As You Were: Loafers for spring

Inspired by you, the first of an occasional new series, As You Were, which honours classic clothes and accessories.

The English-Dutch actor and director Olivia Lonsdale, interviewed by Arket, said, "I’ve tried garments that I see everybody else wearing, but I didn’t want to wear them. I always go back to what I always wanted... What is for me is what was there all along." That's As You Were, in action.

Lonsdale in loafers; photo, Arket

I thought of Lonsdale's comment when I heard that the US Mint will stop producing pennies. My closet has held penny loafers for 60 years, because they can be worn with jeans, shorts, skirts and even dresses. Many homes have old pennies in a jar somewhere, but you can wear them without the copper accent.

You can buy the original Bass Weejuns, hand-sewn and sharp as ever, but now made in El Salvador instead of Maine. Price, $US 175.

Photo: G.H. Bass

I saved babysitting money for those chestnut Weejuns, the only colour our small-town shoe store carried; my current loafers are black patent Paraboots, still in fine shape after a decade.

Paraboot Vignony loafer

Your foot size may change over time, but loafers have a more forgiving cut and gently-rounded toe box, so handle modest spreads and shifts. Though designers sometimes mess with them—right now oversize lug soles show up—a crisp classic still looks fresh as the first jonquils.  

There are more reasons to re-up penny loafers: They slide off for airport security, look more polished than sneakers, refresh with a dab of polish, and do not demand a pedicure. Leather soled models can be cobbled through decades of wear.

Lighthearted loafers
Spring entries in two or more tones: playful combos pick up basics!

1. Grenson Epsom leather-soled loafer; price, £440. With Goodyear welted construction, these can be be half or fully fully resoled, so they will last for many years. 
2. Camper Twin multicoloured penny loafers; $CDN 215.  
3. Sézane Andrea terracotta loafers; $295; made in many different colours.

Single-colours
Versatile whether in neutrals or brights, and let you cut loose with socks.

1. Girotti Kelly Green loafers; leather-lined; sale price, $238. Essence of spring but wearable all year.
2. Maguire Bergamo loafers in Cobalt; price, $230. An alluring blue.
3. J. Crew New Winona loafers in Cocoa Berry, a good, rich brown; price, $198.

Special effects

Left:  Driving loafers usually do not have the penny slot, but these do, and are waterproof! Blondo Shelby Driving Loafer at Nordstrom; shown in platinum leather; sale price $175. Limited sizes.

Top right: Sperry Seaport Fina mule loafer; price, $110.

Botttom right: Vionic Uptown Loafer IV; price, $165. A light, flexible sole and an upper that collapses to pack flat, and feature good arch support.

Because these are leather shoes, they will take a few weeks to break in, especially the heel counters. If used to athletic shoes or stretchy-fabric flats, they may feel stiff at first—but like jeans, they will mould to your shape. 

Shop for them now, because in spring when they issue a mating call, sizes may vanish—or dig yours out of their dust bags and treat them to a buff and fresh socks. Marie Kondo advises thanking your possessions as you divest them, but I like to thank my loyal loafers, here for another year.