best loafers for men

Loafing around: The best loafers for men

08 Aug 2024 | | By Ellie Goodman

A style staple for the well-dressed gent, invest in these timeless loafers to put a suave spin on any great outfit

All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.

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 leather loafers

True to the brand’s roots in terms of infusing sartorial tradition with a theatrical edge, these Alexander McQueen loafers are detailed with contrast stitching. Crafted from leather in Italy with a strap across the vamp, these suave penny loafers will make for a fun finishing touch.

£765
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Brunello Cucinelli tassel loafers

Crafted in soft brown suede, Brunello Cucinelli’s loafers are 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.

£830
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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.

£870
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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.

£480
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George Cleverley Cannes penny loafers

Handcrafted in England from brown suede, these formal loafers from George Cleverley feature a ‘high walled’ round toe. Complete with the brand’s two-tone Oak Bark soles, paired with a lightweight summer suit, these smart shoes are ideal for all manner of seasonal occasions.

£450
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Gucci 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.

£745
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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 sleek, this polished pair will look great whether worn with rolled-up jeans or your sharpest suit.

£595
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