Revival of the Fittest: Chloé Brings Back Creative Loafering

Once the paragon of ’80s-prep and partially inspired by the work shoes of Norwegian farmers, the moccasin-style loafer is poised for a riposte this fall. That’s due in part to French fashion house Chloé, who has managed to feminize and sexualize a shoe notorious for uptight school-marms-in-the-making by slimming the silhouette and adding a sleeker, darker cordovan hue to the traditional Bass Weejuns–style red-burgundy pairing. They’ve also done away with the penny slot and the tassels, but have kept the simple flat sole, which makes staying out all night and walking home in the morning a much more modest, preppy-approved proposal.