The Real Chic Life

I’ve always been a member of the ballet flat fan club, but recently I’ve found myself drawn to loafers because of how editorial and stylish they look. I even listed loafers as the #1 item I would recommend for the summer to fall transition in What You Actually Need for Pre-fall. If you love ballet flats like I do, I’m not suggesting that you toss them in the trash and replace them with loafers. But loafers do have a few advantages. They’re more versatile across seasons and some styles can feel more substantial than ballet flats in unpredictable fall weather. The structured upper and sole can make an outfit feel more grounded, especially when you’re wearing wide leg pants, jeans, or heavier fall fabrics. And loafers can give your wardrobe a slightly different energy. A simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt can look instantly more intentional with the right loafer.

So now that I’ve also joined the loafer fan club, I’ve realized just how many styles of loafer there are and how difficult it can be to choose between them. Loafers come in so many different silhouettes, materials, colors, and levels of chunkiness that two pairs can create completely different impressions. A sleek black loafer can feel sophisticated and minimalist, while a chunky lug-sole loafer can feel preppy and fashion forward. A soft suede penny loafer can have an entirely different personality from a structured horsebit loafer. The key to making loafers a good investment is finding the style that feels most like you. So if you’re on the hunt for a great pair of loafers for this upcoming fall, here’s my guide to choosing the perfect loafer for your personal style (click the photos to shop).

Choose the Right Silhouette

Start by looking at the actual shape of the loafer.

The Penny Loafer

The penny loafer is the ultimate classic. It typically has a strap across the vamp and a relatively simple design, making it one of the most versatile styles you can own. It’s perfect if you want one loafer that works with jeans, trousers, skirts, and dresses. If you’re buying your first pair, this is probably the safest place to start.

The Horsebit Loafer

The defining feature is the metal detail across the front. Horsebit loafers tend to feel a little more luxurious and sophisticated than penny loafers. They’re an excellent choice if your style leans polished, elegant, or subtly glamorous. Gold hardware looks really beautiful with brown, burgundy, or black leather.

The Lug-Sole Loafer

A lug sole gives a loafer a much more substantial appearance. This is the style to consider if your wardrobe includes wide leg jeans, oversized sweaters, leather jackets, utility inspired pieces, or other relaxed silhouettes. But be careful because lug soles can overwhelm a petite frame or delicate outfit if the proportions aren’t right. So if you’re petite, look for a lug sole that has some substance without being extremely thick.

The Backless Loafer

Backless loafers are an easy way to make the loafer trend feel more relaxed. They’re great with cropped trousers and jeans and can have a very effortless, fashion-editor feel. But they’re less practical for long periods of walking, so think of them as a style shoe rather than your everyday loafer.

Pay Attention to the Toe Shape

Toe shape makes a surprisingly big difference. A round toe feels classic, approachable, and slightly preppy. A square toe feels modern and fashion-forward. A pointed or almond toe feels more refined and elongating.

There’s no universally flattering toe shape, but if you’re building a timeless wardrobe, an almond or softly rounded toe is probably the most versatile. The best choice depends on the overall look you’re trying to create though.

Choose Between Leather and Suede

Leather is generally the better choice if you’re looking for maximum versatility. It works across seasons, can be dressed up or down, and tends to have a polished look. If you want one pair of loafers to do almost everything, leather is hard to beat.

Suede has a softer, more relaxed personality. It looks really beautiful with denim, cashmere, corduroy, wool, and other fall textures. The tradeoff is practicality. Suede requires more care and can be more difficult to wear in wet weather. If you’re building a capsule wardrobe, I would choose leather first and add suede later.

Pick the Perfect Color

Color is where personal style really comes into play.

Black

Black is the most formal and traditionally versatile choice. Choose black if you wear a lot of black, gray, charcoal, or monochromatic outfits.

Dark Brown

Dark brown is my favorite alternative to black. Dark brown feels classic and luxurious without being quite as severe. It works really well with navy, camel, cream, denim, olive, and burgundy, making it a great choice for fall.

Medium Brown/Camel

Medium brown and camel feel more relaxed and earthy. Both shades are also beautiful for fall and work well with denim and warm neutrals.

Burgundy

Burgundy is an excellent choice if you want something a little more interesting without sacrificing versatility. It acts almost like a neutral and looks gorgeous with navy, camel, gray, denim, and cream.

A Bold Print or Color

If your style leans artsy or trendy, you have more room to experiment. Consider an unusual color, metallic finish, or contrasting colored sole. Then let the loafer be the interesting part of your outfit. If the shoe is really bold, keep the rest of the look relatively simple. It’s not necessarily the most versatile choice for your only loafer, but something fun and fashion-forward can be a fantastic second pair.

Don’t Forget the Socks

One of the easiest ways to change the personality of your loafers is with socks.

• Bare ankle = polished and sleek
• White socks = preppy and youthful
• Sheer socks = feminine and fashion-forward
• Dark socks = sophisticated
• Colored or patterned socks = playful

Don’t underestimate this tiny styling detail. A single pair of loafers can look completely different depending on what you wear with them.

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The bottom line is that the perfect loafer is the one that makes sense with the clothes you already own. Think about your personal style first. Then consider the silhouette, toe shape, material, and color. Look for quality construction and a comfortable fit, but don’t underestimate aesthetics. An investment piece only becomes an investment if you actually love wearing it.

Do you have a favorite loafer or are you thinking about getting a pair this fall? Let us know in the comments.

Xo, Courtney

P.S.- Tomorrow is the last day to enter our Barnes & Noble giveaway!