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Slip-Ons and Loafers
Norwegians really invented the loafer, after they replicated a very American moccasin. In the ‘30s G.H. Bass introduced these ‘weejuns’ that they still make.



Loafers are decidedly informal. In fact, up until the 50s and 60s they were not worn with a suit. That changed when Gucci introduced a horse-bit (they made horse saddles in prior life) loafer in black.
Italians with their hot climate loved them. It is now acceptable to wear loafers with your summer suit, blazer and sport coat.



There are also Belgian loafers, tassel loafers and penny loafers, supposedly because you were able to put a penny in the slot of each shoe and make a phone call which back in the day cost 2 cents. Please don’t actually do it.





Slip-Ons are not really loafers, because they don’t have moccasin construction of the loafer, and thus have a more formal look. They are appropriate even with a pin-stripe black suit in certain situations, like going through airport security.