How to wear loafers

Loafers are slip-ons, so the rest of the outfit has to carry the formality. A neat last, a visible saddle or tassel, and trousers hemmed short enough to show the shoe. Start with men’s loafers, then pick penny or tassel.

Socks, trousers, season

No-show socks in the heat, fine ribbed socks when you want a line of colour. Trousers want a slight break, not a puddle over the vamp. Suede suits spring and autumn, while smooth calf works all year if you wipe the rain off. Lug-sole loafers belong with jeans, not with a worsted suit.

Penny styling and loafers with a suit go deeper. Black calf pairs such as black penny loafers or black tassel loafers are the office starting point.

Common questions

Driving mocs or loafers?

A driving shoe has rubber pebbles on the sole and is strictly casual. It is not a penny loafer.

What belt?

Same leather family, and skip a large buckle if the shoe already has tassels.

Can I wear them with shorts?

Suede, on a hot day, yes. Smooth black calf with shorts reads as a mistake.