I wish I had a “penny” seriously, for every time I asked, begged, pleaded and flat out demanded my mother buy me Weejuns. Truth be told they were out of our budget at the time, but somehow or another after lots of babysitting and whatever else I could do to earn money, a pair of Weejuns became part of my wardrobe. Even though ankle socks were the trend, I much preferred knee socks at the time. Now, so very many years later, I have recently purchased several pairs of loafers. Two tone, suede, smooth leather and textured. Yep, bought in big to this style, this season as I do believe because of the comfort factor and style imperative, they are here to stay …… again. Now buying socks has become my new passion hunt and will definitely be next month’s article.
Penny loafers originated from a Norwegian fisherman’s shoe, adapted by American shoemaker G.H. Bass & Co. in 1936 (that is 89 years ago) and called “Weejuns” (which was a play on Norwegian). The distinctive strap with a diamond-shaped cut was added by Bass, and by the 1950s, American teenagers began slipping pennies into the slit for style or to hold for an emergency payphone call, which led to the name “penny loafer”.
The loafer’s ancestry traces back to a Norwegian slip-on shoe called the “teser,” worn by fishermen and farmers. Norwegian shoemaker Nils Gregoriusson Tveranger created the “Aurland moccasin” in the 1920s, blending the traditional Norwegian shoe with Native American moccasin styles he studied in the United States.
The design gained popularity with American tourists visiting Norway. In 1934, the founder of Esquire magazine brought a sample to John Bass, son of the founder of G.H. Bass & Co. In 1936, G.H. Bass released their version, the “Weejun” which included the strap with the signature slit.
The name “penny loafer” came decades later. In the 1950s, college students started putting pennies in the cutout. Some believe this was for emergency payphone calls, while others suggest it was a fashion statement. The trend stuck, and the name “penny loafer” became the shoe’s identity.
LOTS of suede this season which is one of my personal quintessential favorites in everything!! Loving all the adaptations of the original classic loafers which will probably keep going forward; like the ones from Madewell. They are designed with a rounder toe than the Weejuns, stacked heel, removable gold penny, 100% leather upper and lining, rubber sole (Sole: 80% rubber (30% of which is recycled, 23% of which is natural, 20% of which is synthetic), 27% calcium carbonate, and leather is sourced from a tannery that was certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG), as an organization that works to promote sustainable environmental practices in the leather industry.
Good Stuff and a penny for your thoughts.
Dress for the day you want – NOT – the day you are given.
Be well, Be Stylish, Be Kind as you Glow with me!