Ava Gilchrist
If the last few years have been good for anything, it's the prolific rise of the flat shoe, and there is no style in this category that's making more of an impact than the best loafers. Indeed, although we have plenty of excuses to enjoy impractical shoes, kitten heels just don't seem to have the same hold on our wardrobes as they once did.
From Mary Janes to ballet flats, sneakerinas and trainers, it seems like a new flat shoe rises to the top of the trend charts. But there's one timeless style that constantly sits at the top of all our editors' wish lists, and that's loafers.
With their classic charm and minimalist versatility, loafers, from the original Gucci Horsebit Loafer to the more modern, sleek suede Le Loafer style from Saint Laurent, chunky-sole versions from Prada, are still an undeniably appealing addition to our wardrobe.
If you choose wisely and invest in a luxury pair, you can be sure the cost-per-wear will tick down steadily over the many years you own them. But there are also some excellent and more affordable loafers on the high street now, too. Just be sure to opt for real leather, and they'll age gracefully alongside you.
Keep scrolling, and you'll not only find a thorough (trust us, we've scrolled through them all) list of the 26 best loafers out there for 2025, but also some chic loafer outfits to inspire you for the season as well. You're welcome!
Shop the 27 Best Loafers of 2025
- The Best Designer Loafers: Saint Laurent Le Loafer Supple in Shiny Leather, £880
- The Best High-Street Loafers: COS Croc-Effect Leather Loafers, £139
- The Best Penny Loafers: M&S Collection Leather Loafers, £55
- The Best Leather Loafers: Aeyde Oscar Patent-Leather Loafers, £380
- The Best Suede Loafers: Dune Grisella Wide Fit Leather Ruched Loafers, £89
Style Notes: These loafers are peak quiet luxury. The slim-fit, horsebit-detailed loafers are recognisable worldwide as a cult shoe.
Material: Leather
Sizes: IT 34 - 42.
Colour/s: 7, including dark brown suede, light grey leather, light beige suede and Rosso Ancora leather.
Style Notes: A beacon of style for half a century. With a more tapered toe and structured shape, this silhouette is a more polished and modern iteration of Gucci's beloved loafers.
Material: Leather
Sizes: IT 35 - 42.
Colour/s: Black and white.
Style Notes: The gathering around the toe box is a design element that so many cult styles feature.
Material: Leather
Sizes: UK 3 - 8
Colour/s: Black
Style Notes: These could easily be mistaken for designer.
Material: Polyester.
Sizes: UK 2 - 9
Colour/s: Black, burgundy leather, chocolate brown suede, caramel suede.
Style Notes: Prada loafers are notoriously difficult to get hold of, so shop them while you can.
Material: Brushed leather
Sizes: EU 34 - 42
Colour/s: Black
Style Notes: With a lug sole and a split toe effect, this pair of Tabis is both the most avant-garde and ageless style you can invest in.
Material: Black glossed calf leather
Sizes: IT 35 - 41.
Colour/s: Black
Style Notes: Both preppy and relaxed, chunky and slim, these croc-effect COS loafers are a lesson in balancing contrasts.
Material: Leather
Sizes: EU 36 - 42
Colour/s: Dark brown.
Style Notes: Suede everything is key right now.
Material: Suede
Sizes: UK 3 - 8
Colour/s: Chocolate brown.
Style Notes: As the brand says, "Grandma shoes but make them hot". We couldn't help but agree, making them the perfect lived-in accent that finishes dark-blue jeans and a white t-shirt.
Material: Soft cracked nappa leather
Sizes: UK 3 - 8
Colour/s: Black leather, espresso leather and ruby suede.
Style Notes: Once again, COS always nails the brief.
Material: Leather
Sizes: EU 36 - 42
Colour/s: Black
Style Notes: A high street hero, crafted with 100% leather.
Material: Bovine leather
Sizes: UK 3 - 8
Colour/s: Chocolate leather.
Style Notes: Not a typical loafer silhouette—Reformation's oval-shaped loafers emulate the French girl-adored moccasin, making it the perfect starting point for your next Parisian outfit.
Material: Calf suede leather
Sizes: UK 3 - 8
Colour/s: Black suede and espresso suede
Style Notes: Slippers aren't just for the home. Just ask beloved Berlin-based shoe brand Aeyde and this Venetian-inspired pair.
Material: Goat leather.
Sizes: EU 36 - 42.
Colour/s: Black
Style Notes: Fringe is all the rage, and the most effective way to try the trend is through this tassel-esque detail. Crafted from good-quality leather, these will last seasons beyond.
Material: Cow leather.
Sizes: EU 36 - 42.
Colour/s: Black faux-croc and burgundy.
Style Notes: Supple gathering and the softest suede make this Saint Laurent style a superlative choice.
Material: Calfskin leather.
Sizes: EU 34 - 42.
Colour/s: Bitter chocolate.
Style Notes: This pointed shape is made all the more enviable thanks to the gilded stud, penny loafer accent and textured leopard print finish.
Material: Leather
Sizes: EU 36 - 42.
Colour/s: Leopard and black.
Style Notes: Acne Studios is not only one of the best Scandi fashion brands, but a label that has garnered a cult following for the way the brand subverts classic design elements to create something more experimental and innovative. Such is the case with this pair, where a plaque that lines the brand's storefront becomes a buckle accenting the penny strap.
Material: Black glossed calf leather
Sizes: IT 35 - 41
Colour/s: Black
Style Notes: A brilliant and on-trend affordable option if you're looking to test out the loafer look.
Material: Leather.
Sizes: EU 36 - 42.
Colour/s: Black, brown and light grey suede.
Style Notes: These understated loafers will work with every outfit, especially in this gorgeous midnight hue.
Material: Polyester 92%, Elastane 8%
Sizes: EU 36 - 41.
Colour/s: Black
Style Notes: Wear with jeans, skirts, dresses—everything.
Material: Soft bovine leather with a faux eel embossed effect
Sizes: UK 3 - 8
Colour/s: Black and espresso crinkled patent leather, along with a light hazel suede.
Style Notes: Hush should be one of your go-tos if you're looking for good-quality loafers that don't boast a high-end price tag. The woven leather ties around the sole and lace-up finish make these look especially well-heeled.
Material: Leather.
Sizes: EU 36 - 41.
Colour/s: Chocolate brown.
Style Notes: Talk about a subtle standout—made with the finest Italian material and French silhouette.
Material: Calf hair
Sizes: IT 36 - 42.
Colour/s: Black
Style Notes: Loafers and mesh—two trends in one delicate hybrid.
Material: Mesh and cow leather
Sizes: IT 36 - 41
Colour/s: Black
Style Notes: Just add baggy blue or white jeans.
Material: Leather
Sizes: UK 2 - 9
Colour/s: Sand Brown.
Style Notes: A style so chic it can't be reserved for corporate settings or preppy contexts.
Material: Leather
Sizes: EU 36 - 42
Colour/s: Black and burgundy.
Style Notes: With a driving shoe-inspired shape, these Khaite loafers are apt for both city trotting and country escapes.
Material: Textured calf leather.
Sizes: IT 36 - 41
Colour/s: White and black
Style Notes: With the rise of the boat shoe trend, loafers have evolved form to keep up with consumer appetite. This Bally iteration takes cues from the deck flat, but remains polished and elegant thanks to the contrasting mustard tone upper.
Material: Black buffalo leather and chartreuse calf hair
Sizes: IT 35 - 42.
Colour/s: Black.
Are Loafers in Fashion?
Of course, given the velocity in which the trend cycle moves, one of the questions I'm regularly faced with as a fashion editor is whether or not loafers are in style. To those ambivalent about the timeless nature of this flat shoe, I always answer with a resounding yes. Indeed, loafers are currently in style, and they show no signs of falling out, either. You really only need to look at how the trend has evolved over the years and the prolific nature of styles like the suede or penny loafer for proof.
How to Style Loafers?
So, now that you've brought your dream pair of loafers, I'm sure you're after inspiration for how to wear them in a way that doesn't fall into the schoolgirl or businesswoman connotations of yore. Without further ado, keep scrolling below for chic outfit ideas to style your best loafers.
Style Notes: While you'd typically see loafers styled with trousers, I find there's something particularly unfussy and cool about pairing them with maxi dresses.
Style Notes: Loafers with socks soften up the tailored look.
Style Notes: Bare ankles with loafers and jeans is such a chic, French-girl-approved way to wear them.
Style Notes: Every fashion girl owns a pair of loafers. They look especially stylish paired with a trench coat in winter.
Style Notes: This is a masterclass in using loafers for a modern tailored look.
What to Look Out for When Buying the Best Loafers?
The primary element you should factor in when buying loafers isn't cost. While there are tonnes of luxurious options at eye-watering price points, it's true that many a high-street style can provide that same opulent sensation at a more affordable level. That being said, the main concern will always be fabric. Look for loafers made with 100% leather, as these pieces will be the most durable and well-crafted. In turn, the most durable and long-lasting.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.
We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and each and every buy we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.
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