me of bad 80s bands in chinos with highly strapped guitars
It is a penitent man who stands before you saying there are no loafers in the cupboard but there are some on the way...
Hello, welcome aboard, have fun.
Which loafers did you go for?
Best -
Jim
That's the thing Russell, if you were to advise on a pair of loafers for a first time purchase what would you recommend?
I have some old Sebagos, but like Brother Malloy I would like a new pair. Anyone else? (but please no silly money, times are tight)
Last edited by The Beatnik (2009-07-04 01:51:22)
Actually - I need to see those Princeton Loakes... Maybe they could be a great way in?