Self-Proclaimed Loafer Obsessives Have These 14 Pairs On Their Fall List
Loafers are already my ideal shoe of choice, but they are an especially fitting choice come fall and winter. Effortlessly stylish, versatile, and incredibly practical, I firmly believe that this iconic footwear requires a place in your regular rotation.
Unsurprisingly, many of my colleagues feel as passionately as I do about these timeless shoes and have helped contribute to this very important selection of upcoming loafers that they either own or have been relentlessly pining after.
Shop our coveted findings ahead to pick the perfect option for you, whether your tastes veer into the platformed and chunky, the sleek penny, or a hybrid of sorts.
Vivaia
A cozy pair of Vivaia loafers that feel more like tennis shoes
My coworker said that she recently had the chance to see these Vivaia loafers in person and really liked them because, unlike your standard stiff leather loafer, these are made with a soft knit outersole and a padded, honeycomb cushion insole that feels like you're walking in tennis shoes. Inspired by the classic penny loafer silhouette, the Francesca has a chunky lugsole, a roomy round toe, and a design that can be dressed up or down. Find these loafers in tons of prints and colors, including plaid, solids, and two-tones.
$139 at Vivaia (regularly $169)
Dr. Martens
A chunky tasseled loafer by Doc Martens
The Dr. Martens Adrian loafers in a discontinued muted olive color are my first and most treasured pair of loafers in recent memory, and since then, I've continued to covet the same style in other shades, like this powder pink pair in nubuck suede. In my opinion, they are perfectly platformed and the right amount of chunky. And thanks to those signature Dr. Marten outsoles, I can confidently walk around in snow or rain without fear of getting my socks wet or slipping on pavement. After a short break-in time, they have proven to be slightly less stiff, comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time, and I love the super squishy Airwalk insoles.
If you want to be a little higher off the ground, the Adrians come in a slightly taller version and more neutral colors like black and brown . You can shop them in sizes for both men and women.
Pink: $100 at Dr. Martens (regularly $150)
Black or Burgundy: $130+ at Dr. Martens
Black: $136 at Zappos (regularly $160)
Free People
The most flexible and lightest weight loafers I've ever worn
For anyone who has ever sworn off loafers for the fear that they are too heavy, stiff or uncomfortable, you haven't had the pleasure of sliding your feet into these G.H. Bass Weejun woven-top loafers that feel practically weightless. The magic is in the lug sole that's actually made from a foamy material, so the shoe stays featherlight and the sole flexible. Pair that with the supple, soft pebbled leather, and you have something that feels very unlike a traditional loafer. Another design element that I really appreciate about these hybrid Mary Jane loafers is the insole, which has a very lifted and high-support arch. I have these in the off-white color, but you can find them in black or brown and in women's sizes 5-11, with half sizes included.
$80 at G.H. Bass (regularly $220)
Vionic
A sneaker-style "Uptown" loafer by Vionic
Previously according to my shopping team colleague and fellow loafer head, Lourdes Avila Uribe, her mother, Maria, adores this pair of hybrid sneaker loafers from Vionic, a shoe brand that's known for combining comfort and style. Maria calls the Uptown loafer "soft and comfortable," and said they can be worn without socks, plus, they are easy to travel with because they can collapse flat to easily fit inside your suitcase.
These bendable-sole loafers feature the brand's contoured arch-support footbed, with shock-absorbing cushioning and a deep heel cup for optimal stability. You can shop them in tons of soft-leather colors, two widths, and sizes 5-13, with half sizes included.
$99 at Vionic (regularly $145)
$99 at Zappos (regularly $145)
Coach Outlet
A discounted pair of designer loafers with a lug sole
Another thoughtful pick from Uribe: the Lucy loafers by Coach . "The brand is having a major moment and I really like the silhouette and price point," Uribe said of these clunky shoes that one reviewer called "very comfortable right from the start."
With no break-in time required, you can immediately traipse around town in these designer loafers, which currently come in this classic black matte leather. Shop them in women's sizes 5-11 (some sizes are sold out), with some half sizes included.
$149 at Coach Outlet (regularly $198)
Nordstrom
A T-strap loafer by Sam Edelman
I'm clearly a sucker for a Mary Jane meets loafer style shoe, and I have been fawning over this Sam Endleman pair of T-strap flats , which are currently up to 44% off. These leather shoes with an oversized adjustable buckle have a kind of 1950s academia feel to them and would look perfect with long skirts, jeans, and bobby socks. Although I'm partial to this taupe color in a suede material, there are tons of colors and material options to choose from, as well as women's sizes 5-12 (half sizes included).
Nordstrom
A very classic flat loafer
As much as my colleagues and I are big fans of a chunky loafer, I long for a flat, close-to-the-ground shoe that's softer-soled and ultra-wearable. The Whitneys seem to check all these boxes. I have the platform version of these very timeless penny loafers by G.H. Bass, so I'm curious about the Whitneys, a genuine leather shoe that promises to stretch and mold to your foot for the perfect, supportive fit. Find them in several colors and material types, from suede to patent leather, and women's sizes 5-11, with half sizes included.
Urban Outfitters
A pair of boat shoe-inspired lace-up loafers by Timberland
I was suprised, as you very well may be, to learn that these boat-inspired lace-up loafers were made by Timberland, a brand best known for its iconic work boots. I own this pair very of platforms in this featured root beer color and love how protective and durable they feel. I can even carelessly splash through puddles, and my feet manage to stay miraculously dry. They have a rugged, platform sole that's surprisingly comfortable despite the height, and an OrthoLite footbed that feels cushioned with every step. You can shop these in several colors and leather types — including that recognizable yellow wheat shade that Timberland boots are known for — and sizes for both men and women.
Nordstrom
A soft-sole moccasin loafer
Previously, according to Uribe, "these Spring Step loafers are incredibly similar to the Isabel Marant moccasin-style loafers I have been living in for several years and are unfortunately no longer available."
Perfect for the loafer lover who wants something that feels as close to slippers as possible, these soft leather shoes come with a removable and cushioned arch support and strips of a grippy rubber sole to prevent you from slipping or sliding. Shop the Spring Steps in up to eight colors and women's sizes 5-11, with some half sizes available.
Amazon
A Mary Jane loafer by Frank Sarto if you need a strap and buckle
HuffPost senior director of global workplace and security, Greta Geiselman, was a devout Bass penny loafer wearer in the '90s. She recently revealed that she tried on a pair of her friend's Franco Sarto loafers , an iconic and recognizable flat available in several colors and styles. Though Geiselman liked them, she needed something with a buckle and purchased this pair of Mary Janes , also from the Franco Sarto brand. If you're in need of similar shoe stylings, then you might appreciate these eternally classic flats with a sweet round toe, adjustable buckle, and a touch of a heel. Shop them in a few colors and women's sizes 5-11.
Amazon
A pair of loafer mules
I've been desperately hunting for a pair of loafer mules and I think I've finally settled on this very chic pair from Steve Madden, a shoe brand that has been an absolute favorite of mine since I was in high school. These slide-on flats have a roomy, rounded toe and, although I adore this calf hair cow print, I know it's not as wearable as some of their other offerings, which range from neutral suedes, patent leathers and even a faux sherpa-lined option. Shop them in women's sizes 5-11, half sizes included.
Nordstrom
A sleek pair of Tory Burch party loafers
"I am also a huge fan of Tory Burch shoes, and these loafers are as elegant as it gets. I love that the brown hue is on sale, making the price point significantly more accessible," Uribe said of these sleek loafers available in several prints and colors, including this fun, shiny and metallic pair.
The brand promises that they look just as good as they feel because they feature " a delicate Double T and a cushioned footbed" and a lug sole made from an EVA foam, so they are lightweight, despite their sturdy appearance. Find them in women's sizes 5-12, with half sizes available.
Zappos
A shiny pair of penny loafers
Uribe said she's been "itching for a more structured, traditional loafer with a chunky platform to give it an edge." Uribe said she's intrigued by a now-discontinued Zara pair that executive director at Eyeswoon , Sacha Strebe , recommended to her recently .
Since the above-mentioned loafers from Zara — a shiny, oxblood pair of chunky penny loafers — are no longer available, I found these on-sale doppelgangers by Clarks . These smooth and high-shine loafers have a classic high vamp, a thick platform lug sole, and a mock strap that looks as if you could slide a penny into. True to Clarks' reputation for comfortable footwear, these loafers have a contoured cushioned footbed with soft padding at key stress points. They come in women's sizes 6-10, half sizes included, and in case you don't like this burgundy color, they also come in black patent leather.
Dr. Martens
Ruched square-toed loafers by Dr. Martens
Uribe said she's very close to making the purchasing plunge with this cool pair by Dr. Martens that has a ruched detailing, a square toe and an angular heel — it's a style design that Uribe calls "timeless schoolgirl." Made from a milled gloss full-grain leather, these shoes promise to have a flexible sole and come in women's sizes 5-11.
The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.
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