Derby vs loafers

[Requin]

When should you choose derbies and when loafers? I see that people seem to wear them successfully on the same occasions and in the same weather conditions. So I thought about skipping the loafers and sticking with derbies, but that seems like a bit of a rush.
My wardrobe consists of a single-breasted Chesterfield coat, tweed/flannel sports jackets, flannel trousers. I assumed that derbies are better with a coat, and loafers are better when I wear a jacket without a coat. Although derbies can be worn in the latter case, which is why I don’t understand the need for loafers. In the summer, I wear minimalist suede sneakers with linen suits.

 

[DorianGreen]

When should you choose derbies and when loafers? I see that people seem to wear them successfully on the same occasions and in the same weather conditions. So I thought about skipping the loafers and sticking with derbies, but that seems like a bit of a rush.
My wardrobe consists of a single-breasted Chesterfield coat, tweed/flannel sports jackets, flannel trousers. I assumed that derbies are better with a coat, and loafers are better when I wear a jacket without a coat. Although derbies can be worn in the latter case, which is why I don’t understand the need for loafers. In the summer, I wear minimalist suede sneakers with linen suits.

There's no "need" for loafers, it's more a matter of choice, because they are simply nice.

At the beginning of my sartorial journey (some decades ago) I wasn't impressed with loafers either and thought that they were not on par with lace-up shoes, but I was wrong and the attraction for the style grew more and more, being confronted though with the frustration that I couldn't find a fitting last for my slim feet (heels, in particular). So only recently I was able to add the first pair to my collection, a sort of made to measure shoe (on a modified existing last) by Perticone.

In some cases the two styles (Derby and Loafer) could look interchangeable, but I see the loafer more suitable for summer, and I certainly wouldn't wear them with an overcoat, as well as I wouldn't wear a heavy Derby with light clothing (although you can see people doing it).

 

[Satmoche]

I would wear derbies and loafers with separates or with jeans, hardly ever with a suit but that is just purely personal taste. The latter would only happen if I am not wearing a 'business suit'.

 

[mak1277]

It’s tough to have a general discussion without talking about material and shape. The difference between a sleek black captoe blucher and a pair of suede gunboats is pretty significant.

Anyway I think it’s really personal preference. I lean towards an Ivy style so my loafers outnumber my bluchers by probably 5:1. I wear them in all seasons. I also am a lazy ass who likes slip ons.

 

[Requin]

I wouldn't wear a heavy Derby with light clothing

It’s tough to have a general discussion without talking about material and shape.

I will definitely wear Derbies with a coat. Inside, the coat will come off, and then I will wear a tweed or flannel jacket with a turtleneck.
If it is warmer outside, then you can skip the coat and just wear a jacket, flannel trousers and... Loafers? The logic is to wear Derbies with a coat, but in warmer weather, use loafers to wear with tweed sports jackets?
I mean smooth black leather loafers. I do not plan to wear them in the summer at +20 and above Celsius, at this temperature I prefer sneakers. I am considering loafers for autumn and spring before it is time to wear a coat.

Derby:

Loafers:

As I mentioned, my wardrobe consists of flannel trousers and tweed jackets. If the temperature drops, I add a coat on top. But indoors, I take it off.

 

[Son Of Saphir]

I only wear loafers to give off a very casual relaxed vibe, and nearly only during the summer time. To me loafers and derby's are never interchangeable. Loafers are for loafing around and when venturing not to far from home, ie, they are like fancy slippers. I don't associate loafers with business or work, and would never wear them with a suit or in the city. Just my thoughts.

 

[William Kazak]

I only wear loafers to give off a very casual relaxed vibe, and nearly only during the summer time. To me loafers and derby's are never interchangeable. Loafers are for loafing around and when venturing not to far from home, ie, they are like fancy slippers. I don't associate loafers with business or work, and would never wear them with a suit or in the city. Just my thoughts.

Agreed. I purchased a pair of Florsheim tassel loafers last year. I had three pairs of Florsheim loafers in the 80's. All were different colors; tan, burgendy, brown. None were tassels. I honestly don't know why I bought my cherry colored tassel loafers. I really don't consider wearing them very much. I am good for about five hours in them before my feet object. They are good to wear around the apartment and short errands in the car.

 

[Requin]

I only wear loafers to give off a very casual relaxed vibe, and nearly only during the summer time. To me loafers and derby's are never interchangeable. Loafers are for loafing around and when venturing not to far from home, ie, they are like fancy slippers. I don't associate loafers with business or work, and would never wear them with a suit or in the city. Just my thoughts.

Thank you. I don't have a dress code, so I can wear whatever I want. It was just helpful to know that loafers aren't as versatile as I thought. I guess I'll be safe if I always choose derbies with jackets, and loafers for knitwear with shirts (which would probably be more appropriate in this case than derbies).

 

[TheIronDandy]

I think loafers give a more relaxed impression than derbies. In these days, they're about the same "level of formality" (noone cept forumites and Hyacinth Bucket will have opinions if you wear loafers instead of derbies), but the "feel" can be quite different.

I pretty much only wear loafers, mostly in suede, even in the winter. As long as there's no snow and it isn't raining, I'm in loafers most of the time. Below freezing? Loafers. Heavy tweeds? Loafers. Your milage may vary.

 

[Requin]

Although, I think if I'm into smart casual and it's warm enough outside to only wear a tweed jacket, loafers are a good idea and derbies alone won't be enough.
Maybe I'm wrong and derbies can be worn with these looks and it won't be too formal, in which case derbies can be worn with jackets until summer, and then switch to summer sneakers

Right now my footwear is limited to high boots for winter, sneakers for summer, derbies for wearing with coats. I don't know if I need loafers as a transitional shoe between derbies and sneakers, which I start wearing when it gets hot.

 

[Markus123456789]

Both work, but loafers are a summer shoe for me while many examples of derbies work year round.

 

[mak1277]

Thank you. I don't have a dress code, so I can wear whatever I want. It was just helpful to know that loafers aren't as versatile as I thought. I guess I'll be safe if I always choose derbies with jackets, and loafers for knitwear with shirts (which would probably be more appropriate in this case than derbies).

I think loafers are plenty versatile. I think the right loafers work with any fit that includes a sport coat and odd trousers.

 

[mak1277]

If it is warmer outside, then you can skip the coat and just wear a jacket, flannel trousers and... Loafers?

Definitely. Dark brown suede loafers with flannels look great. Even better than those black ones would.

 

[Satmoche]

Definitely. Dark brown suede loafers with flannels look great. Even better than those black ones would.

Dark brown suede loafers is a 'cheat code'. It just goes well with almost anything, within the confines of tailoring.
On that note, I only found out recently that dark brown loafers go very well with charcoal flannel trousers.

 

[BrandShopper]

Loafers are great for those slightly warmer days or when you want something more casual, especially with a sports jacket or lighter fabrics.