Discover the Moccasin from every angle!
The moccasin is undoubtedly THE shoe that perfectly meets our needs: flexibility, elegance, and comfort. A true success that has reinvented itself over time. Proof of this is that the moccasin is one of the few 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.
Just a little background…
Moccasins were the first shoes worn by the indigenous cultures of North America. Their flexible soles allowed them to be worn under snowshoes, to move silently, and to travel by canoe without damaging it.
It was a piece of folded and sewn leather. 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 stitched as a platform onto the vamp, by a gathered stitch.
Originally, the thinness 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 moccasins are rarely seen today. Contemporary models, with an additional sole, are better suited for everyday wear.
Moccasins through the ages…
Loafers are among the timeless classics of men's wardrobes. From designer bling to vintage pairs, this shoe adapts to all styles. With its recognizable look, it has crossed social boundaries and even won over women, who have become the new ambassadors of the style!
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 even featured in the uniforms of the Ivy League. In short, the moccasin seems to belong to the whole world!
The famous penny loafers.
In 1934, American shoemaker G.H. Bass created the "Weejun" model. On a classic moccasin, he added a leather strip across the top to hold a one-cent coin for making an emergency phone call: the "Penny loafer" was born. The shoe quickly conquered the United States, then the world.
In France, after the Liberation, Weston developed a dressier moccasin that rivaled derbies and oxfords. From then on, boutiques offered a variety of styles: with 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 style achieved global success. In 1952, Gucci released a loafer designed to be worn barefoot, adorned with a brass horsebit. After becoming a sensation on the yachts of Capri, it was immortalized by Alain Delon in Purple Noon (1960). All of Hollywood went wild; even Fred Astaire wore them to dance in the rain, and in the early sixties, 1,800 customers flocked to the Rome boutique every day.
In the 1990s, the Italian Diego della Valle invented the casual moccasin: inspired by a driver shoe from the United States, he created the driving moccasin in 1978. Named Tod's and adopted by Giovanni Agnelli, this foot glove became the emblem of chic relaxation and was produced in countless variations.
The famous Gucci brand moc
JULES & JENN Loafers in camel suede leather.
Mocassin Madness
Other iconic moccasins are also worth a look: the famous boat shoe, with side lacing, created in 1946 by the American Sebago; the tassel moccasin launched by Alden in the early 1980s; or the timeless classics from Church, John Lobb, Paraboot…
We'll come back to that!
JULES & JENN loafers in blue suede leather.
JULES & JENN Moccasins
At JULES & JENN, the moccasin is first and foremost the ultimate soft and comfortable shoe, set on a tone-on-tone studded sole. Heelless, the vamp and sole are joined with a traditional gathered seam, reinforced at the side attachment points. Lacking a buckle or laces, it's a true suede loafer.
Thanks to its understated and relaxed look, our JULES & JENN men's moccasin is a timeless essential, easy to coordinate... an absolute must-have in your wardrobe!
Still hesitating? Our shoes are handmade in our workshop in São João , Portugal, where the artisans' dedication and passion for leather won us over. A true favorite that showcases Portuguese craftsmanship!
