Is The Loafer Exclusively A Summer Shoe?

Evening all. I recently bought a pair of grey wool tweed-like trousers for A/W, and have been thinking about what footwear would work. I have a pair of oxblood penny loafers that would look really good with them colour-wise, but it got me thinking about whether loafers should be worn with such a wintery garment. I tend to think of loafers as a S/S shoe, but I'm not sure if this is right. It might be to do with their association with sunny Europe, or the fact that I always go sockless with my bass weejuns. Would be great to hear your thoughts on this.

Nat

PS I know there is a footwear forum, but it doesn't seem to get as much traffic, so I thought I would post here. Sorry to all you purists...

I don't think they're really suitable for winter, I certainly won't be wearing mine once the weather gets colder anyway. Loafers really have to be worn without socks (or with socks that you can't see), and I'd find that a bit cold in the winter.

I think pennys are fine for winter. Pair them with some funky heritage socks and you're off. Quite a brave look though.

I agree with Nath on this one. I plan on wearing mine through the winter with some nice socks, so long as the ground doesn't have slush/snow on it. Oxblood loafers, grey wool trousers, and a red jumper (probably not cable-knit with those trousers) sounds like a fine winter outfit.

Depends on the style of the loafer and how open/closed they are. For example I have some driving shoe style loafers in suede which I wear all the time in spring and summer, and look great with slim jeans and chinos, but would get ruined in winter, and with socks might look funny.

However I do have some smarter dark brown leather ones which are more inclosed, so could get away with them.

But I've got a few pairs of leather boots and a pair of desert boots which I wear in winter instead of loafers. Whilst loafers are my favourite, these are far more practical in the colder months. The slim jeans and chinos still look great with them as well as loafers, as they sit nicely and quite tightly around the ankle of the boots.

Some nice divergent opinions...

Good point on the style of loafer Geo. The ones I'm referring to are quite "open" as you put it i.e. quite low cut. That's what makes me feel they are better suited to the summer and going sockless. Might look quite incongruous with a heavy wool trouser

http://www.coggles.com/wall-media/1B...Style-1448.jpg
I think this shows that the sock and loafer combination is good

Love the customer service assistant in the background staring through the window with unabashed curiosity.