Hello.
I am Mr. Linen.
I’ve just purchased a pair of John Lobb’s LOPEZ loafers — a model I’ve long admired.
They’re not brand new, but second-hand.
To be honest, brand-new John Lobb shoes are simply out of my reach financially.
So perhaps I don’t have the right to write a grand review, having not bought them new. But if you’re okay with that, I hope you’ll read on.
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What I Bought
The pair I picked up is a brown suede version of the LOPEZ with leather soles.
There are several variations out there — chunkier soles, unlined versions with a softer feel, and so on —but mine is the most classic style: standard leather sole with full lining.
This model is still available today and currently retails for ¥269 500 (as of May 2025).
Despite coming with the original box and dust bags, I was able to get them at a very reasonable price.
From what I’ve seen, second-hand LOPEZ loafers can range from around ¥70 000 for more worn pairs to about ¥150 000 for those in excellent condition.
The pair I bought has some light creasing on the uppers, but the insoles are very clean and the outsoles are in great shape.
I’m grateful to the seller.
What Makes LOPEZ So Special
Here are the (very personal) reasons I wanted a pair of LOPEZ.
First, I’m something of a clean freak and have a hard time with laced shoes.
When using public restrooms, I can’t stop thinking about how urine splashes might get on the laces.
That makes me reluctant to touch or wear lace-up shoes.
So I generally avoid them.
Also, my favorite style is denim paired with a tailored jacket.
In such outfits, I prefer leather shoes over sneakers — and loafers are the best option.
While monk straps are another possibility, loafers work better with denim in my view.
That’s why I’ve gradually been building a collection of loafers.
Up to now, my favorite pair has been the J.M. Weston Signature Loafer 180.
The shape is too rounded to wear with a suit, but it’s absolutely perfect with denim and a jacket or a shirt.
I’d heard that the LOPEZ offers a similar vibe to the J.M. Weston 180.
But the LOPEZ has a slimmer silhouette and a slightly dressier feel than Weston, making it more versatile — ideal not just for denim and tailored jackets,but also for more casual suits, like those in linen.
The J.M. Weston 180 can work with casual suits too, but it can come off a little too casual around the feet.
In short, while I still love the 180, I think the LOPEZ complements a wider range of styles.
It strikes the perfect balance between casual and elegant — the ultimate loafer.
But because of the price, I’d only admired them from afar — until now.
Finally, I got the chance to buy a pair.
Is the LOPEZ Better in Something Other Than Black Calf?
Currently, the LOPEZ is available in black calf, brown suede, brown museum calf (with a mottled finish), and navy calf.
In the past, it’s been released in a wide variety of leathers and colors — the lineup is vast.
The ones I’d been eyeing were either the brown suede (which I ended up buying), or a now-discontinued version in brown grain leather.
To me, the standard black calf version loses a bit of that signature casual feel that makes the LOPEZ so unique. It feels slightly too formal for casual wear.
I’d been waiting for either the brown suede or grain leather version to appear in good condition and in my size, at a price I could afford.
The suede came first — so I pulled the trigger.
I haven’t worn them with many outfits yet, but I can already imagine they’ll go with just about anything.
Sizing
The pair I bought is a UK 7.5 E width.
For reference, I wear :J.M. Weston 180: 7C, Alden: US 8D, Crockett & Jones: UK 7 or 7.5, Oriental (Japanese brand): UK 7.5.
Compared to my usual shoes, the LOPEZ in 7.5E feels just a touch loose.
The width is similar to the C width on the J.M. Weston,but the instep (arch height) feels slightly lower than the Weston.
So while it feels snug in terms of width and instep, the length feels just a bit long.
Since the LOPEZ is more elongated in shape than the J.M Weston, the toe box might have a bit more “empty space” up front.
Still, the fit is snug enough in width and instep that my feet don’t slide forward and create heel slippage.
That said, the shoes are barely worn and haven’t stretched much yet. If the width and instep give over time, my feet may start to slide forward — leading to a looser fit.
Sizing down to a 7 might make the fit too tight, especially with anything but thin socks.
So whether 7 or 7.5 is the “right” size, I honestly can’t say.
Buying second-hand means you can’t try multiple sizes, so it is what it is.
If you’re considering a pair and unsure about size, all I can say is the obvious: try them on before buying, if possible.
In Closing
People often praise this model for using the finest leather available within the Hermès group, and for being constructed from a single piece of leather with no unnecessary seams.
That may well be true — but to my untrained eye, I can’t find a solid reason why the LOPEZ is over ¥100 000 more expensive than J.M. Weston.
It’s probably the brand name that drives much of the price.
Still, as I mentioned earlier in the “What Makes LOPEZ So Special?” section, its versatility is truly outstanding.
This design — a perfect blend of elegance and subtle quirkiness — is something I haven’t seen in other loafers.
That’s all.
Thanks for reading.
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