Recently, loafers are gradually bucking this trend; it is becoming increasingly more fashionable to spot a smart pair of loafers with a serious looking suit without destroying the very essence of formal dressing. The whole range of options from Penny to Tasselled loafers offer such an amazing variety that when combined with a neat pair of slacks, ticks so many boxes. When searching for simple elegance to go very well with your work ensemble, these loafers are the business.

The penny loafer

These loafers have become iconic and among the most popular of the collection with the stand out feature of having a small pouch on the strap across the vamp (top of the shoe). Back in the day; stylish English students used to hide their last pennies in the pouch on the top when they went out clubbing as last resort money (hence the name Penny loafers). Penny loafers also bridge the gap comfortably between a plain loafer the more embellished variety. To get the most out of your penny loafer at the work place, style them with a mix and match jacket and pant with a tapered finish to show off your shoes to good effect. This style of loafers are quite ubiquitous with brands like TODS and PRADA favouring that style for driving shoes but for work, I will suggest something with structured heel like the Barker pair pictured.

Tasselled loafer

Last year I wrote an article titled “The Return of The Tasselled Loafer” and several months later, it is becoming even more prominent among styles for the Spring/Summer 2013 season and style magazines. I observed back then that their versatility made them a very useful addition to any wardrobe, today that statement still rings true. Whether you fancy the simple tassel or the busier fringe and tassel combination, this season you won’t be left for want. I believe tasselled loafers, amongst the loafer family; are the most outstanding and quite chic. Shoe craftsmen and designers alike have since fabricated this design using various materials be it calf, suede, patent or mixed to a varying degree; they are all impressive and work wonderfully well with formal suits. For work, I will advise on leather or tough suede lined with calf for better wear and ease of matching to your work wardrobe.

Chain strap loafer

Some men like ornaments and this extends to having embellishments on their shoes. If you are such a man, these loafers are right up your street. It is not too dissimilar to strap loafers except they have metal chains on the strap. For some men, these little chains are the difference between liking a shoe and loathing them – oh yes, men fashion operate on thin boundaries and designers walk a tight rope. This season, Barker has a calf leather weave that I favour and Ferragamo and Gucci as always do quite a few designs in this style which have become classics for these brands.

Plain loafer

Personally I prefer a bit of work going into my shoes but some men don’t like the fuss; they like it plain and simple – plain loafers fit the bill quite well for them. With a plain loafer, you are free to choose whatever type of suit cut or fabric design to wear them with as their simple understated nature makes them very suited to any. Having said that; there might be slight laser cut designs on the leather or little brogue designs to add a bit of style to the loafer, the term plain is used very loosely. Plain loafers are very popular amongst city bankers in canary wharf, an all-day shoe that offers very little in style but compensates in comfort.

The most trilling fact about loafers is their versatility. They tick every box when it comes to casual dressing and Nigerians have long since embraced them as the shoe of choice for traditional wears. While I agree wholly with these assertions; loafers offer a lot more to your wardrobe than a weekend adventure. Hopefully after reading through this article, we look upon these shoes with a different mind-set. Contact us at i-gasp for shoes featured on this article to re-invigorate your shoes wardrobe.

- Olawale  Akinboyewa

Barker shoes have been an English tradition for over a hundred years. Only the most carefully selected leathers are used and the uppers are shaped on the last by hand. Many other traditional shoe making methods are still employed including slow natural drying and polishing. This is why Barker English shoes have a unique quality that no machine can ever match. Barkers have been making shoes in the Northamptonshire village of Earls Barton since 1880. In a changing world, it’s good to know you can still find perfection if you look for it.

Speaking of which; “what is it about men’s hats that inspires such division or derision?” Zouch magazine asks. I have noticed that apart from the southern part of the country and maybe Banky W, hats are a rarity amongst our men! We are blessed with sunshine almost all year round and it’s quite surprising we don’t consider hats a wardrobe essential. I do appreciate it’s a bold style statement and to many people, its either you like them or you loath them; no middle grounds. It might also be that we consider them not to fit in with our wardrobe or dress style but with so many style and material to choose from, you couldn’t be more wrong.

Nick Sullivan, the fashion editor of Esquire Magazine observed a while ago, “…in the 21st century, a man cannot wear a brimmed hat like a fedora without making some kind of statement. A man does not wear a fedora now to fit in, as he did in our grandfathers’ times; he wears it to stand out and to say, ‘Hey, look at me, I’ve got a hat on.” I don’t know what circles he moves in, but hats are more common now than his statement will have you believe. I will also point out that he made this observation over two years ago, that is a very long time in fashion.

From Fedora to panama, baseball to trilby and flat caps, the list is endless. The trick is to pick a material that requires little or no TLC and one that will keep our heads cool under the intense sunlight. As for matching them to our wardrobe, here are a few tricks.

Straw hats or woven palm in fedora style are quite versatile when it comes to dressing down. They look amazing with jeans, shorts and even cotton pants. With a fine pair of sandals and shades, you are ready for anything from a beach party, to barbecue get together or drinks at a local bar. Either you have t-shirts, long or short sleeved shirts on; a good straw will top it off nicely.

I know a few might argue that Banky W’s reasons for favouring a hat are more from necessity than fashion but I must say the way he has perfected the look, either with a flat cap or fedora straw hat has become not only iconic, but legendary. He can dress them up or down and still manage to pull it off remarkably well.

For dress events, the bow tie, suit and dress shoes have become a necessity – you could almost be headed anywhere without them! Something you could add to this ensemble could be a hat that will not only make the outfit more regal and complete, it will definitely make you more distinguished. A trilby or fedora in wool or wool and cotton mix will do the trick and it is always nice to go conservative with the colours. It has to match the colour of your suit or a close shade else you will look outlandish; that wouldn’t be in keeping with the dress code for the event. A black and grey pair will do your wardrobe a great deal of good. If you choose to go in traditional attire, modeled in the style predominantly from the South-South, these hats will also work wonders. Mr President, Goodluck Jonathan embodies this very well; he sure loves his Panama hats.

If all the hats mentioned above are not your style, then you might want to try a flat cap or face cap as alternatives. Flat caps are quite stylish and David Beckham has been spotted on a few occasions recently sporting a flat cap. With a pair of well-worn jeans and clean tee shirts, you could more than make a statement. Hats have a trans-formative quality and different styles bring out a different you; I think it is time to get your hats on gentlemen.

On a good day I would have gone for a size 11 to be on the safe size, but they were out of stock and so I had to settle for a size 10. I tested the shoes there and with a little hassle, it fit!!! The big mistake I made was that we shopped in the morning when my feet were still relaxed and also, I forgot to walk around with the shoes for a while to be sure it was my size.

 After about 3 months, it was finally time to launch my new shoes to work. I struggled into then and after admiring myself and taking lots of mirror shots (please don’t judge me), I stepped into my car and drove off to the office. When I came down from the car, I noticed that I could barely stand properly because the shoes were suddenly very tight!!! I initially ignored it and I was also motivated by the amount of complements I received. Unfortunately, I had to stay on my feet for the best part of the day and so at the end of the day, my feet were on fire!!!

When I eventually got back home and took it off, there were blisters everywhere on my feet and I had to soak it in cold water to soothe it. Well, I still have those shoes in my wardrobe and I vowed that I would never give them out or return them. If it’s only for the compliments I received that day, I am content. Like they always say, fashion could be painful sometimes, but it’s totally worth it!

- Pascal Ezeocha

]]> http://www.i-gasp.com/shoestory-by-pascal-ezeocha/feed/ 1 http://www.i-gasp.com/high-tops-raf-simmons/ http://www.i-gasp.com/high-tops-raf-simmons/#comments Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:18:52 +0000 Kelechi Nduka http://www.i-gasp.com/?p=901 I love high tops, even better with double stretch Velcro style as presented by RAF; the view from here is amazing.