The 12 Very Best Loafers for Women (2024)

$175

Sizes: 5–11 with half-sizes | Style: Penny | Material: Polished leather, leather sole | Embellishments: Beefroll stitching

G.H. Bass introduced the Weejun, based on shoes that were making a splash on the Palm Beach social scene, back in 1936. Weejuns have been a preppy staple ever since — Gwyneth Paltrow even kept hers from her turn as Margot in The Royal Tenenbaums. The Whitney style of Weejuns, which features the brand’s famed beefroll stitching, is a timeless loafer and I believe everyone should own at least one pair of them (it also happens to be the style that was most recommended by the people I interviewed for this guide). I’ve been wearing a pair weekly since September and they are especially smart and sharp-looking. The shoes slip right on — the leather itself isn’t too stiff, though the heels famously take a few wears to loosen up. The toe box has enough space that you can comfortably have a sock on too.

Though the Whitneys aren’t cheap at nearly $200, their all-leather construction is made to last. They also look more expensive than they are: A former New York photo editor once confused Strategist senior editor Hilary Reid’s pair for Celine. They are unquestionably the shoes to buy for a preppy look — Strategist writer Erin Schwartz once described them as “peak Ivy League, ‘Walcott’ by Vampire Weekend, tennis-lessons-on-the-weekends loafers.” Note that leather-soled Weejuns, like the Whitneys, can be slippery on carpets until they have a few scuffs on the bottom, but if you want something with more traction from the start, there’s also a rubber-soled version (a favorite of Lauren Valenti, beauty director at InStyle).

From $38

Sizes: 5–13 with half-sizes and narrow, medium, and wide fits | Style: Slipper | Material: Leather (patent and crinkle), rubber sole | Embellishments: Vamp stitching, block heel

Franco Sarto’s Bocca loafers are more affordable than the Whitney Weejuns, at $110 instead of $175. They have a rubber sole rather than a leather one and only the subtlest of stitching on the vamp, so they are much plainer shoes. Unassuming, yes, though not unattractive — I’d go so far as to call them handsome, more in the style of men’s loafers than others I’ve tried. The leather on the Boccas is supple and really molded well to my feet when I tested a pair, but I also found that it shows scratches more easily. Still, you’re getting a good loafer, especially if you find the Boccas on sale. Illustrator Alexandra Citrin-Safadi, who also recommends the pair, likens them to “The Row on a budget, baby,” as they have an austere quality that’s characteristic of the Olsen twins–founded label.

$185

Sizes: 5–11 with half-sizes | Style: Penny | Material: Leather, rubber sole | Embellishments: Lug sole, beefroll stitching

Weejuns come in a number of iterations, with new details on the same core shoe, and this Super-Lug version is a favorite of fashion blogger Hailey Rizzo. They have the same glossiness and penny slot as the originals but are grounded by a thicker lugged sole that gives them more height. They have an edginess about them for that reason, so Rizzo likes to pair hers with French-tucked band T-shirts. She does warn that, like the Whitneys, the shoes need some breaking in, especially around the heels: “I’d be lying if I said they were comfortable from the get.” To quicken the process, she recommends taking them on short “trips,” like wearing them to the grocery store, and buying no-show socks to prevent them from rubbing against your ankles.

$195

Sizes: 5–11 with half-sizes | Style: Horsebit | Material: Burnished leather, EVA sole | Embellishments: Buckle, lug sole, beefroll stitching

Another pair of lug-sole loafers to consider is the Lianna Weejuns, which features a horsebit buckle. I fell for the combination of the traditional with the nontraditional. There’s something almost Frankensteinian about them, and even though they look a bit clompy, they have a surprising amount of springiness. The sole is made from eco-friendly EVA — a kind of foam used in sandals like Tevas — making them bouncier than meets the eye. Like the Whitneys, the Liannas start off stiffer around the back edge, though not enough to be pinching. After I wore them a handful of times, they were pretty well broken-in. And more than a year since I bought them, they still look nearly new.

$150

Sizes: 5–12 with half-sizes | Style: Horsebit | Material: Burnished faux leather, synthetic sole | Embellishments: Platform lug sole

Lara Mahler, founder of wedding-planning company the Privilege Is Mine, has been a fan of Sam Edelman shoes for over a decade — she wore her last pair until the soles were worn through, repaired them, and then wore them to the ground again. When it came time to find a replacement, she settled on the Teagans, which feature a super-supportive and sturdy platform lug sole. The shoes also have a bit of a nonconformist attitude, with the hardware on the strap resembling chains rather than a true horsebit. They simultaneously feel masculine and feminine, Mahler says, a balance that’s usually hard to find.

$190

Sizes: 36–42 | Style: Kiltie | Material: Polished leather, rubber sole | Embellishments: Fringe

Some of the best boots I own come from Swedish shoemaker Vagabond, so I was eager to try its loafers for myself after hearing about them from former Strategist writer Chloe Anello. The Alex loafers have all the hallmarks of the brand, being well made and modern-looking. They also feature a raised top seam that’s similar to the traditional beefroll, but with more minimal stitching for a smoother look than what you see on the Weejuns. The shoes’ mirrorlike shine — which is still more muted than patent leather — hasn’t scratched since I got them in July, and the kiltie fringe hasn’t curled up on the ends. That said, these loafers start out slightly stiff. Anello suggests always wearing socks while breaking them in. But I used my trusty shoe stretchers as a shortcut, and the loafers quickly became easier to slide on without rubbing against my heels. If you’d rather not have the kiltie, Vagabond also makes a non-kiltie version — though I prefer the former for a little flair.

$920

Sizes: 34–42 with half sizes | Style: Horsebit | Material: Polished leather, leather sole | Embellishments: Buckle

It would be an oversight not to mention Gucci on this list, considering the Italian house invented the horsebit loafer in 1953. (It was Weejuns that influenced founder Aldo Gucci.) Since then, the Gucci horsebit has become iconic, with a whole host of fans who are dedicated to finding dupes. But nothing beats the original. These have the dubious distinction of being the most expensive loafers on this list, at almost $1,000 — but are well worth their price tag, according to a few of our panelists. You’re paying a premium not just for quality but for the Gucci name. Photographer Denisse Myrick considers hers one of the best investments she has made. It took five years’ worth of regular wear before she even had to think about resoling them. The fit is another reason why they’re so appealing. Grace Atwood, founder of The Stripe and co-host of the podcat Bad on Paper, describes them as the “fancy-lady version of Birkenstocks.” By the time they’re fully broken in, they’re “possibly even more comfortable than sneakers,” she says.

From $128

Sizes: 4–13 with half sizes | Style: Horsebit | Material: Faux leather, synthetic sole | Embellishments: Buckle

For a much cheaper alternative to Gucci, these Sam Edelmans are a solid option. They have a similar horsebit detail as well as a slim, sophisticated shape, but they won’t break the bank. “They broke in super-quick, so I was able to wear them for a full work day, including the commute when that was a thing, after only wearing them around the house for a couple of hours,” says Kanani Rose, a diversity and inclusion specialist (and Anello’s sister-in-law). She also appreciates how breathable the shoes are, so you can wear them without socks and avoid “swamp feet.” They come in over 30 colors and materials, so owning more than one pair is justifiable.

$198

Sizes: 35–43 | Style: Driver | Material: Suede, rubber sole | Embellishments: Beefroll stitching

Driving loafers were originally created for men who wanted more grip when driving, hence their name and knobbed sole. But now they’ve become a beloved shoe for those who want shoes that feel like slippers but look nice enough to wear outside the house. M. Gemi’s Felize loafers come recommended by Deanna Eng, vice-president of strategy at Beam, for being supremely comfortable without looking frumpy. They’re so versatile she’s worn them everywhere from morning yoga to a business meeting to happy hour. Anello also owns them and can attest to their comfort. She credits the loafers’ traditional moccasin construction — meaning they’re sewn from a single piece of suede — as it helps the shoes literally mold to your feet over time. This lets Anellowear them sockless without worrying about blisters.

$490

Sizes: 35–41 | Style: Penny | Material: Patent leather | Embellishments:Heeled, penny strap

The Kittys from Labucq, with their hooflike square toe and a flared block heel, seem clopping at first glance. But I found these loafers surprisingly light on the feet. I could really walk in them from the first wearing, without click-clacking on every step. The heel is balancing, so they don’t feel wobbly; stylist Ryan Gale describes the shoes as having the perfect height and thickness for morning commutes, errands, and meetings throughout the day. The shoes are also thoughtfully crafted with contrast stitching, a little platform in the front, and a crinkled finish on the leather. Just one word of advice: I usually take a size 7 but sized up to a 38 (which converts to a U.S. size 7.5/8 on the brand’s size chart) to fit my wide feet.

$450

Sizes: 35–42 with half sizes | Style: Penny | Material: Matte leather (sole, and heel) | Embellishments: Heeled, penny strap with medallion middle

I screenshotted the Nonos from Nomasei when I first spotted them while scrolling Instagram, then patiently waited for them to go on sale. Though I bought mine on markdown last summer, I would be willing to get another pair at full price now. These might be my most complimented loafers. There’s an obvious level of craftsmanship in the smoothness of the leather, cushiony lining, and stitching and details throughout. (Though I suppose this shouldn’t be too surprising, as Nomasei’s founders met while working at Chloé.) Even the hand on the shiny front medallion features tiny knuckles and fingernails plus a bracelet and ring. The heels on the Nonos are lower, at a little over an inch — about half the height of the heel on the Kittys — for just enough lift.

$195

Sizes: 6–11 | Style: Penny | Material: Polished leather | Embellishments: Curved heel, penny-style strap

Strategist junior writer Brenley Goertzen discovered the Thelmas during a trip to the Camper store in Soho. She was immediately drawn to the slightly square-yet-still-rounded toe and sculptural, curved heel. Though the almost-three-inch heel height stands out in the world of loafers, the bottom platform helps to even them out, Goertzen says, adding that even when sprinting to catch a train, these “stick firmly to my feet without feeling like stilts.” It can take a while to break them in, though. She first wore them with thicker socks to keep them from rubbing and was eventually able to go sockless.