»Paul« Men's Tassel Loafers

The »Paul« tassel loafer impresses at first glance with its elegant appearance and high-quality craftsmanship. Made of dark brown calf suede leather, it features a velvety texture that is stylishly accented by the fine moccasin seam and the knotted tassels on the vamp. The finely accented leather band running around the shoe highlights the classic look of the tassel loafer. The soft leather lining and the padded insole ensure a comfortable wearing experience.The Goodyear-welted Dainite rubber sole is equipped with special studs that provide excellent grip on wet surfaces. The studded pattern of the sole is also self-cleaning, allowing dirt and moisture to fall away easily, so the sole retains its slip-resistant properties. Particularly in wet weather, the sole impresses with its outstanding traction while also protecting against cold and damp conditions. Despite its 5 mm thickness, it looks just as elegant from the side as a classic leather sole.The Dainite sole is manufactured by the renowned company Harboro Rubber in England, which has been producing soles since 1894 and has been making the Dainite studded sole since 1910. Thanks to the »Goodyear Welted« construction, the sole can be easily replaced if needed, further enhancing the shoe's longevity.The term »loafer« originates from the history of Norwegian farmers who, over a hundred years ago, wore practical slip-on shoes when tending to their cows while they relaxed, or »loafed«, which gave the name to this comfortable shoe. The loafer is an evolution of the moccasin but is distinguished by its sturdy outsole and heel, setting it apart from the traditional footwear of Native Americans.The history of the tassel loafer began in the early 20th century with a special pair attributed to the American brand Alden Shoe Company. Inspired by Oscar winner Paul Lucas, who requested a design from his shoemaker featuring an additional lace, a model was created with a thin leather cord running as a »tunnel« around the vamp and fastened at the front with two distinctive tassels. After some detours, this design found its way to Alden, who adopted the concept and introduced a new last to ensure a comfortable fit.In this version, the tassels lost their functional role and became purely decorative elements. After World War II, tassel loafers gained popularity, particularly among Ivy League students - the eight oldest universities in the USA - and became a symbol of sophisticated style and elegance.