Buying Guide
Designer Loafers Worth Buying
Designer loafers worth buying come down to a few smart calls: leather quality, the right toe shape, and a heel you'll actually wear past the first month. This edit pulls together the women's and men's styles we keep coming back to, from polished penny and horsebit fronts to softer suede and driving versions. Expect names like Burberry, Mulberry, Maje, Sandro, Alexander McQueen and Michael Kors. We've grouped them so you can find your pair fast.
Women's loafers
The women's selection spans the proper grown-up classics and the slightly chunkier soles that read younger. Look to Maje and Sandro for clean almond-toe leather pairs that sit happily with trousers or a midi skirt. Alexander McQueen brings a sharper, more directional shape if you want presence. Buy a polished black or deep burgundy first, since both carry across seasons. If you're between sizes in a structured leather upper, size down; they give a little once the footbed softens.
Men's loafers
Men's loafers here run from the boardroom-ready to the weekend pair you'll live in. A dark brown or black penny loafer is the one to own first, and it'll partner suits, chinos and dark denim without a second thought. Burberry and Sandro cover the sharper end with crisp leather and a slim last. Mind the fit at the topline; a loafer that gapes at the heel will never settle. Try them late in the day when feet are at their fullest.
Suede and driving styles
Suede and driving styles are the relaxed half of the loafer world, softer underfoot and easier with weekend dressing. Driving versions sit low with rubber-stud soles, so they're best kept for dry days and lighter wear, not a long commute. A tan or navy suede pair lifts jeans and unlined linen trousers in summer. Treat them with a protector spray from day one. If you want one pair that does most jobs, a mid-brown suede front is the safest call.
The buyer's brief
How to choose
A good loafer earns its place by fitting well and going with most of your wardrobe. Here's how we'd weigh up shape, leather and price before you commit.
Start with the shape that suits your foot
Almond and round toes flatter most feet and read classic. A squarer or sharper toe makes more of a statement but can feel less forgiving on a wider foot. If you're new to loafers, a clean almond-toe leather pair is the easiest to wear and the hardest to tire of.
Leather first, hardware second
Soft full-grain leather or good suede ages well and moulds to your foot. Horsebit snaffles and chain trims look smart but date faster, so keep them to one pair rather than your only one. For a first buy, a plain penny or apron front gives you the longest run of wear.
Get the fit right at the topline
Loafers have no laces, so the opening and heel do all the holding. If the topline gapes or your heel slips, the shoe is too big. In structured leather, size down half a step; the upper relaxes as the footbed beds in. Try them on later in the day.
Match the heel to your day
Flat and low-block loafers carry you through long days on your feet. A slightly raised heel or chunkier sole adds a little lift and a more current line. Think about where you'll actually wear them, then pick the height you can stand in for hours, not just for photos.
Pick a colour that pulls its weight
Black and dark brown are the workhorses and go with tailoring, denim and most trousers. Burgundy and tan are the next-best, easier than they look and a fresher choice than another black pair. Buy a versatile dark colour first, then let your second pair be the fun one.
Think about the sole and the season
Leather soles look refined but wear quickly and slip in the wet, so add a rubber half-sole if you walk a lot. Driving styles with stud soles suit dry days and light use. For a year-round pair, a leather upper on a sturdier rubber-edged sole gives you the most flexibility.
Good to know
Answered
If you'll wear them often, yes. Better leather holds its shape, takes a polish and can be resoled, so a quality pair outlasts several cheap ones. The value comes from wear, so buy a colour and shape you'll reach for weekly rather than a novelty pair that sits in the box.
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About this edit
Diligo's edits are curated by our editorial team and updated as ranges and availability change. Every product featured is hand-picked for design, quality and lasting appeal, so you can discover pieces worth buying without trawling dozens of sites.
Product availability and prices shown are indicative and refreshed regularly. Tap any product to continue to the brand.