Herring Shoes Journal

With spring in the air, we wanted to give you the lowdown on one of our most enduring styles that has recently had a revamp. The Barcelona is one of our best-selling loafers. Here’s a little reminder of why they are so beloved.

There is no doubt about it, the Barcelona is a classic loafer. It’s a slip-on shoe with a low-slung profile (to expose the ankle), a stitched apron, and a slight heel. However, this is not your run-of-the-mill penny loafer! This features 360˚ lacing, as a nod to the traditional deck or boat shoe, adorned with a stylish tassel.

But when did the tassel first feature? The tasselled loafer was a popular choice among the preppy crowd of US Ivy League students in the post-Second World War era, with stars of the silver screen, such as Dean Martin and Fred Astaire also becoming fans.

The tassel saw a resurgence in the 1980s when, let’s face it, every trend was jumped on in glorious fashion. Businessmen started wearing them to the office while teenage girls wore them to school. Any style was fair game in the 80s!

It’s an enduring look though with the tasselled loafer never far from the catwalk, the boardroom or as a casual accompaniment to shorts, chinos or jeans for men, and the same plus skirts and dresses for women.

So, we know the Barcelona style is still very much in vogue but how has our 2024 version changed from previous iterations?

• We have tweaked the last to be slightly less elongated and with more toe spring – the fit is the same though
• We have added more leather options, including a polished style, which is very popular right now
• The tongue has a lower profile
• It’s slightly lighter overall in terms of weight

More importantly, does it match up to its iconic roots? We think so! Whether you choose the polished black or burgundy, brown calf, or brown suede style, this is a handsome shoe that you will never regret investing in.