Review: Todd Snyder Italian Suede Penny Loafer

I first noticed these shoes in a photo of George Clooney stepping onto his boat on Lake Como. They immediately caught my eye—effortless style, timeless design, and just plain cool. That image stayed with me, and when I discovered Todd Snyder offered something very similar, I decided to take the plunge.

I’ve never owned a pair of $800 shoes before, but now I see exactly why they command that price. The construction is nothing short of phenomenal. The suede is soft and supple, and the interior lining makes them comfortable from the very first wear—no break-in period required. The leather soles are a welcome touch of craftsmanship in a market where so many shoes default to rubber or crepe. They’re elegant, classic, and built the way shoes should be built.

All in all, I’m completely sold. These loafers live up to the image that first inspired me, and they’ve set the bar for what I’ll expect in footwear going forward. Once my credit card has had a chance to recover, I plan on adding either the lace-up boots or the Chelsea boots to my collection.