Tan suede penny loafers worn with dark trousers, in a strip of low sunlight.
Photo by Alex Hudson on Unsplash

An edit

Loafers

Leather and suede loafers, slip ons and mules for women and men, from independent boutiques.

Loafers are low shoes that slip on, in leather, suede or corduroy, worn with tailoring or with jeans. The same shelf holds mules, which are open at the back, and soft slippers for the house.

The loafer grew out of a Norwegian slip on shoe of the early twentieth century and became a campus shoe in America in the fifties. Gucci put a metal horsebit on its loafer in the fifties, and its backless Princetown came much later. Guidi, which began as a tannery in Tuscany, dyes its leather shoes after they are made, and Chrome Hearts makes its dagger loafer in corduroy.

Wear them with trousers that stop at the ankle, or with straight jeans and white socks. Utopia in Toronto carries Chrome Hearts, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, some pre owned, WDLT117 brings Guidi loafers and MM6 Maison Margiela mules, and parlor23 brings Dr. Martens and Hoka.

Guidi 792ZI Metal Heel Lace up Loafer Beige, side view, at WDLT117 on within
Guidi
792ZI Metal Heel Lace up Loafer Beige
NZ$2,062
WDLT117
Guidi Slip On 4890P Black, side view, at WDLT117 on within
Guidi
Slip On 4890P Black
NZ$1,550Last one
WDLT117
Chrome Hearts Dagger Corduroy Loafers Black, side view, at Utopia on within
Chrome Hearts
Dagger Corduroy Loafers Black
NZ$6,357NZ$6,993
Utopia
Gucci Princetown Slipper Black Leather, side view, at Utopia on within
Gucci
Princetown Slipper Black Leather
NZ$1,017
Utopia
Dr. Martens "x Stussy Penton Loafer Bordeaux" 2018, side view, at parlor23 on within
Dr. Martens
"x Stussy Penton Loafer Bordeaux" 2018
NZ$519Last one
parlor23
Guidi Metal Heel Lace-up Loafer Black 792ZI, side view, at WDLT117 on within
Guidi
Metal Heel Lace-up Loafer Black 792ZI
NZ$2,327Last one
WDLT117
Christian Louboutin Dandelion Spikes Flat Veau Velour Red, side view, at Utopia on within
Christian Louboutin
Dandelion Spikes Flat Veau Velour Red
NZ$763Pre-owned
Utopia
Dr. Martens "Arrows Snaffle Loafer" 2018, side view, at parlor23 on within
Dr. Martens
"Arrows Snaffle Loafer" 2018
NZ$357
parlor23
MM6 Maison Margiela Ballerina Mule Heels Cream, side view, at WDLT117 on within
MM6 Maison Margiela
Ballerina Mule Heels Cream
NZ$1,420Last one
WDLT117
MM6 Maison Margiela Leather Mules Pastel Yellow, side view, at WDLT117 on within
MM6 Maison Margiela
Leather Mules Pastel Yellow
NZ$881NZ$1,452Last one
WDLT117
Burberry Northaven Check Quilted Slippers at Utopia on within
Burberry
Northaven Check Quilted Slippers
NZ$381Pre-owned
Utopia
Chrome Hearts White & Black Horseshoe Logo Slippers - New (Conditional) at Utopia on within
Chrome Hearts
White & Black Horseshoe Logo Slippers - New (Conditional)
NZ$1,526
Utopia
Kith Kithmas Monogram Shearling Slippers Black at Utopia on within
Kith
Kithmas Monogram Shearling Slippers Black
NZ$254
Utopia
Kith Kithmas Monogram Shearling Slippers Idea at Utopia on within
Kith
Kithmas Monogram Shearling Slippers Idea
NZ$254
Utopia
Chrome Hearts NYC Exclusive Embroidered Horseshoe Logo Hotel Slippers Black at Utopia on within
Chrome Hearts
NYC Exclusive Embroidered Horseshoe Logo Hotel Slippers Black
NZ$1,780
Utopia
Crocs Cozzzy Sandal Barbie Electric Pink, side view, at Utopia on within
Crocs
Cozzzy Sandal Barbie Electric Pink
NZ$254
Utopia
Kith Kithmas Monogram Shearling Slippers Stadium, top view, at Utopia on within
Kith
Kithmas Monogram Shearling Slippers Stadium
NZ$254
Utopia
Kith Kithmas Kids Monogram Shearling Slipper Loft at Utopia on within
Kith
Kithmas Kids Monogram Shearling Slipper Loft
NZ$254
Utopia
Guidi PL0E Slip On Low Shoes Aqua Blue, side view, at WDLT117 on within
Guidi
PL0E Slip On Low Shoes Aqua Blue
NZ$971NZ$2,139
WDLT117
Crocs Classic Cozzzy Sandal Sza Denim, side view, at Utopia on within
Crocs
Classic Cozzzy Sandal Sza Denim
NZ$191
Utopia
BAABUK Mel Slippers in Vanilla, side view, at Due West on within
BAABUK
Mel Slippers - Vanilla
NZ$121NZ$153
Due West
BAABUK Mel Slippers in Dark Grey, side view, at Due West on within
BAABUK
Mel Slippers - Dark Grey
NZ$121NZ$153
Due West
BAABUK Mel Slippers in Bordeaux, side view, at Due West on within
BAABUK
Mel Slippers - Bordeaux
NZ$121NZ$153
Due West
BAABUK Mel Slippers in Navy, side view, at Due West on within
BAABUK
Mel Slippers - Navy
NZ$121NZ$153
Due West

Common questions

What is the difference between a loafer and a mule?
A loafer covers the heel and slips on, while a mule is open at the back. Gucci's Princetown sits between the two: a horsebit loafer with the heel cut away.
How do you wear loafers with jeans?
Pick straight jeans that stop at or just above the ankle so the shoe shows. White socks with black loafers look relaxed, and bare ankles look sharper in summer.
Are loafers formal or casual?
Both: a black leather loafer works with a suit, and a suede or corduroy pair works with jeans and a knit.