The Penny loafer, a mythical shoe
What if elegance were sometimes as simple as a notch on the instep? It's this discreet yet iconic detail that sets the penny loafer apart from other loafers. A shoe that has stood the test of time, combining casualness and refinement with disconcerting ease.
At In Corio, we now offer three complementary interpretations, designed to suit all uses, all shapes and all rhythms of life.
What is a penny loafer?
The penny loafer is a dress loafer recognisable by the leather strap stitched across the vamp, cut with a half-moon slot. Laceless and built on a stitched welt, it slips on in one movement and is worn as happily with a suit as with jeans.
Penny loafer, loafer or moccasin: what are the differences?
| Term | What it means | Distinctive feature |
|---|---|---|
| Moccasin | The family of laceless shoes with a stitched welt | Wraparound construction, slips straight on |
| Loafer | The English name for the dress moccasin | Distinct heel, leather or rubber sole |
| Penny loafer | A loafer with a strap | Strap cut with a slot across the vamp |
| Tassel loafer | A loafer with tassels | Leather tassels on top |
In other words, every penny loafer is a moccasin, but not every moccasin is a penny loafer.
An icon born to stroll
Loafer means “loafer”. That says it all.
Originally, the moccasin was an ancestral shoe: rudimentary forms can be traced back to prehistoric times. But the penny loafer, as we know it today, was born in the 1920s. George Henry Bass, an American shoemaker, imagined an urban version of the Norwegian moccasin. He added a leather strap above the platform, pierced by a notch. By the 1950s, Ivy League students were able to slip in a penny - useful for making phone calls, they say, but also very elegant under the East Coast sun.
Three characters, one elegance
Paul, the elegant nonchalant
With its assertive curves, refined finishes and stitched leather sole, the Paul model embodies the spirit of the penny loafer in its most elegant version. Available in black, chocolate or brown suede, Paul is for the man in search of a shoe that's sleek, supple and easy to live with. It enhances a chino, modernizes a flannel suit, accompanies raw denim - with or without socks.
At In Corio, we've taken the time to find the right balance between support and flexibility. That's what makes Paul a model of timeless charm, to be worn all year round.
Étienne, the all-terrain contemporary
Étienne reinterprets the penny loafer with a touch of modernity and ruggedness. Designed for active city-dwellers, they are available in smooth or grained leathers - black, cognac, chocolate, blue - and in supple suede in tobacco or brown. They are also available with rubber soles, for an adventurous look and ideal grip.
What's more? An ergonomic midsole, sober styling and Italian leather crafted to combine elegance and flexibility. Étienne loves the city, from business meetings to weekend getaways. He's just as comfortable with raw denim as he is with suit pants.
Antoine, second-skin comfort
Antoine is the moccasin for sunny days, from urban asphalt to seaside terraces. Made from supple, breathable Italian suede, it fits like a glove. Its minimalist design, non-slip rubber sole and internal cushioning make it light, soft and incredibly comfortable.
Ideal for wearing without socks, with flowing pants or shorts. And because elegance isn't limited to classic shades, Antoine explores a varied palette: camel, sand, olive green, denim, black, taupe, curry, water green, espresso... Natural shades designed to blend with all summer outfits.
The embodiment of the In Corio spirit
Whichever model you choose - Paul, Étienne or Antoine - In Corio's penny loafers are responsibly made, immediately comfortable and aesthetically pure.
All our moccasins are handcrafted in family-run workshops in Portugal, from full-grain or calf-velvet leathers sourced from the finest European tanneries. Each pair embodies our vision of elegance that is easy to live with, functional and durable.
How to wear your penny loafers?
- With a suit: Paul in black leather or Étienne in cognac will be perfect.
- For casual chic: Étienne in chocolate grained leather or brown suede goes well with raw denim jeans and a cotton jacket.
- Barefoot in summer: Antoine in curry or aqua green works wonders with linen shorts and a light shirt.
With or without socks depends on the season and the outfit: fine socks matching the trousers with a suit or flannels, invisible socks or bare feet once the warm weather arrives. In every case, the trouser hem looks best when neat and slightly shortened, so that the strap, which gives the penny loafer all its character, shows.
Looking after your penny loafers
With no laces to hold it, a loafer depends more than any other shoe on its shape. A cedar shoe tree slipped in after each wear stretches the vamp back, preserves the line of the strap and absorbs moisture, which matters on a model you can wear barefoot. For Paul and Étienne in smooth leather, a regular nourishing cream maintains suppleness and patina; for Antoine in suede, brushing with the nap and a little suede renovator spray are enough.
Paul, Étienne or Antoine? Come and try our three penny loafers and find your size in our stores in the Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés or Lyon.
One shoe, a thousand uses
Soft, lightweight, easy to slip on and naturally elegant, the penny loafer is an everyday companion. They embody what we strive to express in all our creations: the right balance between comfort, style and timelessness.
How to wear men's loafers with style
