See my loafers...
I’m a sucker for a pair of nice loafers – the versatile slip-ons bridge the gap between casual and dress shoe nicely with many variations existing along the way. With Drivers, Mocs, Tassels, Buckles, and Suedes, the choices are endless. That isn’t to say any loafer is a dress loafer (obviously, obviously, obviously NOT the case), and you wouldn’t want to wear your ‘Sunday Best’ loafers to do your groceries (Or would you? Depends if you do groceries on a Sunday), but the loafer in itself is a fairly dressed-back shoe, letting the finish and materials speak for themselves.
If you want a decent daytime loafer, lightweight tassel loafers are fairly easy to come by, or a pair of suede drivers paired with indigo jeans is a fairly surefire combination. But for a smart casual/dressier option, your look may dictate which loafer you should go for. Like with most shoe silhouettes, the Italians tend toward a more slimline shoe with a slim sole - British makers tend towards a sturdier form. I personally have a tendency toward the British styling by makes such as Ben Sherman or Australian label Jack London because my formal style takes after a British/60’s influence in slim suiting, and crisp shirt/clean jeans combinations.
The choice totally depends on your personal style though (along with payscale), and there are plenty of bangin’ choices out there whether you are slumming it (hit up ASOS/TOPMAN), or slaying it (Mr. Porter, hands down). My advice would be to find a brand you are really happy with the styling of and get a couple of pair in different finishes – my favourite tan Penny Loafers are sitting in my cupboard and I’ve just ordered my new (albeit identical) blue suede Penny Loafers. The style is great, they fit well, and the finish is to me what makes one of them a dressier shoe and one of them a more casual shoe.
Don’t be a Loaf’ oaf, get amongst it!
Wearing: Ben Sherman Nuxt Loafers in Tan