Best loafers?

What do you think are the best quality/looking loafers out there?
I'm getting into the shopping mood because it's that time of the year. I personally think Salvatore Ferragamo is shoe porn, not that I'm in that spending class yet but still enjoy it.

 

I'd get a conservative US/british loafer before Italian horsebit, but that's just me. If you have relatively thin/long feet, the brooks shell cordovan penny loafer (basically aldens without the liner) looks great with a suit.

 

Gucci Horsebit Loafers by a long shot. Mine arrived today actually... sitting at my apartment building now waiting for me to get home and love them dearly, seriously.

But agreed with @BTbanker the AE Verona's are basically the same thing but cheaper and you can actually get deals on them. Cole Haan also makes a decent one, not a fan of Ferragamo personally.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 

No, I just bought the Gucci ones. I figured might as well spend the extra to get the top ones. I did try both when I was at Bloomingdales though and they really are pretty similar. I would say the AEs are a bit stiffer then the Gucci when brand new while the Gucci feel broken in from the start. After some use though, this may change and become more minute, I'm not sure. AEs look a bit more glossy too while the Gucci look more soft.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 
PA:

what about sub $100 loafers? I used to have johnston and murphys.

I just bought a pair of Johnston & Murphy black penny loafers for $99 on sale (40% off), brand new. They are a fifth of the cost of similar style Ferragamos and look virtually identical. Not too shabby for an everyday shoe, and you don't need to fret since you didn't spend a small fortune.

http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/product.aspx?pid=83623&gclid=CLC7xNGJ_LoC…

 

I have a pair of Ferragamo Giostra loafers that I like a lot. None of the others really turn me on. I want to get a pair of their drivers though.

Gucci has it on lock. AE if you are looking for a lower price point.

 

I must say Gucci has really nailed the horsebit style..in fact, they developed the horsebit loafer themselves if I remember correctly.

"You are neither right nor wrong because the crowd disagrees with you. You are right because your data and reasoning are right." -Warren Buffett
 

These are gorgeous: http://oakstreetbootmakers.com/footwear/beefroll-penny-loafer You can darken the sides of the sole with edge dressing if you want a more conservative look.

Also these: http://www.rancourtandcompany.com/ready-made/men-s/beefroll-penny-loafe…

If you want something a bit more formal, go with the full straps: http://www.rancourtandcompany.com/ready-made/men-s/weltline-penny-loafe…

Please don't get black loafers. They are sort of a weird mix of a formal color and an less formal shoe.

 
AnalyzeThat:

Please don't get black loafers. They are sort of a weird mix of a formal color and an less formal shoe.

Lol, dress shoes are pretty much only in two colors, black or brown. Saying one of them is the "formal color" is kind of a meaningless statement.

Also, spending $300+ on "informal" shoes as a college student is definitely baller...I'm assuming you'll be a BSD by the time you graduate and start an analyst program.

 
Going Concern:
AnalyzeThat:

Please don't get black loafers. They are sort of a weird mix of a formal color and an less formal shoe.

Lol, dress shoes are pretty much only in two colors, black or brown. Saying one of them is the "formal color" is kind of a meaningless statement.

.

Yes dress shoes pretty much only come in black or brown.. not sure how that backs up your conclusion that my statement is meaningless?

This forum's purpose in part is to give fashion advice. Black loafers are a no-no. Just because they make them, doesn't mean they look good. Don't get me wrong, if you wear black loafers in the office, nobody will even notice -- it's not that big of a deal.

If the price point on my recommendations is too high, then I recommend (like others have) AE or johnston and murphy.

 

oh, this is for you to wear at work?...well in that case im not the guy to be asking, you should have been more specific. I only wear lace-ups at work.

though others may disagree ... Loafers are for Loafing - Not the impression im ever looking to give off at work.

 

Penny loafers absolutely do the trick.

I'd suggest that the person who said loafers are for loafing does not/has not spent a lot of time in an office setting. That or hasn't seen the right pair of loafers.

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/product_3110000_1_40000000001_-1?c…

Does that shoe embody laziness?

With regards to brands, I'd also look at Allen Edmonds (check out grapevinehill, sierra trading post, and even Amazon for discounts; also call up/visit an outlet store for factory 2nds to get the price down to your range). You could also look at clothing house brands depending on sales. (Brooks Bros. often made by Peal, Tyrwhitt made by Loake...)

Another option is to find a pair of shoes you like and look on ebay. Just be careful about sizing, so maybe visit your department store first to try on the pair of shoes before you buy.

"I'm not sure what the four 9's do, but the ace, I think, is pretty high."
 

I did not care for my old Cole Haan's. There was nothing specifically wrong with them and maybe I just expected more for the $, but they weren't my favorite.

I think my personal favorite were my old Ecco's. They won't be recommended a lot on here, but I love them. Unfortunately my dog decided she loved them too and chewed them one random day.

I'm current wearing Johnston & Murphy and I like them as well.

Going forward I will likely pick betwee, J&M or Ecco depending on size/widths/styles available.

twitter: @CorpFin_Guy
 
Best Response
accountingbyday:
I did not care for my old Cole Haan's. There was nothing specifically wrong with them and maybe I just expected more for the $, but they weren't my favorite.

I think my personal favorite were my old Ecco's. They won't be recommended a lot on here, but I love them. Unfortunately my dog decided she loved them too and chewed them one random day.

I'm current wearing Johnston & Murphy and I like them as well.

Going forward I will likely pick betwee, J&M or Ecco depending on size/widths/styles available.

Ben Shalom Bernanke:
Yeah J&M aren't too bad. I've got Cole Haan Oxford's and I like them. I'm just looking for a dressier, quality loafer. I'm really anal on the style but I do like the longer Italian style loafers.

My last few pairs have been J&Ms and Ecco's. J&Ms for conservative / classier; Ecco's for the more dressier style. Would recommend Ecco's.

 

J&M make some nice loafers. I think A&E might be a little to conservative for them though. Ferrengamo's are great though.

Whatever you do, try and find something with a leather sole. If you are going to drip 500 bucks on a pair of shoes make sure you can resole them.

 

I've got a pair of Cole Haans I probably bought 8 years ago and they've somehow stood up against a lot of wear and tear. They're pretty conservative and not exactly stylish, but they work just fine and aren't that expensive. I wouldn't really call them nice shoes, but if you want something pretty inexpensive that works fine, go for it.

I like my Church's and Crockett & Jones the best.

Also, I think those shoes you linked are terrible. Just my opinion, but I definitely would not wear them in any situation. If you want the flashier look where your shoes show off a brand label, you might as well go with the classic Gucci bit loafer rather than that odd-looking pair of Ferragamos.

Hi, Eric Stratton, rush chairman, damn glad to meet you.
 

[quote=DarkPool]Church's is overrated. They use a "polished leather", a type of "corrected" leather. The quality is not as good as expected for shoes at that price point.

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/showthread.php?88187-Church-s-…]

Church's use both polished and full-grain, I believe. From what I've read, the complaint is more that the price has gone up while quality has remained the same, not that quality has declined. Regardless, I wouldn't necessarily buy them at retail, but on sale, you could do a lot worse. I'd be interested to see a better looking black captoe than the Consul at $180 shipped.

Hi, Eric Stratton, rush chairman, damn glad to meet you.
 

I got a pair of Uggs, look really professional and unbelievably comfortable. I was pretty hesitant about the brand at first but they have held up great...I would definitely get another pair

"I must create a system or be enslaved by another man's." William Blake
 

I got a pair of Uggs, look really professional and unbelievably comfortable. I was pretty hesitant about the brand at first but they have held up great...I would definitely get another pair

"I must create a system or be enslaved by another man's." William Blake
 

You can find an Allen Edmonds set through their Shoe Bank, it's essentially factory seconds. The defects are usually a slight scuff or a slightly off-the-mark stitching line on the sole, and if the defect's a dealbreaker for you you can return it for free of charge.

Should cost you $100-150.

 

John Lobb

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 

Just don't make the mistake of paying full price for the Ferragamo's. When I was in Nordstrom earlier this week one of the salesmen told me that they'll be having another sale on December 26 and the Ferragamo's will be marked down 30-50%. Check their website then.

 

I am a big fan of Cole Haan. Just picked up a really nice looking pair from Nordstrom Rack for $60 down from $170. It is a real crapshoot going there but you can get lucky.

 

Echoing Cole Haan and AE. Can probably find much better deals on CH, they're a bit cheaper, but still look good and last a decently long time

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

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