It’s impressive, the way a loafer can dial up a look without taking away its edge. Cassandra Aaron, cofounder of Archie, sees the shoe as a balancing act. “I usually add loafers to any outfit that needs a touch of sophistication, especially if I’m leaning more casual,” she says. “Alternatively, I opt for loafers to add a bit of an edge when I’m dressed formally.”
Aaron warns that writing off loafers for their notorious break-in period is shortsighted. After an hour or so of wear, she notes, “it’s easy to look into the future and imagine the blisters. I mourn all the beautiful loafers that have been cast out because of this.” If a tight fit isn’t the problem, on the other hand, and you’ve got some slide in your shoes, take Aaron’s advice and have a shoemaker add a thin lining.
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Katharine Hepburn, Françoise Hardy. When Kate Arends, founder and CEO of Wit & Delight, sent through her loafer muses, I knew we’d get along. These women are in the pantheon of pared-back, tomboyish looks. “I’ve always felt powerful wearing men’s silhouettes. These styles hide what women are often told to display. You can feel sexy without needing to publicly state it with a kitten heel.”
