GH BASS CELEBRATES 150 YEARS OF THE PENNY LOAFER

Summary:

• GH Bass marks a century and a half of shoemaking in 2026.
• The Weejuns penny loafer reaches ninety years of production.
• The FW26 collection brings back archival shapes with fresh details.

George Henry Bass started making shoes for woodsmen and workers in Wilton, Maine during 1876. You recognize the brand today for popularizing the penny loafer. The company reaches a century and a half of continuous operation in 2026. The Weejuns model hits ninety years of production at the same time.

The brand based the 1936 Weejuns design on traditional Norwegian farm shoes. Students later placed coins inside the front saddle strap slits. This spontaneous habit gave birth to the penny loafer name. Generations of wearers adopted the silhouette. You spot these shoes on jazz musicians in the 1950s and on Michael Jackson in the 1983 Thriller music video.

Michael Jackson/Thriller video clip

The FW26 anniversary collection highlights archival designs. The Larson Anniversary Weejuns arrive in black and wine polished leather. A three-color pebbled leather version mixes wine, navy, and white. Designers added a gold anniversary coin inside the saddle strap. Hand-stitched seams and a flexible leather sole complete the construction.

The collection includes the Ranger Moc and Camp Moc for your outdoor needs. These models feature black and brown pull-up leather. The Ranger Moc combines hand-sewn details with a heavy rubber lug sole for traction. The Camp Moc uses a thinner textured rubber sole.

Shoppers receive a new silver-finished brass anniversary coin with these releases. The coin features historical brand logos from 1973 and the 1960s. You also find canvas tote bags and brass shoehorns in the accessory lineup. The anniversary collection is available online right now.