August 31, 2010 – Jessica Alba arrives in Venice, Italy for the 2010 Venice Film Festival

September 1, 2010 – Jessica Alba in Venice, Italy to promote her latest film “Machete”

Loafers are now officially a hot new trend!

I decided to post the pictures of Jessica Alba above because she shows how to wear loafers for the summer in the first picture, then how you can transition them into fall in the second. I would just change up the denim jacket with a heavier coat and the tights for a pair with a thicker denier, but overall, classic penny loafers are very easy to work into both a summer and a fall wardrobe.

The penny loafer is one vintage shoe that I wouldn’t mind if it kept coming back over and over again. They’re as indispensable as ballet flats but are much sturdier and offer much more protection and cushion for the feet. I would consider penny loafers a wardrobe staple both for men AND women and in fact, I wouldn’t mind if they’re here to stay!

You can get Jessica Alba’s Tod’s Ivy Mocassino in black for $410.18 at MyTheresa.com, but if you want a less business-like color, try these 5 classic penny loafers in gorgeous fall hues:

From top: Chloe Barbera Loafer, $544.77; Repetto Patent Leather Loafer, $253.80; Yves Saint Laurent Burgundy Patent Preppy Penny Loafers, $284.99; Gucci Purple Patent Leather Horsebit Loafers, $281.99; Cole Haan Air Tantivy Moc, $158.00

Credit: Bauer Griffin, PacificCoastNewsOnline

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Kelly Osbourne totes a bag of takeout from Katsuya restaurant in Hollywood on August 18, 2010

Gotta salute Miss Osbourne for her tribute to Michael Jackson here – she’s wearing her black penny loafers with, that’s right, white socks!

Kelly Osbourne’s studded black penny loafers are from Miu Miu:

Close-up of Kelly Osbourne’s studded penny loafers

These designer penny loafers are available for $750.00 at Barneys.com.

It’s a good thing that menswear shoes for women are in fashion now because I was able to find these two alternatives. They’re not all over studded like the Miu Mius but these are much, much less expensive:

Lifestride Acorn, $54.00

Annie Madison, $21.28 (was $49.95)

Women have always worn men’s loafers, but can you wear them with white socks ala Michael Jackson like what Kelly Osbourne did?

Credit: PacificCoastNews.com

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Emma Watson and George Craig heading for a performance of West End play “War Horse” on June 9

Paparazzi of course waited around until the play ended so they could get some more pictures. Here’s one of Emma who doesn’t look too happy about being followed around all the time:

Emma Watson getting out of her car after seeing a play at the New London Theatre

So do you notice what changed in Emma Watson between these two pictures (aside from her demeanor)?

Emma is wearing high-heeled sandals in the first pic and sometime between that photo and the play, she changed into a pair of black penny loafers.

I don’t blame Emma Watson for switching to a more comfortable pair of flats. Walking around London in heels isn’t something I’d like to do on a date either.

Do you keep a change of shoes in your car too?

Here are three excellent go-to penny loafers when wearing heels all day isn’t a sacrifice you’re willing to make:

Pikolinos Jerez 578-8242, $140.00

Minnetonka Thunderbird Suede Boat Sole, $39.00

Frye Reagan Campus Driver, $138.00

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I’ve gathered 10 retro and vintage-inspired shoes as mother’s day gift ideas. I hope there’s a pair here that’ll suit your mom!

1. Bass Glenbrook stacked heel saddle shoes

Bass Glenbrook, $69.00

2. Boutique 9 Ronnie brogues

Botique 9 Ronnie, $103.96

3. BORN Women’s Gellar mary jane wedges

BORN Women’s Gellar, $102.00

4. Bass Brookfield loafers

Bass Brookfield, $69.00

5. Clarks Un.actual clogs

Clarks Un.actual, $110.00

6. Paul Smith Bonita swirky strappy platform wedges

Paul Smith Bonita, $349.00

7. Diesel Life-10 stiletto pumps

Diesel Life-10, $140.00

8. Steven by Steve Madden Women’s Justyne t-strap peep toe heels

Steven by Steve Madden Women’s Justyne, $120.00

9. Converse Jack Purcell® Ox vintage sneakers

Converse Jack Purcell® Ox, $60.00

10. Frye Maxine Trapunto Harness boots

Frye Maxine Trapunto Harness, $368.00

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Moccasins were first developed by Native American Indians for the purpose of protecting their feet.

The original Moccasins had a slipper-like characteristic with very thin soles and sides, both of which were made from one piece of leather stitched together at the top.

Here’s a picture of  a pair of authentic Native American Moccasins:

18th Century Native American Beaded Moccasins

(Image care of History.org of Colonial Williamsburg)

The Native Americans preferred to keep their Moccasin soles thin, flexible, and soft because they wanted to feel the ground while walking, hunting, planting, or going about with their daily activities. However, hard soled Moccasins were also developed by Native Americans who lived in the rocky terrains.

The Moccasins were actually the “original” lace-less shoes, and it inspired the development of  the popular lace-less shoes known to many today as “loafers”.

However, although the first Moccasins were lace-less, Native Americans did also develop Moccasins with shoe ties or laces such as the authentic 19th century Native American Moccasins below:

Moccasins from the Estate of Chief Washakie, Wind River Reservation, Wyoming (1900)

(Image from Wikipedia)

Today, most Moccasins still have the distinctly thin soles, but the styles are more varied, ranging from the native looking to the very modern and fashion forward.

Here are a few selections of today’s fashionable Moccasins:

UGG Sightsee Men’s Moccasins

Old Friend Margaret Ladies’ Moccasin Boots

Me Too Proud Moccasin-inspired Loafers

House of Harlow 1960 Misha Beaded Moccasin Boot

House of Harlow 1960 Malorie Cutout Moccasin Bootie

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50s to 70s children’s clothing from sewing pattern books by Enid Gilchrist

Families are understandably busier now, and things like wash and wear clothes, wrinkle-free fabric materials, and slip on/slip off shoes especially for children are the norm. Looking good is obviously still valued in modern society, but seeing these images from 40 to 60 years ago of kids in crisp blazers, freshly-pressed skirts and leather shoes really puts things into perspective.

That’s why when we come across children’s shoes like these from Buster Brown, we know we’re not alone in reminiscing about “the days back when”. We’re also very grateful that someone can incorporate the former formal ways of dress in a shoe without sacrificing the casual comfort of today:

Buster Brown Kids’ Kendall for girls, $34.99

Buster Brown Kids’ Shane for boys, $34.99

We like how these shoes are casual yet are dressy enough to go with the clothes the children are wearing in the vintage picture above. Modern day parents will appreciate how these shoes can go from special occasion to playground, and their children will love the padded footbed and the easy on-off fit.

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Penny loafers, the lace-less, buckle-less slip-on shoes, have been around since the 1930s. They were copied from a shoe style from Norway that were worn mostly by Norwegian fishermen. George Henry Bass of G.H. Bass & Co. Shoe Company picked up this shoe and redesigned it into the classic penny loafer that we now know today. He gave it the name “Weejun”, which is of course derived from the word “Norwegian”.

When James Dean (pictured above) wore the Bass Weejuns with his biker jacket and his pants rolled up, he made not just an undeniable fashion statement but also turned the penny loafers into a timeless piece of clothing.

Presently, loafers are worn by men, women, and children alike. G.H. Bass & Co. is still regarded as the maker of quality penny loafers. Their range of penny loafers has broadened to include both classic and trendier designs.

The Bass Freeway is one of the top-selling styles of Bass’ women’s penny loafers:

Bass Women’s Freeway, now 10% off at Shoes.com

For men, the smart and sleek Bass Alberta is the popular style:

Bass Men’s Alberta, $71.00 at Shoes.com

Check out more popular penny loafer shoe styles for men and for women over at Shoes.com.

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