Though the prep sartorial tradition comes and goes in waves in America, it’s never really out of fashion. We often think of critter-laden trousers and boat shoes as typically preppy, and with good reason. Sometimes, though, we overlook a classic shoe that became popular with the preppy set and has since become a household name: the penny loafer.
In this guide, we’ll explore the Penny Loafers in detail including:
Other Dress Shoe Guides
Related Shoe Styles
- Colors: Black, Bordeaux, Oak, Tan
- Material: Argentinian Calfskin
- Pricing: $170* [Buy On Beckett Simonon]
* With “BU20” 20% Discount Code
Our current favourite penny loafers by a country mile, the Cohens by Beckett Simonon are elegant and well designed. Retailing at $200, they’re very affordable and constructed with a Blake Stitch as well as Argentinian calfskin leather.
Furthermore, you can benefit from an extra 20% discount with the code “BU20” during checkout! Just bear in mind that Beckett Simonon shoes are made using a group made-to-order process, which means that it’s cheap because you have to wait for your shoes to be made, which can take a few weeks.
"Offering both excellent value for money for the impeccable construction and leather quality, Beckett Simonon are our first choice for penny loafers."
Read More: Beckett Simonon Cohen Penny Loafer Review
- Colors: Burgundy, Cognac, Black, Blue, Tan
- Material: Calfskin Leather
- Pricing: $270 [Buy From Ace Marks]
Thanks to a Blake Flex construction, Ace Mark’s Italian-made loafers have a sleek and alluring profile. Combining this technique with rich and supple full-grain calfskin leathers in a variety of colours, Ace Marks have produced stylish penny loafers that look absolutely stunning with your favourite business-casual attire.
Whether you’re not willing to wait for a group made-to-order shoe to be made or you want authentic Italian craftsmanship, there are many reasons why you would want to consider Ace Marks when shopping in the sub-$300 price point.
- Color: Natural Brown
- Material: Chromexcel Leather
- Pricing: $345 [Buy Now On Allen Edmonds]
Allen Edmonds are a renowned American brand for providing excellent quality given their price point. The Addison is a little chunkier due to the Goodyear welted Dainite sole. However, they’re durable and will provide you with beautiful footwear for years to come.
Read More: Allen Edmonds Addison Penny Loafer Review
- Color: Honey (Others Available)
- Material: Italian Leather
- Pricing: $279 [Buy Now On Wolf & Shepherd]
We recommend Wolf & Shepherd’s Crossover line of shoes for unparalleled comfort, which has garnered quite a reputation. They’ve accomplished this by bringing together classic designs with their cutting-edge sole technology that ensures all-day support and cushioning.
For the purposes of this guide, we’ve featured their Penny Loafer style. However, W&S’ exclusive soles are available in a number of other shoe styles, including longwings & boots.
- Colors: Brown, Forest, Taba
- Material: Leather
- Pricing: $395 [Buy On Maglieriapelle]
Before you say it, these are indeed tassel loafers and not pennies. However, we struggled to resist the temptation to not talk about them here. These beautifully handcrafted loafers from Turkey are given a unique painted finish, which produces their deep colour. We love them in Forest green.
Read More: Maglieriapelle Cunda Tassel Loafer Review
- Colors: Black, Brown, Navy, Rust
- Material: Leather
- Pricing: $350 [Buy On Zappos]
We’re normally not particularly fond of Mephisto’s shoe designs as they tend to be somewhat clunky or inelegant. However, the Cap Vert penny loafer is an exception and is perfect for men with foot conditions.
What Are Penny Loafers?
Penny loafers are laceless shoes with a moccasin-style upper that’s stitched to a separate sole and heel. They have a strip of leather called a “saddle” that sits horizontally across the instep. Nowadays, a broader definition can include any shoe that has such a strap, regardless of its construction.
The saddle is sometimes referred to as a “penny keeper.”
We will refer to this shoe as a “penny loafer,” “penny slip-on,” and “penny” throughout this article. More on that below.
History: G.H. Bass & American Style
In the mid-1930’s (some records say 1934, others say 1936), G.H. Bass put their own spin on Norwegian slip-on shoes, basically stitching a heel to a moccasin-style upper. They added a strap of leather across the upper vamp (referred to as a “saddle”) and sold them as casual house shoes. They called them “Weejuns” (to sound like “Norwegian”), and the term is still copyrighted by Bass today.
They became known as penny loafers, and they went from being “indoors only” shoes to being a workhorse of many gentleman’s casual wardrobes.
Why Are They Called Penny Loafers?
In the 1950’s, prep school students regularly wore Weejuns with their chinos and sport coats or blazers. The saddles of Weejuns had a diamond cut-out shape in the center, and it was common at the time for young people to put pennies there. It’s not exactly clear why this was a thing, but there are some theories:
- Two pennies were all you needed to make an emergency phone call
- Simply make a fashion statement
- Pennies would bring good luck
The practice of putting pennies in the saddle of Weejuns led to the widespread use of the term “penny loafer.” In fact, Cole Haan, an American footwear brand formed in 1928, sold a penny loafer that came with actual pennies in them back in 2008 for their 80th anniversary. That’s about as #throwbackthursday as it gets.
Different Penny Styles
Not all penny loafers are created equal. Though there are different styles of shoes that incorporate a saddle, we will refer to them as either “penny” or “penny loafer” unless intentionally being more specific.
Blind Penny
A blind penny is the same as a penny loafer, except for the fact that the diamond cut-out in the saddle’s center is either filled in or non-existent. It is thus referred to as a “blind” penny.
Aside from this small detail, a blind penny loafer shares all of the same characteristics as a normal penny loafer.
Beefroll Penny
This is a classic aesthetic detail typically seen on Weejuns and similar models. The plug (part of a loafer wherein the vamp is stitched to the sides) is exaggeratedly large and takes on the look of a beef roll.
It’s a casual, handsome detail that you won’t find on dressier slip-ons that have penny keepers.
Penny Slip-On
You’re probably asking, “Wait, aren’t loafers the same thing as slip-ons?”
Sort of, but not really. The difference hinges on how much influence a moccasin, the prototype for these two styles, has on their construction.
“Loafer” refers to a laceless shoe with a moccasin-style upper stitched to a separate sole and heel. “Slip-on” refers to a laceless shoe whose upper is not constructed like a moccasin. Slip-ons tend to be preferred by businessmen because they can be worn more easily with suits due to their dressier nature. A penny slip-on is simply a slip-on shoe with a penny keeper sewn onto the vamp.
Granted, “penny slip-on” isn’t an industry-wide term, but it’s a distinction that’s worth making. You don’t want to wear a penny loafer with a business suit, but you do want to wear a penny slip-on. Keep in mind that the shoe industry will refer to both styles as a penny loafer regardless of whether or not it’s technically correct to do so.
Penny Moccasin
Another term that doesn’t really exist in the footwear industry but should, a penny moccasin is simply a laceless, heel-less shoe with a saddle across the vamp.
Much more casual than the loafer or slip-on version, it’s on par with a driving shoe in terms of dressiness and construction.
How To Wear Penny Loafers
If our conversation includes moccasin, loafer, and slip-on versions, then you can safely wear any style penny with anything except a tuxedo.
Formality
- Jeans: Moc or loafer in any color. If jeans are dark and slim, a penny slip-on will work.
- Casual Trousers: See jeans
- Suits: If light or more summery, mocs and loafers will work without socks. If it’s a darker business suit, a penny slip-on will work well
- Tuxedo: Don’t wear any style penny with a tuxedo
Seasonality
As penny loafers are available in nearly every color and material imaginable, they can be worn any time of year. Here are some suggestions for styles by season:
- Spring: Loafer or moc in light brown/tan leather or suede, slip-on in British tan
- Summer: Loafer, moc, or slip-on in white or bone-colored suede or nubuck
- Autumn: Dark brown distressed leather loafer, varigated brown slip-on
- Winter: Black or burgundy loafer or slip-on in leather or cordovan
Common Fit Issues
Everyone’s foot is built differently, and most people have some sort of irregularity with their feet. As it relates to penny loafers (or any laceless shoe that doesn’t use elastic in its construction), those with a high instep may have issues.
A high instep describes a foot in which the instep has a protrusion of some sort. This makes fitting certain shoe lasts uncomfortable. As loafers have little give, someone with a high instep will often have trouble wearing these comfortably. The saddle of a penny loafer simply applies more pressure on the instep, exacerbating the problem. The same issue applies to bit loafers.
This isn’t to say that a man with a high instep won’t ever be able to wear a penny loafer. It just means that you’ll have to try on a few pairs from a few different brands, and that may mean ordering a bunch online and returning those that don’t work. It may also mean spending a day out at some shoe stores trying on everything you see until your foot tells you, “Yes, these are the ones.”
Not a bad day, we think!
Do Pennies Belong In My Closet?
Every man, no matter what his job, age, or social circumstances should own a penny loafer. They are simply so versatile and classic that they offer some of the best return-on-investment that any shoe can offer.
If you don’t wear suits every day, make it one of the first pairs you buy and wear them with nearly everything. If you do wear suits every day, make them the third pair you buy, right after an oxford and a derby. You have to wear something on the weekends!
I love wearing women’s penny loafers especially the loafers of the fifties and early sixties. These loafers are distinguished by their glove soft leathers, flat penny straps and hand sewn kickers. I have dozens of pairs made to my size 101/2C. In many different colors, these loafers are truly gloves for the feet! I find men’s loafers too large and cumbersome. Women’s loafers are softer and sleeker.
Fair enough, I can understand that! I’ve been known to wear women’s gloves as well for similar reasons!
My husband has a super high instep but isn’t a shopper. He doesn’t want to spend a day looking for the right ones or buy many pairs online to return some. He generally wears Ecco loafers with elastic on the sides (not sure what that’s called) which helps him slip them on and off. But he’s looking for a dressier penny loafer now. I can’t seem to find one like that. Any suggestions?
Hi Miriam,
My suggestion would be that your husband takes the time to find the right ones even if he doesn’t want to, especially given his specific needs! Otherwise, I would suggest the Mephisto loafers in this guide. They’re a bit pricey but I imagine that they’ll be exactly what he needs.
If a dressy shoe is needed, buying suitable inserts might be better and easier than a shoe adapted to his feet.
All the best,
CP