 I bought this pair of cork loafers last June during my stay in the city of Porto. It was not the first time I visited Portugal and I remember that in Lisbon in 2018 I had already bought some objects made with this material. They were objects such as card holders and bookmarks but there was a wide choice of wallets, diaries and other similar things. This type of material, applied to accessories, immediately struck me both for its originality but also for its color and it goes without saying that touching these objects gives a very nice sensation, equally if not better than leather. What I saw in Porto in a shop specialized in cork objects surprised me greatly because I did not think that the material could be used to make a very sturdy object and for which I have an incredible passion: loafers. This shop sold shoes and cork objects of all types but what surprised were the details. In addition to different models of shoes for both men and women, the loafers in particular were sold in three versions: with buckle, with lace and completely smooth. It must be said that the loafers were city ones, with a real sole and not like the “gommino”, which remains my favorite model. However, even if they were City, the completely smooth model immediately caught my attention and even if with a little doubt. I returned to the shop the next day and after trying on the shoes I noticed that one size was too tight and the larger one was too wide. On the one hand, this was a defect but on the other it showed that the shoe was a unique and handmade model. Thanks to the help of the owner of the shop, the problem was solved by inserting an insole in the model that fit me the widest. This solution made the shoe even more comfortable as well as having a perfect fit. On the foot, the light color and the cork veins, rigorously all different, gave a unique effect and while I tried them on, looking at myself in the mirror, I was already thinking about which outfit to match them with. The shoes costed 80 euros, a decidedly honest price considering the particularity of the shoes. Even though I bought the shoes before the summer, I didn't have the chance to use them during this season. This is because there were formal parties or parties set on the beach. On both occasions these cork loafers were not suitable: in the first case because they were too sporty, in the second because I was afraid of ruining them. However, this month I managed to use them a couple of times and I must say that the impressions were super positive. Once worn, the shoe looks beautiful and the fact of being a city model is not perceived because the sole is very thin. The design slips off the foot when wearing it, thanks also to the color and the veining, it gives the sense of an important and elegant shoe rather than sporty. Comfort is the added value of this shoe that with the insole achieves an incredible comfort that I did not expect. I have not used them yet for long walks like five kilometers but from the first impressions I have understood that these Loafers will not disappoint me. I will try to use them more in this phase of the season and understand the real potential of the shoe and if it is also suitable for use with more elegant outfits. I don't know if I will return to Porto in the near future but surely if this happens, I will pass by the shop again with the mission of finding at least two more pairs of shoes made of cork, maybe even models that are not loafers. The shop is called "Joanna" and is located in Porto at number 52 Rua de 31 de Janeiro.       A.M.
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