A pair of these is a worthy wardrobe investment. Except for that blip in the 1970s, loafers were worn by men, women and schoolchildren: "In the United States, the supremacy of the Bass Weejun was unchallenged — from James Dean to J.F.K., everyone wore them," according to "The New York Times." Try wearing penny loafers without socks to create a clean, minimalist silhouette from head to toe, Suede penny loafers offer a versatile option that can be dressed up and dressed down for any situation, Penny loafers can be worn with suits; pair a light coloured suit with a similar tone of loafer for a great summer look and a dark suit with a patent loafer for a more formal look. It is a high-end brand, so the logo itself is going to account for the price. And a dressier penny-loafer alternative, the tasseled loafer, became an epithet for attorneys when the first President Bush groused that Bill Clinton was backed by "every lawyer that ever wore a tasseled loafer.". They are called "penny loafers" because there is an area on the top especially designed to hold a coin - originally a penny, but later changed to a dime because that was the amount needed to … "Loafer" because they were comfortable shoes for lounging -- their journey, however, would take them from boardrooms to classrooms around the world. A panny loafer with panache. One of the first designs was introduced in London by Wildsmith Shoes, called the Wildsmith Loafer. In terms of formality, they rank just slightly below a tassel loafer and are a great companion for a blazer outfit with Oxford shirts and a tie or bow tie. Loafers are similar in shape to moccasins and are generally made of leather; they can be worn by men, women and children. The loafer came to the U.S. after the post-World War I "Lost Generation" wandered into Norway and brought back comfortable leather shoes like those worn by cattle farmers there, according to an account in "The New York Times." 21's runway show put the penny loafer through paces -- some worn '80s style with Swarovski sparkling socks. Penny loafers are a perfect companion for corduroy pants, chinos, flannel slacks and in the summer even linen or seersucker. Bonny Brown Jones has been a writer, columnist, copy editor and senior copy editor for newspapers that have included the "Orlando Sentinel," "Miami Herald" and "Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch." By the 50s Penny Loafers were all the rage with the campus Ivy League of the US. Bass is heavily linked to the penny loafer - the US brand popularised the style when it brought it to America back in 1936. Dean brought "Rebel Without a Cause" charisma to what otherwise would be just an old shoe 3. G.H. No wonder they were embraced so wholeheartedly by college students in the days before meritocracy. The identity of these shoes is a leather strap on the top of them. Bass called its … Belgian loafers go well with chinos, flannel pants, and corduroys. I know what they look like, but why are they called "penny" loafers? Penny loafers are moccasin-styled shoes that feature a diamond-shaped cutout at the top, occasionally alongside tassels or other embellishments.During the 1950s, pennies were often lodged into the cutout as a fashion statement, hence the name. From high-flying lawyers and accountants to sharply dressed Yale students, the penny loafer has been a style that defies subculture and has truly stood the test of time. Although the kids made loafers a fashion statement, the suits in business and politics never gave up on them. Nils developed the Aurlandskoen, also known as the Aurland Shoe.. Related: 6 best shoes for men This was the original penny loafer which was inspired by the Native American mocassins, hence the slip-on feature.. During the 1930s, Norwegians visited America … It’s difficult to answer how they earned their name as there’s relatively little research on the subject. Penny loafers are an incredibly versatile shoe that can be worn all year round when paired with the right outfit. Nowadays, a broader definition can include any shoe that has such a strap, regardless of its construction. They are called penny loafers because in the old days the shoes had a slit on top of it where a coin, a penny, a dime could be fitted, specially if wore by girls, in case they needed to make a phone call. "Loafer" because they were comfortable shoes for lounging -- their journey, however, would take them from boardrooms to classrooms around the world. I have no idea why they are called the penny loafers but that does sound good and they certainly look good. Women can choose from black and leopard (Ellen Tracy), silver (Cole Haan), red (Tory Burch) and even high-heel pumps (Charles Jourdan), among many others. They have a strip of leather called a “saddle” that sits horizontally across the instep. Penny loafers go great with skinny fit jeans or chinos, don’t forget to roll up the ankle to show off your shoes and create a great casual look. The strap on penny loafers was originally a design feature, there to add intrigue to an otherwise simple silhouette. This eventually gave the shoes their colloquial name of Penny Loafer, which is still used today. Penny loafers are laceless shoes with a moccasin-style upper that’s stitched to a separate sole and heel. To better show you how to style them, I have put together a list of some of the best black penny loafers outfit ideas for you. Also, I don’t want to alarm anyone, but all of the penny loafers below are currently 30 – 50% off! No pinking, perforations, or medallions. In 1950s America before trainers were invented, the Weejun became the shoe of choice for young men and students. Penny Loafers. This kind of shoe has been around for ages, whether you’re looking at the moccasins of native americans or the slip-on dress shoes of European aristocracy. Loafers are often called Penny Loafers no one is 100% sure where this term for loafers came from but there are a few theories. Why Are Gucci Loafers Expensive? Penny loafers are casual. Read more about becoming an Affiliate with schuh. History of penny loafers. Loafers, however, were just taking a well-deserved break before the next step in fashion history. Mostly worn without socks since the 1960s, men continued to wear their penny loafers with all styles of dress. As the name suggests, it’s because they were meant to be leisurewear, for just loafing around. Prep students wore them without socks, sometimes repairing them with duct tape. In the early 1980s, Michael Jackson made black loafers his dancing shoes -- worn with white or sparkling socks -- for "Beat It" and "Billie Jean," creating a cultural icon. My favorite collection of penny loafers actually can be found on Polyvore. Gucci had crafted a loafer "with just enough formality to make it acceptable in business settings when worn with a suit," according to "The New York Times." #3. During the early 1900s, Nils Tveranger moved to Aurland, Norway after learning how to make shoes in America. Penny Loafers. Putting a penny in each shoe might have become a trend so young teens could call home for a ride back when pay phones were cheaper. She likes to wear comfortable shoes, so she is always wearing penny loafers by … It's fun, it's a form of self-expression, and they are called "Penny Loafers," for cryin' out loud. Follow our top tips to make sure you don’t slip up when wearing these stylish slip-ons: These formal tassel penny loafers from H by Hudson offer some serious summer flair. The penny loafer’s signature leather strap with an eye-shaped slit was the perfect place to store your two cents for making calls using public phones. They’re for the person who wants to look elegant but without much effort. It became fashionable to keep a dime in the half moon cut out slot of the leather strip. With them, you can build some very stylish and smart looking outfits. American companies in the 1930's started calling them loafers, with G.H. Introducing Converse Renew: Because Life’s Too Short to Waste, Discover schuh TwentyTwenty – our new store concept, Vans X Harry Potter – Everything You Need To Know, FIRST LOOK: the schuh spring/summer 14 photoshoot. Why are they called loafers? During fall/winter 2013-14 Milan Fashion Week, No. Except for that blip in the 1970s, loafers were worn by men, women and schoolchildren: "In the United States, the supremacy of the Bass Weejun was unchallenged — from James Dean to J.F.K., everyone wore them," according to "The New York Times.". Popular with both men and women, the easy appeal of the loafer was that it was comfortable as well as smart. They feature a strip of leather across the saddle with a diamond cut-out. Why Are They Called Loafers? they’ve gone back to being called pennies. Penny loafer history. There’s no penny keeper. There is a half-moon shaped cut on the strap of these shoes, which is called the penny keeper. The strap had a small slit was the perfect size to hold a coin, and back in the days when using payphones was the norm, many young men and women would keep money in their shoes in case they needed to make an emergency call. Bass adding a strip of leather across the top with the diamond-shaped cutout typical of penny loafers and calling them Weejuns. And so, the penny loafer was born. That's an easy one: People put pennies into the slots on the fronts. Thus, the penny and the loafer were united. Well, when you stud something with pearls, you’re going to charge at least four figures for it! Meanwhile, Norwegian shoemaker Aurland had made a lace-up predecessor for British salmon lords in Norway and took a prototype to sell at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, according to the company's website. Quarters wouldn't fit in the shoes, but by then people were wearing Earth shoes, clogs or platform heels, so it didn't matter. The traditional shape and attention to detail make them a must-have. The new loafer design allowed just enough space for a penny in each shoe, equaling the cost of an emergency phone call. Obviously because they’re for loafing. This is a shoe for guys so lazy they can’t be bothered to tie laces. H By Hudson Black Chichester Penny Loafers, £70. Just some fashion from the ’50’s. A penny loafer is a specific style of loafer (a loafer is just a slip-on shoe, usually leather). I’ve chosen the penny loafer simply because most people don’t know why they are called penny loafers while most of us know what a loafer is. A stylish moccasin penny loafer that presents endless styling options. Penny loafers are casual. Today they have fallen so far they almost have an underdog charm, although I still see die-hard bozo preppy businessmen wearing them with white shirts and repp ties. How did the penny loafer get its name? You can wear penny loafers with formal and casual both types of outfits. However much the times have changed, the popularity of the penny loafer has stayed steady—grown even! The plural of the coin is pennies.) Return to the schuh website to shop 'til you drop! They began as casual shoes, but have increased in popularity to the point of being worn in America with business suits. MASSIVE SAVINGS on the Etro brand especially. If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately. Bass began making them in 1936 and called them "Weejuns" -- sounding faintly Native American, but in fact a contraction of Norwegians. One of the particular appeals of penny loafers is that they can be worn as both formal and casual wear, for men and women. Pennies, as usual, are optional. Bass Shoes & Co. Is still dedicated to making penny loafers with the same bench-crafted and hand-stitched material that made the shoes so comfy in the first place. The most versatile type, penny loafers are about as formal as Belgian loafers, but more closely related to moccasins than to slippers. Although the kids made loafers a fashion statement, the suits in business and politics never gave up on them. Made in ox blood they were also known as the Norwegian slipper. Aurland took inspiration from America -- Native American moccasins -- that evolved into selling its own version of the penny loafer. But why? And a dressier penny-loafer alternative, the tasseled loafer, became an epithet for attorneys when the first President Bush groused that Bill Clinton was backed by "every lawyer that ever wore a tasseled loafer.". It’s not exactly a shoe that screams ruthless ambition, is it? buy penny loafers The Tassel Loafer The actual origins of the tassel loafer are unclear, but one possible story involves a Hungarian-American actor who … Penny loafers have a strap across the front of the opening where your foot goes in. Walk back in time a few decades in these comfortable slip-ons: Loafer lore includes 1890s Norwegian cattle farmers and salmon kings, '50s bad boy James Dean, '80s preppies, a Michael Jackson moonwalk or two, a Canadian prime minister's "Gucci gate" -- all the way to 2013, when Fashion Week models slouch or stalk the catwalks in these much-safer-than-stilettos standbys. Soon loafers were available in the spectator style (two colours). Did you own a pair of penny loafers when you were younger? Copyright © 2021 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. It was a design element not intended to hold a coin from the outset most likely. Venetian loafers are modest and simply-styled leather shoes. ‘Weejun’ is actually short for Norwegian The penny loafer originated in the 1930s inspired by the light, slip-on shoes worn by Norwegian farmers. Whether you like your footwear old-school or fashion-forward, you won't have to walk far to find penny loafers to suit. But I’ve noticed when I see them at coin shows, etc. The strap on penny loafers was originally a design feature, there to add intrigue to an otherwise simple silhouette. Years later, preppy Americans adapted their loafers and added silver coinage to their shoes to make a statement. In 1987, Canada's Prime Minister Brian Mulroney became embroiled in "Gucci gate" when it became known that he owned 50 pairs, worth thousands of dollars. And in 1980, a book called "The Preppy Handbook" brought back all things pink, green and prep, including the loafer. The penny loafer originated when a shoemaker named John Bass created a type of loafer called a "Weejun" that had a split strap across the top of the shoe. Sweet serendipity resulted in the practice of placing pennies in the slots and its iconic but not original name. Hence the name penny loafer! That time is now long gone, and the copper penny (now 97.5% zinc) literally costs more than it’s worth. They are the best one-stop-shop and carry at least 100 different styles. He has the birth year for each of his children in his shoes. Whether you like your footwear old-school or fashion-forward, you won't have to walk far to find penny loafers to suit. // Leaf Group Lifestyle, How Oscars Fashion Proves Celebrities Are Woke AF, Early History of Golf in the United States, The New York Times: Loafing Around | A Brief History of Fashion’s Favorite Flat, Aurland Shoe Factory: History (Google translate from Norwegian), The New York Times: The Politicization of Tasseled Loafers, Los Angeles Times: Michael Jackson: King of Style, The loafer came to the U.S. after the post-World War I "Lost Generation" wandered into Norway and brought back comfortable leather shoes like those worn by cattle farmers there, according to an account in "The New York Times.". Q: I know what they look like, but why are they called “penny” loafers? The Wildsmith Loafer was made by Wildsmith Shoes of London for King George VI … But why are they called penny loafers? Thanks to its mix of informality and comfiness, the Weejun went on to become a staple on college campuses across the United States. They usually have little to no heel. Jones has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Ohio State University. Putting a penny in each shoe might have become a trend so young teens could call home for a ride back when pay phones were cheaper. Penny loafers are, well, loafers, which is to say that they are a slip-on shoe, rather than a laced shoe such as a brogue or an Oxford. As I’m sure most of you know, a penny is a British coin. Slip-ons are typically low, lace-less shoes.The style which is most commonly seen, known as a loafer or slippers in American culture, has a moccasin construction. Back in the 1930s, the pay phone in the phone booth cost a paltry two cents. The design was inspired by traditional Norwegian fisherman’s shoes and, as a nod to this, G.H. What are penny loafers? Just some leather, some stitching, and your foot. A: Because of the little slot in front where you put a penny. I think they have like 1 pair left in each size. I will say this, you must have a sense of humor to do it. Loafers are shoes that slip on with no lacing or other fastening system. An American cent is definitely not. Joe told me about his pennies. These sharp shoes from H by Hudson are a great price. Prior to penny loafers, regular loafers were first exported from Norway in the 1930s and sold in the US under the brand name “Weeguns.” Penny loafers are also … This soon became a dime to keep up with pay-phone inflation; by the mid-1970s, phone calls cost 25 cents. Penny loafers were — and still are — called an tough slip-on. G.H. The strap had a small slit was the perfect size to hold a coin, and back in the days when using payphones was the norm, many young men and women would keep money in their shoes in case they needed to make an emergency call. In addition to traditional black, brown and cordovan, shoemakers offer them in green (Yuketen), blue suede (Rockport) or brown-and-camel leather and suede (Berluti Albert) for men. Aurland took inspiration from America -- Native American moccasins -- that evolved into selling its own version of the penny loafer. Women can choose from black and leopard (Ellen Tracy), silver (Cole Haan), red (Tory Burch) and even high-heel pumps (Charles Jourdan), among many others. (Actually, the British penny became the New Penny when they went decimal in 1971. They were a staple of the 1980s prep style movement and continue to be a popular choice amongst style icons and celebrities. People added embellishments into the opening of this strap for decorative purposes, the most common being a penny. Mine are two pennies I found on the sidewalk while walking around my first days as a New Yorker. Q: Did you put a penny in them? FYI, the plural of penny (value) is pence. Bass designed the iconic Bass Weejun. In the early 1980s, Michael Jackson made black loafers his dancing shoes -- worn with white or sparkling socks -- for "Beat It" and "Billie Jean," creating a cultural icon. But why are they called penny loafers? Why Are They Called Venetians? Today they have fallen so far they almost have an underdog charm, although I still see die-hard bozo preppy businessmen wearing them with white shirts and rep ties. No wingtip details. The Tricker’s Loafer So lazy they can ’ t be bothered to tie laces slots and its iconic not! Just loafing around children in his shoes the campus Ivy League of the 1980s style... 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