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It seems like I’ve always loved the penny loafer.

Everyone else wore saddle shoes, but there was something special about the slip ons. And even at 7 years old, I knew I had to have a pair. Every year I got one pair of school shoes, so I begged and pleaded for months until my mother finally relented.

It was true love.

My first pair was gray suede and instead of pennies, I slid dimes into the slot. (I thought the silver looked better with the gray.)

I remember that my Grandma Lillie disapproved of them, saying (in Yiddish, of course) that the easy on-and-off of the slip-on would make me lazy and forget how to tie my shoes.

She insisted they were called loafers for a reason.

And this season, the reliable old penny loafer has taken a high fashion turn. In the hands of luxury designers like Christian Louboutin, Yves Saint Laurent, Cole Haan, JP Tod’s and Nine West, the preppy style has evolved into something that acknowledges its origins but is a whole different animal — saucy shoes with stiletto heels, peek-a-boo toes and newest colors of the season. Sure, they make our heart race, but designer price tags may prevent them from ending up in our closets.

You have to wonder what took designers so long. Called Weejuns, the penny loafer was first manufactured for men in the mid 1930’s by the G. H. Bass shoe company. The name Weejuns was intended to sound Norwegian because Norwegian farmers wore slip-on shoes around the areas where the dairy cows gathered while waiting to be milked. They called those areas “cattle loafing areas.”

The easy-to-wear style may have started out life as a men’s shoe, but over the years have become an important part of wardrobes for both sexes as well as adults and children without losing its fashion sense.

This is the season for the shoes to be called sexy and to trade-up from the same old, same old to a brand new look for your slip-ons.

If you’re a traditionalist, Bass has preserved the look and feel of the Weejun in the Katherine II for women and the Logan for men (both $79.99, but often on sale for a significant discount at the Bass outlet store). The unlined leather shoe comes in Burgundy (pictured), tan or black. A fully closed shoe is not for you? The original penny front is available as a slide ($74.99) in the same colors as the slip on.

Taking a tiny step away from the standard loafer, Cole Haan celebrates its 80th birthday this year with a whole wardrobe of loafers and tokens. The loafers are made for men, women, infants and toddlers. The slip-ons for infants and toddlers come in black patent, red and brown suede and black leather ($48). Designer Anna Sheffield has teamed up with the company to design a limited edition collection of decorated tokens for the slots of the women’s shoes. Daytime tokens ($45) have a bronze finish and the ones for evening ($65) have a shiny silver finish adorned with Swarvski crystals. Even if you don’t buy new shoes, these lucky charms will give the shoes in your closet a new look.

If you just like the tokens, Sheffield has put her designs on earrings, bracelets and necklaces.

But it’s the typical flat loafer style ($195) in sassy new colors (bright red, spruce, black, brown, Moroccan blue and dark purple patent leather) that captured my heart. They have the old fashioned style and craftsmanship with the upgrading of shiny, high fashion colors. They’ll bring a little haute zip to even straightforward styles.

Michael Kors has created a more delicate loafer flat ($195) in red or black patent leather available at Saks Fifth Avenue. The patent-covered, flat heel caught my eye as well as the shorter vamp. The design gives it a feeling of the ballet flat, but still keeps the preppy look intact.

JP Tod’s has always been known for its driver moccasins, and this season, their high heel loafers still have the rubber tips on the heels to protect the leather from scuffing when driving. The brown leather high heel with black tongue and black patent leather slots ($545 at Saks Fifth Avenue) are stylish and ready to go to business meetings. Also available are black or taupe patent heels ($525) with silver slots. If your ankles aren’t up to the high heel, get the blue patent ($425) driver to stay true to the original design.

Cole Haan gives a wink and a nod to the classic design with its high heels ($275), which come in boring old black and brown as well as burnt orange and a dark purple patent leather. The shoes have the comfort of the Nike construction: The soles are a ridged rubber and are made for walking even with the high heel.

Nine West ($99) has designed a four-inch, wooden heel with a flexible rubber sole and small platform in dark purple with the original loafer front. The shoe will also be available in black suede, dark grey, black and dark red leather in October. All styles can be ordered at the Coastland Center store.

If you want a shorter vamp on a thin platform go to www.ysl.com for the blue stiletto ($770). This pair walks the fine line between old fashioned and high fashion.

And for the sex kitten in every girl, Christian Louboutin has designed a patent leather, open-toe stiletto ($835) in Peniche 120 (a dark plum color) with a five-inch heel, leather lining and his signature red sole (pictured), also available through Saks Fifth Avenue. Made in Italy, the high heel and peep toe adds a naughty edge to the original four-by-four styling. This shoe is also available in black patent leather.

Sure, I’ll probably get a new pair, one that updates the look with bright colors or interesting details. But I can’t part with my beat-up, Burgundy colored Bass shoes. These comfortable shoes have been with me for more than 25 years. The look suits me and fits my casual wardrobe of skirts and jeans. I enjoy wearing my loafers with and without socks and always feel relaxed in them. They’re like an old friend who knows my moods and doesn’t argue with me. They just let me be me and give me the ease and comfort I crave.

Where to shop:

Cole Haan, Waterside Shops, 5435 U.S. 41 N., Naples, 591-0018

G.H. Bass Store, Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero, 498-7330

Nine West, Coastland Center,1866 U.S. 41 N., Naples, 261-3380 and Coconut Point, 23191 Fashion Drive, Estero, 390-0859

Saks Fifth Avenue, Waterside Shops, 5395 U.S. 41 N., Naples, 592-5900

www.ysl.com