The Black Loafer

Patrick06790 · May 21, 2009

A friend of mine was at Brown in the 1950s. At the time the phrase for being cool was "shoe."

Yes, "shoe." And the "shoe" guys wore brown or burgundy penny loafers.

Only the Slide Rule Brigade wore black loafers, according to Val. They might have been genuises, but they were not "shoe."

Val is not one of us, but he has eyes and he notices things. He spotted my black Sebagos one night in a church basement and told me about being shoe at Brown in the 1950s.

Sometimes I wear black loafers and think "Yes, this is cool, this is sleek, this is hard-edged."

At other times the notion of a black loafer seems absurd, or at least a black penny loafer, as opposed to some elegant shell cordovan creation from Alden. Like one of those tux t-shirts - ersatz elegance, egregious gussification of an inherently casual item.

Here I am in some pretty harmless casual togs, with brown and black flat strap penny loafers (brown Sebago Cayman II, black AE Walden).

Does one look hipper than the other, somehow? Would it make a difference to do the comparison in a beef roll configuration?

Is one version shoe?

Or do I just have far too much time on my hands?

AldenPyle · May 21, 2009

I've never tried black loafers, but I admit to being black-curious.

Naval Gent · May 21, 2009

Cool and hip are concepts outside my experience, but I did wear black Alden pennies today. With gray tropical worsteds. I probably would not own these except for a fortuitous e-Bay transaction, but I do like them as an alternative to my black tassels in my business-casual workplace. I don't wear black shoes with khakis unless I'm doing my part time government job.

Scott

Speas · May 21, 2009

I wear them occasionally. The key to me is the sock (or lack thereof). Black or grey kills it - color makes it.

Quay · May 21, 2009

Black weejun-style loafers are what they are. They could indeed, at least these days, be quite shoe.

The first pic seems more shoe to me while the second works less well but to my jaundiced eye it's just because of the plaid. Colors match, natch, but the black might do better without the blanket reminders. Perhaps stripes?

The fact you changed your belt puts you in the hip category, if not the hip, slick and cool.

My two cents, change not necessary but appreciated.

Jovan · May 21, 2009

The black ones don't look as good with your casual outfit, IMO.

anselmo1 · May 21, 2009

I wouldn't be caught in "black" penny or beef roll loafers no matter if they were Alden, AE, Cole Haan or Sebago. Cordovan or Brown are the only colors to wear as a penny loafers. Don't get me wrong, I do own black shoes but not in penny or beef roll loafers. One of my favorite's are my AE black Graysons.

TMMKC · May 21, 2009

Black loafers just don't look right with khakis and cords, IMO. Too severe.

Reddington · May 21, 2009

Shoe

Not Shoe

Full disclosure......I own a pair of black pennies, however, I never seem to be in the right frame of mind to wear them. The brown pennies are just so much more.....'shoe'. :icon_smile_wink:

Reds & Tops · May 21, 2009

I own one pair of black shoes - 3 eye bluchers. There's just something about black that I don't like when it comes to dress.

Of course, that's just my opinion. If my better half had her way I'd wear black all the time. Thankfully, she hasn't tossed the madras and oxford just yet!:icon_smile_wink:

closerlook · May 21, 2009

I'm on board with this thread, and with black loafers.
Sometimes, however, like patrick suggests, i feel like black loafers simply fill the void because one can't wear tassel mocs (like the grayson above) for every occasion. are they a place holder? maybe, but i hope not.
they are for sure, less versatile than the "burgundy."

shop around, but the walden is probably the best bet.

windsor · May 21, 2009

Well Patrick, looks like I'm in your company with a pair of black Sabagos. Also have a pair of black EG for Paul Stuart. I see nothing wrong with them. It all depends on what they are paired with. Are burgundy loafers more versatile...yes I think so, so I have those too and in greater numbers. Speaking of bygone expressions, before there was "shoe"(which I never heard in the Midwest) there was "cat". Oh, thats cat, man!

Pgolden · May 21, 2009

Shoe and black penny memories

"Shoe" comes from the 1950s bebop musicians. Not just well-dressed, but in the latest fashions. Of course, Miles Davis would qualify and I'm not so sure you wouldn't see him in black Weejuns

My experience with black penny loafers (flat-strap, never beef-rolls) dates to the mid 1960s. We wore them for dress--with blue blazers and gray flannels, and, heaven forgive us, with suits. Of course, I wouldn't recommend this for serious business wear but I'm thinking about giving it a go. Also, quite naturally, once our parents bought shoes to wear for dress, we then wore them with blue jeans. That's another enduring image, and one I like: black penny loafers and sweat socks yellowed by the wash worn with Levi's. Do not ever remember wearing them with khakis.

young guy · May 21, 2009

my black bass weejuns are my favorites after my old topsiders, wear them with white wool socks

Cowtown · May 21, 2009

I have a pair of black AE Randolphs. Great shoes, although they may not be shoe.

I love them and will pair them with khakis on occasion. While I agree that cordovan or brown look better, I don't care and wear my black loafers with pride.

Jaxson613 · May 21, 2009

I too own a pair of black AE Randolph's in shell. Great shoe! I went back and forth on whether to go black or burgundy. The brown look good in that picture. I guess I need to buy another pair.
How'd you get Jay Leno to pose for those pictures?

Brooksfan · May 21, 2009

Patrick-Once you go black you'll never go back. Trust me, they're fine.

eagle2250 · May 21, 2009

Patrick: You have the ability to make it all look good but, while I have several pair of black shoes in the collection, I can't see black penny loafers as ever being one of my options. I just don't think they would look right on my feet. However, I do look good in my burgundy, brown and tan penny loafers!

Ron_A · May 21, 2009

Naval Gent said:
Cool and hip are concepts outside my experience, but I did wear black Alden pennies today. With gray tropical worsteds. I probably would not own these except for a fortuitous e-Bay transaction, but I do like them as an alternative to my black tassels in my business-casual workplace. I don't wear black shoes with khakis unless I'm doing my part time government job.

Scott

+1. IMO, black pennies could look good with gray pants, but not with khakis.

hcivic91 · May 21, 2009

I too have a pair of black pennies but mine never make it out the front door. Each time I try them I end up thinking that some shade of brown would better compliment the ensemble. Basically in any circumstance that it seems like a black loafer might work a brown or burgundy works better.

The Black Loafer

Patrick06790

AldenPyle

Naval Gent

Speas

Quay

Jovan

anselmo1

TMMKC

Reddington

Reds & Tops

closerlook

windsor

Pgolden

young guy

Cowtown

Jaxson613

Brooksfan

eagle2250

Ron_A

hcivic91

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