You’ve seen Venetian loafers a million and one times, you’ve just never known the name. “Venetian,” as it relates to footwear, is simply any unadorned loafer; specifically, the upper is constructed like a moccasin.
We’re including both true moccasin style shoes (no separate sole, like a driver) and shoes with soles and heels (true loafers) when we talk about Venetians. In this guide, you’ll learn all about the best Venetian loafers covering the following points:
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Best Venetian Loafers
Finding the best pair of Venetian loafers can be a difficult task. We’ve narrowed the list down to our recommendations for the best Venetian loafers below:
- Color: Varied
- Material: Italian Suede
- Pricing: $175 [Buy Now On Amberjack]
Overview
Amberjack produces one of our favorite pairs of Venetian loafers as they have brought together the best of the classic loafer design with the comforts of modern technology. The former is imparted by the simple yet elegant leather upper, available in both smooth full-grain and Italian suede, and the latter results from their dual-density outsole and memory foam insole.
If other Venetian loafers helped you achieve the look but lacked in comfort, then Amberjack’s The Loafer is sure to please.
- Color: Cognac
- Material: Vintage Leather
- Pricing: $160.99 [Buy Now On Zappos]
Overview
A classic style and lightweight design combine to make the Frye’s Lewis Venetian loafers one of our top slip-on shoes. The Cognac color of the Italian leather, heavy contrast stitching, and hand-burnished toe work nicely to give these shoes a decidedly classic style that’s perfect for a semi-casual look.
We found this Cognac model to be the most attractive, though the Frye Venetian is also available in other leather tones, as well as suede.
- Color: Black
- Material: Sheepskin Leather
- Pricing: $159 [Buy Now On Zappos]
Overview
The Cresswell Venetian by Johnston & Murphy stands out for its simple yet elegant design. The sheepskin leather and tubular construction combine to result in a shoe that is as soft on the feet as it is stylish. We love these in black leather for a more formal look, but they’re also available in a nice cognac brown leather for a more casual summer look.
- Color: Navy Blue
- Material: Premium Leather
- Pricing: $225
Overview
When it comes to Venetian loafers the Interstate 90 by Allen Edmonds is one of those truly timeless designs. The Darrio rubber sole means great traction and comfort for unrivaled functionality while the contrast stitching on the vamp helps to accentuate the classic design. We recommend the Navy Blue Fargo leather for a truly distinct look, but you’d be just as well off going with the tan leather for a more traditional style.
- Color: Black, Dark Brown
- Material: Premium Leather
- Pricing: $114.95 [Buy Now On Zappos]
Overview
This Rockport Classic Lite Venetian is, as the name implies, a lightweight shoe that can be worn comfortably all day long. The shock-absorbent technology in the heel, along with the sponge EVA footbed, result in an extremely forgiving shoe that feels more like a sneaker than a semi-formal dress shoe.
We think the black leather is a great choice if you want a comfortable Venetian loafer that you can wear in settings of all formalities, but there’s also a dark brown variety that, while a more casual, will fill an important role in your wardrobe.
- Color: British Tan
- Material: Leather
- Pricing: $129.95 [Buy From Zappos]
Overview
Slip on the classic Lenox Hill Venetian by Cole Haan for a sleek look that can be worn casually as well as formally when the occasion calls. A smooth leather upper with a high-shine finish gives this shoe a particularly stylish look while the rubber outsole adds to its versatility. We recommend the British Tan for a more relaxed look, but these can also be purchased in a black Napa leather for a more professional appearance.
Why Are They Called Venetians Loafers?
Venetian loafers are modest and simply-styled leather shoes. There’s no penny keeper. No pinking, perforations, or medallions. No wingtip details. Just some leather, some stitching, and your foot.
It’s difficult to answer how they earned their name as there’s relatively little research on the subject. The best of our knowledge tells us that the term came from Great Britain, ironically.
Perhaps a member of the British landed gentry was in Venice a couple hundred years ago, saw the locals wearing snazzy loafers, bought a pair, and returned to England with them. Maybe they then became the talk of the town and became known as “Venetians” due to their region of origin.
It may or may not be true, but it sounds plausible, right? Seriously, if you have any verifiable information on this, we’d love to hear from you!
How To Wear Venetian Loafers
Simplicity is often tied up with versatility, and the beauty of the Venetian is that it’s really as simple as it gets when it comes to shoe design. These loafers are also made in any color and material you can think of, and they can be purchased ready-to-wear or custom-made.
As their Italian-derived name would suggest, they tend to be pretty slim in their proportions. We don’t often see double soles, chunky heels, or lug soles on Venetians. Keep that in mind when wearing these. It’s one thing to throw on a pair with some grey flannels and a blue blazer but quite another to try it with a three-piece English country suit.
Moccasins Versus Loafers
Though we use the term “loafer” to refer to any shoe that doesn’t require laces or buckles to fasten, we should mention that Venetians are available in both moccasin and loafer construction. The former is like a driving shoe (no separate sole), whereas the latter has a separate sole and heel and is thus dressier.
The defining point of a Venetian loafer is that its upper is unadorned.
Formality
Venetians aren’t necessarily dress shoes, but they can be dressy. Depending on the color and material, they can work with anything from denim to suits, though we suggest that you be judicious about pairing them with suits. If the suit is a bit less business-y, go for it. If you’re attending a board meeting, opt for oxfords.
Black patent leather Venetians are one of the acceptable shoe styles for black-tie attire, too. Make sure that any stitching is ultra-clean and that they’re kept in good condition, and you’ll look positively James Bond-esque in them.
- Suede Venetians in any color: jeans, casual trousers, casual suits or odd jackets & trousers
- Brown or black leather Venetians: jeans, casual trousers, odd jackets & trousers, suits
- Black patent leather Venetian loafers: Tuxedo (black-tie)
Seasonality
Being a low-cut loafer, these work particularly well in warmer months. With that said, you can easily throw these on in fall and winter and still look like a million bucks. Below, we offer some suggested colors and materials based on the season.
- Spring: Tan, light brown, or British tan leather or suede
- Summer: White, off-white, or sand suede or leather
- Autumn: Burgundy, black, or brown cordovan or pebbled leather
- Winter: Black or chocolate suede
Common Fit Issues
Some Venetian loafers are made very simply; that is, without gore, elastic, or any other stretchy material to allow room for give. If you’re a man with a high instep, a Venetian may not be your best option if it’s made without the ability to stretch.
On the other hand, if there’s stretchy material at the plug (where the top piece is sewn to the sides), you should be just fine.
Do I Need To Own Venetian Style Loafers?
Well, you don’t need to. But we strongly believe that you should.
As we start to build our shoe wardrobes, our focus should be on versatility. You need to buy shoes that can give you lots of mileage, as that will stretch your dollars (or pounds, euros, yen, or whatever) as far as they can go. Venetians can be worn in such a wide array of situations that no man’s casual wardrobe is complete without a pair or two.
What Next?
Now that you have learned about Venetian loafers, check out some our related footwear guides for men:
- How To Wear Tassel Loafers & Best To Buy
- Top Boat Shoes For Men
- Best Penny Loafer Shoes For Men
- Most Comfortable Shoes For Men
- Men’s Shoes Homepage
"So that's what they're called! I've been searching high and low for the technical name of this shoe style. Thanks for the guide and the suggestions on which ones to buy."
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