It’s no secret that we here at The Peak Lapel are big fans of loafers. They are, in many ways, the perfect shoe. Easy to slip on and off. Super sleek. Classy. Chic, even, if you’ll allow us that word. Plus, they can almost always easily be either dressed up or down, go with just about anything, and are overall very comfortable and easy to wear. Not to mention that they look better with many pant breaks and leg openings, show a bit of sock, and create, very often, a super clean silhouette. I can continue singing the praises of loafers all day, but, instead, here are three loafer suggestions for you that have recently passed through our office. They’re all pretty different, for different purposes, and all three have a separate place in your wardrobe. Do you need all three? Probably not. But you certainly can make a solid argument for owning each of them. They’re all TPL Approved, quality, and look awesome. So, without any more introduction, here they are…
(Click the images to make them larger.)
Gilt’s Wall + Water Suede Penny Strap Loafer in Black — $149
Believe me when I say that it is rare to find a loafer so sleek and perfectly shaped. Even more so the fact that it is available in black. This loafer is pure class. I have gotten at least one compliment on these guys every time I have worn them (which has been a lot, recently). Throw these on with a grey (or dark) suit, and get ready to kill it. The strap across the front looks great, the toe box is just about perfect, they have a slim profile, are super slick, and just all around are the prefect loafer from a looks perspective. And these shoes bring it in terms of quality too. The leather is nice and supple, and the footbed is pretty comfortable. The whole shoe molds to your feet with just a few wears. The suede is not quite as nice as what you would get with a SuitSupply loafer, but it’s still super solid overall construction. They feel pretty sturdy — especially for a suede loafer — and I have had no issues when putting them through the paces. At this price, these loafers are a steal. At double the price they would still be worth it. This kind of shoe is exceedingly difficult to find, especially done so right. The one catch? They’re final sale. So, no returns or exchanges. They fit just a touch snugger than true-to-size. (The trick? Order a different non-final sale Wall + Water loafer to get a better sense of sizing. That might help.) We also whole heartedly recommend you check out the rest of the Wall + Water line from Gilt. They have some great shoe options there at super reasonable prices (again, just beware of final sale).
Carrucci Suede Tassel Loafers in Grey — $110
Another fantastic, dressier loafer option. I am a huge fan of tassel loafers like this, but they are harder to find than you would think — especially in a shoe this sleek, and at this price point. These are just a touch less slick than the Gilt loafers above, but they are a bit heftier in terms of construction (and also a bit less dressy). The “lacing” runs around the whole shoe (kind of like a boat shoe), which means these are easier to dress down. The black sole keeps them a bit dressier, and the absolutely perfectly shaped toe box is the cherry on top. The footbed is also quite padded and makes for a super comfortable shoe. Again, this is all very surprising for a loafer this sleek, and for this price. This thing is available in a bunch of colors, but we especially like the grey. Grey loafers are a bit less common, a bit more compliment-worthy, and go with just about anything you can throw at it, business-casual or more formal. At this price, this shoe is a fantastic, fantastic deal and is highly recommended.
Lacoste Concours Driving Loafer in Black — $99
Every guy needs a good pair of driving loafers. They are perfect for slipping on to run to the supermarket or gas station and still look super put together. Not to mention those lazy days when you are just not in the mood to tie a pair of shoes (which, for me, is more often than not). The right pair of driving loafers (“right” being the key word here) lets you get that loafer-y goodness into your everyday life. And, this pair from Lacoste is certainly the “right” kind of pair. They are sleek, sturdy, dependable, and very comfortable. I can do without the logo on the side, but it’s subtle enough so as not to really be too noticeable. These loafers have the perfect shape — not too round, nor too square. And that, really, is what separates the right pair from the wrong pair. They are slick, have the awesome rubber-nib sole which any great pair of driving loafers should have, and comes in a few different colors. While the brown might be more versatile for many, we here at The Peak Lapel find ourselves wearing black or grey pants more often than not, which means that a pair of black driving loafers (in addition to our more versatile grey and brown pairs) were in order. At this price, these shoes are not a steal, but they are certainly well worth it. Good luck finding a pair of driving loafers this sleek and good-looking anywhere else (except for Jack Erwin, review forthcoming).
Conclusion
All three of these loafer options are great additions to any guy’s shoe collection. Like we said at the outset, you probably don’t need all three pairs (at least not right now), but every guy could benefit from at least one of these pairs of shoes in his wardrobe. If you’re not already in the loafer game, it’s high time. You’re really missing out. And any (or all) of these options are a great place to start. They look fantastic, are priced just as fantastically, and are sure to get you compliments.