GQ has launched a poll on the place of coins in penny loafers, debating whether the classic accessory is still relevant in the modern context, given the disappearance of the one-cent bill from circulation and the evolution of men's fashion styles. [1]
Tyler Chin, associate editor for personal care and lifestyle at GQ, considers placing a coin in shoes to be an harmless and simple accessory that pays homage to the origin of the shoe, mentioning that he saw an English teacher do this in high school, although he did not consider her a cool character, he appreciated her sartorial choice. Gerald Ortiz, senior writer for apparel trade at GQ, rejects the idea, classifying men who wear coins in their shoes either as people seeking attention ('try-hards') or as those who have merely adopted a preppy clothing joke; according to him, the only acceptable scenario is for dedicated fans of the Ivy League style. [1]
Regarding the type of coin, Tyler Chin suggests that a penny would be too obvious, proposing a funny variation where a quarter could be used to complete the amount at a machine if you were short on cash, or it could serve as an emergency solution for a lost button, turning you into a MacGyver-like figure. Gerald Ortiz accepts the use of alternative objects, such as arcade tokens or other coins, but emphasizes that the final result remains superficial ('wack') regardless of what is inserted into the space. [1]
Regarding the ideal coin, Chin proposes Japanese 5 or 50 yen coins, highlighting the hole in the center as a distinctive detail compared to American coins, suggesting that using them would also serve as a marker of a life lived abroad. Ortiz recalls a viral image on Instagram featuring a $100 bill inserted in a shoe, describing the initial reaction of amusement as ephemeral, followed by indifference. [1]
Chin considers that a coin lying close to the ground will develop a patina during the day, casting doubt on the existence of shiny coins in contemporary pockets. Ortiz finds the image of a penny completely covered in verdigris appealing ('verdigris slotted'), although he leaves open the possibility that the metal might match the shine of the shoe. [1]
Tyler Chin associates loafers with bootcut jeans, longer than usual, which fall over the shoes, combining them with collared shirts, turtlenecks, or sweaters, supporting that almost any outfit suitable for sneakers works with loafers as well. Gerald Ortiz recommends a classic look with wide-leg chino pants and a striped shirt, or vintage options with straight-leg jeans and band T-shirts combined with a sport jacket, considering, however, that the best combinations are the unexpected ones. [1]
Regarding fake-slot loafers, Chin draws a parallel with functional buttons on suit jacket sleeves, asking if there is any practical situation for them; if the purpose is authentic accessorization, a real slot is necessary, and if it is just for status, then bootlaces should be preferred. Ortiz considers the fake slot preferable, comparing it to the watch pocket in jeans, a vestigial element that completes the traditional aesthetic. [1]
Chin predicts that with the effective disappearance of the US penny, future generations will consider it a mysterious object, and stories about it will be confused with old age fabrications in retirement homes. Ortiz admits that the fact that the penny is no longer minted may make it more valuable in the future, but observes existing brands like Six 95 that cultivate coins for clothing accessories. [1]
Refuting the idea that men are abandoning loafers, Chin asserts that men only leave toxic relationships, and the shoes are innocent. Ortiz sees fluctuations in trends as normal, acknowledging that loafers have reached an inflection point for some men, but insists that they remain a classic style, far from becoming 'cringe' as a symbol of the 2020s. [1]
In a hypothetical scenario where an item costs exactly one cent, Chin would prefer to add a quarter to increase his assets by a factor of 25. Ortiz, playing along with absurd logic, would purchase a house with that cent. [1]
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