[215339]

I've exchanged a pair of loafers for different sizes 3 times, and I've also stretched them multiple times.

I've low volume feet, narrow ankles, but slightly wider feet, and this is a terrible combination for loafers due to lack of lacing.

The difference between my foot flopping right out, and the toebox being crushingly tight is not far apart.

So I've learned the only way I can comfortably wear these GYW, fully lined loafers is to go sockless.

I'm hesitant on doing this because I never thought it looked good, but it's the only option now.

Any tips? Possibly to pull this off with sport coat and trousers, or strictly casual-wear only?

What about the hygiene factor? I know these will eventually start stinking. I've heard of UV light wands, would those work as a preventative measure? I have shoe trees as well.

 

[Oldsarge]

Summer comes so it's not a hideous look. Sport coat and trousers (and perhaps a Panama) could be pulled off depending on the setting. In some parts you'd be accused of over-dressing! Cedar shoe trees are probably your best bet, IMO. Never encountered UV light wands.

 

[David J. Cooper]

Wash your feet and your shoes shouldn’t stink.

 

[Mr. B. Scott Robinson]

It is a bit of a requirement in the south to not wear socks with loafers. I am not a fan, but it is “the done thing”.

A good air out in the evening with shoe trees or newsprint crammed inside can reduce the moisture problem. Also having several pair in rotation helps. I have 3 pair, which seems to be a minimum size side for a good rotation.

Bucks are also worn sans socks by many.

When the start to get ripe, time to consider a new pair.

Cheers,

BSR

 

[richard warren]

The key is not to wear your loafers sockless when you should be wearing socks. If you find yourself unable to excercise judgment, don’t.

 

[mhj]

How about those short socks that don't come over the top of the shoe, I don't remember what they're called.

 

[215339]

Summer comes so it's not a hideous look. Sport coat and trousers (and perhaps a Panama) could be pulled off depending on the setting. In some parts you'd be accused of over-dressing! Cedar shoe trees are probably your best bet, IMO. Never encountered UV light wands.

It is a bit of a requirement in the south to not wear socks with loafers. I am not a fan, but it is "the done thing".

A good air out in the evening with shoe trees or newsprint crammed inside can reduce the moisture problem. Also having several pair in rotation helps. I have 3 pair, which seems to be a minimum size side for a good rotation.

Bucks are also worn sans socks by many.

When the start to get ripe, time to consider a new pair.

Cheers,

BSR

Alright, sounds like I just need to do it and stop thinking about it. Thanks guys.

I've got a chunky weave straw hat with a wide brim, so that'll do quite nicely.

Time to become a northerner pretending to be a southerner, I think there is a word for that.

The key is not to wear your loafers sockless when you should be wearing socks. If you find yourself unable to excercise judgment, don't.

How about those short socks that don't come over the top of the shoe, I don't remember what they're called.

As mentioned in the OP, the loafers can only comfortably be worn sockless.

 

[jackmccullough]

I wouldn't do it. I just think wearing leather shoes (with the possible exception of sneakers) is just wrong.

In your position I would reconcile myself to the fact that this is a type of shoe that won't work for you.

 

[Charles Dana]

In your position I would reconcile myself to the fact that this is a type of shoe that won't work for you.

At last, Jack said what needed to be said.

OP, your feet are telling you that they don't like loafers. You should listen to them.

At the moment, there is no cure for loafer intolerance. I understand that medical science will get cracking on that malady once this COVID-19 thing is under control.

Until then, how about boat shoes?

 

[London380sl]

I would think, that living in Regina you might be able to get away with not wearing socks for about 3 months of the year.

Personally I hate the look and feel of going sockless but that's a personal preference.

Have you looked at monk straps? They might allow you to cinch the shoe tight enough.

 

[David J. Cooper]

I have found that I can’t wear loafers either. I have quite a high instep. I have a couple of pairs I really love, both AEs. I only wear them sock less after a round of golf or for a quick run to the store. I treat them like a lady would a pair of stilettos. Not for walking too much.

 

[Woofa]

How about those short socks that don't come over the top of the shoe, I don't remember what they're called.

i just wanted to chime in as I have tried these but did not like them, here is a picture of what they look like.

i really found them uncomfortable and perhaps because of where they sit they did not feel like a sock.
In addition, they do not work with all loafers. These are Alden loafers.

As you can see the socks still show.

 

[challer]

What are socks?

 

[Color 8]

I always had very solid, closely-fitting laced shoes and the relatively imprecise fit of loafers didn't feel right to me for a long time.

Now I love them. I had to learn to appreciate the comfort of a shoe that wasn't molded around my foot for 16 hours per day. A little bit of slippage here or there is part of their charm.

 

[215339]

At last, Jack said what needed to be said.

OP, your feet are telling you that they don't like loafers. You should listen to them.

At the moment, there is no cure for loafer intolerance. I understand that medical science will get cracking on that malady once this COVID-19 thing is under control.

Until then, how about boat shoes?

Nope, I have arch pain, no more floppy shoes for me. Only structured ones.

I would think, that living in Regina you might be able to get away with not wearing socks for about 3 months of the year.

Personally I hate the look and feel of going sockless but that's a personal preference.

Have you looked at monk straps? They might allow you to cinch the shoe tight enough.

You're right, despite me trying to pretend otherwise. I tried doing it a few days ago and it was freezing.

I've looked at monks, but I find metal buckles to be gaudy, so not a fan.

 

[215339]

I always had very solid, closely-fitting laced shoes and the relatively imprecise fit of loafers didn't feel right to me for a long time.

Now I love them. I had to learn to appreciate the comfort of a shoe that wasn't molded around my foot for 16 hours per day. A little bit of slippage here or there is part of their charm.

Interesting, I've had the opposite experience.

A little bit of slippage is ok for boots and shoes, but can mean the difference between not being able to walk at all in loafers for me. My foot quite literally flops out with one step.

 

[London380sl]

I've looked at monks, but I find metal buckles to be gaudy, so not a fan.

Good thing I didn't suggest velcro.

 

[215339]

Heel grips might be an option to tighten up the fit at the back of the foot and prevent heel slip.

Which lasts and shoes have you tried? I know I've seen Carmina reference one of their Uetam last as being specifically designed with a low-instep to assist with holding the shoe on the foot.

I ditched the sockless thing and just wear thin dress socks. Strictly for just loafing, not much walking, they're serviceable.

Heel grips and instep grips have never worked for me, they've been a waste of money on all the shoes I've tried them on.

The loafer was "Ascot II by Herring", no longer available on the website. I suspect it was a rebranded and slightly upscale Loake loafer though.

No idea what loafer last that is.

I haven't tried any other loafers. All I know is I had to start with 9F, too big, then 8.5F, too big, and 8F was the only one that wouldn't flop out of my feet, and are the tight pair that required multiple shoe stretchings.

 

[scottfranklin]

I'd echo @Lucido's implicit suggestion to try different lasts and also consider working with your cobbler (if you can find a good one). After years of poor-fitting loafers that either squeezed my toes or slipped off my heel (oh, the blisters I had), I fell in love with a pair of Ferragamo moc-toed loafers in pebbled leather. The moccasin toe box is a bit wider than their other loafers, and the soft leather adapted to my foot nicely. My right foot is oh-so-slightly larger than my left, so my cobbler added a tongue pad to the left shoe and we debated, but ended up not, stretching the right one just a hair. But there were options.

That's not to suggest that they'll work for you, but rather that there are a lot of brands and lasts to try, and some after-purchase flexibility if you have a cobbler you trust and are so inclined.

 

[IT_cyclist]

I've exchanged a pair of loafers for different sizes 3 times, and I've also stretched them multiple times.

I've low volume feet, narrow ankles, but slightly wider feet, and this is a terrible combination for loafers due to lack of lacing.

The difference between my foot flopping right out, and the toebox being crushingly tight is not far apart.

So I've learned the only way I can comfortably wear these GYW, fully lined loafers is to go sockless.

I'm hesitant on doing this because I never thought it looked good, but it's the only option now.

Any tips? Possibly to pull this off with sport coat and trousers, or strictly casual-wear only?

What about the hygiene factor? I know these will eventually start stinking. I've heard of UV light wands, would those work as a preventative measure? I have shoe trees as well.

I have some AE Sea Island loafers that are designed to be sockless. On one of the first wearings, I walked about 2 blocks and had horrendous, bleeding blisters. Large band-aids are now a permanent fixture in my medicine cabinet and my packing. As the shoes have broken in, I have less need of the band-aids.
Watch out for heat/humidity and be prepared for emergency first aid.

I can't imagine going sockless with a sport coat. To me, sockless is a shorts/{polo | t-shirt} look.