Though the term loafer is relatively commonly used in America, this type of shoes are also known as slip-ons and even slippers! This can cause a bit of confusion, as in Britain slippers are casual house shoes.
Oxfords (British), or Balmorals (American), lace up and tie to keep them on the wearer's foot, and have a closed lacing, where the pieces of leather joined by the laces are sewn together at the bottom. Many Oxfords have an additional piece of leather sewn over the toe section, known as a toe cap.
Slip-ons are typically low, lace-less shoes. The style which is most commonly seen, known as a loafer, slippers, or penny loafers in American culture, has a moccasin construction. One of the first designs was introduced in London by Wildsmith Shoes, called the Wildsmith Loafer.
"Slippers" is the most common term for what are sometimes more broadly known as "house shoes". In the UK, "slippers" are normally made from a soft material, not at all waterproof, and so unsuitable for outdoor use.
Shoes with long, thin heel usually of 1inch to 10 inches are known as stilettos. These shoes are known as court shoes in British English and Pumps in American English. Stilettos of 5cms and shorter are known as kitten heels. Pumps can be worn as casuals as well as formal shoes by both men and women.
Some British people wear shoes in their homes, some don't. The ones that don't might not want to bring in dirt from the outside or to reduce wear on their carpets. Some people like to keep their shoes on.
Flip-flops are also called thongs (sometimes pluggers) in Australia, jandals (originally a trademarked name derived from "Japanese sandals") in New Zealand, and slops or plakkies in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
This one really baffles visitors, especially those from the United States. In the USA a thong is a piece of underwear. In Australia, it's what they call flip-flops. Sometimes they also call them "double-pluggers".
Loafers have always been a favored transitional shoe— their slip-on fit, sartorial style and structured lug sole boast a particular versatility that makes them ideal for just about any season, occasion or even day-to-night look. But, as with most great styles, they've also undergone a more modern revamp for fall 2023.
You can wear loafers for formal and casual wear, as they come in many different materials; when made out of leather, loafers serve as a good pair of dress shoes, and those made of fabric can be for smart casual wear. Loafers are versatile, comfortable, and easy to take on and off.
Placing a penny in the loafer's slot became a popular way to customize the shoes and differentiate themselves from others. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, the act of inserting a penny holds symbolic meaning for some individuals, representing good luck or a reminder of the value of money.
The term "loafer" was first used in the 1930s to describe a slip-on shoe that was popular with men and women as a casual option. The design was simple, with no laces or buckles, and a low, flat heel.
The Gucci 1953 horsebit is one of the most iconic loafers ever. The shoe is a blake construction and consists of a single piece of sole leather. There is no welt on the shoe and allows the wearer to sit closer to the ground and more flexibility.
The loafer is a type of shoe that is easily slipped on and off the foot without any laces to worry about. It is often mentioned in the same breath as the moccasin, as some historical sources say both types of footwear have similar origins.
noun,plural shoes, (especially British Dialect) shoon [shoon]. an external covering for the human foot, usually of leather and consisting of a more or less stiff or heavy sole and a lighter upper part ending a short distance above, at, or below the ankle.
Shoelaces, also called shoestrings (US English) or bootlaces (UK English), are a system commonly used to secure shoes, boots, and other footwear. They typically consist of a pair of strings or cords, one for each shoe, finished off at both ends with stiff sections, known as aglets.
