Country Club Goes Cool

While women do seem to have more options for clothing, thanks to clever designers and brands, we haven’t completely cornered the market on cool clothes, accessories, and shoes. Things are getting better and better for men who are into fashion; guys, if you’re looking for an up-to-the-minute hot shoe trend for this season to add some life to your wardrobe, you definitely should check out a pair of tasseled loafers.

The tasseled loafer is like several of the hot trends in clothing and shoes for the girls. They have a loyal fan base that wears this shoe year after year, but with their new look, they have acquired a new fan base that includes a younger and more stylish crowd.  

Tasseled loafers are traditionally favored by the country club se,t but with a few nips and tucks here and there, they have been revamped, re-heated, and given a new lease on their fashion life for summer 2012. Don’t worry; all of the classic styles and colors are still available for you guys who want to go old school. But thanks to several hot designers and shoe labels like Jimmy Choo, Prada, and Bally, the tasseled loafer has gone from Ivy League to major league in the fashion game.

The “preppy” tassel detailing is still there, but the loafer shoe shape has changed a bit. Some of the styles are longer with a more tapered toe that gives it a cool European look that some may think isn’t very masculine, but I think that it is actually quite sexy. Other styles have a more rounded and casual looking toes, similar to a driving moccasin. There are also other features like contrasting soles, patchwork, and piping.

The tasseled loafer has quickly gone from WASP to wow. You can still find all of the basic colors like brown, black, and cordovan leather, but be adventurous and consider some color in your shoe wardrobe. You should definitely check out some of the other textiles and colors being used, like suede, patent leather, and snakeskin. Along with giving new life to a basic shoe, these cool textiles and the shoe’s updated shape makes it an option for either work or play. You can pair these classic and cool shoes with casual pants like khakis and jeans just as easily as a pair of dress slacks or a suit