Clara Penny Loafer Tobacco Calf

beautifully made but break-in period is rough!

First off let me reiterate that these are beautiful shoes, beautifully made. I got them in Tobacco calf and the colour is a warm, rich brown, and they are classic looking and extremely versatile. If you are considering ordering online or without trying on, recommend reaching out to Grant Stone to help get the sizing right. I knew these were going to be a little tricky for me because I have a high instep. I sized up slightly on advice from the GS folks, and the length is just right. As I anticipated, they are still tight around the instep. They were so tight when I first received them I could barely get my foot in! This isn’t outside of the range of normal for this style of shoe, but you have to be willing to commit. I am not sure how you could possibly try these and then decide to return them if they didn’t work, as they start molding to your foot and looking worn after about twenty minutes of wear. I took them to a reputable cobbler to stretch width-wise which has really helped and am able to wear them comfortably for longer periods of time - but even weeks after receiving them don’t feel as if they’re broken all the way in! So I’d advise that you try before you buy, if you can, and if not, be prepared to commit to the breakin period. They are beautiful and will last a lifetime.

Sharp, comfortable and classic

These are the best loafers I've ever owned (and I've tried many brands over the years). They are supportive without feeling stiff. The leather is molding to my foot and I could tell a difference within 2 wears. I even wore them without socks once (I forgot a pair and had no choice) – and didn't get blisters. The color is nice because it pairs with navy, black, brown, jeans...I'll be switching between these and my Nora boots all autumn & winter, into spring for sure.

Disappointed

The shoes had good craftsmanship. However the purchase experience is bad. 1. The shoes are stiff and narrow 2. The return policy requires to return shoes in new condition. It makes impossible to try shoes out. 3. After trying out the shoes, I realized they were narrow and stiff. I basically could not ware them. Unfortunately, I also could not return the shoes due to the “not new” condition. I highly suggest that Grant Stone adds options of different widths to women shoes. Consider to give constructive advice on trying shoes for fitness while still possible to return the pair if they don’t fit.