11 Chic Loafers That Are Perfect for Fall Travel
We’re all for a trend—leopard-print everything, please!—but all good wardrobes and travel outfits need to be anchored by a staple piece: a go-to denim jacket, a white button-down shirt, a pair of dark jeans that fit like a glove. And what pairs exceptionally well with all of them? Loafers. This classic, menswear-inspired shoe complements just about every outfit we can fathom, from a T-shirt-and-satin-skirt combo to a billowy blouse with office-appropriate trousers. Loafers are the ultimate TSA-friendly slip-on/off shoes that are made for travel, looking entirely polished and appropriate for fall while still keeping you comfy as you race through the airport or meander over cobblestone streets. Read on to find your next go-to pair.
Best Loafer Overall
Everlane The Modern Loafer
Hello, buttery gorgeousness. This beautiful loafer, part of Everlane’s stand-out fall collection, is crafted in Brescia, Italy with 100-percent leather and a stacked heel just shy of an inch, making them both elegant and durable. One word of caution: The leather on these is super firm and requires a few days of break-in. (Socks recommended!) But after that you’ll be blister-free. And its four neutral shades—black, camel, bone, and black suede—go with everything, so on a trip, they can be your “one and done” pair.
Best Suede Loafer
Gemi The Sacca Donna
Can a loafer be sexy? M. Gemi’s Sacca Donna certainly makes the case. Its hand-sewn sumptuous suede come in a variety of appealing colors: oatmeal, blue rain, electric blue, burnt orange, or black. Those going sockless will also appreciate the moisture-wicking leather footbed that sits atop a just-under-half-an-inch heel. When paired with simple light denim and a tucked-in tee, these loafers will do all the talking.
Best Platform Loafer
Naturalizer Adiline Loafer
We’re big proponents of platform shoes; their stacked soles can add inches of glamorous height without killing the balls of your feet. Naturalizer’s sleek Adiline Loafers are a great example; they offer an understated inch-and-a-half platform, a polished leather exterior, and a weightless sole that ensures they’re up for all-day wear. Style yours with a pencil skirt and flowy blouse for a boardroom-friendly look, or slip them on with a moto jacket and ripped skinnies en route to dinner—either way, they’ll be a major confidence booster.
Best Backless Loafer
Madewell The Frances Mule
You can’t beat a backless shoe for the ease of just slipping something on and strutting out the door (or through TSA). The Frances Mule—a backless take on Madewell’s best-selling loafer—is everything we want in a mule-loafer combo. Its simple-but-refined style pairs leather construction with a one-inch heel and extra padding for your soles—clutch when you’re on your feet for hours. While loafers can be tedious to break in, this chic pair requires no work; throw them on and go.
Best Status Loafer
Gucci Jordaan Loafer
If you’ve ever cracked the cover of a fashion magazine or followed even a single influencer on Instagram, you’re familiar with Gucci’s Jordaan Loafer. These loafers are certainly an investment, but budget options can’t hold a candle to their Italian construction. Leather soles, linings, and uppers meet a half-inch heel, and Gucci’s iconic horsebit detailing is the final flourish. Pair them with distressed high-rise jeans, a plain tee, and an oversized blazer for pure understated elegance.
Best Loafer With Chunky Heel
Tory Burch Kira Pump
Is it a loafer? Is it a chunky pump? Well, yes and yes. Tory Burch’s Kira Pump pairs a classic loafer silhouette with two-and-a-half-inch block heels and the brand’s signature golden logo. While these shoes can strut around a conference room like no other, the blocky heel also guarantees comfort so they’re fair game for all sorts of itinerary stops from window-shopping to gallery crawls. We’re partial to the chic black ones, but you can’t go wrong with tan, either.
Best Affordable Loafer
Universal Thread Quinn Faux Leather Loafers
Preppy looks and penny-pinching aren’t mutually exclusive. If you’re looking to upgrade your footwear and you’re on a budget, Target has your back. Their Quinn Faux Leather Loafers—from the brand’s Universal Thread line—feature a traditional flat-strap styling (aka a penny-loafer design), and it’s available in two versatile hues: black and brown. Best of all, a pair will run you just $28—leaving plenty of moolah for another purchase. (Compression socks, anyone?)
Best Leopard-Print Loafer
Dr. Scholl’s Faxon Loafer
Summer 2019 was all about the silk leopard skirt, and we’d like to nominate the leopard loafer as this fall’s animal-print trend. The Faxon Loafer from Dr. Scholl’s features a low block heel and pointed toe that can elevate even the most casual of outfits. Best of all, they’re just as comfy as you’d expect a Dr. Scholl’s shoe to be, with quilted padding in the heel. If one patterned shoe isn’t enough, you can double up by snatching up the brand’s snakeskin loafer as well.
Best White Loafers
Sam Edelman Loraine Bit Loafer
We have major eyes for Sam Edelman’s Loraine Bit Loafer. The menswear-inspired shoe has a sophisticated almond-shaped toe, a padded leather insole, and gold bit hardware similar to Gucci’s—but for a fraction of the cost. While the loafer is available in more than 30 colors, prints, and fabrics from paprika velvet and navy gingham to lavender metallic and natural linen, we’re swooning over the white leather option. Not sure how to style them for an on-the-go outfit? Start with Sam Edelman’s go-to look: straight-leg trousers and a cashmere turtleneck.
Best Wet-Weather/Waterproof Loafer
Blondo Women's Penny Loafer Flat
Clunky, heavy rainboots aren’t the easiest thing to take on the road. Thankfully, this waterproof footwear makes the workaround simple. Blondo is known for their weather-resistant styles which are so fashion-conscious they don’t look like they’re made for inclement weather. And yet their penny-loafer’s AquaProtect exterior—a seal that not only keeps out water, but also calcium and salt—is no joke. Plus its low half-inch platform and cushioned footbed means you can hoof it all over town ache-free.
Best Cold-Weather Loafer
Uggs Hailey Loafer
These Hailey Loafers will make you forget all images of pensive Tom Brady puttering around his mansion in Uggs. They’re a vision of fall bonfire coziness. And when autumnal days turn to winter nights, these suede-and-sheepskin shoes will bundle your toes in warmth. A rubber outsole makes them suitable for outdoor use, but they can also double as slippers, putting any five-star hotel’s version to shame.
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