Best Quality Belgian Loafers You Can Buy Today
Belgian loafers, sometimes called Belgian slippers, were designed in the 1950s by Henri Bendel Jr., nephew of Henri Willis Bendel, who had founded the Henri Bendel store in New York in 1895. The store became famous for selling women’s accessories, introducing its own fragrance, and even offering in-store makeovers which is a concept department stores still use today. He was also the first American retailer who introduced Coco Chanel’s creations to American customers in 1913. After his death in 1936, his nephew took over as president of the store until 1954, when the family sold the business to investors, and he went on to create Belgian Shoes.
Mr. Henri Bendel featured as "The King of the Belgian shoes" in an interview with Paige Powell and Jane Sarkin.
Wanting unmatched quality, he worked with a 300-year-old Belgian cobbler company to produce his loafer with a small bow, using the traditional “turn” method - that has been around since the Middle Ages. The reason it is called this is that the shoes are assembled inside out, and then turned right side out when complete. This hides the main seem between the sole and the vamp, which prolongs the life of the shoe itself because moisture cannot leak through the seams. The design became a symbol of comfort and style, and In 1956 he purchased two historic shoe factories in Belgium to produce them, helping to revive the country’s shoemaking industry and even earning two knighthoods from the Belgian government. Even today, some people still consider Belgian Shoes as the only brand real belgian shoe, but the only option to buy them is in their New York store. Luckily there are a couple more quality brands that are making belgian loafers today that are worth considering unless you are planning a trip to New York. You can find the list below:
Baudoin & Lange
Founded in 2016 by Allan Baudoin and Bo van Langeveld in London, Baudoin & Lange is renowned for its elegant Belgian loafers and boots, designed for the modern lifestyle. Each pair is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal using premium materials such as Noble Calf leather and Asteria Suede, developed in collaboration with artisan tanneries. The brand's signature unlined construction and bespoke natural rubber soles highlight its timeless style.
Price: from 480€, Get them here.
Myrqvist
Founded in 2016, is dedicated to making high-quality, timeless footwear at affordable prices. The brand's designs come from Stockholm, but the shoes are handmade by skilled artisans in Portugal. Known for using top-quality materials from the best tanneries, the company gained recognition as Sweden's fastest-growing footwear brand in 2020.
Price: from 299€, Get them here.
Morjas
Morjas creates timeless, meticulously crafted pieces. Their collection is focused and classic, shaped by their Spanish-Swedish heritage. Inspired by their Mediterranean and Scandinavian roots, they blend quality, precision, and taste in their designs. All their footwear is made in Spain, Portugal and Italy.
Price: from 320€, Get them here.
Arthur Sleep
A London-based brand founded in 2013 by Christopher Boadle and Jahangir Azam. They set out to modernize British shoemaking by combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative technology. All shoes are handcrafted in their microfactory on Savile Row, and the collection includes a wide range of styles, from classic loafers to embroidered slippers, all made with premium materials.
Price: from 1063,95€, Get them here.
Berwick
Berwick 1707, produced in Almansa, Spain, employs classic shoe-making techniques, including the Goodyear welting method. The collection features a broad selection of boots, shoes, and accessories, crafted from top-quality European and American leathers and offered with various leather and rubber soles.
Price: from 175€, Get them here.
Berwick 4950
Jacques Soloviere Paris
Jacques Solovière Paris was founded in 2014 by Parisian designer Alexia Aubert. The brand is named after her grandfather, Jacques Solovière, who was famous for his impeccable style and love of shoes. Each pair is carefully handcrafted in a family-owned atelier in Tuscany, using the finest Italian leathers. The collection includes classic styles like derbies, loafers, and slippers, all given a modern twist that keeps them timeless.
Price: from 345€, Get them here.
Jacques New Dark Brown Leather
Rubinacci
Founded in 1932 by Gennaro Rubinacci in Naples, Italy, Rubinacci began as "London House," inspired by British tailoring. Gennaro created unstructured, unlined jackets that bring together Neapolitan craftsmanship and London elegance. In 1961, Gennaro's son Mariano took over, renaming it Rubinacci and expanding internationally with boutiques in Milan and London. Today, Rubinacci is known for bespoke tailoring and classic Italian suits, all handcrafted in Italy, embodying timeless Neapolitan style.
Price: from 580€, Get them here.
Crown Northampton
Crown Northampton, originally established in 1908 as E. Woodford & Sons, is a fifth-generation, family-owned shoemaker based in Northampton, England - the historic center of British footwear. The brand specializes in luxury sneakers and boots, combining traditional Goodyear welt construction with modern design. Each pair is handmade to order in their Northampton factory using premium leathers from renowned tanneries like CF Stead and Horween.
Price: from 260€, Get them here.
When it comes to finding the best loafers for you, the fit will be the most important thing, because there is no option to tighten them you will really have to nail down the fit to really enjoy wearing them. Let me know your thoughts about the brands that I have included and if you think that I missed some.
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