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The Loafer Guide

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    MADE IN ITALY

    Men's Loafer Guide: Styles, Materials, & Occasions

    Every Del Toro loafer is a masterclass in Italian heritage, handcrafted in Italy using time-honored techniques and premium materials to ensure true heirloom quality. This guide explores our distinct silhouettes and artisanal constructions, teaching you how to select the perfect pair to elevate your wardrobe from casual outings to black-tie affairs.

    Venetian / Belgian Loafer

    The Milano Loafer

    • Description: A refined, modern silhouette that blends Venetian and Belgian loafer styles. Featuring our signature vamp X and almond toe atop a low-profile heel for a streamlined look.
    • Best for: Exceptional versatility, ranging from formal wedding attire to elevated casual wear with everything from denim to chinos and trousers.
    • Materials available: Varieties of premium Italian leather, grain leather, pebbled leather, suede, textured suede, velvet.
    • Construction: Calf and goat lined, custom leather sole with rubber injection, hand-stitched detailing, handcrafted in Italy.
    • Sizing & fit: For leather loafers, we recommend sizing down one full size from your sneaker size. Our suede loafers are designed to be the same as your typical sneaker size.


      SHOP MILANO LOAFERS

    Penny Loafer

    The Centesimo Penny Loafer

    • Description: A sophisticated tribute to the timeless penny loafer silhouette, defined by its traditional "strap" overlay and a hand-stitched detailing. The Centesimo features a slightly more unstructured profile than our Milano, offering a comfortably classic aesthetic that can be worn casually or more formally.
    • Best for: The quintessential "office-to-evening" shoe. It is perfectly suited for business formal suits, smart-casual chinos, or even tailored shorts for a refined coastal look.
    • Materials available: Varieties of premium Italian leather, grain leather, pebbled leather, suede, textured suede, velvet.
    • Construction: Calf and goat half-lined, custom leather sole with rubber injection, hand-stitched detailing, handcrafted in Italy.
    • Sizing & fit: For leather loafers, we recommend sizing down one full size from your sneaker size. Our suede loafers are designed to be the same as your typical sneaker size.


      SHOP PENNY LOAFERS

    Lug Sole Penny Loafer

    The Lug Penny Loafer

    • Description: A bold, modern evolution of our heritage penny loafer that marries traditional Italian craftsmanship with a rugged, utilitarian aesthetic. This version features a substantial, lightweight rubber lug sole that provides extra height, enhanced grip, and a contemporary edge to the classic silhouette.
    • Best for: Making a statement in urban environments or during transitional weather. It is the ideal choice for anchoring oversized tailoring, wide-leg trousers, or adding a "rugged" element to a traditional suit.
    • Materials available: Varieties of premium Italian leather, grain leather, pebbled leather, suede, textured suede, velvet.
    • Construction: Calf and goat lined, custom lightweight lug rubber sole, hand-stitched detailing, handcrafted in Italy.
    • Sizing & fit: For both leather and suede loafers, we recommend using your typical sneaker size.


      SHOP LUG PENNY LOAFERS

    Travel / Walking Loafer

    The Viaggio Travel Loafer

    • Description: True to its name (Viaggio is Italian for "journey"), this silhouette is the ultimate walking loafer for the modern traveler. It features a unique, deconstructed upper and a highly flexible, shock-absorbing rubber sole, allowing the shoe to be packed flat and worn for miles without discomfort. The lack of internal liners creates a glove-like fit that molds to your foot instantly.
    • Best for: Transitioning from long-haul flights to city strolls. As a dedicated walking loafer, it is engineered for the man who refuses to sacrifice Italian style for ergonomic comfort while navigating airports or exploring new destinations on foot. Wear them with everything from a suit to jeans or chinos - so versatile they'll be the only shoe you'll need to pack.
    • Materials available: Varieties of premium Italian leather, grain leather, pebbled leather, suede.
    • Construction: Goat interior, custom rubber Margom sole, hand-stitched detailing, handcrafted in Italy.
    • Sizing & fit: For leather loafers, we recommend sizing down one full size from your sneaker size. Our suede loafers are designed to be the same as your typical sneaker size.


      SHOP VIAGGIO LOAFERS

    Friulane / Venetian Loafer

    The Friulane Slipper Loafer

    • Description: Deeply rooted in Italian history, our Friulane is a hand-stitched Venetian slipper that exudes effortless, old-world charm. Characterized by its soft, unstructured build and distinct contrast grosgrain piping, this canvas flat offers a more bohemian and relaxed silhouette than a traditional dress loafer. It features a traditional hand-stitched rubber sole crafted from recycled bicycle tires. It is the ultimate expression of "quiet luxury," originally worn by gondoliers and now reimagined for the modern wardrobe.
    • Best for: Sophisticated lounging and casual social gatherings. Its lightweight construction makes it a premier walking loafer for indoor-outdoor use, pairing beautifully with cuffed chinos, denim, or crisp summer linen.
    • Materials available: Canvas.
    • Construction: Unlined interior, cushioned footbed, hand-stitched recycled rubber sole, handcrafted in Italy.
    • Sizing & fit: We recommend sizing down from your typical sneaker size to the nearest whole size. For example, if you wear a size 10 sneaker, you would likely wear a size 9 Friulane. If you wear a size 9.5 sneaker, you would likely wear a size 9 Friulane.


      SHOP FRIULANE SLIPPER LOAFERS

    Backless Loafer Slide

    The Milano Slide Loafer

    • Description: A sophisticated evolution of our signature Milano silhouette, the Milano Slide is a premier backless loafer designed for effortless elegance and comfort. By removing the heel counter, we’ve created a loafer slide that maintains the polished look of a traditional dress shoe while offering the ease and comfort of a slip-on or clog. It features a refined almond toe and a microlite rubber sole, ensuring it feels like a loafer rather than a house slipper.
    • Best for: Mastering the "luxe-casual" aesthetic. This backless loafer is the perfect choice for home entertaining, poolside lounging at a resort, running a few errands, or adding a relaxed, fashion-forward edge to tailored linen trousers.
    • Materials available: Varieties of premium Italian leather, grain leather, pebbled leather, suede, textured suede.
    • Construction: Unlined interior, cushioned footbed, custom rubber Microlite sole, hand-stitched detailing, handcrafted in Italy.
    • Sizing & fit: For leather and suede loafer slides, we recommend sizing up one full or half size to your nearest whole size. Given this is a backless loafer and there is no heel, you will want more room for your foot to slide toward the toe of the shoe.


      SHOP MILANO SLIDES

    Tuxedo Shoes & Smoking Slippers

    The Velvet Slipper

    • Description: Often referred to as a smoking shoe or evening slipper, this silhouette is the pinnacle of formal elegance. Our Velvet Slipper features a sleek, low-profile design with a signature grosgrain trim and a custom leather sole with rubber injection. It is built on a refined last that offers a clean, uninterrupted vamp, making it the most sophisticated tuxedo alternative to a traditional patent leather oxford.
    • Best for: Black-tie events, weddings, and high-profile galas. While it is the standard choice for a tuxedo, it also serves as a statement loafer for the dresser looking to elevate a pair of dark raw denim or velvet trousers.
    • Materials available: Premium Italian velvet.
    • Construction: Calf and goat lining, custom leather sole with rubber injection, hand-stitched detailing, handcrafted in Italy.
    • Sizing & fit: We recommend using your typical sneaker size. Designed to be slightly snug in the midfoot so the shoe will provide some stretch and mold to your foot with wear.


      SHOP VELVET SLIPPERS

    Frequently Asked Questions

    For a proper fit, a loafer should feel snug but not restrictive across the bridge of the foot (the vamp). Because there are no laces to tighten, the "heel hug" is essential; your foot should not slip out while walking. Remember that premium Italian leather and suede will naturally stretch and mold to your foot shape over the first few wears, creating a custom-fit feel.

    The "sockless" look is a classic Mediterranean staple, especially with our Viaggio walking loafers or Milano slides. However, for formal occasions or business settings, we recommend a fine-ribbed dress sock. If you prefer the bare-ankle aesthetic but want to protect the longevity of the leather lining, no-show antimicrobial socks are the perfect middle ground.

    Absolutely. Our Velvet Slipper is a premier choice for black-tie and formal weddings. For a traditional tuxedo look, stick to Black or Midnight Navy velvet. For a "creative black-tie" or summer wedding, don’t be afraid to experiment with richer tones like Burgundy or Emerald, or even our hand-embroidered motifs.

    Loafers exist on a spectrum of formality. Our Velvet Slippers are considered highly formal (Black Tie), while the Centesimo Penny Loafer is the gold standard for Business Casual and Professional environments. For a more relaxed, "off-duty" look, the Friulane or Lug Sole styles offer a modern, less formal silhouette.

    To maintain heirloom quality, we recommend:

    Suede: Use a suede brush to restore the nap and a protector spray to ward off moisture.

    Leather: Condition regularly with a high-quality cream and buff with a soft cloth.

    Storage: Always use cedar shoe trees to maintain the shoe’s shape and absorb moisture between wears.

    Shop By Occasion

    Not sure which silhouette fits your calendar? Use this quick guide to find your match.


    Black Tie & Formal Galas:     Primary Choice: The Velvet Slipper
    Why: The quintessential evening shoe for tuxedo and formal suiting.

    The Modern Office: Primary Choice: The Centesimo Penny Loafer
    Why: A timeless professional staple that commands the boardroom.

    Weekend Exploration & City Commuting: Primary Choice: The Viaggio Walking Loafer or Lug Sole Centesimo Penny Loafer
    Why: Built for high-mileage comfort and versatile, all-day wear.

    Resort & Summer Leisure: Primary Choice: The Milano Loafer Slide or The Friulane
    Why: Breathable, easy to slip on, and perfect for linen trousers or tailored shorts.

    Global Travel: Primary Choice: The Viaggio Travel Loafer
    Why: Lightweight and packable design specifically engineered for extended time on your feet and life on the move.

    MADE IN ITALY