The difference between moccasins and loafers

The basic difference between men's moccasins and loafers is the structure of the sole - loafers are structurally similar to shoes and can often replace them, especially in summer, even in very formal styles. Men's moccasins, on the other hand, are typically casual footwear that can be successfully worn with shorts. Moccasins also include boat shoes.  The ShoeHouse ClassicButy.pl offer includes both loafers and men's loafers.

Characteristic elements of loafers and loafers

 When combining loafers and loafers, we can specify the following elements:

1. None laces or fasteners – both types of footwear are slip-on,
2. Sole design – loafers have a separate sole that is sewn to the rest of the shoe, moccasins are made of one piece of leather, including the sole.
3. Heel – as shown in the second point, loafers have a heel, but moccasins do not.
4. Characteristic stitching – cechą wspólną zarówno mokasynów i loafersów jest połączenie dwóch elementów cholewki w kształt litery U.

  Men's moccasins have their origins in the traditional footwear of American Indians North. However, it is difficult to clearly determine what was the source of the creation of loafers. It is assumed that the prototype for this design were moccasins, which are the general name for this type of footwear, i.e. slip-on shoes. 

What are loafers and where did they come from

 The first models of loafers appeared almost at the same time in Norway and Great Britain. In the early 1930s, slip-on moccasin shoes were initially used as everyday home footwear. In England, the first loafers were first brought to the court of King George VI, and later to the nobility, and they were a kind of home slippers. Over time, moccasins also began to be used by the lower social classes as comfortable slip-on shoes for everyday use. Loafers began to be used more and more often outdoors. This is how this type of home footwear became everyday shoes found on the streets of many cities in Europe at that time.

 W latach trzydziestych XX wieku rynek rzemiosła obuwniczego w Europie zaczął rozwijać się w bardzo szybkim tempie. Buty stawały się coraz bardziej powszechne i dostępne też dla mniej sytuowanych i zamożnych grup społecznych. Zaczęły powstawać niezliczone modele obuwia w różnych fasonach i kolorach. Coraz większe zainteresowanie obuwiem i popyt na nie przełożył się na szybki rozwój eksportu nie tylko do krajów Starego Kontynentu ale też do Ameryki Północnej. 

Where did loafers become so popular?

  It was in the United States of America that loafers gained great interest and began to become an integral element of men's everyday wardrobe. It is worth mentioning here that loafers were originally men's footwear, and only over time this type of footwear began to be worn by women.

Penny loafers

Thanks to American students, loafers have become extremely popular. Countless loafers began to appear are penny loafers.

The hallmark of penny loafers is a transverse strap at the height of the instep with a hole in the middle. The name comes from the English word penny, and it began to be used when American students put pennies into a hole in the crossbar as an element bringing good luck during exams. Another variant of the etymology of the name penny loafers refers to putting pennies in the belt in case you need to make a quick call from a payphone. At the turn of the 1950s, the popularity of penny loafers exploded and continues to this day. They are an icon and symbol of preppy style.

Tassel loafers

The second most popular and recognizable model of loafers are tassel loafers.

Tassel loafers mają charakterystyczne frędzle jako element dekoracyjny. Tam gdzie penny mają poprzeczny pasek tam tassel mają chwosty, które przypominają końcówki sznurowadeł. Ten rodzaj loafersów powstał w latach pięćdziesiątych i od razu zyskał miano bardziej wyrafinowanego i eleganckiego, formalnego obuwia przez co szybko trafił też do świata biznesu.

 The enormous, growing popularity of loafers in the United States has resulted in an endless variety of models of these shoes. The most recognizable ones can be mentioned here:

Gucci loafers – slip-on shoes with a characteristic metal decorative element across the instep

Butterfly loafers – charakteryzują się specyficznym i bardzo oryginalnym połączeniem dwóch elementów skórzanych pasków biegnących w poprzek podbicia. Są one połączone – przeplecione ze sobą w ten sposób, że przypominają skrzydła motyla i stąd też ich nazwa (ang. butterfly oznacza motyl)

Kiltie loafers - a very characteristic model of loafers, having on the instep there is a folded leather element, similar to that of golf shoes, where such an element covers the upper part of the lacing. Footwear for practicing this sport comes from Scotland, hence the name is related to the word kilt, which means a pleat, a Scottish skirt. This decoration clearly refers to this element of the Scottish national costume.

Belgian loafers – as the name suggests, they have their origins in Belgium. The distinguishing feature of this type of loafers is a decorative bow placed at the height of the instep and the vamp itself, which has a characteristic oval shape and decorative leather trim. Additionally, these loafers have an extremely soft and quite thin, slender sole.

Venetian loafers – they do not have any decorations on the vamp and are most similar in appearance to moccasins.

Loafersy dzisiaj

From the United States, loafers "came back" to Europe, where their comfort and versatility in coordinating and combining different styles on a daily basis began to be appreciated. By definition, loafers are positioned lower than, for example, oxfords in the hierarchy of formality of footwear, but this does not exclude them from being combined with formal suits (tassel loafers).

Loafers are a rare type of footwear that gives complete freedom and unlimited possibilities of combination with various styles, from informal with jeans, through casual and smart casual, to formal business.  Slip-on loafers gained particular recognition among the Italians. They perfectly fit into the casual, summer and light, but at the same time full of elegance and chic, outfit commonly found on the sun-drenched, picturesque streets of Italian cities and towns.