Q: What is the difference between loafers and dress shoes like the basic laced-up ones most men wear? Can you wear both styles to work or are loafers better for casual settings?
A: It depends on the profession you are in. In lines like advertising or, ahem, journalism, there is usually more leeway for a more casual style, as opposed to more formal professions like law and banking.
You usually cannot go wrong with lace-ups paired with a basic button-down shirt and well-cut trousers for a meeting or a job interview.
Loafers also come in a variety of dressy and casual styles.
Moses Tan, a boutique assistant at Parisian luxury men's shoe label Berluti (01-19A Ngee Ann City), says loafers made of materials like suede and softer leather are not suitable for the workplace and other formal occasions.
Not only do they not provide enough support if you have to walk around a lot but they also look more casual. You can wear these without socks when you walk the dog or hang out with friends.
Dressier loafers are usually made of stiffer leather and have less visible stitching. Wear socks with these.
A pair of casual loafers from Berluti starts from $1,600 while dressier ones go for $2,200. For more affordable options, check out labels such as Pedro, where casual loafers start from around $80 and formal ones are priced from about $100.
Whether you decide to go with the formal look or a more laidback style, it is probably best to have more than one pair in your shoe closet.
According to Tan, wearing the same pair of leather shoes more than three times a week will not allow it to breathe properly so the leather may wear out faster.
He also advises wearing leather shoes for about 15 to 20 times before you polish them for the first time, and then for about 10 to 15 times before subsequent polishing. This will allow you to see where the creases form on your shoes and apply less wax on the creases to prevent the leather from cracking.
