"The New Balance 1906L launched last year, kicking off a new type of shoe: the sneaker loafer, aka (and please never say this term aloud) the snoafer. With a loafer silhouette, technical fabrics, and bouncy foam outsoles, they represented a new mix of formal wear and street style. Nike, Hoka, and Puma all quickly followed suit with snoafers of their own. While in Madrid, I snagged some by Hispanitas for my wife-only learning that they were the store's last pair as I checked out."
"Karis Munday, an analyst at the fashion trend firm Edited, says loafer sales are up 33% year over year for men and 28% for women this fall, in a surge she doesn't see fizzling out soon. "The sneaker-inspired iteration will be a must-have investment, offering a smart-casual solution that serves equally well in a business casual environment as it does for weekend wear," she shares over email, calling the 1906L the "blueprint" for the industry."
Loafers blended with sneaker construction to create the sneaker loafer, combining loafer silhouettes, technical fabrics, and bouncy foam outsoles. The New Balance 1906L initiated the trend and prompted major brands to release similar models. Consumer demand pushed resale and retail interest, with anecdotal spikes in purchases during travel and shopping. Industry data show loafer sales rising significantly year over year for both men and women, signaling sustained interest. Designers position the category at the intersection of preppy heritage and athletic culture, framing the sneaker loafer as a versatile smart-casual solution for work and weekend wear.
Read at Fast Company
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