Soft Penny Loafer Tan — Common Projects
Our Soft Penny Loafer in tan represents Italian shoemaking at its most refined. Crafted from premium nubuck leather in our Marche workshops, each pair balances the traditional penny loafer silhouette with our minimalist design language.
We source our nubuck from one of Italy’s oldest tanneries, selected for its ability to age gracefully without losing structural integrity. The buffed finish gives the leather a soft hand feel that stands apart from the glossier treatments you’ll find on traditional penny loafers.
Sizing & fit notes
The common projects soft penny loafer follows our house last, which runs true to size for most wearers. If you own our Achilles or Chelsea boot, start with that same EU size. For those new to the brand, we recommend consulting our conversion chart — many US customers find they need one half-size down from their usual athletic shoe size.
Width considerations
The loafer’s unstructured toe box allows for natural toe splay, making it suitable for medium to slightly wider feet. The nubuck will stretch moderately across the instep during the first week of wear. If you’re between sizes, we suggest sizing down for a snugger initial fit that will relax to perfection.
Care & maintenance
Nubuck requires different care than smooth leather. We recommend a soft-bristle brush to lift dirt and restore nap after each wear. For deeper cleaning, use a nubuck-specific cleaner applied with a damp cloth — avoid soaking the leather, as water can darken the tan permanently.
Store the loafers with cedar shoe trees to maintain shape and absorb moisture. The Margom sole will develop a natural patina with wear; if you prefer a pristine look, a white rubber eraser can remove scuff marks from the sole edge. Avoid silicone-based protectants, which can alter the nubuck’s texture.
Construction & materials
More loafers from Common Projects
Customer reviews
Questions about the Soft Penny Loafer
The Soft Penny Loafer follows our house last and fits true to size for most customers. If you already own Common Projects sneakers or boots, order the same EU size. For those coming from traditional dress shoes, consult our size conversion chart — many find they need one half-size down from US athletic sizing. The unstructured toe box offers more room than a rigid leather loafer.
While the nubuck is treated for light moisture resistance, we don’t recommend prolonged exposure to rain or snow. Water can darken the tan leather permanently and compromise the Margom sole’s grip. For wet conditions, consider applying a nubuck-specific protectant spray before first wear and allow the shoes to air-dry naturally if they do get wet.
The Soft Penny Loafer uses nubuck leather with a buffed finish, giving it a more casual texture and faster break-in compared to our smooth leather penny loafer. Both share the same Italian construction and Margom sole, but the nubuck version offers a relaxed aesthetic that pairs better with denim and chinos.
Use a soft-bristle suede brush to gently lift the nap and blend minor scuffs. For stubborn marks, a nubuck eraser or cleaner applied with a damp cloth works well — test on an inconspicuous area first. Avoid traditional leather conditioners, which can darken nubuck and flatten its texture. Regular brushing after each wear prevents dirt buildup.
The warm tan tone is versatile across seasons. In spring and summer it pairs beautifully with lightweight linen and cotton in cream or white. During fall and winter it complements heavier fabrics like flannel and corduroy in navy, olive, and charcoal. The neutral shade avoids the formality of black while remaining sophisticated.
Yes, nubuck naturally stretches with wear, particularly across the instep and ball of the foot. Expect about a quarter-size of give during the first two weeks. This is why we recommend sizing down if you’re between sizes — a snug initial fit will relax to a perfect contour. The vegetable-tanned leather lining also molds to your foot shape.
The Soft Penny Loafer occupies the smart-casual to business-casual space. For traditional business formal environments that require closed-lace oxfords, our Derby Shoes in black offer a more appropriate alternative. However, in modern workplaces with relaxed dress codes, the tan loafer works well with tailored trousers and blazers.