Second hand loafer buying advice
Hi, I'm looking to pick up a first pair of brown penny (?) loafers cos I only have a pair of black oxfords and 3 pairs of sneakers rn. I don't really wanna spend a lot on these so mainly looking at second hand on eBay and Vinted. Probably worth noting most eBay sellers accept returns whereas Vinted don't, since idk how they'll fit.
They'll be for smart/business casual events and whenever I feel like wearing them I guess. UK size 7.5 in my sneakers so searching for UK size 7 in these. I have found the following listings, not sure how to evaluate any of them to be honest, I just searched for recommended brands. Do I just pick one of them I like and hope for the best?
https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/6514604568-grenson-hand-crafted-mens-moccasins-size-7 £30
https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/7172340600-loake-brown-suede-loafers suede, made in India, £20
https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/7008032030-barker-burgundy-leather-shoes-size-7 £20
https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/6575270377-sanders-for-next-brown-loafers-size-7 £53
https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/5959114857-loake-rome-burgundy-mens-shoes-rome burgundy, £32
https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/6446940444-cheaney-mens-burgundy-shoes-size-7 burgundy, £22
https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/5748253701-churchs-mens-loafers £53
https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/6134099444-barker-of-earls-barton-mens-chestnut-leather-shoes-size-7-slip-on-elastic £27
https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/5980711305-80-off-allen-edmonds-penny-loafer different colourway £64
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167760885929 crocket and jones, look pretty worn £40
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335666592334 loake venetian style, £20
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286299461847 grenson tassel style, £32
thank you in advance for anyone for taking the time to help!
4 Replies
Hi @insecure tiger! For better answers, include:
- Reference pictures
- Budget in numbers
- Specific measurements
- Openness to buying secondhand and/or online
- Location: country/continent is fine
- Timing/urgency
If your feet are "average" in width, instep, volume, etc then likely most of those will fit as most of those brands aim for generic lasts, particularly Loake
If the name of model is given you can usually find the last and what it fits like. Or even just go on the brands website, select loafer category and just eyeball which model loafer you're potentially buying on Vinted / eBay
My ranking
* Allen Edmonds
* Sanders
* Loake suede for £19
Reason: lot of the others are cheap but need the leather cleaned (striped) then conditioned. Some look over-polished a fair bit. Some need the heels replacing. Other have no picture of heels - so unable to tell how worn they are. Also the one with removable perforated leather insoles made me laugh.
The above 3 seem good enough for "wear as-is" versus buying a few leather cleaner/conditioners for brining up them up to scratch & possible near heel changes
Re: over polishing. You can see the white in the leather creasing on some of the loafers
See example vid https://youtu.be/qt_sB0Zvcvw?si=azvjdyjo14fQ6u0l
Shoe Healer
YouTube
Trickers Boots Over-Polished: How Over-Care Can Lead to Damage | Bo...
In this video, Antony takes a closer look at a pair of Trickers boots that were sent in for repair, but with one major issue – they've been over-polished! While regular polishing is essential for maintaining quality leather, overdoing it can leave a white crusty, uneven finish and even damage the leather. Antony explains what over-polishing lo...
Wow, thanks so much, this is all really helpful! I just picked up the Loake ones because I realised the AEs are wide fit (I just measured mine and I think they are regular, also can't find a 7 EEE on their website so kinda sceptical), and uh the sanders are more expensive lol, I can get nicer new shoes later if I want