We constantly see reiterations of the classic Penny Loafer, but where did it come from? Continually cycling from “preppy” to “classic” to “collegiate” to “cool NYC girl,” the Penny Loafer has been around for almost one hundred years.
The brand that made them famous, G.H. Bass, was established in Maine in 1876. Originally crafting footwear for the working man, Bass introduced the “Weejun,” based on a Norwegian tradition of a shoe designed for “loafing in the field,” and brought it to America.
Since then, the Weejun has been seen on James Dean, JFK, Rachel Antonoff, Cindy Crawford, every “Ivy League Look” replicator in the 80s and beyond, the rise of MTV, and modern-day penny-loafer lovers like myself.
G.H. Bass popularized not only the penny loafer's style but also its quality. Made from a well-crafted leather footbed, stacked leather heel, a whale-tail penny keeper, and a leather outsole, these shoes stand the test of time and can be re-soled repeatedly.
Now, the Weejun comes in every color, sole height, and style and can be seen in every individual genre, from the Financial District in NYC to SoHo in London to the quad of college campuses across America to the Parisian boulangeries.
The Weejun is not only an icon but also a long-standing reminder that a quality product will outweigh the fast version and be loved by generations to come.
A penny for your thoughts, a million for your shoes.
