The penny loafer and the tassel loafer are certainly the most common loafers models around. But with small tweaks you can make versions that stands out, like Hiro Yanahimachi’s split toe version of the penny loafer here or the more striking wingtip version of the tassel loafer.
Hiro Yanagimachi is one of the best ones when it comes to doing special things that still looks balanced and highly wearable, like the wingtip tassel here. That’s good pattern making (which was why I placed them on the podium in my Shoegazing Bespoke Awards in the Pattern category a few years ago). Yanagimachi has a bunch of other special loafers models where some are completely unique, like one called Centre seam saddle loafer which has a split toe and a split seam strap connecting to the quarters.
It’s always interesting to see how different Shoemaker’s can take a “classic” design and put their own unique spin on it. HIro is an amazing designer. I love gazing at their IG page. I do own about six pairs of loafers, although none of them are penny loafers. I have a pair of braided tassel style and a twisted strap and a few pair of butterfly loafers. Gaziano And Girling does an amazing twist on a twist twisted strap with their double twisted strap model. And Acme Shoemaker does a wonderful job with their version of a butterfly loafer which is a lot more subtle and less prominent. Manuel would typically see.
Michael T Bokor: Yeah totally agree. Hiro and his team are amazing. And those G&G and Acme models are sure great too.