"Walk like an Norwegian" Penny Loafer Spring Summer 2012

Considered the official footwear of the preppy lifestyle, the penny loafer has earned its place in history along with the cotton chino, the oxford shirt and the navy blazer as an American wardrobe essential that's timeless, stylish and appropriate for any occasion.More than a century ago, Norwegian farmers first slipped on these styles—defined by the strap across the toe with a tab for the coin—to tend to their cows who were "loafing" out at pasture. 

 History The G.H. Bass shoe company introduced the original version of the shoe in 1936, calling it the Weejun. The name refers to the flat slip-on shoes worn by Norwegian farmers.

Style Loafers existed before the introduction of the Weejun. In 1933, the Spaulding Leather Company turned out its version of the loafer. Bass, however, was the first company to add the band with its signature opening. In the 1970s, the shoes became an essential part of the Preppy look. Bass introduced a slimmer version of the shoe called the Dover Weejun in 2009.Coins In the 1940s and 1950s, Weejun wearers started slipping dimes--the price of a pay telephone call--into the shoe pockets. Pennies, the shinier the better, came later as a matter of style.

Effects Penny loafers have inspired numerous imitations in wide price ranges. A leather Prada version is priced at nearly $400, whereas the leather Bass Weejun sells for about $125 Popularity The penny loafer got a boost in popularity when famous people such as actor James Dean, President John F. Kennedy and singer Michael Jackson wore them in public. This Summer we're not sailing on a boat deck with Topsiders but learning at the university and fashionably loafing around.

Center Loafer. Church's Tunbridge Penny Loafer in black bookbinder fume, Second to last  Alden 987 in black shell cordovan