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I’m a penny loafer guy, particularly a suede penny loafer guy. I have found they go with nearly everything I wear, from jeans to suits (all but the most formal). About 10 years ago I got my first pair and wore them to death (see photo below and all the photos at the bottom of this post). They were sold by Polo Ralph Lauren made by Allen Edmonds. They’ve long since discontinued that model (or perhaps just have put it back in Disney’s archive for an unforeseeable period of time), and I’ve been searching for a pair that might replace them. In particular, a pair that had just that right shape—not too rounded, not too pointy, in a good color of brown suede that would be wearable with a lot of the pants I typically wear.
And of course they have to fit well and be comfortable. A few years ago I wrote about trying three different pairs, and at that time landed on some from Meermin. I came to regret that decision as they became uncomfortable to wear so I sold them.
TLB Mallorca’s Artista is the ticket for me. Swedish retailer Skolyx gave me a pair in dark brown suede in 2023. I wore them to Pitti and have been wearing them a ton since, and actually they improved in comfort. Initial comfort was fine, but I found over time that my arch would get a little sore after walking all day long on Florentine streets. But now after having fully broken them in, they’re now the most comfortable leather-bottom shoe I own and I wore them to Pitti again in January 2024, and had no problems.
Made in Mallorca, they hit the price point Alden and Carmina used to hit. Compared to Alden, they’re finished much nicer. I recently gave Alden’s LHS loafer a try and was disappointed in the finishing quality given the $700 price point (though I also feel that loafer style is so iconic I will likely buy a pair eventually. It’s not that I doubt the quality of materials or make, but that how neat and tidy the small details are was not up to the same level as I’d expect).
Mid-brown suede has been my typical go-to for years, and in the past it’s been snuff suede. My two most-worn pair of shoes were those Polo Ralph Lauren snuff suede penny loafers, and a pair of snuff suede chukka boots from Meermin. I’m glad to have now been able to replace the penny loafers, and are on the active lookout for replacements for the boots (TLB does not sell a chukka boot in medium brown suede, though perhaps their made to order service is the avenue I’ll explore, as about $100 more than retail for a custom made pair seems wildly reasonable. *After publishing I discovered their polo suede pair of chukkas I’d somehow missed before. Very exciting.).
TLB makes the penny loafer in polo suede, too, and I just got my hands on them (once again, courtesy Skolyx). They’re excellent as expected, and I’m looking forward to wearing these a ton, particularly with white pants which I often feel have too much contrast with dark brown shoes.
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