Herring Shoes Journal

Enough is enough! We are officially embracing the spring/summer season. We have had to wait it out, but I definitely saw the sun today! In shoe world, the sun means loafers. While loafers are good for autumn/winter too, the warmer months mean we can wear them without socks and expose the ankle a bit!

The origins of the loafer are said to come from the moccasin. They are both slip-ons, have a low-slung profile to expose the ankle and feature a stitched apron. However, while a moccasin is seen as a soft-soled comfort shoe, the loafer has much more clip to it care of a separate sole and a small heel.

As has been the case with other shoes and boots, the British royal family may have had a hand, or foot, to play in the development of the loafer. King George VI asked Wildsmith Shoes to come up with a house shoe for him to wear around the palace and other royal residences, and the result was what is known as the Wildsmith loafer.

Meanwhile in Norway, Nils Gregoriusson Tveranger introduced a loafer to the town of Aurland after he had travelled to North America to learn shoemaking. When travelling Americans then saw them on sale in Europe, they took them home where they were spotted by the editor of Esquire magazine.

The European and American loafers continued to develop with the penny loafer first produced by GH Bass in the 1930s. This distinct style includes the saddle, with a diamond-shaped cut-out, that bridges the stitched apron. Apparently, US prep school students used to tuck a penny in the cut-out and that’s what gave them their name.

Meanwhile, back in Blighty, the ever-so-fashionable Edward VII was sporting the penny loafer – he favoured the brown and white calf style. Of course, he did!

Aside from a penny, the loafer has seen the addition of tassels, bows, fringes, full-width saddles, and brass snaffle horse-bits. The introduction of the horse-bit was down to Gucci. They also began making loafers out of black leather to elevate their status from a casual shoe to footwear that could be worn in the office. 

Shoemakers across the world continue to produce loafers in these styles and they are still ever-popular with both men and women. An example of the evolution of the loafer is our Snaffle style. Made in black deerskin, this features a silver-coloured snaffle metal bit. These are definitely smart enough for the boardroom!

If you fancy a tassel in your life, then the Guildford is lovely and sharp, but could also be a casual alternative. Made in navy grain or a pebble grey suede, this is a real classic with a part leather and part rubber sole.

For a more casual look, we have some new styles for the season. The St Jean is made from a gorgeous soft suede and has a light-coloured rubber sole, so is definitely a spring/summer shoe. The Matira has a boating feel to it with an elasticated heel and cushioning for extra comfort.

We are officially calling it! It is time for loafers. Let’s go people; lets embrace spring/summer 2023.