[Patrick06790]

I'm finally taking the plunge into loafers after over a year of following this forum, and I'd like that first pair to be a good one. As a diehard laceup fan I've been resisting loafers with all my might, but now it's time to see what all the commotion is about.

Watch out for my rookie mistake, which was buying them in my lace-up size. Go down at least a half-size; otherwise you'll have a lot of leather flapping around.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Watch out for my rookie mistake, which was buying them in my lace-up size. Go down at least a half-size; otherwise you'll have a lot of leather flapping around.

Some of us like our loafers to flop around, though. I wear exactly the same size in loafers as lace-ups.

SAS penny loafers are another option, and made in San Antonio. I bought a pair a couple of months ago, but they are too big so I will have to move them on. I am impressed by the very good construction, and the attention to orthopedics, however they still have that glossy leather that afflicts lower-end penny loafers.

DD

 

[Plainsman]

I bought a pair of Sebago Cayman II's about 6 months ago and just sold them on eBay. I did this after getting a new pair of AE Waldens for $60. I really did not care for the Sebagos in look or comfort. (I thought they lacked both)

That being said, if you like the Sebagos you should wear them. I think most folks around here agree with that motto. They are a good price and mine did hold up to wear.

I also checked out a pair of Weejuns last week and thought they looked good but less likely to hold up to every day use than the Sebagos. Weejuns just didn't look that solid.

 

[JohnnyVegas]

Reading these threads is almost depressing for me, as I have never found a pair of loafers that fits me well. My right foot is a tad wider than my left, and without laces to make the shoe a little tighter or looser they tend to fit only one of my feet properly. I've tried on everything from Bass to AE with no luck.

Ah well, lace-ups are pretty if nothing else.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Reading these threads is almost depressing for me, as I have never found a pair of loafers that fits me well. My right foot is a tad wider than my left, and without laces to make the shoe a little tighter or looser they tend to fit only one of my feet properly....

You may want to consider getting a pair of cheap beefrolls. Buy the ones which fit your wider foot. Then take the the one which is too big (for your smaller foot) and get your local cobbler to add some stitches on the beefroll to tighten it a bit. Might work, if the guy has any skill.

I'll see if I can cobble (no pun intended) together a diagram or something. Keep in mind, this is a theory right now, although someone on the Fashion Forum was talking about having it done.

 

[Patrick06790]

Some of us like our loafers to flop around, though. I wear exactly the same size in loafers as lace-ups.
DD

Really? I couldn't stand it - felt like I was going to slide right out of them.

 

[qwerty]

Wearing too-loose (especially too-long) leather soled loafers is very very bad for the knees and hips. Be careful.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Wearing too-loose (especially too-long) leather soled loafers is very very bad for the knees and hips. Be careful.

Really? Never heard of that. With respect, I don't think leather-soled lace-ups would be any different. Certainly, the construction is identical, and snug shoes restrict the feet, which I don't think is good.

 

[qwerty]

Really? Never heard of that. With respect, I don't think leather-soled lace-ups would be any different. Certainly, the construction is identical, and snug shoes restrict the feet, which I don't think is good.

The difference is that lace-ups have higher vamps, so although the foot slides inside of them if they are too large, they must be REALLY large in order for them to keep slipping off. Loafers, on the other hand, slip off the feet if they are too loose, and the toes curl up in an order to 'latch on' to the insole. Walking with your feet like this is very bad for the feet and the knees, and thus for the hips as well.

 

[bd79cc]

DD was talking about SAS penny loafers, and on another thread it was mentioned that this style wasn't available for a while, but now is. The SAS main factory , here in San Antonio, burned to the ground a couple of years ago and only recently returned to full capacity. The owners kept everyone on payroll from the time of the fire until completion of the new factory. Most of those folks remain on the job now.

 

[JohnnyVegas]

You may want to consider getting a pair of cheap beefrolls. Buy the ones which fit your wider foot. Then take the the one which is too big (for your smaller foot) and get your local cobbler to add some stitches on the beefroll to tighten it a bit. Might work, if the guy has any skill.

I'll see if I can cobble (no pun intended) together a diagram or something. Keep in mind, this is a theory right now, although someone on the Fashion Forum was talking about having it done.

There's a good cobbler on the East Side that could probably do this. What "cheap" beefrolls would you all recommend?