Rachy good point about the fitflops being more of an avant-garde
style. Interesting point about "shallow nosed", although the ones I have are like that and are super comfy except for the sole cushioning. It sure is important to get the right fit and shape for your foot.
Suntiger, I like those, clarks usually fit me well. I think of that style as sort of a bootie cut down into a loafer - with a unadorned vamp. As you say a backdrop for pants.
lisa p fascinating point about using footwear to add edge or polish rather than doing it through other clothing items. Now that I think about the outfits you show, with your attention to detail, that makes perfect sense. I guess I've not thought that way because shoes require some real investment so in my mind they need to last a long time, but that's clearly not the only way to think about it. And others might say that other clothing items deserve some investment too That loafer you showed is kind of cool, although I don't care for metallic heels, but the shape is kind of interesting.
Phoebe, interesting that you find the penny loafer more elegant than some of the others. I think you are right that the lug sole ones may date faster, but if I want to add some edginess that might be a good choice. What a great way to think about adding a bit of edginess/glam - by just a small detail on a pair of shoes.
Irina, good point about chunky being modern. I agree that classic loafers worn with jeans makes the outfit less casual, and that may be just what I'm going for.
Nemosmon, I hear you on planning what to pair them with ... and I've been through those massive try/return cycles too! No fun but necessary if you don't have good B&M shoe stores that fit your needs, as is true for me and clearly for you too. I want to mostly wear them with jeans and/or pants. I've never been much of a dress/skirt wearer but maybe loafers could work with the right one.
Angie, great explanation of these styles in terms of trendy vs. classic. I know you wear loafers quite a bit, in bright colors. It's always amazing to me how very different shoes look when they are black vs lighter colors. My summers are generally too warm for closed shoes, although loafers might work on a cool day, but for spring and fall they are perfect. In mid winter when it's very cold I only wear boots. I really like how you so clearly identify which of your garments you like to be trendy (like jeans), and which you like to be classic (shoes). Having a clear pattern like that, even if it's different from yours, seems to lead to good wardrobe cohesion.
kkards, a lug sole patent leather loafer in a dark red has appealed to me for a while. I think you are right about the vionics and fit flops reading like a smoking slipper, although I think of smoking slippers as dark velvet, not cream leather.
JAileen, agree that the lug sole is more modern. Don't you hate that heel slippage thing? It happens to me on so many shoes that otherwise fit, so aggravating.
Fashintern it is fascinating how just a few details can make for a style one person really likes and another does not!
notsaf, I suppose black loafers ARE conservative and heavy, but that works for me! I remember going to Boca Raton many years ago with a girlfriend and fellow "conservative New Englander where black shoes are ubiquitous" and we were so amazed at the brightly colored shoes with super high heels in all the shops. The Caribbean/Latina influence was big in Florida even back then. We couldn't believe "normal" women could possibly wear such things. We still laugh about how limited our world view was back then.
Interesting that you find the horse-bit to be a feminine detail.
