Pop quiz: What’s probably the most versatile males’s shoe? Reply: The idler. The suitable pair makes getting dressed a breeze, however solely the very best loafers for males are as much as the duty.
At GQ, we’ve lengthy maintained that loafers are the Swiss Military Knife of sneakers, prepared that can assist you puzzle by way of all stylistic head-scratchers you encounter. Undecided what sneakers to put on with a bespoke tux for a purple carpet occasion—or only a actually fancy marriage ceremony? Loafers. Undecided what sneakers to put on with cut-off jean shorts for the after-after social gathering that very same evening? (The one two vibes, actually.) Loafers once more.
Let’s put it this manner: Once you’re working out of the home in a frantic blur with nary a second to whip up a half-decent outfit, a pair of loafers will actually save your ass. Loafers can take a well-thought-out match and switch it right into a galaxy-brain ensemble, and if these quarter-baked anecdotes aren’t doing it for you and also you want just a little extra convincing, don’t fear—we’re simply getting warmed up. Regardless of the model you are after, from traditional penny loafers to dressy tassel loafers, we’ve examined and tracked down the very best loafers for males.
The Finest Males’s Loafers, In accordance with GQ
In This Buying Information
Finest Worth Loafers: G.H. Bass Larson Weejuns Loafers
Materials: Leather-based | Sole: Leather-based | Building: Blake sew | Colours: Varies | Sizes: 7-13, regular and huge
No definitive idler rating would by no means be full and not using a pair of Bass Weejuns. They have been an icon because the ’30s, and in terms of loafers—or any shoe, actually—you would be hard-pressed to discover a higher worth. The model’s casual-leaning silhouette is a GQ-favorite, beloved by old-school legends like JFK and modern-day idler aficionados alike. One of the simplest ways to put on them? Play down their clean-cut origins by pairing them with all the things from cuffed Dickies to flower-child pale denims. For the bargain-savvy shopper, these are about as shut because it will get to a near-perfect black idler that does not compromise on high quality and would not name for a short-term mortgage to afford. In different phrases: so long as Bass retains making ’em, we’ll hold recommending ’em.
Bowen Fernie
In our expertise, Weejuns require just a little little bit of breaking in—and like all leather-soled sneakers, may be slippery on the outset. (We recommend taking your true dimension.) They might not come geared up with a Goodyear welt, the gold normal in highfalutin cobbling, however the Blake sew building is noticeably simpler to interrupt in—and simply as resolable. “Consider these as your all-around idler, the sort you put on on a regular basis till they lastly go kaput otherwise you’re able to improve,” says GQ model commerce author Gerald Ortiz, who’s owned half a dozen or so pairs over the many years. It’s notoriously tough to nail the quality-value matrix, however with the Weejuns, Bass did simply that.
Finest Knockabout Loafers: Dr. Martens Adrian Tassel Loafers
Materials: Leather-based | Sole: Rubber | Building: Goodyear welt | Colours: Black, burgundy | Sizes: 4-14
The Alden tassel loafers under are nice and all, however the rarified worth level, cordovan leather-based, and dainty silhouette give them a scholarly, considerably fuddy-duddy air which may not jive along with your street-leaning sensibility. That is the place Dr. Martens is available in. Its cult-loved Adrian loafers are achieved up within the model’s notoriously robust easy leather-based, after which plopped on high of its surprisingly giving AirWair soles. For Doc lovers, particulars like a double tassel and kiltie fringe—positioned round that signature cushioned sole—have helped idler wearers appear to be counter-cultural icons because the ‘80s, and with a scuzzy cardigan and pale denims they’ll do the identical for you, too.
Bowen Fernie
“I like the little additional vertical enhance they promise,” says GQ affiliate commerce editor Tyler Chin. “Although going true to dimension with these may’ve been a miss—they’re perhaps half a dimension too huge.” Oh, and Chin isn’t the one Tyler we all know who swears by the silhouette: it was an important cosign from Tyler, the Creator that satisfied him to lastly purchase a pair.
Finest Splurge-Worthy Loafers: Gucci 1953 Horsebit Leather-based Loafers
Materials: Leather-based | Sole: Leather-based | Building: Blake sew | Colours: Black, mid-brown, mild brown | Sizes: 5-17.5
