"Septième Largeur believes in taking the time to make fine shoes. For 14 years, the Maison's ambition has been to make high-end men's footwear accessible to as many people as possible." Such is, verbatim, the opening sentence of the Parisian shoemaker's Manifesto.
Does this aspiration sound familiar? It is only natural, echoing as it does our own commitment in menswear. At Hast, dedicated since 2012 to creating an exceptional, fair and honest wardrobe, Septième Largeur's values resonated imtely; as did the prospect of working together.
In today's post, we take immense pride in introducing a remarkable trio of loafers, born from a collaboration between two French brands united by shared values.
Maison Septième Largeur
A family-run business founded in 2009, Septième Largeur is a French Maison dedicated to fine shoemaking. Deeply attached to heritage and traditional craftsmanship, it creates high-end footwear in strict accordance with artisanal methods.
Mindful of and deeply attuned to the passage of time, it designs, develops and crafts iconic models meant to develop the most handsome of patinas.
Mathieu Preiss, the brand's founder, strives to make fine footwear accessible by building on the formula behind its success: classic inspirations, premium raw materials, and uncompromising standards at every stage of production.
Hast x Septième Largeur loafers
With fine footwear being to Septième Largeur what the shirt is to Hast, we naturally turned to Mathieu and his teams to develop a trio of loafers for our Spring-Summer 2024 collection.
Designs conceived together, developed in Spain from carefully selected leathers and entrusted to the expertise of our artisans. An exclusive collaboration that reads like a tribute to elegance and the shoemaker's art. Without further ado, here are the three pieces to discover in our shops and on our website.
Two exclusive two-tone pairs celebrating the union of two crafts.
One features Bergeronnette box calf from Tannerie du Puy, a tannery awarded the EPV (Living Heritage Company) label, and the other is crafted from an elegant British racing green leather.
On the two-tone models, the apron features a 100% cotton canvas echoing Hast's collections and craftsmanship. The leathers are full-grain calfskins flat-dyed by hand. This manual dyeing imparts a unique shade that will evolve over time with rich highlights and a natural patina. It also offers the advantage of being hard-wearing while remaining dressy, notably allowing for a "glacé" shine.
A black grained leather model, crafted on a Dainite sole.
A pair of loafers crafted on a hard-wearing Dainite rubber sole. An elegant style for everyday wear, built on soles traditionally reserved for luxury shoemaking. Made in England by The Harboro Rubber Company, they have stood out since 1894 for maximum insulation, all-weather grip, outstanding durability and complete waterproofness.
The model is crafted from sleek, understated black grained calfskin. The twin-needle pinch-stitching on the apron is entirely done by hand—a technical gesture still executed purely with artisanal strength. Increasingly rare today, this method is the result of traditional craftsmanship. It lends character, subtle irregularity, and distinctive personality to each individual shoe.
Each shoe is the result of a meticulous process, carried out with a steadfast commitment to quality and authenticity.
Goodyear welted construction
This construction method is chosen because it is one of the most versatile, being durable, elegant and easy to care for. It is a welted construction executed mechanically, using the Goodyear machine named after its inventor.
This construction consists of two separate seams: the Goodyear welt stitch on the inside, which remains unseen; and the rapid stitch visible on the outside of the shoe. These two seams are joined by a leather strip called the welt. It is the cornerstone of this construction. In addition to ensuring greater water resistance and durability, it allows for resoling, and therefore a far longer lifespan.
All 3 pairs of loafers are Goodyear welted.
Twin-needle pinch-stitched apron
On its black grained leather version, the loafer boasts a twin-needle hand-stitched apron. This traditional technique, still performed purely by hand, makes these shoes a true feat of craftsmanship. Such methods are increasingly rare, and we are proud to offer them today. From the charm and character of subtle irregularities, each shoe reveals its own unique personality.
The choice of sole
The two two-tone versions naturally feature a 100% leather sole, with an open channel for refined elegance. It lends these penny loafers greater flexibility with wear, which can be paired with a rubber topy and a flush-mounted metal toe plate for enhanced longevity. The heel features a natural rubber corner piece for added cushioning and grip. 
On its grained version, we opted for a 100% natural rubber sole from the Dainite manufacture. Renowned for its exceptional robustness, it combines waterproofness, comfort and easy care, while preserving the loafer's elegance. Note the detailed tread of the famous English sole, designed so that gravel and debris cannot get trapped.
Wearing the Hast x Septième Largeur loafers
Elegant and beautifully proportioned, the loafer is unquestionably the most versatile dress shoe there is. Low-cut and supple, it is instantly recognisable by its short vamp and, above all, its decorative penny strap. Spanning the upper, ours features a harmonious design with a gentle bracket shape and a teardrop cutout at its centre.
Popularised by American Ivy League students in the 1950s, the penny loafer has retained its enduring appeal ever since, firmly establishing itself as the most attractive and irreverent slip-on shoe.
Just as sharp with a formal suit as they are with jeans or chinos, these loafers won us over with their impressive versatility and effortless poise.
The quintessential Hast x Septième Largeur shoes, and a wonderful way to accompany our wardrobe pieces.
Effortless to slip on, wear and take off: the loafer established its reputation by combining the elegance of a dress shoe with the comfort of a slipper. It was precisely this ease that won over students on prestigious American campuses, turning it into a cornerstone of the preppy wardrobe.
Several decades on, their versatility remains unmatched, allowing you to wear your Hast x Septième Largeur loafers across virtually any setting. Naturally, they will punctuate your formal outfits with flair. Two-piece suits, three-piece suits or even dinner jackets: they will effortlessly bring character and panache to every ensemble.
Unlike most dress shoes, loafers take just as well to more casual outfits. Pairing them with jeans, chinos and shorts works wonders, and you can explore their full potential through bold, creative styling.
With their vintage inspiration, our two two-tone styles might seem daring at first glance. Yet, you will find from the very first wear that an extraordinary ease lies behind their distinctive look. They effortlessly elevate simpler outfits and add a touch of character to your everyday staples.
Meanwhile, our black grained leather loafers will appeal to lovers of understated elegance with their sober charm and distinctive texture. Designed for men of taste seeking refined simplicity for everyday wear.
Caring for your Hast x Septième Largeur loafers
At Septième Largeur as at Hast, durability and the passage of time are integral parts of the design process. We value pieces that improve with age, and take great care to design shoes and garments that grow handsomer day after day.
The choice of raw materials, the selection of craftsmanship and the precision of the construction naturally contribute to this ambition, but proper care and maintenance are just as essential. We therefore recommend taking good care of your loafers if you plan to keep them for a lifetime.
To do so, the three golden rules to follow are: clean, nourish, protect.
If you have shoe trees (strongly recommended), please keep them in the shoes to retain their shape during care. The first step involves a horsehair cleaning brush. Using your brush, buff briskly without pressing too hard to remove any surface dirt.
For the second step, apply a small dab of leather balm or neutral cream to a cloth. Work it gently into the leather using small circular motions without applying pressure. Let it dry for a few minutes. Finally, finish with a waterproofing spray.
As for the two-tone loafers, the canvas sections tend to collect dust more easily. We recommend cleaning them regularly to preserve their original appearance. Do not apply cream or polish. Simply use a toothbrush dampened with water and scrub gently. It is also advisable to regularly apply an all-material waterproofer to protect the canvas against stains and prevent water penetration.
Find all our advice and our size guide on the dedicated page.
If you treat your shoes to this monthly ritual, you can be sure they will last for decades and look finer with every step.
