We’ve all been there…
You’re looking on-line, fall in love with one thing, purchase it impulsively, after which when it arrives you’re left scratching your head questioning tips on how to truly put on it. For me, this occurs most frequently with footwear—and that’s precisely what occurred after I acquired these gorgeous Myrqvist Stenhammar II penny loafers in black.
Black loafers appeared easy sufficient to fashion, however they didn’t click on for me straight away. After some experimentation and apply, I’ve put collectively 5 totally different outfits that showcase simply how versatile these sneakers will be. Right here’s what I discovered about styling black penny loafers.
The Key to Success: The Sandwich Methodology
Earlier than diving into the seems, let me share the styling trick that made every thing click on. It’s referred to as “the sandwich methodology”—a method the place your prime and sneakers are the identical or comparable shade (the bread), with a contrasting shade in between (the filling). This creates visible steadiness and was the important thing to creating these black loafers work throughout a number of outfits.
Elevated Informal
Beginning with an elevated informal look that’s good for spring and summer time, I constructed this outfit round a easy but refined shade palette. The muse is a navy light-weight cotton twill chore coat layered over a heather grey t-shirt, creating that easy layered look that works so properly in transitional climate. The navy and grey mixture is timeless and versatile, serving as the proper backdrop for the remainder of the outfit.
For the underside, I selected white cotton trousers and intentionally skipped the belt regardless of the belt loops. This retains the look cleaner and extra informal, stopping it from feeling too structured or formal. The white trousers brighten all the ensemble and create a recent, summery vibe that works superbly with the darker tones up prime.
The black penny loafers are the proper of entirety right here, grounding the lighter parts whereas including a contact of sophistication. Paired with no-show socks, they keep the informal, breezy really feel that’s important for heat climate styling. The general impact is polished however relaxed, making this outfit supreme for every thing from weekend brunches to informal Friday on the workplace.
Previous Cash Fashionable
This outfit completely captures these coveted previous cash vibes whereas incorporating a contemporary high-contrast strategy that feels recent and modern. The muse is a black cotton pique button-up shirt that gives construction and class, serving because the anchor for all the look. The feel of the pique cloth provides visible curiosity and prevents the black from trying too flat or monotonous.
The actual star of this outfit is the cream cable knit cashmere sweater worn draped over the shoulders. I’ll be trustworthy—this styling alternative intimidated me at first, nevertheless it’s all about constructing confidence via apply and repetition. The cable knit sample provides texture and visible depth, whereas the cream shade creates a hanging distinction towards the black shirt. This mixture of colours and textures is what gives the impression its trendy edge whereas sustaining these traditional preppy undertones.
Stone cotton trousers full the ensemble, bridging the hole between the excessive distinction of the highest half. The addition of a black leather-based belt creates continuity with the shirt and sneakers, whereas the stone shade retains the general palette refined and cohesive. The black penny loafers are important right here, echoing the black parts above and creating that sandwich impact that makes the entire outfit really feel intentional and balanced.
Bringing Preppy Again
Drawing inspiration from traditional preppy fashion, this outfit embodies that easy, refined informal aesthetic that by no means goes out of vogue. The muse is an ivory cotton canvas chore coat that brings each construction and informal coolness to the look. The ivory shade is softer and extra refined than stark white, making a refined base that works superbly with the opposite parts.
Beneath, an off-white t-shirt gives the proper relaxed distinction to the extra structured jacket. The slight tonal distinction between the ivory and off-white provides refined depth with out being too apparent or contrived. This layering strategy creates visible curiosity whereas sustaining the clear, preppy aesthetic that defines this fashion.
The traditional mild wash denim brings genuine Americana vibes to the outfit, and that is the place the magic occurs with the black penny loafers. Loafers with denims is such a quintessential preppy transfer that immediately elevates informal denim from weekend put on to one thing you can simply put on to a pleasant lunch or informal night out.
The navy baseball cap provides one other traditional preppy contact whereas offering sensible solar safety, and the black loafers floor all the look with their refined presence. This mixture proves that preppy fashion doesn’t must be stuffy or overly formal—it may be relaxed, approachable, and totally trendy.
Tonal Summer time Swimsuit
This look demonstrates tips on how to strategy carrying a go well with throughout hotter months whereas sustaining sophistication and luxury. The ivory twill go well with is the proper basis for summer time go well with fashion—mild sufficient to be comfy in warmth, but substantial sufficient to take care of a elegant look.
The important thing to creating this tonal strategy work is the sand-colored shirt, which gives simply sufficient distinction to outline the silhouette with out being jarring. When working with colours this shut in tone, texture turns into essential. The sandy hue enhances the ivory superbly whereas including heat to the general palette.
Right here’s the place the sandwich methodology actually shines in formal put on. The black penny loafers present the proper anchor for this mild, ethereal ensemble. They’re formal sufficient for suiting however relaxed sufficient for summer time, and their darkish presence prevents the outfit from feeling too ethereal or insubstantial. The distinction they create towards the sunshine go well with is precisely what this look must really feel grounded and intentional. An identical belt ties every thing collectively, creating continuity between the higher and decrease halves of the outfit.
Summer time Enterprise Informal
This closing look represents essentially the most conservative and versatile strategy, good for skilled environments the place you wish to look polished with out being overly formal. The sunshine grey hopsack sport coat serves as the best basis—the hopsack weave provides texture and visible curiosity whereas the grey shade stays impartial sufficient to work in just about any enterprise setting.
The crisp white button-up shirt is a timeless alternative that creates clear distinction towards the grey jacket. There’s one thing to be mentioned for the facility of a wonderfully pressed white shirt—it immediately elevates any outfit and conveys consideration to element and professionalism. The important thing to reaching that good collar stand is utilizing a collar help band, which could seem to be a small element however makes a big distinction within the general polish of the look.
Traditional charcoal trousers full the ensemble, offering the proper impartial base that permits the opposite parts to shine. Charcoal is a kind of colours that works with every thing, and these trousers bridge the hole between the lighter jacket and the darkish sneakers superbly. On this extra conservative look, I opted for seen socks, which is extra acceptable for skilled settings and creates a extra conventional, polished look.
The black penny loafers are the proper of entirety for this enterprise informal ensemble. They’re formal sufficient for the workplace however extra relaxed than conventional costume sneakers, hanging precisely the suitable steadiness for contemporary enterprise informal costume codes. This mixture proves that you simply don’t must sacrifice fashion for professionalism—the black loafers add a recent edge to an in any other case traditional outfit.
Concerning the Myrqvist Stenhammar II
These explicit loafers are value highlighting for his or her craftsmanship. The Stenhammar II is an apron-fronted penny idler constructed on Myrqvist’s rounded, wider final quantity 21, completed with a skinny half rubber sole. Designed in Stockholm and handcrafted in Portugal, they function leather-based board heel caps, cork filling, and Goodyear welted building.
Out there in a number of choices together with field calf (which I selected), darkish brown and black suede, darkish brown calf, and black nation calf, these sneakers provide wonderful high quality at their worth level.
The Backside Line
Even skilled menswear guys, like me, typically wrestle with new items. The secret is to maintain experimenting and training. I spent a whole morning placing collectively these 5 seems—it wasn’t magic, simply persistence and creativity.
Whether or not you’re coping with black penny loafers or every other difficult piece in your wardrobe, keep in mind to strive the sandwich methodology, don’t be afraid to experiment with totally different shade combos, and most significantly, hold training. Put within the work, and also you’ll see the outcomes.
What’s your go-to methodology for styling difficult items? Share your suggestions within the feedback under.
Thanks, as at all times, for studying.
