- Sizes: 7-13 (including half sizes)
- Price on publish: $175.00
- Material: Leather
- Colors: Black, wine, whiskey
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Some say loafers are having a moment right now in men’s fashion—though we think they’ve always been cool and stylish, mainly because of their versatility. Loafers bridge the gap between casual and formal. They easily go from the board room to brunch with style. When worn with a white t-shirt and jeans, you’ll suddenly look a bit more put together—as if you actually spent time thinking about what to wear (even if you didn’t). Whether you’re looking for a new pair or are just now considering the stylistic possibilities of these shoes, there’s something for you in our list of the best loafers for men.
Bass has been manufacturing the Weejuns penny loafers for almost 100 years. In fact, they’re probably the loafers you (or your father, or your grandfather) wore in high school back in the 1960s. They’re still just as stylish—and still look great with the right pair of men’s chinos. Handsewn in El Salvador with beefroll edging (the rolled stitching around the toe box), these work well with casual and more upscale looks. Also available in a fun color-block style.
Made with water-repellent Italian suede and FloatForm memory foam on the footbed, these loafers from Wolf and Shepherd are perfect for summer adventures. Unlined for softness and constructed with a foldable heel counter—meaning the back collapses, transforming these into a slip-on or slide style shoe—the Monaco is incredibly versatile, looking equally at home by the sea or by the desk.
Made from quality leather with heat sealed and sewn seams, these loafers from Dr. Martens are durable and sturdy. They feature the iconic Dr. Martens rubber sole for comfort—which is also what gives them their casual air. They will need to be broken in, so don’t wear them out for an entire day of walking straight out of the box. They also run big, so you may want to size down.
Made from vertically-sourced A-grade leather from American steer, The Loafer from Amberjack comes at an excellent price for the quality. The shoes themselves are produced by master fabricators in Portugal and designed in Brooklyn, New York. They feature a sheepskin lining and a thermos-moldable insole for incomparable comfort. Sleek, smooth lines unfettered by embellishment means they pretty much go with anything—and go anywhere.
These handcrafted loafers have a leather lining that helps regulate the temperature of your feet and Blake stitching (wherein the upper is sewn directly to the sole making it more flexible) that ensures sturdiness without requiring excessive breaking in. We also love the smooth lines and perfectly-sized tassels (just large enough to add an interesting detail, but not too large to distract). Interesting to know: Each pair is made in a Bogota factory that implements 45-hour work weeks with healthcare, a pension plan, and a professional-development program.
Handmade in Spain from Italian leather with a platinum metal horse bit, the black Idrese Andre loafer comes in a full range of sizes including wide options. They feature a cork and metal shank for comfort and Goodyear construction for waterproof-ness—meaning they’ll quickly become your go-to black loafer whether you’re headed into the office, out to dinner, or just to town for some coffee.
Banana Republic may not be the first place you think of to purchase shoes, but their suede penny loafers are comfortable, stylish, and well-made. They feature map-print leather insoles for inspiration and soft, luxurious suede for style. My brother, the head of an Analytical Chemistry Department at a University and an ex-football player, wears his Banana penny loafers everywhere: To the club with his father-in-law, to pick up his daughters at school, to the lab, and everywhere in between.
Introduced in 1953, Gucci’s horse bit loafer really hasn’t changed much since—and why would it? They invented the horse bit style after all. They continue to make high quality, comfortable shoes in their Italian factory. If you’re into iconic fashion pieces, you’ll love the Gucci horse bit.
Made from a beautiful, water-resistant suede, the Excursionist Venetian loafer is especially suited for any kind of expedition—short or long. The navy features a light gray outsole giving them a sporty style, while the espresso has a dark outsole for a more refined, classic look. For all colors, the outsole is made from rubber giving them the feel of a sneaker. No matter the color, these lightweight shoes will provide all-day comfort without sacrificing looks.
John Lobb has been making shoes in the United Kingdom since 1866. Their Bath suede loafers feature a moccasin stitched keeper strap across the toe box and stitched leather edging. The quality, hand-made construction means they’ll outlast the competition (which also justifies the price tag). The lightweight, soft suede is stitched to a Goodyear-welted sole for flexible comfort no matter what the situation. It also molds to your feet over time, just like a good pair of quality gloves takes on the shape of your hands.
The suede versions of these drivers are made with three-ounce suede leather, a calfskin leather lining, and pebbly rubber outsole for primo grippy-ness. Constructed by hand, each pair takes a few days to make. We like these shoes especially for all the colors available, though we are hard-pressed to decide on a favorite. You’ll likely want a pair in each.
These beautifully constructed suede slippers/loafers from The Row don’t have any of the conventional embellishments of many other loafers—no straps, tassels, or metal bits here. Instead, they’re a low-profile, almost dainty, you may not even notice them, pair of shoes for the person who prefers understated, stealthy quality.
Loafers appeared on the fashion scene in the 1930s as an alternative to laced dress shoes. Though slip-on shoes have been around for centuries, the Bass Weejun was one of the first loafers to be mass produced. Inspired by shoes worn by Norwegian fishermen (“Weejun”) Bass added the decorative strap across the vamp with a slot in the center, which was the perfect size and shape to store a penny.
If you want to make a statement with your footwear, wearing socks with loafers provides you with plenty of options. Loafers—if they fit correctly—don’t leave room for thick socks, so thin dress socks are probably the way to go. For a no-sock look while still wearing socks, choose a no-show sock. You can also, of course, don your loafers with no socks at all, though be mindful of foot odor and fungi if your feet sweat a lot.
We live in an age of seemingly endless options. Sometimes, figuring out which is best for our purposes can be difficult. Here are some things to consider when purchasing loafers:
Traditionally, loafers come in regular leather or suede. Suede is usually considered more casual, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear them with a dressier outfit. Suede versions also often come in more color varieties if you want to stray from the classic black or brown look.
Penny loafers feature a panel or strap across the top (called a vamp) with a gap in the middle where people can stash a penny or two if so inclined; hence, the name. They’re infinitely classic and stylish. Tassel loafers have tassels–with or without a vamp– and are usually considered more casual. The horse bit style, so called because of the metal strap shaped like a horse bit, offers some bling without being overly garish. There are also simple loafer styles without any adornments.
We selected these loafers by scouring online reviews, as well as soliciting opinions from people from a variety of backgrounds with a huge range of occupations. I’ve also worked as a tailor and pattern maker for film, television, and fashion for 32 years. I have a wealth of experience in dressing people to make them look and feel their best.
Loafers do not necessarily look better without socks: It’s all about your personal preference. If you choose to wear socks, remember that they will be more prominent than when wearing other shoe styles, so opt for something that coordinates with the rest of your outfit.
Unless you are required to adhere to a strict dress code, it is absolutely professional to wear loafers. Out and about in New York City, we see them worn with a variety of outfits by a wide range of people. Black or dark brown leather loafers will appear less casual than a lighter color or suede version.
The most versatile loafer color is a dark or medium brown, as it will go equally well with khakis, jeans, or dress pants. Brown can most easily be dressed up or down.
Loafers are good for daily wear; in fact, their easy, slip-on style means they were pretty much made for it. Wear them to the grocery store, a business lunch, or just walking around town. You may just find them as comfortable as your favorite flip flops or walking shoes.
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