Men’s Fashion – Loafers

Loafers have become increasingly popular over the past year with many fashionable men. Interestingly, this piece of footwear was not initially offered by many; despite its growing popularity and wide-reaching appeal. High street fashion has since caught up and we now have wide a choice of styles and finishes available in this statement item.

The appeal of loafers is understandable. They are adaptable to both casual and formal outfits, have an aura of sophistication around them and instantly bring your look up a notch when worn with more casual attire. You would be mistaken to think that  loafers cannot be worn with a suit. Even if you have a limited appetite for experimenting, combining traditional black leather tassels with a dark suit achieves that typical Ralph Lauren, ‘Great Gatsby’, gentleman look. The ability to pair with a suit boils down to style and quality. Suits are formal, so you should be looking for a more formal style of loafer. This means structured shapes in high quality leather – ideally you want something that has a slight shine to it, so you can continue to polish and buff them to an acceptable office standard.

Alternatively, suede loafers are a possibility; really it all depends on how you are going to utilise the footwear and how strict the dress code is at your place of work. High quality suede examples, again in structured shapes, are what to look for – but be aware that they will have an instant ‘dress down’ effect as soon as you slip them on. That doesn’t mean they can’t work with a suit for other less formal occasions however. In terms of colour, you should be looking at the timeless hues of brown and black if you want to wear them with a suit. Oxblood could potentially be an option, dependant on where you work and your profession. If you do invest in a classic formal loafer, remember that spending more will pay off in the long term. These have become a statement shoe that will never go out of fashion. With a bit of love and care, these could become your go to formal shoes for the next 5 years.

One final advantage of the loafer comes from its suitability. This is a shoe that looks superb without socks, due to their inherently low profile and slip-on nature. Why not try a suit, no socks and shirt combination for events this year? It would be perfect for weddings, garden parties and the like.