Fashion appears ready to flip the page from pandemic-era dressing toward a fluid mix of casual, sporty, and effortlessly chic looks. Zara has stepped away from the athletic vibe covid era ushered in and embraced a new era in apparel, highlighted by Narciso Rodriguez’s latest collection. The 90s minimalist luxury aesthetic—championed by brands like Prada, Chanel, and Miu Miu—returned to the spotlight during New York Fashion Week, with loafers stealing the show as the next hero of street style for the upcoming months.
In this renewed emphasis, more classic versions stand alongside items like chains, chunky sole sneakers, or logos that define the season. This shift positions loafers as the versatile footwear to pair with nearly any outfit, from casual to polished.
Loafers have become a timeless staple, shedding the outdated label of mere luxury. What once carried a heavy aura now sits comfortably in many wardrobes, found in almost every closet and ready for daily wear.
‘Tiki’ and ‘normcore’
When loafers meet the normcore mood, the result is a relaxed anti-style that gained prominence around 2014. Fashion commentary notes the paradoxes of the era, culminating in a trend that embraces traditional, low-key dressing while gently defying fleeting fads. Vogue describes this as a shift toward simple, understated elegance, later evolving into a broader clothing aesthetic that includes the preppy, the grandmotherly, and the vintage vibe reimagined for modern wardrobes.
Next ‘these girls’
Top models and influential figures are already styling moccasins with confidence. Kendall Jenner pairs them with trousers or a skirt in the classic black, clean version. Haley Bieber shows them with white socks, while Prada’s platform loafer pairs elevate looks alongside socialites like Olivia Palermo, who mixes them with camel tones for a timeless combination.
How to combine
Trend forecasters suggest pairing loafers with socks for contrast or with no socks for a sleek, retro, masculine touch. The goal is balance: loafers work beautifully with formal suits and blazer ensembles, yet they also edge into bolder choices when worn with shorts and t-shirts. They complement wide-leg pants, jeans, and even skirts and dresses, offering a polished finish to many silhouettes.
Most women find loafers a reliable match with tailored silhouettes and casual to semi-formal outfits alike. The key is mixing proportions and textures to keep the look contemporary without losing the timeless charm of the shoe.
Types of models
There are several loafers styles to choose from:
✅Beefroll or Penny: Classic models from the American maker Sebago. The Penny origin comes from a penny slot in early versions. This style pairs well with sportswear or dark trousers, in brown or black leather or suede, with or without a heel. Luxury houses like Saint Laurent occasionally feature a logo accent as a decorative touch.
✅Tassel: Distinguished by a bow and two tassels on the upper, this model is more closed and refined, ideal for dressier occasions. The tassel namesake comes from the ornamental tassel itself, typically found in dark colors or suede.
✅With platform: A timeless design given a modern twist by the prevailing platform trend.
✅High heels: Aged for the office and beyond, with variants from a modest 2 cm to statement-making 10 cm.
✅Italian loafers: A freer, more diverse interpretation that emerged after World War II when Italian makers refined the moccasin form into a smoother, more comfortable version.
✅Horsebit: Popularized by Gucci and Hermès, these loafers feature a metal ornament and began expanding in the 1950s; women’s models followed in the 1960s.
✅Soft: A soft silhouette with small rubber nubs on the sole for comfort. Tod’s and Salvatore Ferragamo exemplify this line.
✅Thick-soled loafers: Bold, chunky soles that dominate the season’s style conversations.
✅No-heels: Ultra-comfortable options that add casual elegance to skirts, dresses, and shorts.
Tribal Origin
Loafers trace their name to the Algonquian term used by the Powhatan tribe for a style of slip-on shoes—no laces, buckles, or fasteners. The concept hearkens to Native American footwear made from rawhide.
Historical notes trace loafers back to ancient times, with a watershed moment in 1936 when GH Bass & Co. introduced the Weejun for men. Women quickly adopted the design, adapting it into more feminine forms. Gucci entered the scene in the 1950s, bringing Italian elegance to loafers with slimmer lines and a broader color range, helping the style become a staple for business travelers, executives, and leaders.
In contemporary fashion, loafers remain a versatile, enduring choice, capable of bridging casual and formal aesthetics while preserving a timeless appeal.