Women's Leather Penny Loafers

The penny loafer is the shape everything else is a variation of: a plain toe, a strap with a slot across the front, no laces. This rack is close to half real leather and close to half faux leather, so read the pair before you read the name.

See also: Women's Loafers, Women's Suede Loafers, Women's Tassel Loafers, Black Loafers, Brown Loafers, Leather Loafers

Leather and faux leather, side by side

Both are here in almost equal numbers, and they do not age the same way. Knowing which one you are buying matters more than the color.

1. Real leather
   Stiff for the first two weeks, then it takes the shape of your foot and stays there. It scuffs, and a bit of cream takes the scuff back out. Just under half of what you see here.
   See also: Leather Loafers

2. Faux leather
   Holds its shape from the first day and never changes. Nothing to feed, nothing to polish, a damp cloth and it is done. The other half of the rack.

3. A few with a glossy finish
   The same penny shape with a high shine on top. It reads dressier straight away, and it sits on faux leather as often as on leather.
   See also: Women's Patent Glossy Loafers

How it should fit

A penny loafer has no laces, so the fit is the whole story. It should hold at the heel with your toes free, and it should feel a little snug across the top on day one if it is leather, because leather gives.

Sizes here run 5 to 11. If you wear a thin sock or none at all, order true to size. If you want a real sock under it in the fall, take the larger of your two sizes.

3 mistakes to avoid when buying penny loafers

1. Assuming the word leather covers the whole pair
   A shoe can be leather on the outside and something else in the lining and the sole. Read the material on the pair you are looking at rather than on the name of the rack.

2. Breaking in a leather pair on a long day
   Three short wears beat one eight-hour day. Leather stretches where you bend it, and it needs a few goes to learn your foot.

3. Only considering black and brown
   The penny shape is the most conservative thing in the shop, which is exactly why it carries a color well. Burgundy and navy read as neutrals once they are on.
   See also: Burgundy Loafers, Navy Blue Loafers