We’ve all been there…
You’re shopping on-line, fall in love with one thing, purchase it impulsively, after which when it arrives you’re left scratching your head questioning methods to truly put on it. For me, this occurs most frequently with footwear—and that’s precisely what occurred once I obtained these beautiful Myrqvist Stenhammar II penny loafers in black.
Black loafers appeared simple sufficient to type, however they didn’t click on for me immediately. After some experimentation and observe, I’ve put collectively 5 completely different outfits that showcase simply how versatile these sneakers may be. Right here’s what I realized 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 little thing click on. It’s known as “the sandwich technique”—a way the place your prime and sneakers are the identical or related shade (the bread), with a contrasting shade in between (the filling). This creates visible stability 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 excellent 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 the complete ensemble and create a recent, summery vibe that works fantastically with the darker tones up prime.
The black penny loafers are the proper of entirety right here, grounding the lighter components 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 preferrred for every little thing from weekend brunches to informal Friday on the workplace.
Outdated Cash Fashionable
This outfit completely captures these coveted outdated cash vibes whereas incorporating a contemporary high-contrast method that feels recent and modern.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 the complete look. The feel of the pique cloth provides visible curiosity and prevents the black from trying too flat or monotonous.
The true star of this outfit is the cream cable knit cashmere sweater worn draped over the shoulders. I’ll be sincere—this styling alternative intimidated me at first, nevertheless it’s all about constructing confidence by means of observe and repetition. The cable knit sample provides texture and visible depth, whereas the cream shade creates a hanging distinction towards the black shirt. This mix 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 components above and creating that sandwich impact that makes the entire outfit really feel intentional and balanced.
Bringing Preppy Again
Drawing inspiration from traditional preppy type, this outfit embodies that easy, refined informal aesthetic that by no means goes out of trend. 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 fantastically with the opposite components.
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 method creates visible curiosity whereas sustaining the clear, preppy aesthetic that defines this type.
The traditional gentle 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 may 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 the complete look with their refined presence. This mix proves that preppy type doesn’t should be stuffy or overly formal—it may be relaxed, approachable, and totally trendy.
Tonal Summer season Go well with
This look demonstrates methods to method sporting 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 type—gentle sufficient to be snug in warmth, but substantial sufficient to take care of a refined look.
The important thing to creating this tonal method 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 fantastically whereas including heat to the general palette.
Right here’s the place the sandwich technique actually shines in formal put on. The black penny loafers present the proper anchor for this gentle, 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 strictly what this look must really feel grounded and intentional. An identical belt ties every little thing collectively, creating continuity between the higher and decrease halves of the outfit.
Summer season Enterprise Informal
This last look represents probably the most conservative and versatile method, excellent for skilled environments the place you need 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 superbly pressed white shirt—it immediately elevates any outfit and conveys consideration to element and professionalism. The important thing to attaining that excellent collar stand is utilizing a collar help band, which could look like 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 components to shine. Charcoal is a type of colours that works with every little thing, and these trousers bridge the hole between the lighter jacket and the darkish sneakers fantastically. On this extra conservative look, I opted for seen socks, which is extra applicable 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 gown sneakers, hanging precisely the best stability for contemporary enterprise informal gown codes. This mix proves that you simply don’t must sacrifice type for professionalism—the black loafers add a up to date edge to an in any other case traditional outfit.
Concerning the Myrqvist Stenhammar II
These explicit loafers are price 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 characteristic leather-based board heel caps, cork filling, and Goodyear welted building.
Accessible 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 supply wonderful high quality at their value level.
The Backside Line
Even skilled menswear guys, like me, generally wrestle with new items. The secret’s 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 some other difficult piece in your wardrobe, bear in mind to strive the sandwich technique, don’t be afraid to experiment with completely different shade mixtures, and most significantly, maintain training. Put within the work, and also you’ll see the outcomes.
What’s your go-to technique for styling difficult items? Share your suggestions within the feedback beneath.
Thanks, as at all times, for studying.
