ELBA PENNY LOAFER

Originally purchased in the brown croc in a 8.5/39 but exchanged for the espresso spazz in a 9/39.5. The croc was beautiful but a little lighter than I expected and I felt like I didn’t notice the lovely heel shape as much with the lighter heel, and the overall look was much more casual. The espresso spazz is beautiful rich dark brown, very refined look and easy to dress up or down. I am typically an 8-8.5 or 39-40 but do not have any other shoes labeled as a US 9 so I would go off the euro sizes as best estimate. I probably would have had enough length in the 39 however I do have very wide & high volume/high instep feet. While I find these mostly very true to size I could see how someone with a very narrow or low volume foot might find they run slightly big so ymmv. In correct size these are confidentially most comfortable loafers I’ve ever had—fit like a perfect glove and no pinching in the toe which is almost unheard of for me. No break-in needed. I suspect the few folks complaining of a long break in are wearing a size or half size too small.

Love these loafers so much! But it's taking some adjustments to make them bearable. This sounds like a lot to do now that I've written out, but I still think they are worth it.

Even though I sized down (8, usually an 8.5) I had to use: a metatarsal pad, a triple tongue pad, and a various heel cushion configurations to get these to work. And they still slip a bit. My heels are narrow and I have high arches. There is most definitely a breaking-in period for me. I'm at 2 weeks and it's going to take a bit longer. The top of one loafer hits (uncomfortably) right at my ankle bone so I'm trying moleskin to alleviate that. Wearing longer socks fixes that problem so it will be easier in the colder months.