Why do people call loafers “loafers”? It shouldn’t be a surprise that they were made for sitting back and relaxing. It’s not like that shoe screams “ruthless ambition,” does it?

Before meritocracy, it’s not surprising that university students were so passionate and excited about them. Men who are so lazy they can’t be bothered to tie their shoelaces wear this kind of shoe.

Everyone needs a pair of loafers in their closet, but this is especially important when the weather is warm. They are very versatile and can be worn in both a business setting and a more casual one.

Even though loafers come in many different styles and designs now, they have been worn in many different ways over the years.

And depending on the situation and where they were worn, people had different ideas about what they meant.

Let’s take a quick look back at the history of loafers to get a better idea of how shoes have changed over time and in different parts of the world.

What Are Loafers?

The loafer is a type of shoe that is easy to put on and take off and doesn’t need the shoelaces to be tied.

It is often talked about in the same way as the moccasin because some historical texts say that both types of shoes came from the same ancestors.

At one time, the loafer was thought of as a strictly indoor shoe. However, it has since changed to the point where it can be worn both inside and outside the house and for a wide range of occasions. It’s the kind of sneaker you can wear to hang out and take it easy.

The loafer can be worn in a lot of different ways to get a lot of different looks. Because of this, loafers are much harder to classify like other shoe styles like brogues and derbies.

Mule loafers can be made from many different types of materials, come in many different colors, and have or don’t have decorations.

History of the Loafer

At least until they became popular, the histories of a few popular shoe styles are clear and easy to follow.

On the other hand, this doesn’t describe the loafer. There are so many different stories to choose from that it’s hard to figure out how much each one is based on reality.

People think that both the story about the English King and the story about the Norwegian shoemaker are true.

The first story is about how King George VI wanted to find a comfortable indoor shoe that was also good for everyday use.

People in London say that he asked Matthew and Rebecca Wildsmithto design and make the shoes for him.

The Wildsmiths were chosen for the job because they already ran a successful business that gave shoes to and fixed shoes for the King’s Household Cavalry. The shoe they made is called a “Wildsmith Loafer.”

The other story says that loafers were made by a shoemaker named Nils GregoriussonTveranger in his shop in Norway.

People say that he first made a pair of moccasins that looked like the ones the Iroquois wore but were better for the colder climate of Norway.

According to the story, Tveranger made what became known as Aurland Shoes by combining the design of a moccasin and a more traditional outdoor shoe. People wore these shoes outside.

People say that after he started sending them to different countries in Europe and the Americas, they changed into the loafer we know today.

Defining Features of Loafer Shoes

Loafers are different from other shoes because they don’t have shoelaces. Because of this design, it is easy to slide one foot into the other shoe even while standing.

In addition to having a design that doesn’t need laces, the loafer has the following features:

Exposed ankle

Separate sole

Low heel

Moccasin-like upper vamp.

In some styles of loafers, there is an extra piece of leather called the saddle. It is put across the top of the vamp so that it adds a stylish touch and makes the shoe fit better. In contrast to moccasins, the sole and heel of a loafer are always separate.

Variations of the Loafer Style

The Wildsmith Loafer

Most people in the UK agree that the Wildsmith is the most popular loafer style. Along with the vertical stitching on the toe, it usually has a serrated seam and a strengthened toe.

Both the serrated seam and the toe stitching make this shoe stand out and give it a unique look. The shoe has been shined up nicely.

Aurland Loafer

This style of loafer was first made in the Norwegian town of Aurland. It is different from traditional moccasins because the upper of the shoe has a raised seam.

A narrow-cut saddle gives the top of the shoe more definition and also makes it less likely to get bigger.

Penny Loafer

The penny loafer is a type of shoe that was made from this style in the United States. The upper is easy to recognize because it has a saddle sewn across it.

The saddle got its name from the fact that the hole in it is big enough to fit a penny.

Coincidentally, the person who thought of the penny loafer liked to put coins in his shoes so he would always have enough money to make a phone call.

Kilted Loafer

The kilted loafer is easy to spot because it has a flap with leather strings or tassels that goes over the vamp.

 The shoe gets its name from this. Some of them even had some brogueing on them.

Italy-made loafers

The loafer is an important part of the Italian “sprezzatura” style because it completes the look of being casual but still stylish.

In the 1950s, Aldo Gucci had the idea of making a type of shoe called a “loafer” that could be worn in more formal settings. People often say that this loafer is the best example of a loafer in the Italian style.

In the end, his shoe looked a lot like a tassel loafer, but instead of a tasseled saddle, it had a gold horse bit on it.

Belgian Loafer

When compared to other styles, this one is pretty modern. A tiny bow has been placed on top for decoration.

When shoes are made in a factory, they are sewn with the inside facing out. This makes the seam look more professional on the finished product.

There are many different kinds of shoes that are called “loafers.” They can be very fancy or very simple.

Because loafers are meant to be worn as casual, everyday shoes, there isn’t always one type that stands out from the rest.