Call it fake news or fashion hyperbole, but the “Death of the Sneaker” headlined aren’t entirely off—and the best loafers for men are at the root of the hoopla. Go ahead—name a men’s shoe more versatile, more chameleonic than a pair of loafers. The truth is, no other shoe can pair up with a bespoke tux for a red carpet event and jive with some cut-off jean shorts for the after-after party that same night. (The only two vibes, really).
Let’s put it this way: When you’re jamming out of the house in a frantic blur with nary a second to whip up a half-decent outfit, a pair of loafers will really save your ass. And hey, the lack of laces could even save just enough time for you to make your train. (Bonus!) For the more punctual among us, some good loafers can take your well-thought-out fit and turn it into a serious galaxy-brain ensemble. If these quarter-baked anecdotes are merely tickling your interest and you need a little more convincing, don’t worry—we’re just getting warmed up.
The Best Loafers Shopping Guide
How do I choose one?
Simple: Think about what you’re going to wear them with, and then refine your search accordingly. (For more styling how-to, see below.) Are you looking for dainty leather soles or do you need stompers with a little more heft? Are you jonesing to slip your dogs into classic-leaning penny loafers or are the freakiest, flyest loafers on the market? Once you’ve found a pair of that’s right for you and your wardrobe, slip ‘em on without a second thought, and claim your certified style god status at checkout. It really is that easy. What you should be asking yourself is: How do I choose only one?
Which brands should I turn to?
Thanks to the Great Loafer Boom of 2023, there have never been more options—from heritage menswear brands and big-name designers and tiny startup labels alike. You’ll always be in good hands (er, feet?) with mainstays like Alden, Dr. Martens, and G.H. Bass. But plenty of indie hard-bottom peddlers are making waves you might want to catch, too. When in doubt, dust off your favorite dress shoes, double-check who makes them, and then review their loafer selection; chances are they sell a bang-up pair.
What should I wear them with?
Good news on this front: it’s nigh impossible to find an outfit that a pair of loafers won’t look absolutely fly with. T-shirt and jeans (weird or otherwise), a proper blazer and trousers (with pleats or without), shorts—especially the shorts of summer—and beyond. (In other words, just about everything.) Naturally, loafers look right at home with chinos and a sweater vest, but they can also smarten up your wildest 2023 fits with surprising pizazz. No matter the style you’re after, from classic penny loafers to dressy tassel loafers, we’ve tracked down the 23 absolute best loafers for men—all exhaustively researched, thoroughly vetted, and ready to roll.
Watch The GQ Recommends Show: The Best Loafers for Every Budget
The Best Bang-for-Your Buck Loafer
A “Best Men’s Loafers” list would never be complete without a pair of Bass Weejuns. They’ve been an icon since the ’30s, and when it comes to loafers—or any shoe really—you’d be hard-pressed to find a better value. The brand’s casual-leaning style is a GQ-favorite beloved by old-school preppy legends like J.F.K. and modern-day loafer aficionados alike. The best way to wear them? Play down their clean-cut origins by pairing them with everything from cuffed Dickies to flower-child faded jeans. For the bargain-savvy shopper, these are about as close as it gets to a near-perfect black loafer that doesn’t compromise on quality and doesn’t call for a short-term loan to afford. In other words: as long as Bass keeps making ’em, we’ll keep recommending ’em.
The Best Grail-Worthy Loafer
The word “icon” gets tossed around real casually these days, but Gucci’s horsebit loafer is the rare piece of design actually worthy of the moniker. (There’s a reason the silhouette’s barely changed since it was first introduced in the early ’50s.) Gucci high-end loafers are still crafted in Italy, still embellished with the brand’s signature horsebit detail hearkening back to its legacy as a small-time Florentine leather goods operation. Explaining their appeal is easy: not only do they go with everything you already own, but they’ll swank up every outfit you pair them with—from the casual, everyday vibes you’ll be bringing back to your re-opened office, to the wooly suit you’ve been jonesing to bust out with a funky tie.
The Best Moodboard Loafers
For decades, loafers remained an unbeatable footwear option for every type of sophisticated gent, but it’s only recently that brands cottoned on to their appeal as canvas for their wildest designs. Case in point: Blackstock & Weber’s Safari loafers, a veritable Animal Kingdom in shoe form. (Tiger, and zebra, and leopard prints, oh my!) These loafers are sure to do two things: 1) Make you the most confident dude at any function you attend, and 2) Do massive numbers on the ‘gram. We’re not in the business of making triple-digit guarantees, but if there were ever shoes that promised some well-warranted timeline love, it’s these. Keep the rest of your outfit classic (think a navy suit, solid knit polo, and a sleek pair of aviators) to really let ’em roar.
The Best Tassel Loafer
Tassel loafers are here, waiting, if you want something outside of a penny loafer that’s still got some showmanship. Alden’s signature version is absolute aces: handmade in Massachusetts from handsome shell cordovan leather (a.k.a the king of all leathers) on a deceptively comfortable leather outsole. You’d be hard-pressed to find a pair of shoes that’ll complement a pair of dark indigo jeans more effectively, or more instantly elevate a creamy pair of linen trousers to the realm of “gracefully aging Italian gentleman.”
The Best Knockabout Loafer
Alden’s tassel loafers are great and all, but the rarified price point, cordovan leather, and dainty silhouette give them a scholarly, somewhat fuddy-duddy air that might not jive with your street-leaning sensibility. That’s where Dr. Martens comes in. Its cult-loved Adrian loafers are done up in the brand’s notoriously tough smooth leather, and then plopped on top of its surprisingly giving AirWair soles. For Doc lovers, details like a double tassel and kiltie fringe—positioned around that signature cushioned sole—have helped loafer wearers look like counter-cultural icons since the ‘80s, and with a scuzzy cardigan and faded jeans they’ll do the same for you, too.
The Best Venetian Loafer
Venetian loafers couldn’t be hotter right now, and you should absolutely learn what the fuss is about. Construction-wise, they’re similar to the conventional loafers you’re familiar with, absent a few crucial stylistic flourishes—namely, the straps, tassels, and kilties that typically lend the uppermost part of the loafer some flair. While everyone else is losing their minds over chunky shoes, the soft-spoken menswear gods at The Row are taking the opposite approach. Their leather loafers offer a masterclass in don’t-call-it-stealth-wealth minimalism, and make a compelling argument for dainty shoes in the process.
The Best Titan of Industry Loafer
If you’re looking for slip-on shoes that’ll make you feel like you’re on top of the world every time you wear ‘em, these are the loafers for you. J.M.Weston’s most popular shoe is a tour de force of footwear design—insisting on the 180 manual operations necessary to assemble each pair might sound a tad excessive, but if you’re dropping a rack on a pair of shoes, you expect that level of craftsmanship. Goodyear-welted for easy resoling and done up in a rich shade of dark brown, these are loafers that’ll sync up just as well with your most formal outfits as they will your most casual, from your finest “hostile corporate takeover” power suit to a pair of frayed 501s and your “weekend beater” Rolex.
