My 1st Pair of Loafers
It was Spring 2006. This is when I decided to not wear anything (& I do mean anything) outside of Ralph Lauren’s Polo. Goodbye Nikes. See y’around Timbs. Later for you Polo Sport Ranger (a.k.a. “Cookie”) Boots. It’s strictly Ralph Lauren Polo from here on end. The only thing was this particular season I couldn’t find any Ralph Lauren sneakers; Only hard bottom dress shoes & *duh d’DUHHH* loafers.
“LOAFERS?!?!??!?” I said this to myself similar to how Jaÿ-Z & Dame Dash’s “Hush Puppies?!!?!?” exclamation. I was a bit afraid to leap into that unfamiliar territory. Now again, this was 2006. One of my best friends had already blown up & had his ‘look’ down to perfection. That friend is Kanye2Tha. The reason I mention him here is he is the first person I knew personally, within my age range, who actually wore loafers… & rocked them well. Outside of award shows & performances he’s done which have been televised or in [magazine] print, I’ve seen this dude get fresh on plenty of occasions. From the blazer ‘n slacks with the button up & ascot look… All topped off (or ‘bottomed off’) with a cool pair of loafers. Wow! I was thoroughly impressed. The only thing is, that’s the “Kanye West” look. I’m 88-Keys. Not really trying to have my own look but I didn’t want to have a look from someone who was already looked at as a fashion icon whom I was already associated with. I hope that makes sense to you as it made sense to me when I typed this. It’s like, sure, Ralph’s a fashion icon to the utmost (as is Kanye) but nobody would really say, “oh 88-Keys is trying to be like Ralph Lauren.” However, a lot of people would say “oh, 88′s is trying to be like Kanye,” quick! Sh*t… People say that about me now because of my raps & I don’t think I sound anything like him. 
Anyway, I was pretty hesitant on buying a pair of loafers until this dude whom I had recently met (who is now a very good friend of mine) convinced me. I’d say Kanye put me onto loafers but I was readily willing to accept loafers into my life ’til my boy R. Thentic (fellow beatsmith – ‘Lo head – sneaker head – comic book fanatic) showed me that ‘regular people in the hood can rock loafers too’. This was a valuable lesson I learned from m’man R. Thentic. He used to go on about how fly loafers were & how he rocked & was about to rock some more. He opened my eyes to the ways of the loafer so, I copped my first pair.
Enter: Ralph Lauren Polo Hamlin Loafers (Spring ’06)
Ahhh… The fit was perfect. I felt like I was wearing slippers outside. It felt a bit weird but I got used to them. I then copped another pair shortly thereafter: the Snuff Split Coupe.
Thru the years ive learned a thing or two about loafers & Mr. Lauren’s vision; One valuable lesson is that loafers aren’t to be worn with socks. I used to wear mine with socks all of the time up until I found that out. Now, I wear my loafers with socks maybe 30% of the time. Hey, some of these NY weather conditions require me to where a little extra protection. But again, if the weather conditions are that bad then I probably shouldn’t be wearing loafers in the first place. *fail*
Shouts:
- To my boy DJ R. Thentic. Thanks for showing me the ways of the loafer. Fresh.
- Kanye2Tha, I think it was your second Grammy “Gold Digger” ‘fit which made me to start to ‘see the light’. Loafers are the sh*t. Thanks.
- To Alanna Gluck for puttin’ me on that Spring. You bust my head wide open the day I met you @ the Ralph Lauren store. You’ve taught me a lot. T’ank y’kindly.
Post Script: I pretty much made this entire post from my my iPhone’s WordPress app but then tweaked it a bit from my computer. The app is dope but still could use a lot of additional features. More on that in a later post. Peace! Oh & the photo of my Hamlin’s were taken from my iPhone as well. Okay… Now peace for real this time. Now kick rocks.
the terence venetian driver joints is crazy
Got a photo of ‘em?