They say you can tell a great deal about a man by his shoes, and in today’s world, wearing a pair of loafers says a lot.
They’re trendy as well as timeless, able to sharpen the casual, relax the formal, and bring balance to everything in between. Are you drawn to the classic Ivy heritage of a penny? The look-at-me character of a kiltie? Or the Italian élan of the horsebit? Each variation carries its own codes and connotations. Here’s your primer on the various styles — and what your choice reveals about you.
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Penny loafer
The classic. When you think loafer, you’re picturing a penny. Its sleek and simple design is finished with a strap across the apron with a cut-out slot into which college kids in the US would put a coin so they had change to make a phone call (or so the story goes). Its versatility mirrors its wearer: you’ll don them just about anywhere because you’ll be just about anywhere, whether a rooftop bar in Los Angeles or a business trip in Beijing. Reliable, composed, and understated, the penny loafer is a constant. A stand-up shoe for a stand-up man.
Kiltie loafer
The kiltie has its origins in Scotland in the 1950s, where the decorative fringing was added shoes to protect the laces from the elements. It’s often seen on golf shoes, but it’s been a feature on loafers, usually accompanied by a tassel, for decades — though they’re still an uncommon additional to your footwear rotation. The man who chooses a kiltie is entirely comfortable being noticed – but never for the wrong reasons. He’s as comfortable carving down black runs in Courchevel (though not in loafers) as he is commanding a room at a private dinner or wedding reception. He isn’t afraid of a little personality – provided it’s delivered with polish, which is precisely the appeal of the kiltie.
Horsebit loafer
Gucci aficionados will know that the horsebit loafer was invented by Aldo Gucci in 1953 when he opened the family’s first store in the US. The addition of the equestrian-style buckle was both his nod to his family’s love of equine sports and an attempt to put an Italian spin on the shoe style that the mid-century American male had so fully adopted. Now, the design has become a whole category within the loafer world, worn not just by those who fancy themselves as European lothario and pair theirs with a half-buttoned blue shirt and white jeans, but off-duty Hollywood A-listers and besuited Wall Street deal-makers alike. Suede versions style well with shorts, linen shirts and a second bottle of rosé over lunch in Portofino.
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Venetian loafer
Are you the type of guy who’s streamlined their life? Do people often ask how you manage to fit an ab-building session, eight hours of efficient work, and quality time with your loved ones in one day? Then you’re in need (but you probably already have) some Venetian loafers. Their fuss-free design, with just that raised moc-stitching detail, is minimal and clean – much like the men that wear them. But, whisper it, are they (and by extension, you) a little bit boring?
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Driving loafer
If driving loafers are your go-to, your primary residence is probably Tuscany or the South of France, where the day’s agenda consists of pottering the sun-drenched countryside until it’s an acceptable time to have that first glass of wine. You’ll have multiple customized versions of Tod’s gomminos but even if your favorites are made of leather, those pimpled soles will rarely taste the tarmac for any hard yards. Despite their name, these are as good padding around the pool as on the peddles of the Ferrari.
