In this article
The last time I counted, I had about ten pairs of loafers in my closet. I like that the shoes can be snappier and less dainty than ballet flats and a little more serious than mary janes. But when you talk to as many self-professed loafer lovers as I have, the question of “Which loafers are the best?” gets a lot of different answers. While creating the following list of the best loafers for women, I learned just how polarizing patent leather is and how popular the lug sole has become (though it isn’t typically seen on loafers, the chunky profile has earned a lot of fans when combined with the otherwise classic shoe). So to narrow the recommendations I heard from photographers, editors, designers, bloggers, and other stylish folks, I’ve been wearing multiple pairs of loafers in a range of styles for the better part of a year. I have walked around in swanky horsebit buckles, handsome kiltie fringe, and even a boldly block-heeled pair. (My new rule is that the best loafers can be worn comfortably and without blisters from the very beginning, without too much breaking in.) The loafers that made the cut include a pair seen on a Tenenbaum and a “fancy-lady version of Birkenstocks.” (But if you’re looking for other styles of shoes, we also have buying guides for Chelsea boots, white sneakers, workout shoes, and more to meet all your shoe-shopping needs.)
Update on November 19, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Sizes
You probably know by now that here at the Strategist we like to focus on size inclusivity, and that includes footwear. For this guide, I was on the hunt for loafers that come in a range of sizes, including half-sizes, and different widths for those with narrower or wider feet.
Style
There are a number of different types of loafers out there. A few styles are fairly specific to men’s shoes, like the Belgian or the monk-strap loafer, so for this guide, I focused on those geared more toward women — including penny, tassel, horsebit, kiltie, driving, slipper, and lug-sole loafers. (I’ll explain what sets each style apart, below.) While loafers traditionally don’t have lug soles, lug-sole styles have recently surged in popularity and are a hit with many of the fashionable people I talked to. So if you’d like a shoe that’s more modern, the style is a good bet.
Material
Most loafers are made of leather or synthetic faux leather (which is often a form of plastic). The finish can vary from suede to matte to patent leather and is largely a matter of style and personal preference. Another important aspect is the sole, which will usually be made of rubber or leather. The two materials can feel completely different: Leather seems slippery at first, thanks to its smoother finish, while rubber is often grippier (especially when there’s a lug sole involved). Rubber is generally cheaper and can wear down quicker, while leather will cost more up front but can ultimately last longer (resoling is fairly simpler, too, with the right cobbler).
Embellishments
Loafers are typically very simple shoes. But each pair, depending on the style, features little details that sets it apart. The first detail to look for is a penny strap, which is signature to, as you probably guessed, the penny loafer. This strap with a small hole in the center (big enough for a penny, as these Miu Mius show) comes in two different versions itself; it can be stitched over the vamp to the side of the shoe for a clean look or rolled underneath, turning it into a beef-roll penny loafer (because of its resemblance to a beef roll you’d find in a butcher’s shop). Similarly, the fairly divisive, grandfather-looking kiltie loafer is defined by cut-leather fringe hanging over the vamp of the shoe. It can also feature a bow with tassels on top of the fringe for a more ornate look. If you like the tassels but not the fringe, an aptly named tassel loafer is just that. The horsebit loafer also has a decorative piece on the vamp, but it’s a metal buckle (that doesn’t actually buckle anything) instead of fringe; this is one of the more formal styles of loafers, whereas driving and slipper loafers are the most casual, featuring soft, moldable materials. And lastly, there’s the lug sole, which is a raised rubber sole that has deep grooves to provide better traction — or just add a more pop-punk vibe to your shoe.
Best women’s loafers overall
Sizes: 5–11 with half-sizes | Style: Penny | Material: Leather (sole included) | Embellishments: Beefroll stitching
G.H. Bass introduced the Weejun, based on shoes that were making a splash on the Palm Beach social scene, back in 1936. Weejuns have been a preppy staple ever since — Gwyneth Paltrow even kept hers from her turn as Margot in The Royal Tenenbaums. The Whitney style of Weejuns, which features the brand’s famed beefroll stitching, is a timeless loafer and I believe everyone should own at least one pair of them (it also happens to be the style that was most recommended by the people I interviewed for this guide). I’ve been wearing a pair weekly since September and they are especially smart and sharp-looking. The shoes slip right on — the leather itself isn’t too stiff, though the heels famously take a few wears to loosen up. The toe box has enough space that you can comfortably have a sock on too.
Though the Whitneys aren’t cheap at nearly $200, their all-leather construction is made to last. They also look more expensive than they are: A former New York photo editor once confused Strategist senior editor Hilary Reid’s pair for Celine. They are unquestionably the shoes to buy for a preppy look — Strategist writer Erin Schwartz once described them as “peak Ivy League, ‘Walcott’ by Vampire Weekend, tennis-lessons-on-the-weekends loafers.” Note that leather-soled Weejuns, like the Whitneys, can be slippery on carpets until they have a few scuffs on the bottom, but if you want something with more traction from the start, there’s also a rubber-soled version (a favorite of Lauren Valenti, beauty director at InStyle). And there’s a Super-Lug version with a lugged sole. Style blogger Hailey Rizzo recommends wearing no-show socks to stop them from rubbing against your ankles for the first few wears.
Best (less expensive) women’s loafers
Sizes: 5–13 with half-sizes and narrow, medium, and wide fits | Style: Slipper | Material: Leather (rubber sole) | Embellishments: Vamp stitching, block heel
Franco Sarto’s Bocca loafers are more affordable than the Whitney Weejuns, at $110 instead of $175. They have a rubber sole rather than a leather one and only the subtlest of stitching on the vamp, so they are much plainer shoes. Unassuming, yes, though not unattractive — I’d go so far as to call them handsome, more in the style of men’s loafers than others I’ve tried. The leather on the Boccas is supple and really molded well to my feet when I tested a pair, but I also found that it shows scratches more easily. Still, you’re getting a good loafer, especially if you find the Boccas on sale. Illustrator Alexandra Citrin-Safadi, who also recommends the pair, likens them to “The Row on a budget, baby,” as they have an austere quality that’s characteristic of the Olsen twins–founded label.
Best lug-sole loafers
Sizes: 5–11 with half-sizes | Style: Horsebit | Material: Leather (EVA sole) | Embellishments: Buckle, lug sole, beefroll stitching
I fell for the combination of the traditional with the nontraditional with Lianna Weejuns. There’s something almost Frankensteinian about them, and even though they look a bit clompy, they have a surprising amount of springiness. The sole is made from eco-friendly EVA — a kind of foam used in sandals like Tevas — making them bouncier than meets the eye. Like the Whitneys, the Liannas start off stiffer around the back edge, though not enough to be pinching. After I wore them a handful of times, they were pretty well broken-in. And more than a year since I bought them, they still look nearly new.
Best kiltie loafers
Sizes: 36–42 (equivalent to 6-11) | Style: Kiltie | Material: Leather (rubber sole) | Embellishments: Fringe
Some of the best boots I own come from Swedish shoemaker Vagabond, so I was eager to try its loafers for myself after hearing about them from former Strategist writer Chloe Anello. The Alex loafers have all the hallmarks of the brand, being well made and modern-looking. They also feature a raised top seam that’s similar to the traditional beefroll, but with more minimal stitching for a smoother look than what you see on the Weejuns. The shoes’ mirrorlike shine — which is still more muted than patent leather — hasn’t scratched since I got them in July, and the kiltie fringe hasn’t curled up on the ends. That said, these loafers start out slightly stiff. Anello suggests always wearing socks while breaking them in. But I used my trusty shoe stretchers as a shortcut, and the loafers quickly became easier to slide on without rubbing against my heels. If you’d rather not have the kiltie, Vagabond also makes a non-kiltie version — though I prefer the former for a little flair.
Best horsebit loafers
Sizes: 3–9 (UK sizes equivalent to US 5–11)| Style: Horsebit | Material: Leather (rubber-overlaid leather sole) | Embellishments: Buckle
Gucci introduced the horse-bit loafer in 1953, after the Italian house’s founder, Aldo Gucci, was apparently influenced by Weejuns to produce loafers in the first place. Most loafer-makers have their own take on the style now — like Russell & Bromley’s Brewster Snaffle Loafer (the “snaffle” in the name refers to the horse bit). Russell & Bromley has been in the shoe business for around 150 years, and Strategist senior editor Ailbhe Malone has been an R&B loyalist for almost a decade. It all started when Malone was in the throes of an indie-sleaze phase in her 20s, during which she bought her loafers from Topshop and a kilo store in Berlin, but always coveted the Brewsters from R&B. “My 25th birthday came and went, but on my 26th I went to the shop on Regent’s Street and paid what felt like an astonishing amount,” she says. Her Brewsters have seen much since. “I once walked from Greenpoint to the Met in them,” Malone told me. “They’re that comfortable.” (She might’ve even gotten engaged in them, if her memory serves right.) The loafers run small and are on the narrower side, but the break-in period isn’t so bad — and once they are a bit worn and broken in, that only adds to their charm. “They could probably do with a clean, but I like the Secret History vibe of slightly scuffed loafers,” Malone says. Because of how long these have lasted her, I think they’re deserving of a best-in-class blue ribbon here.
[Editor’s note: Russell & Bromley lists its prices in pounds, so this is an approximation to dollars.]
Best (high-end) horsebit loafers
Sizes: 34–42 with half sizes (equivalent to 4–12) | Style: Horsebit | Material: Leather (sole included) | Embellishments: Buckle
Gucci’s horse-bit loafers have the dubious distinction of being the priciest loafers on this list, at almost $1,000. But nothing beats the original — at least, according to those who have them themselves. Photographer Denisse Myrick considers hers one of the best investments she has made. It took five years’ worth of regular wear before she even had to think about resoling them. The Stripe founder Grace Atwood says they are the “fancy-lady version of Birkenstocks.” By the time they’re fully broken in, they’re “possibly even more comfortable than sneakers,” she says. With these, you’re paying a premium for quality (and, of course, for the designer name.)
Best (bargain) horsebit loafers
Sizes: 4–13 with half sizes | Style: Horsebit | Material: Leather, velvet, or fabric (synthetic sole)| Embellishments: Buckle
For a much cheaper alternative to Gucci, these Sam Edelmans are a solid option. They have a similar horsebit detail as well as a slim, sophisticated shape, but they won’t break the bank. “They broke in super-quick, so I was able to wear them for a full work day, including the commute when that was a thing, after only wearing them around the house for a couple of hours,” says Kanani Rose, a diversity and inclusion specialist (and Anello’s sister-in-law). She also appreciates how breathable the shoes are, so you can wear them without socks and avoid “swamp feet.” They come in over 30 versions, so owning more than one pair is justifiable.
Best driving loafers
Sizes: 35–43 (equivalent to 5–12)| Style: Driver | Material: Suede (rubber sole) | Embellishments: Beefroll stitching
Driving loafers were originally created for men who wanted more grip when driving, hence their name and knobbed sole. But now they’ve become a beloved shoe for those who want shoes that feel like slippers but look nice enough to wear outside the house. M. Gemi’s Felize loafers come recommended by Deanna Eng, vice-president of strategy at Beam, for being supremely comfortable without looking frumpy. They’re so versatile she’s worn them everywhere from morning yoga to a business meeting to happy hour. Anello also owns them and can attest to their comfort. She credits the loafers’ traditional moccasin construction — meaning they’re sewn from a single piece of suede — as it helps the shoes literally mold to your feet over time. This lets Anello wear them sockless without worrying about blisters.
Best heeled loafers
Sizes: 35–44 with half sizes (equivalent to 5 to 13) | Style: Smoking | Material: Leather (sole and heel included) | Embellishments: Shearling trimming
As our friends over at the Cut say, “You know the ‘I Want Candy’ montage in Marie Antoinette? Suzanne Rae Pelaez’s shoes wouldn’t be out of place surrounded by those macaron-colored boxes.” Suzanne Rae shoes are effervescent and irreverent. I should know, as I have seven pairs (including its opera pumps). Four of them are loafers: the plaid Écossais, beribboned Boulevardier, checkered Vichy, and the shearling-trimmed Megève. (The last of these was sent to me by the brand to try.) Across the board, the loafers, which are all heeled, are comfortable, from the roomy toe box to the easy heel. I haven’t ever dealt with so much as a blister while walking blocks in each, even straight out of the box. I’m not one for a heel usually, but these loafers will always be an exception to the rule. I’ll note that Suzanne Rae’s stock is limited, with pairs only occasionally restocked. But that’s what makes the shoes more one-of-a-kind, especially for the price.
(Labucq’s Kitty Loafers are another great heel, with stylist Ryan Gale saying they have the perfect height for morning commutes, errands, and meetings throughout the day.)
Best (less-expensive) heeled loafers
Sizes: 36–41 (equivalent to 6–10) | Style: Penny | Material: Leather (PU sole) | Embellishments: Curved heel
Strategist junior writer Brenley Goertzen discovered the Thelmas during a trip to the Camper store in Soho. She was immediately drawn to the slightly square-yet-still-rounded toe and sculptural, curved heel. Though the almost-three-inch heel height stands out in the world of loafers, the bottom platform helps to even them out, Goertzen says, adding that even when sprinting to catch a train, these “stick firmly to my feet without feeling like stilts.” It can take a while to break them in, though. She first wore them with thicker socks to keep them from rubbing and was eventually able to go sockless.
Best two-toned loafers
Sizes: 35–42 with half sizes (equivalent to 5–11) | Style: Penny | Material: Leather (sole and heel included) | Embellishments: Penny-style strap with medallion
If you want something more colorful than a monotone loafer, go for a two-toned pair. Nomasei makes great ones called the Nonos, with a “tricolore” version, which features leathers in white, red, and brown together. I screenshot the shoes when I caught them on an Instagram scroll and patiently waited for a sale. They’re now one of my most-complimented loafers. They have an obvious level of craftsmanship, down to the tiny knuckles on the hand on the medallion. They’re well cushioned, so my feet aren’t begging to be freed after a long day. The heels on the Nonos are lower, at a bit over an inch — about half the height of Suzanne Rae’s — for a shoe that’s a little higher than a flat.
Some more women’s shoes we’ve written about
Our experts
• Chloe Anello, former Strategist writer
• Grace Atwood, founder of The Stripe
• Alexandra Citrin-Safadi, illustrator
• Deanna Eng, vice-president of strategy at Beam
• Ryan Gale, stylist
• Brenley Goertzen, Strategist junior writer
• Nikki Kule, founder and creative director of KULE
• Lara Mahler, founder of wedding-planning company the Privilege Is Mine
• Jenna Milliner-Waddell, Strategist associate editor
• Denisse Myrick, photographer
• Hilary Reid, Strategist senior editor
• Hailey Rizzo, blogger behind Feeling Good As Hail
• Kanani Rose, diversity-and-inclusion specialist
• Erin Schwartz, Strategist writer
• Catherine Smart, co-founder of Not Just Co.
• Lauren Valenti, senior beauty editor at Vogue
• Clare Vivier, designer and founder of Clare V.
Additional reporting by Chloe Anello.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
