Sure, boot trends get a lot of love around this time of the year. But if you’re a smart shopper, you know that keeping up with the best loafer trends is actually one of the smartest categories to pay attention to because the heroic shoe can be worn in spring, summer, fall, and winter. No matter what’s in the forecast, loafers are the versatile secret weapon in the closets of many of our favorite style stars.
From Kendall Jenner’s ruched The Row loafers, which we’ve seen her wear over and over again, to Daisy Edgar Jones’s sky-high Gucci take on the silhouette, there are so many fun designs rising in popularity. But there’s no need to go wild sifting through all of the offerings. I’ve made it easy to stay in the know of the top styles. To discover the best loafer trends in one place, just keep scrolling.
Pleats, Please
It’s the little details that matter most—like the nipped and tucked ruching on the loafers worn by Dakota Johnson. Follow her lead and opt for styles that come with neat tiny pleats this season.
New Heights
The loafer pump is having quite a moment, thanks to the maximalist-approved Gucci style worn by Daisy Edgar Jones here. If you’re looking for something a little quieter, Magda Butrym’s sleek take will be the perfect companion to all of your fall outfits.
Fringe With Benefits
Layering on the texture is an easy style tip to make any outfit more interesting. Follow Emma Roberts’s lead and complete your looks with a loafer that has tousled tassels.
Penny for Your Thoughts
We love when a classic is revived with an of-the-moment trend. We can thank you, Miu Miu, for spearheading the revival of the timeless penny loafer seen on Zoey Deutch here.
Chug-a-Lug
Exaggerated deep treads offer a practical hand in creating extra traction, and they’re also fun to look at, too. Case in point: Simone Ashley’s Prada clunkers.
The Chain Gang
Add a sparkling touch to outfits with a loafer that’s topped off with a metal accent. We’re forever enamored with the Tod’s design. And most recently, Chloé’s take on the trend has captured our attention.
Alexis Bennett Parker is the Commerce Content Lead at ELLE.com. In this newly created role, she oversees all shopping-related stories online, from fashion-forward trend pieces to the most coveted beauty buys on the market right now. Alexis has worked in the publishing space for 11 years, and seven of those years have been dedicated to helping shoppers make informed purchases—no buyer’s remorse here! Before joining the team at ELLE.com, she worked in the editorial departments of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and InStyle, to name a few magazines. Not only has Alexis worked closely with several brands and tested hundreds of products over the course of her career, but she’s also won awards for her work as a shopping journalist. Namely, she was an honoree at the Pynk Magazine Gala in 2023, received the Condé Nast Commerce Content Award for Best Article by a New Hire in 2021, and was included on the Top 40 Under 40 Heir’s List in 2018.
