Loafers OK with a suit?

[Frosty]

...and then there is southern California!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Frosty

...and then there is southern California!

Good point!

I'll never forget the day I called on the San Francisco Chronicle Newspaper with my California rep. I flew in from Toronto wearing a standard blue business suit, tie etc...

I get off the plane and my rep is wearing slacks and a Tommy Bahama shirt with loafers. He said "what's up with the suit" this is California...

Needless to say, I ditched the tie, slung my jacket over my shoulder and tried to look as casual as possible for the meeting.

[Tripp11]

IMO, loafers with a suit would not be an appropriate look.

[Vincent65]

I don't think many would frown at these, for example, worn with a suit…

http://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/categor...purple%20label


or these:


http://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/categor...purple%20label

[Tripp11]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

I don't think many would frown at these, for example, worn with a suit…

http://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/categor...purple%20label


or these:


http://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/categor...purple%20label

Both of those links just send you to the main homepage, but if you were posting pictures of loafers, they would still be inappropriate to wear with a suit.

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by Tripp11

Both of those links just send you to the main homepage, but if you were posting pictures of loafers, they would still be inappropriate to wear with a suit.

Sorry, I thought it was a link to the specific shoes.

Here are the images, and they are both just fine to wear with suits, believe me! Unless you think the highest-quality menswear line in the house of Polo is inappropriate. Maybe Ralph doesn't know what he's talking about, and knows nothing of style

Black one: Darwin Calf Cap-Toe Loafer. Price: £950.00

Brown pair: Keston Calf Penny Loafer. Price: £1,050.00

[psv]

I'm all for a bit of individualism and creativity, but loafers with a classy business suit, esp ones with tassles, are just wrong for me. Don't go there. Stay with lace-ups, get some cool socks instead! :-)

And by the way, saying that you cannot wear a sporty watch with a suit is all wrong. Feel free to have that opinion and live by it, but don't pretend that it is wrong at some general level.

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by psv

I'm all for a bit of individualism and creativity, but loafers with a classy business suit, esp ones with tassles, are just wrong for me. Don't go there. Stay with lace-ups, get some cool socks instead! :-)

And by the way, saying that you cannot wear a sporty watch with a suit is all wrong. Feel free to have that opinion and live by it, but don't pretend that it is wrong at some general level.

It is wrong, it's as wrong as the loafers.

[psv]

Originally Posted by Art 1

It is wrong, it's as wrong as the loafers.

Enlighten us with your wisdom, please. How do you define a sport Rolex? One that is on a bracelet? One waterproof? You are aware that all chronographs are technically sport watches, so in theory even a Patek chronograph is somewhat of a sport watch...

And, of course, Rolex is wrong as well, e.g. in the advertising from the 60-ies



And so are various European royals, business leaders around the globe, style icons etc, etc, etc.

Again, I'm all for knowing the rules and guidlines, but not wearing a sport Rolex to a suit ever, I'm sorry I cannot agree with that one.

[G8RDPM]

Originally Posted by psv

Enlighten us with your wisdom, please. How do you define a sport Rolex? One that is on a bracelet? One waterproof? You are aware that all chronographs are technically sport watches, so in theory even a Patek chronograph is somewhat of a sport watch...

And, of course, Rolex is wrong as well, e.g. in the advertising from the 60-ies



And so are various European royals, business leaders around the globe, style icons etc, etc, etc.

Again, I'm all for knowing the rules and guidlines, but not wearing a sport Rolex to a suit ever, I'm sorry I cannot agree with that one.

Read this entire thread thinking about a Submariner and a suit!
Patrick and Art beat me to it!

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by G8RDPM

Read this entire thread thinking about a Submariner and a suit!
Patrick and Art beat me to it!

Yeah, there are also certainly differences of opinion about what watches are and are not acceptable with more formal attire like a business suit or tux. But keep in mind the difference is with a watch we are talking about accessorizing, but footwear is an integral part of the apparel when discussing mode of dress.

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by Art 1

It is wrong, it's as wrong as the loafers.

Why is a rolex and suit wrong?

[Puffy]

No one in London wears loafers with a suit unless they're American and fresh off the boat, or a young analyst who has just watched Bloomberg before his/her first day at work

No one should wear loafers with a suit, with the exception being Michael Jackson

[psv]

Originally Posted by Puffy

No one in London wears loafers with a suit unless they're American and fresh off the boat, or a young analyst who has just watched Bloomberg before his/her first day at work

No one should wear loafers with a suit, with the exception being Michael Jackson

Thank you for clearing that up, I've never seen any in the City wearing loafers with suit.

[Puffy]

In additon to the above only recruitment consultants wear loafers, and really shitty ones
You know the ones with a steel plated brass buckle and leather made from roadkill
Some IT workers, mostly server dudes, love loafers too but mostly the slip on ones which is even worse than loafers (if there is such a thing!)

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[mgent]

I have a number of 'loafers' (defined as non lace-up dress shoes) that I wear with suits... In my opinion, the ones you pictured are too casual, but there are a number that would work... Some with tassels, some with some metal decoration, some of exotic leathers, but none of them with the 'penny' decoration... Most times I'm in lace-ups, but to say slip-ons never work I do not agree with...

[nauticajoe]

Not for me. I'd save that for business casual day.

[socalwatchcollector]

Please don't that's all I ask.. LOL No in all honesty style is anything and everything now days.. If you do choose to do loafers with a suit go with a higher end shoe that's edgy like Louboutin. I picked these up however they are not loafers...

http://us.christianlouboutin.com/us_...aine-pony.html

[BarkMaster]

Your takeaway from this thread should be that everyone believes that oxfords are appropriate for business professional attire and not everyone agrees about loafers.

People that can impact your career will include your appearance in their judgement. They may/may not think loafers are appropriate, but they will always think that oxfords are appropriate.

Ask yourself this: Would you wear loafers to a job interview in a business professional environment? If not, then why start loafing once hired? Do you want to be seen as someone who is sophisticated, follows the rules and pays attention to detail or potentially someone that is lazy, non-conformist or perhaps even disrespectful? Are you going for what is passable or what is correct? (I know that is very strong language, but this CAN impact your career in some circles).

Regardless of what shoes you choose to wear, keep them clean, dressed and in good repair. The most polished man in the room commands attention and often leaves the rest of the men in the room wishing they had dressed better. Dress for success and elevate those around you.

[incontrol]

Wow, not really sure I can totally agree with the above. I have known people who followed all these rules and have gone nowhere. Reason: They were awful at everything they did. I also know many that did not follow these rules and did extremely well. If the only reason I can not succeed is because I wore loafers, it is very possible that I would not want to work there. There is more to an employee than his shoes, in my opinion.

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by incontrol

There is more to an employee than his shoes, in my opinion.

Totally agree, but I think you need to re-read my post again.

"People that can impact your career will include your appearance in their judgement."

I never said appearance is everything; just that it is important.

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by incontrol

Wow, not really sure I can totally agree with the above. I have known people who followed all these rules and have gone nowhere.

brought tears to my eyes mate!

if you're in a client facing role you need to look super sharp but if you're rubbish at what you do you might as well wear a tracksuit and reebok trainers

[Dr. Robert]

The loafers pictured have a natural colored sole/heel maybe if the sole/heel was black it wouldn't look out of place

[incontrol]

Yes you are correct. I stand corrected.

[vitalsignsrn]

I say no to suit as well. Sorry! I can hear your pain. If you wear dress slacks and a sports coat I can see them looking great. The shoe itself is very nice. :-)

[slm9555]

Thank you all for the replies! I will stick with my oxfords for now. When I start my new job next Spring at the U.S. Federal Courthouse I will re-evaluate based on what other people are wearing, but I have a feeling loafers will be ruled out.

FYI, I also wear a Sub C LN.

[Presa canary]

100% acceptable.

[Dr. Robert]

To hell with formal wear.....gimme a Reyn Spooner aloha shirt, the louder the better, a pair of Polo cargo shorts & Rainbow sandals.

[daveathall]

In the first instance I would dress safe, and would continue with this until I see the lay of the land and find out what is acceptable, then dress accordingly. That is not to say that I am always "safe" but one has to gauge what will be talked about in less than glowing terms long after the intended impression has gone.

Fashion quirks will differ from profession to profession also, what may be fine for lawyers may not be that good for bankers for instance.

[Puffy]

The only style from the loafer family I'd wear are from John Lobb.

And they would not make it into the office.

Only black shoes for work. As the saying goes, No Brown In Town.