On My Style Radar: Loafers

Women's loafers for fall: animal print, platform, plaid, fringe trim. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

While sneakers have dominated the “shoe-verse” for the last few years, I’m still partial to loafers. They’re comfortable, classic, versatile, and a stylish choice to transition your wardrobe from summer to fall. (And I’ll confess: I love not having to fiddle with laces!)

Fall Loafers: Not Slackers

Stodgy, you say? Pas du tout! This fall’s loafers are fun, edgy, and eye-catching. There’s a little something for everyone. Here are my picks for the best styles of women’s loafers for fall.

Wild Kingdom

Animal prints (of both warm- and cold-blooded varieties) are a huge trend for fall. But let’s face it, they’re often easier to wear in small doses.

Sam Edelman Lior snakeprint loafers. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

A classic silhouette and neutral colorway adds texture and subtle visual interest. This style gets rave reviews for looks and comfort!

J.Crew Academy loafers in red croc print. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Or if you like a little more color, how about these, in red croc-embossed leather? Croc-embossed looks are popular this fall, but they never really go out of style. Also available in forest green, and light brown.

Naturalizer August platform loafers in forest snake. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Speaking of forest green… I was eyeing these in the more classic loafer style, but this platform is a lot of fun…

Women's loafers for fall: opt for a fun animal print! Madewell leopard haircalf loafers. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

You know I had to include at least one leopard pair! 😉 I like the simple shape of these, and it’s a Good Leopard Print.

Mad For Plaid

With menswear-inspired everything trending for fall, it’s a safe bet to say we’ll be seeing a lot of plaid and tweed, and that goes for shoes as well.

Paige Madison plaid loafer in cognac. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Gorgeous fall colors, and a plaid that won’t make you look like a lumberjack! These would look great with jeans, but I can also picture with a dark green pleated skirt and tights…

Aquatalia Revy plaid loafer in weatherproof fabric. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Fabric shoes often have to be relegated to sunny day wear only, but here’s one that’s weatherproof!

Raised Standards

A platform or little bit of heel adds some visual volume that can balance out wider leg pants or a longer or oversized top.

Lamour des pieds green suede heeled loafer. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Looking for something to wear with that floaty floral midi dress? The chunky heel on this style is only 2″, and there’s a memory-foam insole for comfort. This olive green will go with everything, though it’s also offered in black leather and suede.

J.Crew fringed suede loafer in soft coral. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

A classic “kiltie” style gets a color boost. This suede fringe detail loafer is offered in several colors, though I’m rather fond of this soft coral.

Women's loafers for fall: platform and lug soles provide extra cushioning in an updated style. Clarks Raisie Eletta platform loafer in black patent. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Platform and lug soles are another trending footwear detail and I’m here for it! A thicker sole often means extra cushioning, which makes some of these styles excellent for travel. Above: in black patent, these loafers have day-to-dinner potential.

Franco Sarto Carolynn burgundy patent loafers with lug sole. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Here’s a similar style in burgundy patent.

Vince Zeta platform loafer in Coastal (navy) suede. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

And a more casual option in navy suede.

Terms Of Embellishment

Karl Lagerfeld metallic embellished loafers. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Who says dressing up has to mean a pair of heels? These metallic embellished loafers are occasion-ready, but could also do the “casual glamour” thing with a favorite pair of jeans and a sweater. If metallic isn’t your jam, they’re also offered in several suede colors.

Via Spiga black buckle detail loafer. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

I do love a buckle detail! It always evokes classic Parisian chic. This style is so sleek in black, but is also available in blush or grey suede.

More Women’s Loafers For Fall That Don’t Skimp On Style…

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27 Comments

  1. Black patent leather loafers have been a staple in my fall and winter wardrobe for years. My current favorites are Mephisto, the Sidney style. The heel has worn down and I’m considering sending them for resoling/refurbishing however we’ll be in Europe in October and I may wait to see if I can get a replacement pair. One thing I do love about my old pair, though, is that there is no contrasting sole or stitching so it’s a very sleek look.

  2. I’m a loafers fan as well. They tend to fit my narrow heels and high arches. I can keep them on my feet! Loafers don’t bother my slight bunion, either, and fit my classic style. I already own black, navy, and grey loafers, but those red crocs sure are tempting!

  3. What a big bunch of fun!!! Loafers are, for my taste, more feminine than oxfords so I’m a fan. I need an inch or more on the heel and thankfully this season there are many more options. Great shopping Susan!
    Jan

    1. Brown or khaki with red shoes. Grey or a black plaid. I wear my red suede ones with lots of outfits and always get compliments. I love red shoes!

  4. Yea for the loafers!

    Ten or twelve years ago I bought some Tod’s black patent loafers. They’re holding up great, and I still love them. Shoes like that never go out of style.

    Now if I could just remember in which hotel I left my classic Gucci loafers. Damn, that still chaps me!

  5. I like loafers, but never know what to do in winter when worn with any type of pant. In the summer, I always chose light beige shoes to coordinate with my white legs. But in winter, it is very cold to go with bare ankles and, most importantly, my skin is SO fair (think white), if I do a colored shoe (say, those cute forest green loafers) with any darkish pant, the eye will immediately be drawn to my white ankles–totally messing up the silhouette. Any ideas?

    1. What I’ve seen in Paris is that they’ll often wear socks or tights that coordinate with color of either the shoes or pants, or even a pattern that includes both colors. They’re not averse to having visible hosiery. It’s a strategy I plan to adopt when the weather gets cooler.

      1. Oh. Would love to see photos if you run across them! Have the same question/concern about my leather booties that have those deep rounded cut outs on the inside and outside. I searched online and only found two pictures with socks (those fat kind of hiker socks–only looks good with beat up jeans and a plaid shirt). Thanks!

        1. Do a Pinterest search of loafers with socks outfits. I also did one for socks with booties because I wasn’t confident how to do that either. I got lots of ideas.

      2. That is obviously even more the case in Montréal – before we get into actual boot or bootie season. Although I’m far from whiter than white, bare ankles can look odd when it is chilly.

  6. Wonderful topic, Susan. I was a prepster in the 80s and loved wearing loafers with socks. I wish I could pull it off now because I want to wear loafers through the winter. Any feedback on appropriate hosiery?

  7. Loafers are tricky for me because of my super-high insteps, but that doesn’t stop me from browsing. I own a stylish and comfortable pair of boots by the Spanish brand Hispanitas, and lately I’ve noticed some interesting loafers by that brand, many with comfy-looking wedge soles. (Available online at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack.) Another Spanish brand I’m eyeing is Wonders, which has some great-looking loafer styles in the current lineup. (Also at Nordstrom.)

  8. I love loafers, but I have a hard time wearing them due to my narrow heels – they slip if I order a size long enough to accommodate the full length of my “low-volume” foot. That’s why I LOVE that buckled loafer you’ve shown – it has a sweet Pilgrim vibe! A little pricey for me, but I’ll keep an eye on it.

    For those who love plaids, Patricia Nash has all their tartan shoes on sale. Their loafer (“Fia”) is an especially great price right now ($69) if they have your size, and it’s gotten great reviews.

  9. The problem with many of the shoes you show is that they all have somewhat pointy toes. My feet are wide in the front and narrow in the back (duck feet). So I have to espouse the funky look of rounded toes. If not, there would be so much empty toe box that I’d risk tripping, and I walk a lot. I do like that more urban look. And agree that for certain people, men as much as women, a slight heel is more comfy than utterly flat.

        1. Just put “blue velvet” into the search engine and it will pop right up. (8-25-2017 as Julie shared in her original comment.) It was a beautiful shade of blue, and very flattering to Susan’s complexion IMHO, but perhaps it was the size and shape she no longer cares for.