Back in the 1930s, the pay phone in the phone booth cost a paltry two cents.
The new loafer design allowed just enough space for a penny in each shoe, equaling the cost of an emergency phone call
. Thus, the penny and the loafer were united. The penny loafer had its heyday in the late 1950s and early ’60s.
Why do penny loafers have a slot for a coin?
Around the ’50s, American college kids only had the phone lines available for emergency calls, hence the need to always have two cents on hand, the cost of a call.
With the risk of losing the coins in the pockets
, the safest place was the slot of the Weejuns, which began to be called Penny Loafers.
What was the original penny loafer?
In 1936 Bass first became aware of European interest in a Norwegian Moccasin type slipper and adapted them for the leisure classes in America, playfully dubbing them
‘Weejuns’
, the original and first penny loafer has stood the test of time, being adopted by countless subcultures since.
Who made the original penny loafers?
People trace the history of penny loafers to the 1930s when a couple different companies started offering loafer styles. In 1936, shoemaker
G.H. Bass
introduced his Weejun style; many people consider this the ‘first’ loafer.
Where do you put pennies in penny loafers?
According to one Quora post,
the “slot” in penny loafers was ultimately just a “design element.”
People who saw that little slot decided to put stuff in it, and a penny or dime fit perfectly fine in it.
What is a penny loafers?
Penny loafers are
low, laceless shoes with a moccasin style
. We can distinguish them from other slip-on shoes by their horizontal strap called “saddle” across the instep. Nowadays they are used for a more elegant style, although along with the history of loafers it was not always like that.
How do you wear a penny loafer?
Who wore penny loafers?
The Penny Loafer: From Jazz Musicians to Wall Street Bankers
Other iconic figures of the time such as
James Dean
regularly wore penny loafers with blue jeans and a white tee, while Elvis Presley was often seen in them including in 1957’s Jailhouse Rock.
What is the difference between weejuns and penny loafers?
Easy Weejuns
What makes these shoes stand out? They are
more water resistant and versatile than the classic penny loafer
. The rubber sole also makes the Easy Weejun a good option for anybody buying on a budget. Though rubber soles cannot be resoled, these shoes still offer several years of wear.
Which brand is best for loafers?
- Knoos Men’s Loafer Shoes. Check Today’s Price. …
- Big Fox Men’s Loafer Shoes. …
- Sparx Men’s Canvas Loafer Shoes. …
- FENTACIA Men’s Loafer Shoes. …
- Chevit Men’s Loafer Shoes. …
- BATA Men’s Remo M1 Loafer Shoes. …
- Amazon Brand – Inkast Denim Co. …
- Bond Street by (Red Tape) Men’s BSE04336 Loafer Shoes (Tan)
What do penny loafers look like?
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.
What color are penny loafers?
The original penny loafer was made of leather, primarily black or brown, but has expanded over time. You can now find them in
almost any color
in leather, suede, patent leather, and vegan-style leather.
How do you wear black penny loafers?
Penny loafers are the most versatile loafer, and you can
pair them with most outfits
(you could even pair penny loafers with jeans). For tassel and Gucci loafers, think fitted trousers with a blazer and crisp button-downs. Black Tie and Loafers Don’t Mix.
What socks do you wear with loafers?
In most business and professional environments, it isn’t appropriate to show your bare ankle. In these instances, you’ll always want to pair your loafers with
dress socks
. Loafers are designed to fit snuggly, so dress socks will be thin enough to comfortably fit while also tying together your look.
Why are oxford shoes called Oxford?
Oxfords first appeared in Scotland and Ireland, where they are occasionally called Balmorals after Balmoral Castle. However, the shoes were later named Oxfords
after Oxford University
. This shoe style did not appear in North America until the 1800s.
Is it OK to wear penny loafers with a suit?
Most of the time,
you should avoid wearing loafers with suits
. Your Weejuns are much more at home with flannel trousers or corduroys anyway. If you’re headed to a Suit Occasion, wear a pair of shoes you have to lace.
Can I wear penny loafers with jeans?
Slim dark denim never fails to look cool when worn with penny loafers.
Go for raw denim or black jeans
and pair them with a similarly dark T-shirt for a classic off-duty look.
Are penny loafers still in style?
Are they still stylish? This isn’t your dad’s penny loafer… actually,
it is, but it’s time you stopped thinking of it like that
. Given the penny loafer’s ability to look even more stylish sans socks, and also its throwback vibes, it’s time to get onboard with this footwear for the future.
