Even in these more relaxed times, there are not many items of men’s clothing, let alone footwear, that have bridged the business and pleasure divide as successfully as the loafer, our faithful slip-on shoe. This statement probably needs a little qualification, particularly in terms of what constitutes business wear these days. In some industries it is not too unusual to discuss megabucks deals with a guy in shorts and a tee shirt, and as long as his company will deliver the goods, few people will complain. But visit any city centre coffee house around lunch time and you will see that there definitely still is such a thing as men’s office wear, the suit and smart leather shoes that have been with us for the best part of a century.

Next time you see these business types, take a quick glance down and you’ll notice a high proportion of them will be loafing around. Why this is probably is not much of a mystery. Firstly, they are the ultimate in fast dressing for the man on the way to his next big deal. Why waste time tying laces when you can slip on and go?

Second, they are inherently comfortable. Their comfort is really a necessary part of their being when you think about it. With no laces or buckles to hold them in place, all that stops the loafer from staying where it is when you get up and walk off is the fact that it fits your foot snugly from toe to heel (perhaps with a little elastic assistance, but not much). Well made slip-ons always seem to have that cool, smooth interior that almost invites your foot in yet somehow doesn’t make them fly off. But when the moment comes for them to be taken off, there is no gymnastics required; in fact you can do it standing up.

So how did a shoe that is such a hit in the office get a name synonymous with idly going about one’s day, namely loafing around? Well another meaning of loafing is herding and milking cattle, and Norwegian cattle loafers used to wear the shoes in their work. In the 1930s photographs appeared in Esquire Magazine of these hard workers doing their job, and demand spiked, leading to American cobblers starting production of what was a very modern and innovative look.

From penthouse suites to college campuses, the humble loafer has made the transition from muddy Scandinavian fields to every layer of modern society. They are one of those items of clothing that is so ubiquitous that it is hard to appreciate that they were not always there and in fact that they are relatively modern outside their native land. But that is probably one of the signs of a truly successful fashion item: it is useful enough to be timeless but adaptable enough to always remain fresh and ready to wear. And, of course, they bring a whole new level of comfort to hard-working feet – even if they are stuck under a desk for most of the day.

Nothing beats a pair of loafers for comfort and a casual look. Many vintage clothing stores stock them in a mix of styles and colours, with worn-in pairs selling well. Harry reports on vintage fashion items and news.

Nothing beats a pair of loafers for comfort and a casual look. Many vintage clothing stores such as http://www.rokit.co.uk/ stock them in a mix of styles and colours, with worn-in pairs selling well. Harry reports on vintage fashion items and news.

Author Bio: Nothing beats a pair of loafers for comfort and a casual look. Many vintage clothing stores stock them in a mix of styles and colours, with worn-in pairs selling well. Harry reports on vintage fashion items and news.

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