Why Loafers Are Going To Be 2020’s Most Important Shoe

It’s funny how trends latch on to otherwise ordinary garments, giving would-be staple pieces a sudden sense of urgency that dissipates within a few seasons. The Spring/Summer 2020 season, for instance, saw menswear brands like Dior, Louis Vuitton and UNDERCOVER embracing tailoring, bringing arguably the most trend-averse piece of clothing — the suit — into the style-conscious limelight. Though the street-style set will likely be making room in their closets for a new selection of blazers in the months to come, the real revolution may already be underfoot: enter the rise of the loafer. A timeless staple since the early days of G.H. Bass & Co’s Weejuns, the loafer’s popularity has hardly ever wavered in certain menswear (read: formalwear) circles. Otherwise, the leather shoe has jostled for favor with other laceless styles like sandals and espadrilles. The workwear boom of the late naughties saw a newfound appreciation for heritage brands like Alden and Viberg and upstarts like Oak Street Bootmakers alike, with the following years marked by streetwear revisions and plentiful luxury options. In particular, the latter industry is primarily responsible for launching the humble loafer to stratospheric new heights. Read more at Hypebeast.