Loafer love; choose or duplicate?

Kind of a rhetorical question.
Anothe fabber posted about the Halogen loafer in an animal print mix. I liked it but also liked the black, not sure about the cognac trim, of whether I should get s more refined loafer. But both sold out in my size. Then spied the Dune pewter/ black combo ;was not sure about size and fit but the colors are perfect and it had rounder toebox. But it sold out while I pondered.
Then Halogen came back in size and somehow I felt it would liven things up so I tried it.

It's at the edge of my foot tolerance for tapered toe, but is quite comfy otherwise, great rubber sole. It " makes" some pants outfits seem really fresh( to me) and even skirt + tights. So I wore it within the week and am keeping!

Then pewter/ black came back in stock and I tried it and love it too! Different brands but such similar styles, exact black band and some lug sole aspect. Yet the pewter looks more mainstream but still interesting. The Halogen OTOH is just enough " creeper" to read different - any thicker and it would be too much; I don't have the stature for more.
They both work a s neutrals and could almost be interchangeable, but the warm brown trim on the Halogen does something special for my warmer colors - camels and bricky- reds and is funky; while the pewter brings out grays and mauves and navy and blends in, I think because the heel is not really lug and is less prominent. It also is really how I like to do metallic at work - not full- on, but as 2- tone, though that loses something in color versatility because it's black.
So , I may add these too. May have to think of it as " signature" style!

Nordstrom

Halogen 'Emily' Loafer (Women)

$109.95

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Nordstrom

Dune London 'Granada' Loafer (Women)

$109.95

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8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I'm partial to the Halogen, unless the fit in the toe box is too uncomfortable. I also see the versatility of the Dune... Wait, is there a question here?

Bijou

I love the Halogen's - they remind me of a Prada loafer that had a two toned sole. The Dune look more classic to me. If you think you will wear both pairs, then they are sufficiently different.

Helen11

Do you need enabling? I can see how they would be great with different pants outfits.

unfrumped

Right!

So here was the issue, I think.
I figured out, after loving the simplicity and comfort of my retro Bass cordovan loafers, that I can really use some kind of "classic" black loafer. Even thought of buying the Bass in black, but wanted something more modern, and there are usually more choices in black.
When I saw how the Halogen added something fun to otherwise " classic" outfits, I thought, okay, keep it and at some point find a simple black loafer. See some other Finds but haven't seen thise in person.
When the Dunes arrived, I totally love the pewter accent- it is interesting but subdued-- but then had the dilemma of whether, by not being plain black, they would still not give me a " plain black loafer"!
But my FOMO is at work, possibly in an okay way, because I know I love 2- tone shoes-- I have several types and can tell it's a recurring " style theme"--and these are a great version of that.

Via Spiga 'Amica' Loafer (Women)

$195.00 $146.25

Sale

Jack Rogers 'Quinn' Leather Loafer (Women)

$147.94

Banoffi

I like the Dune loafers. They are different enough from the Halogen ones and, as you said, this is your signature style! Go for it.

Joy

You make a great case for keeping both. I like the idea of plain black, but in actual outfits something just a little different looks better to my eye, especially in a classic style.

Dottie

Active Member

An argument could be made for keeping both, especially if you wear loafers often. Like you said, one accentuates the warmer colors in your wardrobe while the other seems to flatter the cooler colors in an outfit. An example of this with my footwear is that I have 2 nude-colored pumps. One pair reads more "cool" and I wear them with outfits that have more cooler tones and the other is more "warm" and I wear them with warmer colors.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote keep both pairs too.

Anonymous

I'm an enabler and say you should duplicate.

Thanks!
I think one thing I was pondering was whether I should be uber- practical or conservative and only get another black loafer if in solid black.
But as Joy points out, the pewter adds that little something and in just the right amount for my environment AND personal preferences.
Onc thing is, they need to work in summer, which is a big loafer- time, with my various summer- weight dark pants. My thought is the pewter actually helps that, since it can brighten the look and pick up tones in tops of lighter neutrals, but I want to pull some items out and do some outfit creation to see if I can capitalize on that.

JAileen

I think you should get both, then mull it over and decide whether to keep one or both. To me they seem to fill the same need, but then I have several pairs of grey boots that to me are quite different, but to others may seem to be duplicates of each other.

I don't have any problem saying keep them both. They are sufficiently different to my eye that it is not a duplication.

I especially love the Halogen. I wanted them very much, but with my wide feet, I doubted they would work so I refrained. I hope you wear them in good health.

DonnaF

I hope you get them both. They are both more stylish than the second group of two you posted and are cheaper as well!

Bonnie

I vote for both, too. Fun shoes!

kkards

Well I just wanted to add that I thought I was over the loafer thing until I saw this! Drat....now you have me wanting a pair. I'm particular to the halogens, but you can't go wrong with either or both.

Firecracker (Sharan)

I like them both, and I don't see a problem with keeping the second pair. However, since you brought up summer. . . what if something more summery comes along, like maybe something with a woven detail? Would you regret keeping the pewter/black Dunes, wanting to get something even more summery for your dark summer trouser outfits? Just a consideration.

Good thinking, Firecracker!
I don't know. I have even more losfers- bkack with ivory tops-/ that I dtoll like but wonder if too stubby shaoed now. And a cognac- peanut colored leather that I really like for summer. And a "T- strap Oxford" and a regular tan Oxford
I hope still works.
So, if I just held tight all summer that would be great, to focus in find other things. Or another question is, is there a summer style- not just a color- that would be a game- changer in any way.
I did decide, no more boots or booties this season even thigh there are sakes going on. I'm liking all the ones I have, and they're plenty, and even though we're having our coldest weather yet, I can see beyond, and know not to expand. Wheras the loafers go with some things now ( because I will wear them with tights and with some scrunched narrow pants) as well as with all- season pants.
What I really want to look at is a 2- out for these- which shoes have I stopped wearing due to fit or style, because these should be for new style direction.

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