One of the few good things to come out of the pandemic was loafers.  Sure, joggers and elastic-waist pants had their moment too, but let’s be honest—haven’t we pushed that jogger thing a little farther than it ever deserved to go? Loafers, on the other hand, filled a real gap. Five years later, they’re still going strong.

Not that loafers were ever truly out of fashion, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that the requests for them came flooding in. And the logic is airtight: they’re polished enough for the office, cool with jeans, endlessly comfortable, and they add a touch of personality to almost any look. I used to own zero pairs; now I own so many it’s almost embarrassing. Until my toes start freezing—or until closed shoes stop making sense—you’ll find me in either loafers or sneakers.

STYLISH WAYS TO WEAR LOAFERS THIS FALL

Using five loafers that either I or my clients own, I’ve put together looks that work equally well for the office and off-duty.

LOOK 1: CAMEL + CHOCOLATE “LEATHER” LOOK

My most recent loafer acquisition is this pair by ALLY. After sending me a pair of pumps to review (which I wrote about here), they followed up and asked if I wanted to try their loafers. Given how impressed I was with the comfort of their pumps, I jumped at the chance—and the loafers are just as impressive. They feature a handcrafted leather upper, an ergonomically designed padded insole, built-in metatarsal and arch support, and they’re available in half sizes and four different widths. As a bonus, ALLY offers 10% off your first order when you use BRIDGETTE10 at checkout.

For this look, I styled the loafers with faux leather pants from Joe’s, a camel cardigan from Vince, and a white oxford shirt from Everlane. A taupe FRAME belt and square hoop earrings from Machete finish it off. The result? A polished, tonal outfit that balances classic tailoring with modern texture.

Takeaway: Pairing camel with chocolate brown is a chic alternative to black-and-white basics

LOOK 2: NAVY WITH A POP OF RED

I own two pairs of the Sacca Donna loafers from M.Gemi, and they’ve become instant staples. Made of super-soft suede that molds to your feet, they’re as comfortable as they are chic. This red pair is my favorite way to add a punch of color to otherwise neutral outfits.

Case in point: I styled them here with navy pants from Favorite Daughter and a funnel-neck sweater from Brochu Walker. The monochromatic navy base creates a sleek backdrop, letting the loafers do all the talking. I tied the look together with gold drop earrings and a navy belt from Reiss for polish.

Takeaway: A bold shoe is the easiest way to add personality to a monochromatic look.

LOOK 3: THE DRIVING LOAFER FOR A CASUAL CHIC LOOK

Full disclosure: I shamelessly own seven pairs of the Felize Driving Loafers from M.Gemi. One of those pairs is yellow, and honestly, it’s the one I reach for the most—it’s shockingly versatile. (You can read my full review of the Felize loafers here.)

The first time I saw driving loafers was years ago, on the creative director at the company where I worked as a designer. She wore them constantly, which convinced me they could be business casual as easily as weekend-ready. That dual personality is exactly why they’ve stayed in my rotation.

For this look, I styled the yellow pair with olive cotton twill pants, a heather ivory long-sleeve tee from M.M. Lafleur, and a sharp navy Veronica Beard blazer. To polish it off, I added a Longchamp scarf, detachable Jenny Bird huggie hoops, and a brown suede belt from Ettika. The result is a mix of relaxed and refined—a formula that works whether you’re headed to the office or strolling through your Saturday.

Takeaway: Driving loafers balance ease and refinement, making them as work-appropriate as they are weekend-ready.

LOOK 4: BURGUNDY FOR WORK TO WEEKEND

I don’t own these rich burgundy loafers from Margaux, but one of my clients—an avid Margaux fan—just bought them and raved. Like ALLY, Margaux is one of the few luxury shoe brands that offer sizes in both wide and narrow, which makes them a go-to for women who struggle to find that perfect fit.

I styled these loafers in a way that transitions seamlessly from work to weekend. In fact, I can easily see my client wearing this exact outfit to her more casual office. The look includes wide-leg jeans from Good American, a taupe cardigan from Jenni Kayne, and a striped burgundy tee from Boden. I tied everything together with burgundy teardrop hoop earrings from Adina Eden and a burgundy suede belt from J.Crew.

Takeaway: Burgundy loafers act as a sophisticated neutral—just as versatile as black, but fresher for fall.

LOOK 5: THE SNEAKER-LOAFER HYBRID

For a sneaker-meets-loafer option, I chose this style from Sarah Flint. Yes, they’re a budget splurge, but my clients who own them insist they’re worth every penny for the comfort and versatility. A few have made them true wardrobe workhorses.

I styled these hybrid loafers with wide-leg cropped pants from M.M. Lafleur and a sienna-colored ¾ sleeve turtleneck from Vince, layered under a short-sleeve cashmere cardigan from Me+Em. To finish, I added blue petal studs from Jan Leslie and a gold bangle set from Sézane. The mix of warm and cool tones balances out the sporty sophistication of the shoes.

Takeaway: A loafer-sneaker hybrid is the ultimate multitasker—polished enough for work, relaxed enough for the weekend.

THE FINAL WORD ON LOAFERS

Loafers may have surged in popularity during the pandemic, but their staying power proves they’re more than just a passing trend. They’ve evolved into a true wardrobe MVP: versatile, comfortable, and endlessly stylish. Whether you’re pairing them with leather trousers for the office, adding a pop of color to navy basics, or choosing a sneaker-loafer hybrid for maximum mileage, loafers bridge the gap between polish and ease better than almost any other shoe.

The beauty of loafers is that they can adapt to your life and your style. They’re a perfect candidate for building a You’niform—that go-to style formula you can count on for work, weekends, and everything in between.

If you’ve been overlooking loafers, this is the season to reconsider. Try styling a pair with your fall staples and see how they instantly elevate your look. And if you’re not sure which loafer (or which outfit) makes the most sense for you, let’s figure it out together—I’d love to help you build a wardrobe that works as hard as you do.  Be in touch by filling out an Image & Style Assessment to book a FREE call with me, here.