Discover the Moccasin from every angle!
The loafer is without a doubt THE shoe that meets all our needs: flexibility, elegance, and comfort. A true success that has reinvented itself over time. Proof of this is that the loafer is one of the rare men's shoes that has generated forty years of enthusiasm, no less!
Today, it has become a status symbol of relaxation, before designers reinvented it in all styles.
For the record...
Moccasins were the first footwear worn by North American indigenous cultures. Their soft soles allowed them to be worn under snowshoes, allowing them to move silently, and allowing them to travel by canoe without damaging it.
It was then a piece of leather folded and sewn. The decorative patterns sometimes indicated the clan or community. Serving almost like a sock in summer, the "makasen" transformed into a fur-lined shoe in winter and was attached to leggings.
The first Native American moccasins.
The first Native American moccasins.
The traditional making of the Moccasin
The first Native American moccasins.
The classic North American moccasin is made from two pieces of leather: the larger one forms the upper, covers the lower vamp, and surrounds the heel; the smaller one is sewn as a platform to the vamp, with a gathered seam.
Originally, the fineness of the suede and the very flexible sole made these shoes unsuitable for long distances on hard ground; they were reserved for moments of relaxation, and were worn barefoot without any problem.
The first Native American moccasins.
The original loafers are rarely seen today. Contemporary models, with an additional sole, are better suited to everyday wear.
Moccasins over time…
Loafers are one of the timeless classics of the male wardrobe. From blinged-out versions by top designers to vintage pairs, this shoe adapts to every style. With its recognizable look, it has crossed social boundaries and even seduced women, who have become the new ambassadors of the genre!
The history of this shoe is as fascinating as the product itself. Born in the heart of the Canadian forests, the moccasin was later adopted as an essential piece in Italy and in the uniform of the Ivy League. The moccasin seems, in short, to belong to the whole world!
The famous penny loafers.
In 1934, American shoemaker GH Bass created the "Weejun" model. He added a leather strip to a classic loafer, allowing a penny to be slipped into the upper to make an emergency phone call: the "Penny loafer" was born. The shoe quickly took over the United States, and then the world.
In France, Weston developed a more formal loafer around the time of the Liberation, a shoe that competed with derbies and Oxfords. From then on, boutiques began offering a variety of styles: tassels, notched soles, metal bits, patent leather... everyone could find their own style!
Suede leather moccasins JULES & JENN
The Moccasin: a triumph!
Ultimately, it was from Italy that the model triumphed worldwide. In 1952, Gucci released a barefoot loafer adorned with a brass horsebit. After causing a sensation on the yachts of Capri, Alain Delon immortalized it in Plein Soleil (1960). All of Hollywood went wild; even Fred Astaire wore it to dance in the rain, and by the early 1960s, 1,800 customers were flocking to the Rome boutique every day.
In the 1990s, Italian Diego della Valle invented the casual loafer: inspired by a driver shoe from the United States, he created the spiked loafer in 1978. Named Tod's and adopted by Giovanni Agnelli, this foot glove became the emblem of chic casualness and came in a multitude of styles.
The famous Mocs from the Gucci brand
JULES & JENN Loafers in camel suede leather.
Moccasin Madness
Other iconic loafers are still worth a look: the famous boat shoe, with side laces, created in 1946 by the American Sebago; the tassel with pompoms launched by Alden in the early 1980s; or the timeless classics from Church, John Lobb, Paraboot, etc.
We will come back!
JULES & JENN loafers in blue suede leather.
JULES & JENN Moccasins
At JULES & JENN, the loafer is first and foremost the ultimate soft and comfortable shoe, set on a tone-on-tone studded sole. With no heel, the platform and sole are joined by a traditional gathered seam, reinforced at the side attachment points. With no buckle or lace, this is a genuine suede loafer.
Thanks to its understated, relaxed look, our JULES & JENN men's loafer is a timeless, easy-to-match essential... a must-have in your wardrobe!
Still unsure? Our shoes are handmade in our workshop in São João , Portugal, where the craftsmen's rigor and passion for leather have won us over. A real favorite that showcases Portuguese expertise!
