"Billionaire Loafer" Worth It? Loro Piana Summer Walk Review
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- čas přidán 2. 06. 2024
- Let's determine if the Loro Piana Summer Walk loafer is worth the investment or not: gentl.mn/loro-piana-billionai...
#loropiana #loafers #notsponsored
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00:00 Loro Piana Summer Walk Loafers Introduction
Currently one of the hottest hot-weather shoes in the fashion sphere with a sweltering price of about $1000. We’ll be critiquing this pair of shoes to help you decide if the Summer Walk loafer is worth its price.
00:41 History of Loro Piana & Summer Walks
The modern Loro Piana company began in 1924 and within a few decades had established a reputation for importing rare and luxurious fabrics.
In 2005, Loro Piana debuted as part of its “Walk” line the Summer Walk loafer. It remained relatively niche until Loro Piana began aggressively pushing its casual footwear around 2019. The Summer Walk has since become a ubiquitous status symbol and or associated with the super-wealthy that it has been dubbed A Billionaire Favorite.
04:14 Summer Walk Loafer Components
The Summer Walk is modeled after typical plain-front loafers with a relaxed fit and construction similar to moccasins. Loro Piana markets the Summer Walk as a warm-weather leisure and recreation shoe. The loafer consists of fabric uppers with rubber soles and is “largely” handcrafted.
Loro Piana offers the Summer Walk with several fabric options for the uppers and is famous for its Storm System-treated fabrics. The soles are made from gum rubber.
06:49 Assessing the Summer Walk ($980): Material Quality
The suede for the uppers is extremely nice and definitely top-of-the-line. The color is even and consistent without appearing fake or artificial. Like the uppers, the lining is extremely soft with a consistent, blemish-free surface. We found the rubber to be totally odorless with a supple, grippy feel and deep treads.
09:17 Construction & Comfort
Individual leather segments have been neatly trimmed and consistently and securely sewn together. Stitch density is appropriate for a recreation shoe used in wet conditions and stitching is neat and even. The heel is relatively low but sits comfortably like a regular boat shoe.
Comfort was a major selling point. Because slip-ons stretch with wear, it is often suggested to order a smaller size. Because of its small size, the heel of this shoe could be a fit issue for some gentlemen but otherwise, it’s a very typical fit for a slip-on.
10:58 Appearance & Styling
Appearance is important for even casual shoes. Summer Walk loafers have a versatile, clean look that is typical of plain-front loafers and are very compatible with Classic Style. We really like the style. It's the perfect hybrid between a sneaker and a loafer:
12:06 So, Are They Worth It?
We can definitely say that these loafers are not worth it unless you specifically want these particular shoes from Loro Piana. Despite the use of high-quality suede and rubber and overall excellent construction, there is nothing intrinsic to these shoes that justifies a price tag two or three times greater than similar competitors.
Here at the Gentleman’s Gazette we don’t believe in getting hung up on logos and labels. So unless that matters to you, we cannot justify paying simply for the pleasure of the Loro Piana crest.
12:42 Alternatives to Summer Walks
→ Yanko Belgian Loafer
→ Suitsupply Slip-On
→ Scarosso Ludovico
→ Baudoin & Lange Beat
→ Baudoin & Lange Sagan Stride
→ Aurélien Yacht Loafer
→ Crockett & Jones Cannes
13:52 Outfit Rundown - Jak na to + styl
After wearing around 12-15 pairs of LPs (summer and open walks) for the last 5 years the only one real issue is that these shoes will only last you 1-2 seasons and drastically lose their appearance - rubber sole will become dirty yellowish and soft suede will lose it's form. And big thing is that every brand try to make a cheap copy of them so you will see this shoe everywhere. All the "part of the club" thing really dies fast when you realise that the "guy next door" wearing 100$ chinese copy.
Beside fast wear'n'tear this is really the best everyday casual shoe. Unmatched comfort, insane versatility, goldilocks looks between casual and formal shoe. And no other brand or replica can match LP silhouette and craftsmanship on these white soles.
For me I definitely went past the obsession stage and will keep only couple of pairs simply because there is no alternative. Classic loafers are too stiff and formal, sneakers are too casual.
If money not the issue and you really like the look - definitely try.
Some advice from wearing almost all of them.
1. Stick only with suede. It's the best for comfort (weight and flexibility) and durability (scratches or creases). You can always clean them or easily restore shape with shoe trees.
2. Beige and brownish colours will last longer because yellow rubber sole will not be so visible in contrast.
3. Clean them gently with professional cleansers and soft brushes. You can ruin out-of-the-box look of suede pretty quick.
4. Don't use them for really long walks (10k+ steps) and in high heat. It's closed leather shoe with no support or "bounce" after all. They have their limits.
5. Start with Open Walks. You can wear them all year round and there is no alternative to this soft classic boot.
Summer Walks only wearable in spring-summer on certain days and you can replace them more easily with other summer shoe.
Thanks for your advice!
Hi…did you have to size down too like Nathan? In the video he said he is a size 12 but needed to size down to 11 to get a comfortable fit. I am also a size 12 but size down to an 11 in Tod’s as they use UK sizing. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I can ensure you, there are a lot of alternatives in terms of quality and comfort out there. They aren't necessarily cheaper but they exist. Some of them have even more interesting design.
@@KEAHON actually I’m sizing up. In Italian brands I’m usually wearing 41 IT (8 US). But in LP I’m wearing 42 (9 US) for perfect fit. Try for yourself.
I totally agree having purchased a lovely pair of suede brogues with white soles from Church's a few years back. The uppers held up well but the white soles are impossible to keep in a good looking condition if the shoes are worn even occasionally. White rubber soled shoes are definitely an extravagance - if you can afford them, that's fine but I can think of much better ways to spend my sartorial cash.
“A fool and his money are soon parted” - P T Barnum
I parted too soon buying this particular shoe then 🤦🏻
Said someone broke
Such a great quotation!
Exactly@@bindutiwari4263
Well technically yes that is true, someone who buys loro piana or any other brand for the most part knew how to manage money and therefore aren't fools
Loro Piana makes extremely fine quality textiles and clothing - but they have fallen victim to the LVMH curse of milking a brand for every greedy dollar they can squeeze out of it.
True
A side note, their stores are horrible!! With the money the charge (or rob😂😂😂) their customers, couldnt they have a much nicer store?
Well the are owned by LVMH now
Literally bought a pair yesterday, without seeing this video. This channel really suits my taste.
Loved this review, thank you
I have three pairs love them. They stretch out quite a lot, I would recommend going down a full size.
I have a few Lori Piana clothing products and the quality is excellent; and all purchased on sale which is unusual. Tried the shoes on at a company store in Italy several years ago and was not impressed at this price point. M Gemi shoes for about one fifth the price. Great video!
I just bought blue suede loafers by magnanni that are a fraction of the cost and look exactly alike, I had no idea that this loafer was a "thing." I just like the look and color, who knew...
I prefer Tod’s. You did an excellent review.
I have a pair of blue suede loafers and paid $80 for them. They look and feel amazing. Brand only indicates you have a wallet, not necessarily style.
brokie
@@wave641what color is your Bugatti?
Wallet and no 🧠, ask Warren Buffet!
In your opinion, blue or green loafers, which color can be combined with more items?
@@Damon241k i prefer blue
I just picked up some Velasca Feree loafers. Had no idea the Loro Piana existed. Mine weren't what you would consider cheap. They seem nicely made and are very comfortable. At Velasca price point, I'll happily take 2-3. I haven't had them long enough to comment on long term durability.
I have a few pairs and they’re easily the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. I disagree with sizing down, especially in later years they have made the last slimmer, I’ve had to size up compared to my first pair. The main issue - apart from the price - is the fact the soles doesn’t stay white very long. And once they’ve gone yellow, it’s impossible to get it back to the white color. They also wear out fairly quickly. I have a pair of open walks, which see more use since it can be worn for longer periods of the year. Took me about 3 years with 2-3 times per week use to wear through the sole.
I love the look, and I agree there’s a certain x-factor of wearing them, but it has been more or less killed due to all the copy cats.
i have a couple of pairs and im overall very happy. the rubber sole becoming yellow is supposed to be a fixed issue. i have winter LPs with fur and they are the best for the mountains and very very cold weather in europe.
Great video as always! Any plans reviewing Gant/Tommy Hilfiger/ Calvin Klein products? Would love to hear your thoughts regarding that.
You just hinted at cheaper alternatives. I'm really looking to buy one of those now, but need more of your advice on which one is worth it!
These are the most comfortable shoes I own!
Last year I purchased John Lobb (Paris) crepe sole William. Which I wore all over Europe. Quiet comfortable and stylish. I believe they were more than the LP but what sold me was classic monk strap style and that they’ll resolve them (Goodyear welted). Plus I can’t say enough about there customer service. Personally called me to check to make sure they were shipping the right shoe and received a hand written note when the shoes arrived. A year later they checked in to see how I liked them. I’m not sure LP would do the same. They have a similar shoe at the same price but I believe at a higher quality level and with top notch customer service
Good to hear about your customer service experiences with John Lobb, thank you!
Bought a pair of brooks brothers voyager shoes about a year ago. Very similar vibe for $100
The white sold is glued to the shoe.
Its made from rubber with other materials.
The shoe originally designed for boats
I would rather get the Santoni "copy" of this summer loafer . They are 200-300 $ cheaper and likely of the same quality. For those willing to spend that much (or more) , as already advised by other viewers, John Lobb is probably the better option. Both companies specialize in shoe-making, which is typically always a good sign in regards to the quality of the final product. These are only two examples of course there are many other reputable brands out there.
I’ve had several pair of these, I can say within 100% conviction Velsaca Milano makes a better loafer that looks identical and it costs $400.00. Bought a pair in Florence and never felt so ripped off by LP
thank you for being honest I love my claks
Archibald London made a similar one, but less expensive.
Does Nathan also size down in the Aurelien to an 11 like with the Loro Piana Summerwalk or does he wear the size 12? I am also typically a size 12 shoe but sometimes size down a full size depending on the shoe brand (like Tod’s which uses UK 🇬🇧 sizing). I also appreciate that they will break-in more than other shoes and loosen up with wear due to their materials and construction. Thanks!
Very interesting and informative video. It was very well edited and was very fun to watch. Well done! I was wondering if you'd start (if you haven't already) making a couple of videos about some brands. I would love to know your take on Brunello Cucinelli (I personally love their style). Given that you guys previously did a video on Loro Piana's cashmere, I think it would be interesting to see a video comparing the cashmere of Loro and Brunello! Or, compare their styles! Like, what sets the style of each brand apart? What makes someone know that these shoes or this outwear are likely made by this or that brand. Anyway, you guys are amazing. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for your support and suggestions! 😄
Don't bother about cashmere from Loro Piana. It's the brand of Vladimir Putin. Go for Brunello Cucinelli, he was quick to close shops in Russia after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Kudos to him!
I have a pair of Geox loafers that looks extremely similar to these and they're extremely breathable and comfy... and I paid aa 10th of the price of these so it makes me question what could I possibly be paying for for those.
100% agreed that these aren't worth it. Loro Piana offers wonderful fabrics and I have had a few jackets and suits made using them. I also have purchased some of their accessories like gloves and scarves. With many alternatives at cheaper and MTM at comparable prices (or less) - there really is no reason to buy these shoes outside of branding.
I found the Aurélien loafers around 2019 and haven't looked back since... they were my go to house slippers during the pandemic. The Loro Piana are just a pretentious flex at this point because (you guys are absolutely correct) they feel exactly the same...and for half the price I'll take it. I don't need a brand name to feel comfortable with my purchases. My wallet feels better knowing it can enjoy buying two Aurélien loafers for the price of one Loro Piana.
scarosso loafers are even better than the aurelien imo. and also not nearly as expensive as the lp summer walk
Are you familiar with Archibald of London?
@@1525boy not for their shoes but for the knits. what are their shoes like?
@@SpirithunterBOMB I got a pair of their suede loafers in chocolate brown that are almost identical to what Loro Piana sells. How are their knits?
@@SpirithunterBOMB The shoes seem to be good.
Totally agree. I don't see the appeal for these shoes for this kind of price point!
Love your pants Nathan!
Thank you very much!
Lisa
I've just bought a pair of Loro Piana loafers and I was wondering how many years they usually last. I know that it depends of the use, but I have in mind wearing them like one or twice a week. Are they gonna last? Thank you!
I’m trying to stay away from white rubber soles, especially lacta hevea ones. They get black even if you walk 100 steps on clean paved walkway. Every time I wear shoes with hevea sole I constantly think of long and exhausting cleaning procedure in the evening.
Great video guys 😉 you guys actually inspired me to create my own men’s style channel so thank you. Keep up the amazing work
I have a pair of open walks...2 pairs summer walks and an Isaia doppelganger. I had to go up a size and a half from my normal size. Overall I like them. But I am a shoe fan and don't wear them often
Is the Jura E8 or other model worth it? I imagine you fellas to have some sort of high end cappuccino maker in home and office. Could you share with us a review about such? Thank you
They say the suede is water repellent. But I would think a flat sole would be slippery if walking on a wet surface.
How can you not mention the yellow coloring of the rubber soles. It doesn't matter what you do, ore how clean you (like me) you keep them, the soles bekom orange dirty even if you leave them in the closhet
Do all L P loafer summer walk / charm loafers have a serial number from the beginning they were introduced?
At prices like this, shoes should have a plethora of sizes & fittings - half-sizes, wide/even narrow fitting??
i totally agree,i had one and it's not worth it at all , you can find a similar style by a different designer at a lesser price.
Moreover, this loafer has been designed for specific outings such as on a boat !
Very similar to Tods .
I got one from To boot New York for half the price and works well for me !
keep up the good work 👏 great content!
Are you familiar with Archibald of London?
On which site did you configure the summer walk because I cannot find it?
Also what does "hand crafted" even mean. Any garnment from Shein is also handcrafted as in someone takes the fabric and stitches it together by hand or machine.
At such high prices one might expect Goodyear welting or Blake stitch in a commitment to quality and longevity.
Does it really better than GH Bass' Weejuns or even Alden's Cordovan LHS?
Loro Piano is my favorite clothing brand!!!!!!!!!
Why no one talk about it's rubber sole get yellow to brown after some use I have 3 pairs and the soles of all three turn in to brown dirty brown.
I have three pair...they are really expensive house shoes made to wear on a boat on a summer day....
Best suede I have ever felt on foot...not really much else to say
Hugo Boss makes a very nice Venetian loafer like the summer walk and it’s was mistaken for a summer walk in front of a self of summer walks even though the day hugo boss on them
I have worn boat shoes for decades as a casual waterfront slip on, but often I found it to be a little too boat-guy-ish. The solution for a sleeker yet casual shoe is the espadrille. Though not great for actual wet weather the way boat shoes are, they are still comfortable and casual, while still looking upscale. Heck, even Cary Grant wore them in To Catch A Thief. Rope insoles and canvas uppers, but the price can be pretty cheap.
Stay tuned for an upcoming video all about espadrilles! 😉
@@gentlemansgazette Excellent! Will do.
Absolutely beautiful
They ought to charge $1200 for these, because anyone who would pay a thousand dollars for a pair of casual rubber soled loafer would pay another two hundred.
Don't lie, guys. Loro Piana has a very hard-wearing sole because it is made of caoutchouc. The only problem with their soles is that they yellow. And be careful with the lighter shades of their suede shoes, as they get dirty very quickly and are difficult to clean because of the delicacy of the material.
Re comfort - I have no interest in these shoes, but for completeness, how's their arch support? Moccasin-style shoes tend to be highly unstructured and it's not "really comfortable to walk in them" for any appreciable distance.
I myself have several pairs of loro piana and I think they are super nice to walk in, which I only find very bad and what really disappoints me is that the soles turn yellow quite quickly and you can no longer get them white!! Does anyone else have this problem and does anyone have a solution?
Hi, I have the same problem, have you found a solution by now ? Thanks !
Pass, there are other as good alternative for 1/4 of the prices. Try Balley loafers.
Loro Piana represents good modern taste, but everything is sells is obnoxiously overpriced. In this sense it’s similar to Hermes. A favorite among those nouveau riche who have more refined tastes than the ones who buy from Gucci. Old Money, however, are unlikely to buy Loro Piana.
LP for life
I have these shoes $600eur, their suede belt $600eur, and reversible cashmere jacket $3000eur. Wearing them makes you feel like a billion bucks, the quality is there. I need to wear them more to get out more value.
Bruno Magli makes the best version of this shoe...sturdy toe cap and heel counter that makes the shoe well made...loro piana is nothing but an unstructured boat shoe
You should have cutthem apart like Rose Anvil 😅
Gulp! We better hide the power tools from Raphael! 😅
I feel like thats most luxury products, they are very nice and high quality but just way too expensive
So, a suede shoe is perfect for being surrounded with a lot of water? Let’s make it more fun, surrounded with salty water 😂 like the great man said, mr Versace, fashion you can buy, class you can’t buy.
No show socks with loafers.
Did they really try to protect a color of a sole.....
I don’t wear loafers so might be missing a trick, but these do not look anything special at all IMO. The alternatives you mention look identical and are much less, brand snobbery at its finest I think 👍
The demand makes the situation. Lots of people want to buy them so... why not crank the price a bit?
It does work the same with everything. If you'r considering a hot brand you have to be ready to pay extra.
But let's be honest, the price isn't all that high. If you want some close quality you have to pay 600 at least, mostly more.
So I guess the 'billionaire loafer' is a good term. I'm sure that if $1000 was easy for me to spend, I'd buy these shoes. To get the brand recognition alongside the quality.
Personally I'd stick to Sperry boat shoes, for that price you can acquire enough Sperry's in enough colors for any outfit you have in mind.
A very good point! Now we're wondering about building a rainbow of boat shoes...🤔
@@gentlemansgazette Sperry actually do make rainbow boat shoes! They're only available during LGBTQ+ pride month so you gotta wait for them to become available.
Selling $100 loafers for 10X markup is why LP's fashion business is successful.
Those shoes look fragile. Loro Piana make some great sweaters, scarves, and jackets that I have purchased over many years, but always at 50 to 70 percent discount from retail. Still costly but a good value at those discount levels.
How do you get such discounts?
If they only include 1 duffel bag instead of 2 with the shoe, price would've been 500 bucks
If you’re complaining about the cost.. LP is not for you. Stick to cheaper brands to feel like you made a good financial decision - people who can really afford LP don’t think about that
Its a status symbol!
..Very interesting.., but, definitely not a style that I find, at all, intriguing.., but, honestly, excellent production..!!
Glad to hear you enjoyed the video!
I prefier aurelien
Suede + salt water and sand = 💀
Rose Anvil needs to cut these up 😂
Neeeeoooo!
Overall as a brand Aurélien has some good looking pieces, does anybody know if they’re good?
😂
If only billionaires buy thousand dollar loafers, then by that standard I should be walking bare feet…
I don't really understand how people can buy these brands, you can get a better shoe for a 1/4 of the price and you get to feel good about not getting absolutely fleeced on the price of it.
Then again, I've never understood the appeal of these high dollar luxury brands to begin with, so clearly, its not for me.
🤣
Happy to see new content, but ultimately what's the point of this video?
Nothing Loro Piana sells is worth it, so the whole premise is somewhat dead on arrival.
I can’t pay 1000+ for such simple running-errand shoes. Not bad but just very very plain and normal. I can pay up to 50 usd, max
I must congratulate LP for taking huge wads of cash from idiots who really shouldn't have it.... and people who have far too much of it. At least the money will be paid to people in the real world who have to live on their wages,
Здравствуйте! Hi! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉👌👌👌👌👌👌👌😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊👋👋👋👋👋
I fear LVMH will ruin the brand authenticity.
6:53 Ah yes, "100% Suede" and "100% Calfskin" - must be great leather, right? Come on GG, there's rarely a video where you don't get all sciencey and detailed about leather....we all know what 100% (which is synonymous with "Genuine") means. Point it out!
Spoiler: They are not.
Leather soles are not more durable than rubber soles lol
For all the angry people saying these aren’t worth it. What is worth then? A 10k bespoke suit is worth it? F no! Nothing in the fashion world is “worth it”.
Too expensive for you, move on.
And also please stop recommending cheaper alternatives. That’s like saying don’t buy Rolex buy Tudor they’re made in the same factory.
It’s a status shoes just like any other expensive piece.
G'day gentlemen, how are you? Just recently found your channel. What an interesting Godsend. I love and admire both your styles boys. I'm a hat man really. Flat caps, porkpies, and the odd Trilby. If I had my way EVERYONE would be compelled to dress like it was the roaring twenties. A time when a hatless man would be committed lol
i ride motorcycles...this would never ever work
I don’t really like it, i prefer penny or tassel loafers, or boat shoes.
Some excellent classic alternatives!
These actually look quite cheap
Yeah, well No... Outside of the fact that the artisans, workers and their families have a livelihood... 💸
If you know it‘s from LVMH it can‘t be worth it
It’s not worth it. I’d rather buy Alden or Crocket and Jones. If I really want a high end quality loafers , Edward Green would be the top of my list.
200-300 maybe, at 1k price absolutely nope.
12 seconds in and I have reached my conclusion. I need an ID enhancer as much as Piano thingy need my money
Do not support these knock offs. I have a few airs of these. Great, yes those who know, know. But for a summer shoe, I will say not the best breathability... sweaty feet. When you mention sizing, these are handmade so they vary. Some of mine are 45, some 44, the suede will stretch over time. But my elk leather did not stretch. Yes I agreed probably 2-3x pricier than is fair, but I am loyal to brands I like to be associated with. LP, Brioni, Brunello C., Hermes
Only of you have money to burn.. but then I live in ye old blighty where we have more rain than sunshine. A good pair of wellington boots is a much better use of my money.