Introduction
Slip-on styles, like driving moccasins or loafers, are so convenient for summer, but they are not all made the same. In this article, we will compare the driving shoe or moccasin with the classic loafer by digging into their histories and detailing their differences. Both are perfect for sockless, warmer months, so if you have not decided on your summer holiday shoes yet, this guide may help.
The history of the driving shoe
The first driving moccasins were designed by Gianni Mostile in the 1960s to provide men with an alternative footwear for driving so they did not inflict unnecessary wear on their formal shoes.
These shoes became popular with Italian gentlemen driving their Ferraris and Alfa Romeos. That heady mix of sports cars, dashing men and chic shoes ignited a fashion trend that has prevailed. While they undoubtedly look good, they make perfect, practical sense too.
The features of a driving shoe
The driving shoe is a classic, soft moccasin with the addition of a dimpled or gently cleated rubber sole to provide improved grip on the pedals. Meanwhile, the dimples up the heel ensure you do not ruin the backs of your formal shoes, and they also offer excellent grip.
This same rubber sole means they are comfortable to walk short distances, but we think they work better as a house shoe or for days relaxing in the sun.
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The history of the loafer
Also, based on the moccasin style, the history of the loafer followed two paths. In Norway, Nils Gregoriusson Tveranger introduced a loafer to the town of Aurland after he had travelled to North America to learn shoemaking. When travelling Americans then saw them on sale in Europe, they took them home where they were spotted by the editor of Esquire magazine.
In the UK, King George VI asked Wildsmith to come up with a house shoe for him to wear around the palace and other royal residences, and the result was what is known as the Wildsmith loafer.
The features of a loafer
The loafer also has a low-slung profile to expose the ankle and feature a stitched apron. But while a moccasin is seen as a soft-soled comfort shoe, the loafer has much more clip to it care of a separate sole and a small heel. A loafer also offers the choice of a rubber or leather sole and tends to have more arch support.
Within the loafer style, several genres have developed starting with the penny loafer, which was first produced by GH Bass in the 1930s, followed by the horse-bit styles from Gucci, plus tassels, fringes, other snaffle styles and more. A universally versatile style, a loafer is equally welcome in the boardroom as it is on the boardwalk.
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Driving shoes vs loafers
The choice is up to you depending on the occasion. Our collection of new summer styles gives you plenty to choose from to compare and contrast. See our Italian Fiorano driving moccasin, which has been hand-painted to give them an extra dimension of quality, making them really versatile for dressing up and down. While our new suede Mugello is a more classic, driving shoe style with a snaffle bit bound in suede.
When it comes to loafers, we always have plenty of choice but new for this season, we have fresh colours of the snaffle-trim Dillon on offer along with the classic brown suede, leather-soled Riverford. If you prefer a rubber sole, the Dunham II has been one of our best sellers this summer.
If you are still undecided, please never hesitate to contact our customer service team. They are have collated years of shoe knowledge that they are more than willing to share with you, so you choose the right summer shoe.
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