The heart of spring/ summer style for me is a good pair of slip-ons. My usual go-tos this time of year include penny loafers – worn with soft sport coats and button-down collars – then camp mocs whenever I’m in denim.
Lately, however, I’ve looking for a pair of leather slippers. Something dressed down from traditional leather shoes, but more sophisticated than beach-ready espadrilles. Without the ornamentation that comes with penny loafers, tassel loafers, and embroidered Prince Alberts, these feel a bit more causal and contemporary. Something to wear when you’re hanging out at a local cafe or strolling down the boardwalk with friends.
Antonio Ciongoli, the talented designer behind Eidos, frequently uses leather slippers in his lookbooks. They’re often paired with smartly tailored chinos or drawstring linen pants, as well as striped Breton shirts, long popovers, and loose-fitting pullover jackets. Unionmade recently used the same slippers in a seasonal presentation (lots of shorts and casual summer outerwear here). And Yasuto Camoshita below shows how great slip-ons can look with tailored clothing.
I’d like to pick up something similar this season, but to wear with looser chinos and French chore coats, as well as the occasional suede jacket. Along with Eidos, I think leather slippers could look great with the sort of things you’d get from Camoshita, Dana Lee, Stoffa, and Lemaire. It’s the kind of style I associate with the palm tree lined districts of Los Angeles and certain bohemian neighborhoods in NYC.
Maybe everyone has been thinking the same thing because there are a million good options for leather slip-ons this season. Some that I’ve been looking at:
- Braided Loafers: A sophisticated style that exudes a tropical, vacation feel. Carmina and Barbanera have some that look particularly well made, although Hudson’s Ipanema are more affordable. If you want the Carminas in a darker color, just contact Skoaktiebolaget (a sponsor on this site). They can put in a custom order.
- Wholecut Slip-Ons: Carmina, Barbanera, and Viberg have wholecut slip-ons, if you favor a cleaner look. The first two are sleek enough to wear with tailored clothing, while the second is probably better with denim.
- Leather Espadrilles: A slightly more refined take on the traditional canvas shoe. Certainly not for the beach, but suggests you’re going there sometime soon. Check Mulo, Castaner, Manebi, and La Portegna.
- Strap Loafers: Like a penny loafer, but without the penny slot, which makes then more casual and unique. Christian Kimber has some unlined ones that feel like bedroom shoes. Edward Green has something more structured, called their Buckingham, which you can custom order through Leffot or Gentlemen’s Footwear.
- Belgian Shoes: Famously described as the shoes of art dealers, these were a favorite of the late, great Glenn O’Brien. You can get them direct through Belgian Shoes. Rubinacci also has a similar style called the Marphy. For something a little more conservative, check out Baudoin and Lange. Their unlined loafers come in a similar shape, but are made without the dainty bow. You can find them stateside at The Armoury.
- Others: Finally, there are a bunch of non-traditional styles I’ve been looking at. Dries Van Noten and Officine Creative make slippers with elasticated gussets, which remind me of Vans slip-ons (a summer favorite). Barbanera has an unlined style with an apron toe. And Sabah has some Turkish-inspired slippers with a rustic feel.
