Loafing around: The best loafers for men
A style staple for the well-dressed gent, invest in these timeless loafers to put a suave spin on any great outfit
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From Elvis Presley to Ryan Gosling, loafers have truly stood the test of time as a go-to choice for the debonair man. “Whilst not the obvious choice for a warmer climate, loafers have never been hotter,” says Farrah-May Archer, Styling Team Lead at Stitch Fix UK. “Paired with a light sock and a breezier choice of clothing to suit the heat, the loafer really is the shoe of the season.”
Your father had a pair, your grandfather had a pair, and thanks to a resurgence in preppy-chic style, loafers have reclaimed their place as the favourite footwear of the fashion-forward gent, with the styling service seeing a 36 per cent uptick in searches for the style.
Versatile, sleek and sophisticated, the slip-on shoe makes for a sharp addition to any great outfit, whether it’s your office-ready two-piece suit, or jeans and a jumper at weekend brunch. From classic leather and suede to contemporary canvas – or even embroidered velvet – the wear-everywhere shoe offers up a plethora of suave styling options. For fresh smart-casual style, Archer recommends pairing a light linen shirt with wide-leg trousers and your loafers of choice. “Add socks to break up the outfit and offer a nod to Elvis’s iconic Jailhouse Rock, while pairing your loafers with Bermuda shorts will emulate a silhouette adored by some of high fashion’s favourites, including Prada and Balenciaga.”
However you choose to wear them, these are the best loafers to shop right now…
Alexander McQueen Penny Loafers
True to the brand’s roots in sartorial tradition, the penny bar of these Alexander McQueen loafers is embellished with a shining silver coin. Crafted from leather in Italy with zigzag edges at the tongue, these suave penny loafers will make the perfect finishing touch to your sharpest workwear look.
Brunello Cucinelli Tassel Loafers
Crafted in soft brown suede, Brunello Cucinelli’s loafers offer a more understated take on the timeless style. Featuring a rounded toe and subtle, stacked heel, Cucinelli’s loafers are adorned with soft leather tassels hanging from their saddle strap; a testament to the designer’s exquisite attention to detail.
Church’s Gateshead Loafers
Tracing its roots back as far as 1617, Northampton-born cobbler Church’s imbues each pair of its expertly-crafted shoes with touches of the brand’s rich heritage – whether by using centuries-old lasts and patterns, or employing traditional techniques, honed throughout the brand’s history. Rendered in a polished burgundy leather, the Gateshead loafer is a modern take on the classic style thanks to pared-back detailing and a streamlined silhouette.
Crockett & Jones Finchley Loafers
The Finchley loafers from Crockett & Jones have all the hallmarks of a classic boat shoe, but with an English heritage twist. Unlined with a horsebit across the vamp, they’re crafted from dark oak suede and feature the Northampton-based brand’s new Superflex leather sole, offering improved lightness and flexibility. They may just be the perfect summer shoe.
George Cleverley Trinity Loafers
Handcrafted in England from black calf leather, these classically formal loafers from George Cleverley feature decorative broguing across the toe and upper. Complete with the brand’s two-tone Oak Bark soles, paired with a lightweight summer suit, these smart square-toed shoes are ideal for all manner of seasonal occasions.
Gucci Roos Horsebit Loafers
Ever since Alessandro Michele took over the reins at Gucci in 2015, upping the brand’s accessories game in the process, Gucci’s leather horsebit loafers (which nod to the Italian house’s heritage as a saddlemaker) have become a true cult item. Living by the idiom ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, the design of these polished leather loafers has hardly been altered since they were first released in 1953.
Malone Souliers Julian Loafers
Taking a zero-waste approach, Malone Souliers turned to archival fabric to craft its contemporary take on a monk strap loafer. Cut from army green suede, with accents of supple calf leather and the brand’s signature double strap detailing, these Julian loafers make for an off-the-cuff take on the classic.
Tod’s Leather Loafers
The chunky rubber sole on these brushed leather loafers by Tod’s makes them a stand-out style for this summer. “The bigger, bolder, stompier silhouette makes the perfect addition to add a little edge to your look,” says Archer. Hand-stitched and stamped above the penny bar with the brand’s monogram, this polished pair will look great whether worn with rolled-up jeans or your sharpest suit.
