Loafers are a type of shoes whose origin goes back to the footwear worn by the aboriginal Americans, although they have little to do with the current moccasin shoes with those worn by the American Indians, in both cases it is a footwear manufactured by a manufacturing technique called kiowa.

Obviously, the differences between the current moccasin shoes and those worn by the Indians are many, since the latter used a type of shoe without a sole and untanned leathers. But the current loafers retain several details in common, such as the kiowa construction technique and the seam that runs along the front of the instep.

Contrary to what many people think, the first moccasins (shoes popularly known as "Castellanos shoes") as we know them today are not a Spanish invention.

Castellano Shoes [Origin and history]

The first moccasins with the shapes and designs that we know today were born in the United States, it was a pair of shoes made with tough tanned leather and greased to withstand the inclemency of time and double leather soles, which made them very resistant. These first models got a quick acceptance among the male audience thanks to their comfort, since it was a shoe very easy to wear, being shoes without laces. These first models stood out for the characteristic seams that have in both sides of the instep, and that keep certain similarity with a roll of meat, something that caused that colloquially they began to denominate beef roll loafers.

The popularity reached by the United States this type of shoes in the first decades of the 20th century is still slow to reach Spain, and it was done by Fernando Castellano, who in 1942 opened a store in Madrid at Hermosilla street, in this small workshop made boots and shoes. But it was not until the arrival of the 60s, when the second generation of the Castellano family, with Lorenzo, Gloria and Fernando at the head of the workshop gave shape to the moccasins that we know today as Castellanos shoes. Soon many of the men from Madrid wanted one of these moccasins, among these clients they began to be known as "the shoes of Castellano", since this was the surname of the family that ran the workshop where they were manufactured.

At that time, the moccasins were custom-made and made to order, completely handmade, so you had to wait up to three months to get a pair of shoes, even so the comfort, aesthetics and exclusivity that this shoe provided, made the workshop where the shoes were made Castellano counted on a loyal customers that demanded more and more colors and models.

At the beginning of the 70s, the Castellano shoes workshop became very famous among young people from Madrid thanks to its foal moccasins with fringes and tassels. From then on, the house began to gain prestige at the national level, especially among people who were looking for a product of quality and craftsmanship, and it was between the 70s and the 80s when the term Castellanos was finally coined to refer to the moccasins manufactured by the small workshop on Hermosilla Strees of Madrid.

The success was such that of the first Castellanos shoes for men, who went on to design loafers models for women, with more feminine lasts, but retaining the same essence of unique shoes and craftsmen. Due to the scarce production that the aforementioned workshop could produce and the high demand for shoes, from the mid-80s new brands began to appear that reproduced with better or worse success this type of moccasin shoes. This led to specialized workshops in the manufacture of this type of footwear, especially in the town of Fuensalida (Toledo), where today the best loafers inherited from the first Castellanos shoes are made.

Many of the brands that emerged in those years are still in the market, a good example of which are the famous LG-Lorenzo Márquez and Gloria Castellano, Castellano año 1920, Edward's Shoes and Martinelli among others, together with international brands such as Sebago that count within its catalog with moccasin shoes models. In addition to many other brands that are not as recognized have loafers and shoes with a design and quality comparable to the small workshop of the Castellano family that is still open to the public.

This is how the American loafers beefrool we have gone to the Castellanos shoes, I conclude that today is the most used to refer to this type of shoes. However, although the variations are very small, there are different types of Castellanos loafers, one of the most important details and perhaps the least obvious is the way in which the seam of the instep is made (called a bead), it is sewn It basically divides into two types, the loafers with sewn wedge (much more elaborate and with a more elegant finish) and the loafers that have the crest stitched bead (also called American stitching) that stands out much more on the shovel of the shoe, providing an air more informal.

Many of the most well-known brands use sewn-in stitching as a symbol of distinction and exclusivity, since it is a seam that can only be made by hand and requires great experience and expertise on the part of the craftsman, a good example of this type we find it in the Edward's Premium Castellanos shoes.

But the most usual thing is to find Castellanos shoes with the American stitching, since it is a much cheaper way of manufacturing, which does not diminish the final quality of the shoes, a good example of Castellano style shoes made with this type of bead is Martinelli loafers.

In CalzadosRosi.com we have our own brand of Rosi desde 1982 zapatos Artesanos Castellanos, which combines all the know-how of shoemakers with our experience, to get a cheap footwear of excellent quality.

Castellanos shoes [A shoe for men and women]

There is no doubt that moccasins are shoes that have always been recognized as men's shoes, but there are many women who enjoy this style of footwear, as well as the comfort that flat shoes provide, they are perfect to wear with pants looks.

Although in essence there are hardly any differences between the Castellanos shoes for men and the Castellanos women's shoes, the lasts have subtle changes, being slightly more stylized and feminine those designed with the woman's foot in mind. As for the colors, there is more unanimity between men and women, although the variety of tonalities in which the Castellanos style shoes are made is quite large (green, blue, black, burgundy, brown ...) the colors most sold in this type of loafers are black and burgundy, either in the female or male versions. And it is not difficult to find many people who choose to buy castellanos shoes in both black and burgundy. As a third option, although with a lot of distance, the loafers would be brown.

This is due in large part to the fact that people who regularly wear this type of footwear, are loyal supporters to enjoy them throughout the year and with any type of clothing. In the case of men, it is even customary to wear it with a suit or as shoes to wear with office looks.

About the different models and adornments that exist when we talk about the mochaine heirs of the Castellanos brand, there is not as much unanimity as it happens with the colors, since in the choice the personal taste of the client or client varies a lot. Among all the usual ornaments in this type of loafers, in CalzadosRosi.com we have a wide representation that ranges from the traditional model of mask, through tassels loafers, castellanos shoes with fringes (especially in the versions for women), with metallic ornaments or those that combine the tassels with the lateral passes.

Although it is true that the first place of sales is always occupied by the classic castellanos mask shoes, whether for men or women, it is always the first choice of those who are looking for Spanish-style loafers. The second place in the ranking is occupied by the tasselled Castellanos shoes, and as with the mask model, both women and men alike. Finally there are models with fringes or metal ornaments, which also have followers, but in much smaller amounts than any of the other models (tassels and mask)

As a picture is worth more than a thousand words, here is a review of the most representative models of loafers and shoes from castellanos that we have in our online store:

Castellanos shoes with mask [For men]

The most common model, available in a wide variety of lasts and different types of soles. From the most usual leather sole, to the increasingly popular castellanos shoes with rubber soles.

Castellanos loafers with mask [For women]

As happens with the male model, is the model that has more acceptance, with the most stylized form and a very feminine crest, the black and burgundy versions are undoubtedly the best seller of the castellanos women's shoes.

Castellanos shoes with tassels [Premium and economic version]

Among the different models that we have tassels loafers for men, we want to highlight the Castellanos shoes with tassels Edward's Premium with entrecarne sewing, without a doubt a jewel for lovers of this type of footwear, with a finish and quality of first level.

But if what you are looking for the moccasins for the "battle" of everyday, our first recommendation is these castellanos tassel shoes with rubber soles, we have developed a last with extra width so that comfort is maximum, also thanks to the rubber sole, flexibility is guaranteed.

And for the feminine versions of tassel loafers, we propose a model that combines tassels with fringes that look spectacular and enhance any look with pants.

We are sure that from now on, every time you try on some loafers you will remember the history of this type of footwear so unique. And if you think buying Castellanos shoes do not forget to take a look at our online shoe store.