First impressions count, and there are few men’s fashion accessories that can be considered a barometer of taste quite like a pair of shoes. More noticeable than a pair of cufflinks, yet more subtle than a suit or a watch, the right choice of shoes can really bring an outfit together. In a post-pandemic world – one which has seen a shift to hybrid work patterns and the softer tailoring to match – footwear must now pivot too, bridging the formal and informal but with a sense of polish still intact. A good loafer is the solution, and shoemaking stalwart Edward Green does them best.

For those starting to think about returning to the office, business-casual dress codes are likely replacing traditional suits and ties. The loafer is a chic yet relaxed staple ideal for complementing today’s evolving working wardrobe, as well as adding panache to sophisticated weekend style. It’s important to feel put together when heading to work – whether the commute is to the City or to your kitchen table.

Edward Green has been crafting loafers since the 1920s, when it made ‘house shoes’ for the Duke of Windsor. Its Piccadilly Unlined model is a contemporary progression of its signature almond-toed Piccadilly penny loafer. Already a style well-suited to today’s less formal market, the softer construction of the Piccadilly Unlined goes a step further. A light leather sole and refined interior detailing allow for relaxed comfort but not at the expense of style. This model is perfect for the seamless home office to business lunch transitions, and offers a knowing nod to the unstructured tailoring that the wider world of menswear is now pivoting towards, in keeping with the new, less formal order of things.

Available in three different colours – Raw Umber Suede, Mink Suede and Dark Brown London Grain – each colourway features oak bark tanned leather soles, which are tanned for nine months in a solution of oak, spruce and mimosa barks for extra comfort and durability.

The Raw Umber Suede variation is a nutty mid-tan, which complements a subtle colour palette of neutral and earthy tones – a great accompaniment to lighter summer fabrics.

The rich, deep Mink Suede is a wardrobe staple, which works across formal and casual looks, and the Dark Brown London Grain option, made from fine French calf, is milled for a handsome, natural texture – making it a smart shoe embodying the timeless elegance of quintessentially English character.

An unlined suede shoe is a lighter option and extremely comfortable. It also allows you to go sock-less when the temperature rises without losing any sense of polish (and is a flexible suitcase addition when off to new locations). Other unlined styles from Edward Green include the signature Dover Derby shoe (in Mole, Mink and Raw Umber Suede) and the new Chale ankle boot – both smart but soft spring-to-summer wardrobe additions.

Edward Green has been crafting fine quality footwear from its factory in Northampton since 1890. Wearers today are in good company – Edward Green has counted Cole Porter and Ernest Hemingway as customers, and the brand’s shoes are worn by the likes of actor Michael Fassbender. Characterised by classic designs using full-grain leather, Goodyear-welted soles and hand-cut patterns, every shoe is executed to the highest standards – perfect for stepping into a flexible summer that doesn’t compromise on style.

Piccadilly Unlined loafer £965; 75 Jermyn Street, St. James’s, London SW1Y 6NP; edwardgreen.com