Penny Loafer II in Brown Calf Leather

The classic penny loafer men's shoe earned its name from the signature slot in the tongue strap that was used to hold a penny that could be used to make an emergency phone call. In the 1980s, they were made popular in the USA by bankers on Wall Street who wore them almost as a sort of Wall Street uniform.

Strictly speaking, as with all other forms of loafers, penny loafers are considered casual shoes, and should not be worn for formal occasions. However, in darker tones like dark brown or black, they are suitable shoes for work, and the convenience of not having to deal with tying and untying shoelaces is a big part of their popularity amongst corporate working executives these days.

Specifications:

Upper leather: Brown Annonay Vegano box calf
Outsole: Closed-channelled flexible leather
Last: Rufer
Construction: 360° channelled welted Goodyear

Insole and Outsole leathers are made in Tuscany, Italy by the traditional slow chestnut pit tanning method

Step 1: Using a soft cloth, apply a base coat of Saphir Médaille d'Or Lotion leather conditioner. The beeswax and mink oil will condition the leather fibres and seal in moisture, preventing the leather from drying out. Alternatively, you could also use Saphir Médaille d'Or Renovateur.

Step 2: Using your fingers or a soft cloth, apply a few thin layers of Saphir Médaille d'Or Pommadier shoe cream to your shoes, and allow the cream to dry for a few minutes and be fully absorbed into the leather. After the cream has dried, brush the surface vigorously using a horsehair brush until a soft shine appears on your shoes.

Step 3: Using a soft cloth, apply a few thin layers of Saphir Médaille d'Or Pate de Luxe shoe wax and gently massage it into the surface of the leather, using small circular motions. Alternatively, some professional shoeshiners even recommend applying the first few leathers of this wax onto your shoes using your bare fingers. To achieve a high shine, gradually build up thin layers of wax using small amounts of wax interspersed with a few drops of water. As a finishing touch and to achieve that coveted mirror shine on the toe caps of your shoes, use a soft cloth to apply a few thin layers of Saphir Médaille d'Or Mirror Gloss shoe wax onto the surface of the leather, using small circular motions. Whenever the surface of the leather starts to feel 'sticky' and the cloth doesn't move around as smoothly, add a few drops of water onto the layer of wax you are building up to keep the surface as smooth and even as possible.