When it comes to spring and summer, trainers are tough to beat. But if you’re looking for something slightly smarter and better suited to dressing up, the best loafers for men are for you.
The classic slip-on style is sharp and elegant, but also far more comfortable than traditional lace-ups, making them perfect for times when you want to make an impression while remaining cosy.
Loafers are typically made from lighter-weight leather and suede than derbies and Oxfords, but the sheer range of styles out there can be overwhelming.
From deciding on the right type for you, as well as advice on the best loafers for men, we’ve got everything you need right here.
What to look out for when shopping for loafers
Type
Loafers usually come in a few subtle variations.
One of the easiest to wear with both smart and casual wear is the penny loafer. This classic Ivy League-inspired design has a fairly short profile with slim uppers and an elegant leather or rubber sole making them perfect for dressing up or down.
Penny loafers look just as good with a three-piece suit as they do with a pair of jeans and a polo shirt. For the ultimate in versatility, you can do no better.
For something a little smarter, though, look to sleeker designs with more minimal uppers and perhaps a buckle across the vamp. Find a pair with a longer, slimline profile and it can be just as smart as an Oxford or derby, pairing well with your sharpest tailoring and ideal for a summer wedding or work event.
Just remember to ensure they fit perfectly straight out of the box. As they have no laces, you’ll want to find a pair that fits relatively close to the foot. If you’re in between sizes though, it might be worth ordering the next size up. It’s better to have a pair that fits slightly too big that doesn’t cut into your feet – simply use an insole and you’ll be fine.
Material
Loafers are typically available in either leather or suede. For the smartest option, it’s worth seeking out polished calf leather, which will buff up to a rich, deep shine, making them well suited to wearing with tailoring.
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For something less stuffy, consider a textured leather, either in the form of tumbled leather or pebble grain, which gives a more laid-back look that works well when dressed down.
For the ultimate in laid-back elegance, look to suede. The soft, tactile nature of suede is perfectly suited to the loafer. Find a pair in unlined suede and it’ll be the ultimate summer shoe and something that will dress up your chinos or jeans, whether you’re on holiday or in the office.
Best loafers for men at a glance
- Best affordable leather loafers: Clarks Aldric Loafer
- Best affordable suede loafers: Walk London Terry Trim Loafers
- Best luxury loafers: Grenson Lloyd
- Best loafers for with a suit: Charles Tyrwhitt Saddle Loafers
- Best chunky loafers: Arket Penny Loafers
Clarks Alfric Loafer
- Clarks Aldric Loafer, £45 from Amazon – buy here
Clarks is most well known for its Originals series of shoes, including its Wallabee and Desert Boots. Often made from either waxed leather or suede, these classic designs are perfect for smart casual wardrobes with their soft construction and grippy crepe soles.
For something smarter though, Clarks produces a series of designs including these simple leather loafers.
Incredibly comfortable and designed for all-day wear, they come complete with a penny-style upper, durable rubber soles and simple styling, ensuring they’re perfect for wearing with tailored trousers or chinos alike.
Walk London Terry Trim Loafers
- Walk London Terry Trim Loafers, £65.99 – buy here
For simple, well-made shoes, Walk London is well worth considering.
The UK-based brand has, in a short space of time, built a reputation for its classic designs and accessible price points. Indeed, there are few legitimate options for quality men’s shoes at this level, making the brand something of a unique offering.
This pair of loafers is a case in point, featuring a soft suede upper, a sleek, elongated silhouette and '70s-inspired gold buckles over the vamp. Try these with a sleek linen suit in the summer, or dress them down with dark denim and a knitted polo shirt.
Grenson Lloyd
- Lloyd Loafers, £295 from Grenson – buy here
Grenson has long been ahead of the curve with its trend-led, classically made leather shoes.
The majority of its styles are Goodyear welted, including these penny loafers from its G: Two collection.
Smart yet relaxed, they’re ideal for wearing with your favourite suit but are just as at home with selvedge denim and workwear.
Charles Tyrwhitt Saddle Loafers
- Saddle Loafers, £149.95 from Charles Tyrwhitt – buy here
High street tailor Charles Tyrwhitt has long produced good quality shirts and suits, but it also does an excellent line in shoes.
These penny loafers are made with a soft leather upper and come with an EVA foam filler with moulds to your foot for all-day comfort.
Arket Penny Loafers
- Penny Loafers, £159 from Arket – buy here
For a more contemporary update to the penny loafer, try Arket.
This pair comes with a subtle chunkier appearance, with a rounded toe and double-stacked sole.
Wear them as part of a tonal monochrome look consisting of a black tee and jeans.
G.H. Bass Easy Weejuns
- G.H. Bass Easy Weejuns Larson Penny Loafers, £135 from Office – buy here
Having been around since 1876, it’s fair to say G.H. Bass knows a thing or two about making shoes. It was also the originator of the penny loafer, bringing the style to market in the mid-century.
This pair of Weejuns come finished in a wine-coloured polished leather, ensuring they’re incredibly smart and easy to clean.
Morjas Penny Loafers
- Penny Loafer Calf Brown, £179 from Morjas – buy here
As simple and elegant as the loafer gets, this pair from Morjas is crafted from beautiful brown calf leather and comes complete with a handmade single leather sole.
Easy to wear with everything from shorts in summer through to business tailoring, these are incredibly versatile and built to last.
Hackett Leather Mask Loafers
- Leather Mask Loafers, £205 from Hackett – buy here
An eccentric take on the penny loafer, this pair comes complete with an elongated ‘H’ coin clot on the vamp, leaving a subtle clue as to the origin of their maker.
Hackett has always been reliable for beautifully cut tailoring, but as these loafers show, its footwear offering is no slouch either.
Velasca Ost
- Ost Loafers, £260 from Velasca Milano – buy here
For all-out comfort, suede is really the only option.
This pair by Velasca Milano has been made with the softest suede calf leather, while its soles are crafted from vegetable-tanned bovine leather for a long-lasting finish.
Try them with chino shorts, a knitted polo and an Aperol Spritz in hand.
Aurélien Softey Suede
- Softey Suede, £310 from Aurélien – buy here
Specialising in Italian-inspired luxury, Aurelien is a maker of fine-quality, comfortable shoes.
These loafers show what the brand does best with their pared-back suede uppers and soft rubber sole.
How to wear loafers
Loafers are a wonderfully versatile shoe, and can be worn with pretty much any summer look.
They look great with a pair of jeans and an oxford shirt for a preppy look, or you can go full fashion week and pair them with a pair of cropped trousers, like in the picture above.
A pair of penny loafers are also a great companion to a pair of shorts on holiday.
And if you want to dress them up, you can easily pair them with a suit; just make sure to match the colour of your belt (if you're wearing one) to the colour of your shoes.
Do you wear loafers with socks?
Loafers and socks took on a bit of a stuffy reputation for a number of years, but the combination is now firmly back in style.
You can wear a pair of dark socks and trousers for a subtle approach, or colour clash for more of a statement.
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If you're wearing your loafers with shorts, cropped trousers or rolled-up trousers, then we'd recommend buying some no-show socks, which protect your loafers from foot sweat while providing a no-socks look.
- Jomatt Cotton No Show Socks (6 Pairs), £11.99 from Amazon – buy here
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