Penny Loafers: Opinions Needed

[Mendel]

As a college professor, I tend to be quite preppy in my dress code. To that end, I enjoy wearing saddle shoes and penny loafers.

What are your favorite brand of penny loafers? Consider looks, quality, and comfort.

 

[Face&Head]

Allen Edmonds Cordovan. Expensive but these are 20 years old and (I think) been reconditioned twice.

 

[john parker]

Allen Edmonds Cordovan. Expensive but these are 20 years old and (I think) been reconditioned twice.

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And will probably last for at least twenty more! Nice!

 

[johnniegold]

A couple of my faves are the Alden Shell Cordovan Penny

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and the Johnston & Murphy Ski-Moc II

 

[thebikingengineer]

I've currently got a pair of Sperry Gold Cup Deerskin loafers that are quite nice as a casual loafer. I'm looking forward to the new american made Bass Weejuns. They're going to be made with higher grade leathers in the US and should end up being a pretty good deal. I love the ones listed above, but the cordovan options I've been pining over would put me out a bit more than I'm willing to part with at this time.

 

[blantyre]

I'd spring for cordovan. Shoe Mart has a good selection of Alden in various widths. Not a penny fan, but I like their tassel version.

 

[Acmemfg]

Bass Weejuns...accept no substitute. I have had a pair or 2 in the closet for over 45 years. Timeless classics

 

[professorchaos]

You can't go wrong with Cordovan penny loafers in Oxblood. They are a classic.

I too like Allen Edmond's version:



Actually, you can't go wrong with Cordovan.

When I was at Sid Mashburn last week, I saw some beautiful Edward Green penny loafers in British Tan. Alas, somewhat beyond my means.

 

[Prince]

Weejuns are now made in the US again? Might have to check those out. Last time I looked at them, they were cheaply made and high priced.

 

[Larry C in Texas]

I haven't worn penny loafers since the 80's (with my Izod alligator emblem shirt and Haggar khakis), but I think they are a timeless look and will always be in style. If I were buying today, I'd probably go with AE or J&M. I haven't seen any word either on the US Made Bass Weejuns, but I bet the prices will take your breath away.

 

[isospin]

If you want to consider bit loafers, the Allen Edmonds Arezzo are awesome. I got mine in chili grain. They were on clearance, a great deal at $150. They do run a little big, so I had to go down a full size for ones that fit.

 

[thebikingengineer]

Weejuns are now made in the US again? Might have to check those out. Last time I looked at them, they were cheaply made and high priced.

They have a new series coming out in the fall. Higher price point than the normal weejuns, but with much nicer leather as well.

 

[Mendel]

They have a new series coming out in the fall. Higher price point than the normal weejuns, but with much nicer leather as well.

This is good to know.

 

[Larry C in Texas]

Man, I like those!! I wish they had them still left in my size at the clearance price. I bet those bad boys are super comfortable.

If you want to consider bit loafers, the Allen Edmonds Arezzo are awesome. I got mine in chili grain. They were on clearance, a great deal at $150. They do run a little big, so I had to go down a full size for ones that fit.

 

[isospin]

Man, I like those!! I wish they had them still left in my size at the clearance price. I bet those bad boys are super comfortable.

I just love mine. They are super comfortable and built like they might just last for ever. Very versatile - I wear mine with khakis, dress pants, and jeans and it works either way. At the sale price, they are a steal. If they have the fiesole in your size, you can try those - they are a bit more casual though. I probably won't choose to wear those with anything other than jeans.

 

[brooks_bro]

I've been thinking about ordering a pair of penny loaferes from Rancourt & Co.

Hard to pull the trigger on shoes with so many shaving purchases to be had

 

[petr]

Alden. So many surgeons I work with wear these also because they are a bit more elegant and classic.

Alden for me. It especially helps to get them resoled and like new again every few years by Alden. If you can afford cordovan to there also. Wow. check out leffot and leather soul

 

[SeattleSparky]

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Ditto!!!!!

 

[The Knize]

They have a new series coming out in the fall. Higher price point than the normal weejuns, but with much nicer leather as well.

That would be sweet! Real Weejuns have been all over the place quality-wise for about 3 decades, but never to my knowledge truly up to the quality even as of the mid-1970s.

The classic prep style for Weejuns is really the look in post number 7. That is, small penny slot, no beef rolls. And to me that burgundy is the classic color, although the original red is slightly different. The original Weejuns in the 1950s were actually a brown, but to me that red color completely took over and is the prep color.

For comfort, the Weejuns of, say, the 60s and 70s, which I think is what we are really looking for, were horrible. All leather heels that were very slippery and absolutely dangerous. They wore out quickly. I would really prefer a rubber heel or a half leather/half rubber heel. To preserve the original look, the heel should be quite low, though. I do not think I have ever seen a pair of penny loafers with a rubber or composite heel that gets that "correct," not that "correct" need be a goal.

The original Topsiders are hard on the feet. "Real" Weejuns were worse. Very little lining. No padding or support.

I have a pair of Church penny loafers that are good quality that are close in looks to the original Weejuns, and otherwise pretty good, but I have no idea whether they are available now. They must be 25 years old themselves. I also have two pairs of fairly recent actual Weejun brand penny loafers in current rotation, neither truly tradtional. One pair in black and the other the beefier roll style. They are not great shoes in any respect. In particular the quality of the outer leather for the black ones is rather poor.

In any event, if they ever bring back a Weejun brand penny loafer in the original style and quality, I will buy a pair or more! I will not expect them to be comfortable or even all that durable. But they will be "prep"!

 

[xraygun]

I have the Weejuns, but should really get a pair of Alden's at some point.
I used to keep 1/10th gold coins in mine instead of pennies for emergency currency, sort of like the original use of the dimes before the pennies became popular and the name stuck. I figured in a pinch I could get a cab ride with one. Only a little shinier than a new penny, so it didn't really draw attention or anything.