Men's Loafers: Find Slip On Driving & Penny Loafers For Any Occasion | Kohl's (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between penny loafers and driving shoes? ›

Driving shoes have a unique design that features rubber nubs or pebbles on the sole, while loafers and moccasins have a flat sole.

so back in the 19 thirties, an emergency phone call cost two pennies on a pay phone. and people put pennies inside of their penny loafers. so that in case of an emergency, they could make a call. but another cool thing that you can do.

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.

Moreover, loafers can be worn for both casual and formal occasions, which makes them extremely versatile . Although loafers aren't considered formal footwear, they aren't entirely casual either. In fact, loafers are a hybrid of both and depending on the material they can either land in the formal or casual category.

You can wear them with or without socks, depending on personal preference. Driving shoes can be worn to way more places than the driver seat of your car and are a must-have in every man's shoe collection.

Driving loafers cover your feet in simple, elegant comfort and can be a great match with jeans coupled with the sockless look. Even slim-cut chinos or cotton shorts can be a great outfit choice.

By design, loafers are more casual than their laced-up dress-shoe counterparts. Throwing socks into the mix can undermine that. And particularly informal takes—a penny loafer, a driver or a boat shoe—arguably look better without socks.

Enter: penny loafers.

Penny loafers strike that retro-yet-timeless vibe that looks so good on guys. Plus, these shoes are quite literally effortless (slip on! no laces!), and you can dress them up or down. Really, there isn't any good reason not to add a pair of penny loafers to your shoe collection.

Anti-Trend, Chic and Looks Great with Jeans—This Flat Shoe Will Be a Spring Hit. In my humble opinion, no shoe style is more deserving of a place in your spring wardrobe than a pair of penny loafers.

Conclusion. Whether you choose to put pennies in your penny loafers original ultimately comes down to personal preference. While it adds a unique touch and pays homage to the tradition's historical significance, there are also practical considerations to keep in mind.

Who made penny loafers famous? ›

' The iconic penny loafer was created by G.H. Bass & Co in 1936, in response to a request from the US editor of Esquire. Putting heads together, they adapted a Norwegian farm shoe intended for 'loafing in the field' and as such, the 'Bass Weejun' was born. The world's very first penny loafer.

Men should consider black color for its timeless appeal. As we know black is a classic and neutral color that can complement a variety of outfits. That is why black penny loafers are suitable for both formal and casual occasions.

A slim or straight-leg cut often works best with loafers, creating a clean, streamlined look. Opt for Dark Wash: Dark wash jeans exude a more polished appearance, making them an excellent choice when pairing with loafers.

A driving shoe should fit snugly and be narrow enough to avoid taking up excess space in the pedal-box area of the car. Driving shoes have thin, flexible soles to maximize the driver's feel of the pedals, enabling more exacting control. In that way, they are similar to racing shoes, which also feature thin soles.

Don'ts of Driving Shoes:

Walk around too much in them, as they are not designed for walking. You can walk in it to a nearby café or car parking, but not for a shopping trip. Wear driving shoes with socks, especially if you are wearing long pants.

Its defining feature is a strip of leather that sits across the instep, commonly known as a “saddle,” with a small cut-out just large enough to place a "penny". Pre-1900 - Native Americans wear the "Makasin," a simple shoe made from untanned leather with no fastenings.

Designed by Gianni Mostile and patented by the snappily named Italian brand Car Shoe in 1963, the driving shoe did exactly what it said on the tin - provided drivers with an alternative pair of shoes to avoid wearing out the soles on their formal loafers or brogues.