When speaking about men’s black shoes, a type that’s considered both casual and elegant at the same time is the black loafer. They are among the few shoes (apart from sports shoes) that men consistently find appealing, and for good reason. Aside from offering superior comfort, their effortless look allows them to be mixed and matched with most outfits. Whether attending a formal or casual event, men’s black loafers can enhance your look without compromising comfort.
Versatile Staples
When talking about the versatile black loafers men find them easy to combine with almost anything. It seems that these shoes can help them smooth things out in more formal outfits while elevating the appearance of casual looks. They are the perfect day-to-night men’s shoes, and they pair well with everything from a tailored suit to chinos, jeans, and tailored shorts. Even if you usually dress casually, a pair of black loafers can instantly elevate a simple jeans-and-shirt outfit.
As one of the most versatile shoe styles, black loafers are a wardrobe staple, ready to save the day whenever you need to dress up for an occasion. The key is choosing the right pair to match your style and outfit.
Types of Black Loafers
Penny
Penny loafers are known for their little leather strap across the upper part of the foot, featuring a small horizontal slit. They can be paired with both more casual and elegant outfits, and the story behind the name of these shoes is quite interesting. Back in the day, students used the slit on these shoes to keep coins so they could pay for phone calls, and that’s how they got their name, penny.
Tassel
As the name suggests, these loafers got their name because of the tassels they have on the upper part of the foot. They often appeal to men who appreciate classic or polished styles, and to those who enjoy adding a distinctive touch to their outfits. If you like the look, choose a pair that suits your taste and pair them with outfits that showcase their uniqueness.
Horsebit
This loafers model is essentially an adaptation of the penny model. In 1966, the Italian designer Gucci saw the popularity of these loafers and adapted them, creating a new model with a metal strap across the front shaped like a horse’s snaffle bit, hence the name. These Gucci loafers gained a lot of popularity back then, were worn by businessmen in the 1970s, and basically became a Wall Street uniform. Later on, they became popular all around the world, and they still are.
How to Style Them?
Business Casual
When dressing for a business-casual occasion, black loafers are the best ally men can have. They’re both formal and casual at the same time, making them perfect for such occasions. You can pair them with dress pants, chinos and even a suit. Regarding the colour of the clothes, they can go perfectly with navy, charcoal, and beige pants and a light blue or white shirt.
When the occasion allows, you can wear a blazer in the same colour as the shirt. If your office dress code allows jeans, you can pair them with dark-toned jeans and a collared shirt. The blazer is optional.
Formal
Wearing black loafers for men at formal events is also possible, especially if you’re heading to a wedding, anniversary, dinner or a more formal birthday party. For such occasions, it’s essential to pair them with a well-tailored suit in black, navy or grey.
Attending a formal event calls for pairing your shoes and suit with a white dress shirt and a tie, ideally made of silk or satin. Adding a pocket square is also appropriate, though it remains optional. Since this is formal attire, it’s important to complete the look with suitable cuffs, cufflinks, and a dress watch.
Casual Chic
As already mentioned, these shoes are the perfect way to elevate an otherwise casual outfit when in need. They can never go out of style, and the black ones, in particular, are the most versatile.
When pairing them for achieving a more casual yet elevated look, choose dark-toned straight-fit jeans. Rolling up the jeans’ hem can reveal the shoes a bit, giving both a casual and elegant vibe at the same time.
When it comes to choosing the right top, you can always wear a casual or more neat white shirt, as well as sweaters in a lighter colour. For a semi-formal occasion, you can throw a blazer over your shirt, or wear a denim jacket for a more informal occasion.
Wearing them in summer is also acceptable, especially when paired with navy or lighter-coloured chinos or tailored shorts. In warm weather, you can pair these shoes with a polo or a linen button-down shirt.