Let's talk loafers... - YouLookFab Forum

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Let's talk loafers...

Maya

Veteran

(Or moccasins. I think what I'm looking for is technically a moc, though I have no idea what the difference is...I just have a hunch).

After today, I have taken an oath to be kinder to my feet, even if it means looking a little older or boring-er than my cute-shoe-wearing counterparts. After seeing them absolutely covered in blisters, scrapes, bruises, and cuts today, I was just horrified

So anyway, I think loafers are acceptable interview footwear, and certainly not unstylish. I like them and I generally find them pretty comfy since there is more room in the toe box and the vamp doesn't cut me off around my boney big toe joint (where most ballet flats do). But I want to find a pair that is funky and not too conservative. When I think of wearing loafers in a young and trendy way, I think of the Korean or Taiwanese girls who I went to school with who always looked adorable in their spunky outfits. I just don't want to look old and frumpy just because dainty ballet flats and feminine heels don't work for me.

So which of these gives you the greatest sense of "me"-ness? The color I link to doesn't necessarily mean it's the color I would get, FYI. Apologies in advance for all the links...

http://www.zappos.com/franco-s.....k-vachetta

http://www.zappos.com/product/7396227/color/728

http://www.zappos.com/product/7420681/color/135677

http://www.zappos.com/product/7444148/color/178610

http://www.zappos.com/product/7506366/color/185560

http://www.zappos.com/product/7542808/color/559

OK these aren't loafers, I can't afford them, and they would probably hurt but they came up in my search and they are so adorably cute I had to share:

http://www.zappos.com/product/7542866/color/59838

Also: Loafers aren't skirt-worthy are they? I kind of like the librarian look but I'm guessing the vamp is too high...

Thanks!

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from RoseandJoan

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for posting this, Maya! I've been eagerly awaiting the "conservative footwear" post Angie said she was going to make in the Africa blog when she bought her cream loafers. I'm a big fan of driving mocs, like the ones J. Crew has every year. I currently have a pair of butterscotch suede ones with gold hardware by Me Too. I wear them with jeans. I'm thinking they wouldn't work too well with skirts (I don't know, I've never tried it). But I like the look with a button down top, or sweater vest. Very preppy.

I'm interested to hear others' take on this as well.

marianna

Veteran

I think both pairs of Michael Kors are young and very very cute. I'd just fear that they still wouldn't be comfortable... they look awfully stiff. I really like the Unisas too, but I'd have the same uncomfy fear.

The most comfortable looking ones (to my eye) are the Franco Sartos and the White Mountain ones. I like the Franco Sartos better than the White Mountain.

Maya

Veteran

Marianna, I'm not really looking to purchase any of these but just kind of get an idea of what features to look for.

Ana, I saw some Me Toos I was thinking of as well but ultimately didn't like them as much as the others (colors were boring). I have some very casual mocs from them that are divine though.

marianna

Veteran

As an idea, my stylish mom wears these and says they're the most comfortable shoes ever:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....exclusive):231870&cm_ven=Froogle&mr:trackingCode=28F1CFFD-D981-DE11-B712-001422107090&mr:referralID=NA

Tanya

Veteran

i thunk that loafers are prefecture acceptable and cute footwear, especially if they are not black and are worn with not-co-classic clothes. I like tha pairs #2,4,5, and 6. I do not think they work with skirts though, I thing that they are for jeans/pants only.

Ana, your loafers sound gorgeous!

elpgal

Veteran

I would pick the CKs for you (I love the cobalt). My least fav are the ones in the first link; the contrast stitching bothers me. I think it would be fine in a different color with a less pronounced contrast. I like these ones too: http://www.zappos.com/product/.....?zlfid=111

bella

(website)

Veteran

Looking at the pictures, I think I like the ones with hardware a bit better. Calvin Klein Monets are adorable. I think Angie would be able to tell you if they would be interview appropriate.

bella

(website)

Veteran

Also, have you considered pump loafers? Are heels completely out? I think you might be able to get more wear out of pump loafers, they would work with dresses and skirts as well in imo.

For example:
http://www.zappos.com/product/7608684/color/6076
http://www.zappos.com/product/7554589/color/934
http://www.zappos.com/product/7440949/color/161999

Maya

Veteran

Bella & Elpgal, the CK ones with the big buckle were my favorites, hands down. But they only have them in a 5.5 on Zappos and I can't find them anywhere else

Bella, heels aren't out completely. For some reason though, I'm actually more drawn to the heelless ones.

elpgal

Veteran

Here are two more that are similar but not quite there.
Somewhat sporty
http://piperlime.gap.com/brows.....=701353012

A bit bling-y
http://piperlime.gap.com/brows.....=681756002

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I just was about to respond with the CKs as being the ones that seemed the most "you".
I am sorry that they do not have them in your size. I think loafers are cute for you, agree they might not work with skirts.

cciele

Veteran

Yes, definitely the CK ones! That was my initial reaction too.

I think traditional moccasins have a continuous piece of leather that goes up the sides of the shoe and around the bottom. They don't have an extra sole on the bottom (kind of like those sold as house slippers). Nowadays, I've seen moccasin and loafer used interchangeably.

I would not wear loafers with a skirt, unless you are a Asian schoolgirl and wear them with a short skirt and thigh-high socks

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Did anyone like my new loafers? Just curious. There weren't many comments on the post itself.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I really liked your loafers Angie. I've been looking forward to your post so I can see all the interesting ways you are going to wear them!

Tanya

Veteran

I loved them Angie! They were super cute. Sorry I haven't commented about that, I was crazy busy at that time with my thesis.

taylor

Veteran

I liked the ones with hardware also Maya:)

I actually did like those Angie...for me it was the color with the dark denim.

Maya

Veteran

I liked your loafers Angie. They were not my *personal* style or taste but I loved how they looked on you and how you wore them.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I love the CK loafers, I like the hardwear and they appear the most most modern to my eye.

I agree with Cciele that loafers with skirts requires a short skirt and a good dose of attitude. I know your hunt for shoes is difficult but have you tried a funky brogue such as these
http://www.topshop.com/webapp/.....#038;top=Y

I wear a pair similar to the first ones except they don't have studs and I love to wear them with dresses as well as jeans.

April

Veteran

Ana -- I am with you, also eagerly awaiting Angie's blog post on how to make traditionally-styled footwear work. I'm often attracted to loafer styles, then when I own them they make me feel dorky and unstylish. I know there are tricks and really want to know what they are!

Maya, I'm with the others on the question of loafers with skirts. I think not.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Yes, Angie, I liked the loafers, they are identical to the Boden loafer I own that are closet orphans, and I am eagerly await ideas on how to wear them!

Maya, I think a driving moc (like the ones that Tod's famously makes) will be softer for your foot than a traditional, more structured loafer.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I'll preface my comment by declaring I've never even tried on a pair of these, so don't know how they look or feel on. In fact I rarely see people wearing them over here.

To me they look quite matronly, so I think the way to wear them would be to oppose that element by wearing them in a more modern way e.g. with skinnies or a skirt with fun coloured tights. Angie I think you did a great job of making them look good in your blog post! I don't really get why you can't wear them with skirts as the vamp isn't that much higher than a regular ballet flat. Some of the versions posted look like a hybrid between a plain ballet and a more traditional loafer.

I much prefer the flat ones over the heeled version, as they look even clunkier. Hope I haven't been too negative!

Maya

Veteran

Boden has some fabulously adorable patterned loafers, but the reviews say they run narrow so I put them out of my head. The other pair they have available look a bit orthopedic to me...

Tam, I can totally see why they you would think they are matronly if you have rarely seen them on. It really is a package deal with these shoes. It seems too easy to get the look wrong. I have a preference for loafers with a lower vamp, rather than the ones that come all the way to the ankle, and with some kind of ornamentation or embellishment, whether it's contrast piping/stitching, hardware, bows, ruffles, etc. Just something to keep them more lively. Color is important too. Black and brown are an immediate dealbreaker for me. (BTW are you eating a cupcake in that picture?)

Laura, I love J Crew's driving mocs, and I bet they are deliciously comfortable, but they are nowhere near my budget. Thinking of maybe getting a pair on ebay. They always come in such great colors.

R&J, you have no idea how much I want a pair of oxfords! They are also on my shoe shopping list. I would like to find a pair that aren't overly masculine though. The ones I love most are, of course, out of budget for me. I was all over this one pair from Jeffrey Campbell last year but the price never came down and they sold out.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I received the Dusk catalogue yesterday which featured very cute loafer and skirt looks. Here's a link. What do you think?
http://s575.photobucket.com/al.....C02324.jpg