Men’s Loafers: How to Choose and Wear Them?
Loafers are timeless shoes, embraced by both style purists and comfort seekers. Laceless, flexible, and effortlessly elegant, they have transcended eras and trends without ever losing their appeal. But how do you choose the right pair? Which models should you prioritize? And how should you style them?
Here’s a complete guide to making loafers your ultimate style allies, whether you're aiming for a chic city look or a relaxed seaside vibe.
Men’s Loafers: How to Choose the Right Model?
Before investing in a pair, it's essential to understand the different types of loafers. Each style has its own identity, purpose, and aesthetic.
The Penny Loafer: Ivy League Elegance
Recognizable by its split strap on the upper, it owes its name to American students who used to slip a coin inside. It is the perfect model for a chic yet effortless look. In smooth leather, it pairs with a suit. In grained leather or suede, it is worn with chinos and a lightweight shirt.
The Tassel Loafer: Italian Charm
With its tassels, this dandy loafer adds a sophisticated touch to your style. The perfect choice for lovers of sprezzatura, that effortless elegance synonymous with refined Italian dressing.
The Wildsmith Loafer: Refinement and Comfort
Originally designed for King George V, this sleek and slightly elongated loafer pairs perfectly with formal outfits. At In Corio, it takes the name Paul, offering the perfect balance between elegance and modernity.
The Summer Loafer: Freedom and Lightness
Here, it's all about flexibility and absolute comfort. The perfect model for sunny days, worn barefoot with chinos or rolled-up jeans. In Corio has designed Antoine, an unlined suede loafer, ultra-lightweight, ideal for all your summer getaways.
Leather or Suede? Leather Sole or Rubber Sole?
Leather or Suede Calfskin?
Smooth leather is ideal for formal occasions, while suede calfskin offers immediate comfort and a more casual-chic look.
Leather Sole or Rubber Sole?
- Leather sole: Traditional and elegant, perfect for a formal look.
- Rubber sole: More flexible, it absorbs shocks and improves grip, ideal for everyday use.
If you’re unsure, opt for a model available in both versions, like the Penny Loafer Etienne, offered in grained leather and suede, with leather or rubber sole to suit your needs.
Choosing the right loafer size
With no laces to adjust the fit, a loafer should be chosen snug at the heel, with no slipping as you walk. Its leather softens and stretches slightly over the first wears: a snug feeling when trying on is therefore better than an overly generous fit.
Boat shoe or loafer: what is the difference?
The boat shoe is a loafer designed for the deck of a sailing boat: it differs from it by its leather lace that runs around the foot and its white non-slip sole, whereas the town loafer slips on without laces, on a thinner sole.
| Loafer | Boat shoe | |
|---|---|---|
| Fastening | No laces | Leather lace running around the foot |
| Sole | Leather or thin rubber | White cleated, non-slip rubber |
| Origin | Leisure shoe turned town shoe | Devised in the 1930s for sailing |
| Style | From suit to chinos | Resolutely summery and relaxed |
Their kinship is real: both are built on a moccasin construction, with an upper stitched over the top of the foot. But where the boat shoe stays tied to the seaside, the loafer crosses seasons and outfits, from the office to summer weekends.
Boat shoes: with or without socks?
The boat shoe is traditionally worn barefoot, or with invisible socks. The same rule applies to a summer loafer like Antoine, in unlined velvet calf, designed to be worn barefoot.
What to wear with boat shoes?
Cotton shorts and a linen shirt, rolled-up white trousers or navy chinos make the most natural pairings. Our Raphaël boat shoe, with its soft leather upper, suits them perfectly, with raw denim jeans, a polo and a light jacket. For the same outfits, a summer loafer in velvet calf brings a slightly more urban look, which can carry on in town once the holidays are over.
How to Wear Men’s Loafers Properly?
Loafers are a versatile shoe that complement all silhouettes and styles. Here are some inspirations to wear them with ease.
Which trousers to wear with loafers?
The loafer calls for trousers with a clean hem, with no break over the shoe, even slightly shortened to show the ankle. Suit trousers go with a smooth leather loafer; chinos or flannel trousers go with a penny loafer in grained leather or suede; raw denim jeans turned up once suit summer loafers. Cuts that are too long or too wide, covering the vamp, on the contrary erase the line of the shoe.
Formal Look: Guaranteed Elegance
✔ A well-tailored suit
✔ A pair of smooth leather loafers in black or dark brown
✔ Thin matching socks or invisible socks for a more modern touch
💡 The In Corio Option: The Wildsmith Loafer Paul in black leather, paired with a charcoal grey suit for a flawless look.
Casual Chic Look: The Perfect Balance
✔ Beige or navy blue chinos
✔ A linen shirt or a lightweight merino wool sweater
✔ A suede Penny Loafer to break the rigid formality
💡 The In Corio Option: The Etienne loafer in brown suede, paired with a white shirt and a lightweight blazer for a perfect city outfit.
Summer Look: Relaxed Elegance
✔ Rolled-up jeans or chino shorts
✔ A polo or a lightweight, flowy shirt
✔ A soft, lightweight summer loafer, worn barefoot
💡 The In Corio Option: The Antoine loafer in tobacco suede, the perfect companion for sunny days.
Men’s Loafers: The Finishing Touch to Your Style
Loafers are more than just a shoe—they define an attitude, a silhouette, and everyday comfort. Whether in smooth leather, suede, with a leather or rubber sole, they adapt to every occasion and every style.
Ready to take the step? Discover In Corio’s models, designed to combine elegance, comfort, and durability.
For a loafer to keep its line, the cedar shoe tree is its best ally: slipped in after every wear, it re-stretches the upper, softens creases and absorbs moisture, which matters all the more on a model worn barefoot.
Why Choose an In Corio Loafer?
✅ Unmatched comfort thanks to premium leathers and soles designed to cushion every step.
✅ Artisanal craftsmanship from our Portuguese workshops, using the finest leathers.
✅ Timeless elegance, blending classic style with modernity.
💡 Hesitating between models? Visit our boutiques at 33 Rue du Dragon or 16 Rue Pavée, Paris, or explore our e-shop to find the perfect loafer for you. Enjoy discounted pricing from two pairs purchased.
FAQ
What is the difference between a moccasin and a loafer?
None in substance: “loafer” is the English term for the town moccasin. We speak of a penny loafer for the model with a split strap, and a tassel loafer for the model with tassels.
What is the origin of the loafer?
The loafer was inspired by Norwegian moccasins; in the United States, the shoemaker George Henry Bass made it a town shoe, which Ivy League students adopted and turned into a classic of the men’s wardrobe.
How do you wear tassel loafers?
The tassel loafer, dressier, readily goes with grey flannel trousers and a blazer, or a light suit in summer, with fine socks matching the trousers.
The Penny Loafer: timeless elegance
