How The Loafer Stepped Up For Spring
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3 weeks ago
Crockett & Jones' latest collection spotlights a must-have menswear staple
Dress codes aren’t what they were 10 years ago. Long gone are the days of stuffy suits and starched collars – aka, the classic men’s uniform, both at work and at leisure – now, you’ll find sartorial trends have quietly relaxed. If you’re taking a bottom-up approach to nailing your new season style, you can’t beat a goes-with-everything loafer. Our top pick for the new season? Crockett & Jones’ Sorrento loafer.
Loafers Top Our Spring/Summer Wish List
The foundation of your SS26 capsule wardrobe starts with a good loafer. As dress codes soften, so does our choice of shoe – and the loafer, the most adaptable of menswear staples, is back at the centre of the conversation. Sitting somewhere between the trainer and the lace-up, the loafer is exactly the kind of considered, do-it-all shoe that suits 2026’s softer-dressing era. It moves between backdrops just like we increasingly do, from office to dinner, holiday to home, without ever looking like it’s trying too hard.
And if you’re looking for the perfect shoe to kick off your collection, allow us to introduce you to the Sorrento loafer by Crockett & Jones.
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Invest In The Best: A Closer Look At Crockett & Jones’ New Loafer
British heritage shoemaker Crockett & Jones has spent nearly 150 years perfecting its craft. For Spring/Summer 2026, the label turned to the Amalfi Coast for inspiration, drawing on the meandering shoreline, maritime villages and sun-warmed palette of Sorrento and Positano (mentally, we’re there). The result? A collection that feels distinctly holiday-ready without sacrificing the polish for which the British brand is known. Our hero shoe of the season is the Sorrento, a trio of short-vamp penny loafers designed to be the most relaxed expression of the style in the covetable lineup.
The Sorrento is built using Crockett & Jones’ unstructured construction method, which removes the traditional toe stiffener to give the brand’s softest, most casual silhouette to date. Flexi-welts and lightweight ribbing keep things flexible underfoot, while a tight-fibre shoulder insole takes care of the comfort and longevity. It sits on the house’s shortest loafer last (Last 391), which is what gives the Sorrento its neat, short-vamp shape, and rides on the gum-coloured rubber wedge sole now familiar across the summer suede line. Like the rest of the SS26 collection, it’s Goodyear-welted and made entirely in England at the Northampton factory – the kind of build that earns its place in the rotation.
In desert suede, the shoe feels especially right for the warming weather. The shade is soft, versatile and quietly luxurious, while the construction is all about ease: comfortable, flexible and made for life on the move, whether you’re meandering toward an Italian focacceria for a mid-morning snack or boardroom-bound. City-lunch or weekend break; if desert suede won’t match your wardrobe, try the pistachio or pastel blue – which will perfectly polish off a double denim spring ensemble if you’re brave enough to tap into the trend.
Styling the Sorrento is straightforward. Wear it with pleated trousers and an open-collar shirt for a relaxed but refined daytime look, or pair it with tailored chinos, a fine-gauge knit and an unstructured blazer for something sharper. The loafer also works beautifully with linen, light denim and relaxed tailoring, adding a polished finish without ever feeling overworked.
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More From Crockett & Jones SS26
The Sorrento isn’t Crockett & Jones’ only new superlative style. Check out the rest of the collection, below.
Salcombe 2 (Dark Brown Suede), £525
The Salcombe 2 was first introduced in its new season suedes last year, and has since become one of the label’s go-to styles. Lightweight and leather-lined, this timeless loafer is ideal for wandering the city – with these new darker shades making the shift from day to night wear feel easy.
Salcombe 2 (Ocean Suede), £525
Alongside a dark chocolate hue, the Salcombe 2 also comes in a a deep ocean blue, perfect for bringing a slice of the sea back to the city with you post-holiday. Style with a light-toned trouser or denim and a casual shirt to give these loafers their starring moment.
Sorrento (Pistachio Suede), £525
We’ve already told you this is the shoe of the season, and this playful shade, already a firm favourite, makes an outing for the label’s newest loafer style. A beautifully soft shade of green, these loafers will be on heavy rotation throughout the spring/summer months.
Sorrento (Pastel Blue Suede), £525
A close-up on the pastel blue hue of the Sorrento loafer; style with white like the pictured dapper chap or opt for a light denim for an effortless spring hit.
Harvard 2 (Black), £605
We can’t spend all season on the coast (sadly). One of Crockett & Jones’ most beloved styles, the Harvard is a classic take on the penny loafer – and for spring/summer 2026, it gets a brand new look. The Harvard 2 is made from soft, supple milled calf, with flexible soles that ensure comfort with every step. (Just what you’d expect from a 144-year-old English shoemaker.)
Harvard 2 (Walnut), £605
Alongside its classic black colourway, the Harvard 2 also comes in a rich walnut. Both pairs will take you from office to dinner, home to holiday – with style and comfort guaranteed.
Richmond 2, £615
And for real wow factor, it has to be the Richmond 2. Just like the Harvard 2, this travel loafer boasts a milled calf construction – but what sets the shoe apart is its multi-toned colourway. Pairing walnut and stone, the Richmond 2 comes with plenty of classic sartorial charm.
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Explore more options at crockettandjones.com
