Men's Tassel Loafers

What are tassel loafers?

A tassel loafer is a slip-on with a pair of hand-cut tassels on the apron. Alden created it in 1950, building on the penny loafer and adding tassels taken from a pair of laced shoes the actor Paul Lukas had brought back from Europe. Ivy League students took it up almost at once, as the dressier of the two loafers. Ours follows the same logic: built on the same last as our Penny Loafer, with the same round toe and gently waisted silhouette, the saddle strap simply giving way to tassels. Made by hand in Almansa, Spain, in black, burgundy and brown calf, and in brown and medium brown suede. Read the history of the tassel loafer.

How to style tassel loafers

The tassel loafer sits between the ease of a loafer and the formality of a lace-up, which is what makes it useful. Black calf is the business option and holds its own with a suit. Brown and burgundy calf take tailoring down a notch. The suedes are the relaxed end, at home with flannel trousers or dark denim. Read how to style The Tassel Loafer.

Leather or rubber sole

Both soles are Goodyear welted, and that is what lets the same shoe work two ways: a single leather sole at the more formal end, or a thin rubber sole for year-round wear. The welt also means either can be resoled rather than replaced. On fit, the Tassel Loafer runs large – take half a size down from your usual lace-up size. It shares a last with The Penny Loafer, so if you own a pair, your size carries straight over. See our size guide before ordering, and read our comparison of leather and rubber soles.