The footwear we know as moccasin came down to us in its many variations of a simple shoe design method that was shared by Native Americans. The moccasin in all its styles really refers to how the shoe is made.
All loafers share the fact that they are made from a single piece of leather so that the sole runs down the sides of the shoe and is then sewn without a separate heel. The word moccasin originates from an Algonquin word for “shoes.” Back then, each tribe had its own word for shoes, so moccasin is actually a European interpretation of the original Algonquian word “maskisina.” Since each of the different European groups that encountered the Algonquin heard it slightly differently, there are at least five spellings for moccasin (moccasin, moccasin, moccasin, moccasin, and moccasin).
Although the method of making Native American footwear was practically the same in all tribes, it is a misconception that this resulted in all loafers looking the same. Some groups added fringes, on some the sides were taller, more like a boot, and each tribe had such a distinctive rendition on the shoe that they could tell which tribe a person belonged to due to their unique style.
And just as it was then, it is also true today that there are so many different styles of loafers. Some loafers are sold as house slippers. These are almost always soft soled that are not designed for outdoor use and often come with a sheepskin or fleece interior to keep your feet warm – a great feature on cold floors!
Outdoor loafers come in both soft and hard soles. One important thing to think about is whether a soft or hard sole is appropriate for your needs. Soft-soled outdoor loafers (for example, no slippers) can be worn for quick trips to the market or a friend’s house, but hard-soled loafers are preferable in more formal settings and places like hospitals, restaurants, or bars. There has been at least one instance of a person being denied service at a bar due to soft-soled loafers, so be careful where you decide to wear your soft-soled moccasin.
Some are very traditional and resemble the original native footwear and others are much more formal (moccasins or boat shoes). There are loafers that look like booties and others that go up to the knee.
Loafers are very easy to find online from well-known moccasin companies, such as the Minnetonka Moccasin Company, but even companies that are not known for moccasins now sell them (for example, J. Crew). There are also very small boutique companies founded by Native Americans that make loafers with a modern twist. Some very stylish loafers handcrafted following ancient traditions can be found at The Indian Village Mall, Moccasin Shop (look for the Navajo, Taos and Pueblo loafers). Their loafers come in a variety of vibrant colors, shapes, and styles. They offer ankle boots, low-cut slip-ons, knee-high boots, and even a “sandal” loafers.
