Our Favorite Loafer Now Comes in Menswear’s Favorite Leather

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Mallorca-based Meermin revamped its flagship silhouette in forum-preferred shell cordovan.Courtesy of Meermin; Design: Emily HanhanA store I worked at in the 2010s used to stock dozens of styles of well-known shoe brands, and while our inventory was well-stocked, the rare cordovan loafers that popped up were almost mythical. There would be murmurs of a possible restock and by the time I showed up for my shift they’d be gone. In other words, cordovan loafers aren’t always easy to come by. I bring this up because Meermin’s 25th Anniversary Unlined Penny Loafer is now available in a gorgeous burgundy shell cordovan—one that, considering the nature of both the material and the build, should hold up for another 25 years of consistent wear.Meermin514511 - Heritage Shell Cordovan- EFirst, a quick little primer on Meermin: the Mallorca-based, family-owned shoemaker started in, you guessed it, 2001. They decided to put decades of luxury industry experience into their own, less-marked-up, dexterously-made products. 25 years later, and the Unlined Penny Loafer is the catalog’s crown jewel—tenaciously timeless, super versatile and as comfortable as loafers come—and thus the bedrock the brand has riffed-upon for the anniversary.We should also note that shell cordovan leather is very much not like the other leathers. For starters, it can only come from horsehide, and specifically from the underlayers of the rump, which is the (actual) technical term for the ass and also a very finite region of hide. Cordovan is notoriously sturdy. Like, damn-near-indestructible, will-outlive-the-cockroaches, kind of durable. And, like many long-lasting materials, it develops an inimitable character with age, such that one could argue it gets more beautiful with each scuff.And if you’re worried about the bottoms of a pair of shoes designed to last decades—and millions of steps—the flexible chestnut bark-tanned leather outsoles Meermin employs are affixed with a resoleable Goodyear welt, so you won’t need to fret about the inevitably asymmetrical wear-and-tear. If there was a single nit to pick with the endeavor, it’d be that these are a limited release and don’t allow for a whole lot of waffling. So, if you’re in the market for some forever loafers, your search could be over in a matter of minutes. Head on over to Meermin to check ‘em out in all their glory.Reed Nelson is a freelance writer for GQ Recommends covering menswear and gear. Before writing full time, he spent years working retail at Unionmade Goods, Gant Rugger, J.Crew, and Nike—experience that sharpened his eye for what’s actually worth buying. He’s also worked as an in-house copywriter for brands big and ... Read MoreMore from ShoppingBoxers, Briefs, or Boxer Briefs? Let’s Settle This Once and for AllThe answer to the ever-raging skivvies debate is simpler than you think.Ready or Not, the Early Black Friday Menswear Deals Are HereOne thing we refuse to do is squander your time on a lackluster discount.Every Guy Needs a Gnarly Work JacketHands woefully uncalloused? A tough fall jacket is the borrowed competence you need.Automatic Watches Worth Getting All Wound Up AboutBatteries? Where we're going, we don't need batteries.The Best Men’s Rain Boots Ranked From Drizzle to DownpourFrom a light mist to biblical floods, these are the driest, fly-est boots and shoes to wear.The 2026 GQ Grooming AwardsWe’ve spent the last year sampling the latest releases in men’s skin care, hair care, and more. Our favorites will help you level up.A Deodorant for Every Day of the WeekWe tested every stick, balm, and spray we'd heard about—then crowned seven winners.