Loafer/Slip-on Newbie Recs
Hey, I’ve been wanting to get some loafers as a nice alternative to standard dress shoes for dates and semi-formal wear. I have tried Vans Slip-ons in the past and haven’t had much success with a good fit. I think my ankle might be too narrow or something to get a secure fit and I usually have an awkward slip motion with every step. Any advice?
I was looking at either Clarks or Solovair as a practical and classic option. Thoughts?
16 Replies
for your first question, insoles or heel insoles might be an option.
for your second question, clarks & solovair are two of many brands with loafers. personally I would
- search for loafers in #questions-and-advice and see what recs have come up
- check in #waywt-highlights #inspiration #waywt to see what kind of loafers people are wearing and how they're wearing them
- think through IF you want a loafer vs another shoe (derby, for example) and if so, the specific type of loafers, because there are lots of "classic" loafers (beefrolls, penny loafers, tassels, kilties)
- and to figure out a budget and whether or not you're willing to buy secondhand
Budget is $200 AUD which is within Clarks range
I often see penny loafers and like the classic shape
But I’m a size 8 and sometimes classic shoes can look a bit brick-like on me
Like these could be good for summer, or maybe a mule variant
https://clarks.com.au/products/nomad-loafer-maple-suede
Clarks
Nomad Loafer Maple Suede
Retaining the casual, laid-back feel of our iconic Desert Nomad silhouette, the Nomad Loafer combines the best of the archives with fresh slip-on appeal. Ultra-soft suede uppers feature a traditional saddle strap, while underfoot, our signature crepe sole honours Originals DNA. We've completed the pair with a Trek Man
But these look good for work and going out dressed up https://clarks.com.au/products/aldwin-step-mid-tan-lea
Clarks
Aldwin Step Mid Tan Lea
Make every step a good one with our smart-casual slip-on Aldwin Step. Designed to be dressed up and down, crafted leathers in versatile mid tan combine with signature cushioning and a grippy sole to tackle busy days head-on - while heritage stitching and a layered heel add polished flair to everyday looks. Premium mid
no shade i don't think the clarks style crepe sole translates to loafers all that well. the brown ones look good, though if you want other recs a cursory search yielded these:
q&a about loafers https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1356033015461183580
q&a about loafers - https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1355199992113139882
q&a about loafers are moreso "versatility" https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1339787106469417062
q&a about loafers for narrow feet - https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1365132743247138938/1365132743247138938
my "practical and classic" answer is find a pair of aldens or allen edmonds penny loafers secondhand - that's how i found uh...all of my shoes and i usually soend under $100/pair. maybe doc martens pentons depending on price.
if clarks are the shoe in your budget then they aren't bad in a vacuum, though I cannot vouch for their efficiency. i think it's a sign that most people recommend them for other things though, so you may not have an anecdote to rely on here
no shade zeo but the alden/allen edmonds secondhand rec that we often bandy about is extremely US specific. The Aus market both new and second hand is gonna look quite a lot different.
Would second clarks aren't bad in a vacuum though.
I wear a UK size 13 - I can promise you this is in your head.
Some shoes I do need to go up a size or a half to make sure it doesn’t look odd or blocky
Also seems to have decent tread
You can add silicone heel pads
To help with the slippage
Maybe just small ones at the lip of the ankle of the shoe?
Just to hopefully catch my heel before it pops out
lug sole would also be an option; managed a weekend in just sebago dan lugs which included a bunch of walking and rain (the iconic sells them but it's cheaper to search secondhand)
For shoes I would prefer to not go secondhand
might need to look into local sellers,
- https://palmoneshoes.com.au/
- https://www.aquila.com.au/loafers (opinions are mixed on aussie mfa so take with a salt)
- any stockists with the thomas george collection (this is per sam of samtalksstyle who i generally trust)
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Palmone Shoes Factory Outlet
Palmone Shoes Factory Outlet – Palmone was established in 1982 by...
Aquila
Men's Loafers - Shop Penny & Leather Loafers Online Australia
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<h1 style="width: 100%;">Men's Loafers</h1>
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<summary>Loafers combine simplicity and style, and they can be a versatile addition to your wardrobe. Whether you're dressing up for formal events or keeping it casual on the weekends, this collection has you covered. </summary>
Origin...
I don’t like that palmone doesn’t state prices on the website
Aquila has a storefront in my city which I can check out
And I like some of the options they have
you could always use the contact form to ask for the price of model [x]; an established independent cobbler may not have the overhead (or desire) to have a full online storefront
but it might be best to check aquila; just because no one has recommended them doesn't mean they're bad
That’s true, the fact there’s a few stores around means it should be somewhat reliable