by Deron Hogans
In this transitional stage in life, from primary education to careers in fields of work, young men at Hampton University choose casual loafers as their shoe of business and pleasure.
Tristan Lewis offers his view in the Harvey Library; video courtesy of Deron Hogans via Youtube
Tristan Lewis, a senior and chair of the Student Government Association’s Men’s Caucus, wears loafers most of the time.
“They [casual loafers] allow me to be ready for any occasion as a student of business, and in today’s job market you have to be prepared for anything,” he said. “You may get invited to dinner on a Friday afternoon on your way from the office, and it’s good to already have a hold on your appearance, especially your footwear.”
A close friend of Lewis’, Evan Nave, a senior with a major in broadcast journalism, says that he only owns one pair of sneakers, but he keeps a shoe rack full of casual loafers.
“I don’t really have a use for them [sneakers] anymore,” he said. “I feel like I’ve outgrown them in many ways, and grown women don’t like men that wear what boys wear.”
That sentiment is shared amongst upperclassmen males, but some of the younger male students beg to differ. Timothy Carver, a freshman who doesn’t call himself a sneaker enthusiast but is in favor of them over casual dress shoes, feels that sneakers are more of an art form than a type of shoe.
“I like expressing myself through the kicks that I wear,” he said. “Anybody can go buy some Sperry’s, but most of them are bland and boring and I like to do something different.”
The split feelings about footwear aren’t only found amongst the male students but also their female counterparts. Some girls agree with Nave, saying the loafers are the shoe of a young man and represent maturity.
“Loafers are very becoming of guys, you know,” said Shante Stewart, a junior with a major in broadcast journalism. “I think that here at Hampton University, since this is a professional setting, it’s good for the boys to start learning how to be men in every facet, especially fashion.”
Other female students side along with Carver, saying that a guy who knows how to wear a nice pair of sneakers stands out and is more likely to catch their attention. But through all of the opinion, it is clear that loafers are an easy way for young men to venture into the world of business attire.
Students in the School of Business dress in business casual attire for most of their careers at Hampton University, and the shoe of choice for many of the male students is the casual loafer.
Akil King, a second year student in the 5 year Master’s in Business Association program, says that the casual loafer is a convenience for him. “Man, when I’m getting out of class and have a meeting on the other side of campus at the same time, I can run in casual loafers. Dress shoes don’t allow me to do that,” he said.
Students at Hampton University can be seen wearing casual loafers at any occasion on campus from the classroom to meetings, and even at parties and social events. Dr. Opel Jones and Sharieff De’Johnette, assistant professor, refer to the loafer as an “example of the versatility needed in a professional’s closet” during sessions in their University 101 classes, and it looks like their students were listening.
Tristan Lewis offers his view in the Harvey Library; video courtesy of Deron Hogans via Youtube
Tristan Lewis, a senior and chair of the Student Government Association’s Men’s Caucus, wears loafers most of the time.
“They [casual loafers] allow me to be ready for any occasion as a student of business, and in today’s job market you have to be prepared for anything,” he said. “You may get invited to dinner on a Friday afternoon on your way from the office, and it’s good to already have a hold on your appearance, especially your footwear.”
A close friend of Lewis’, Evan Nave, a senior with a major in broadcast journalism, says that he only owns one pair of sneakers, but he keeps a shoe rack full of casual loafers.
“I don’t really have a use for them [sneakers] anymore,” he said. “I feel like I’ve outgrown them in many ways, and grown women don’t like men that wear what boys wear.”
That sentiment is shared amongst upperclassmen males, but some of the younger male students beg to differ. Timothy Carver, a freshman who doesn’t call himself a sneaker enthusiast but is in favor of them over casual dress shoes, feels that sneakers are more of an art form than a type of shoe.
“I like expressing myself through the kicks that I wear,” he said. “Anybody can go buy some Sperry’s, but most of them are bland and boring and I like to do something different.”
The split feelings about footwear aren’t only found amongst the male students but also their female counterparts. Some girls agree with Nave, saying the loafers are the shoe of a young man and represent maturity.
“Loafers are very becoming of guys, you know,” said Shante Stewart, a junior with a major in broadcast journalism. “I think that here at Hampton University, since this is a professional setting, it’s good for the boys to start learning how to be men in every facet, especially fashion.”
Other female students side along with Carver, saying that a guy who knows how to wear a nice pair of sneakers stands out and is more likely to catch their attention. But through all of the opinion, it is clear that loafers are an easy way for young men to venture into the world of business attire.
Students in the School of Business dress in business casual attire for most of their careers at Hampton University, and the shoe of choice for many of the male students is the casual loafer.
Akil King, a second year student in the 5 year Master’s in Business Association program, says that the casual loafer is a convenience for him. “Man, when I’m getting out of class and have a meeting on the other side of campus at the same time, I can run in casual loafers. Dress shoes don’t allow me to do that,” he said.
Students at Hampton University can be seen wearing casual loafers at any occasion on campus from the classroom to meetings, and even at parties and social events. Dr. Opel Jones and Sharieff De’Johnette, assistant professor, refer to the loafer as an “example of the versatility needed in a professional’s closet” during sessions in their University 101 classes, and it looks like their students were listening.
