What’s the easiest way to dress up while staying dressed down?
Loafers.
They’re not just fancy slippers. They’re the gentleman’s smart casual shoe of choice.
At TAM, we think every guy should have at least one pair of loafers in their wardrobe. They’re our go-to when sneakers are too casual but it’s too hot for anything heavy.
In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know to pick out a great pair plus give you my thoughts on the best loafers for men.
My Recommendations
Best Casual: M. Gemi The Sacca Donna
Of all my loafers, the Sacca Donna is my favorite.
Beyond the design and build quality of the shoes themselves, M.Gemi’s great customer service and complimentary exchange and return policy also impressed me.
What I Like
The unlined interior keeps the Sacca light, breathable, and flexible.
Due to the durable and easy-to-maintain suede, these are great shoes for travel.
The Sacca fits comfortably right out of the box.
I recommend you skip the socks and stay casual.
What I Don’t Like
Don’t let water near these puppies. Their single-vamp moccasin construction is a double-edged sword. While they’re perfect for staying cool in summer, you’ll need to run indoors if a storm comes along.
What Other Reviewers Say
Other reviewers noted that the Sacca doesn’t hold up well to consistent streetwear. We agree. You’ll get a better value wearing these just two or three times a week.
The Verdict
If you’re looking for an everyday shoe to get you through the workweek, the Sacca isn’t for you. But for an evening of cocktails in the summer twilight? Oh, yeah.
M.Gemi’s focus on Italian luxury design makes the Sacca a great choice for embracing the European late-night lifestyle, wherever you are.
With its top-quality suede, stylish color options, and limited break-in period, The Sacca Donna by M.Gemi is one of our favorite loafers. We especially love the unlined interior which keeps your foot both cool and dry.
Most Comfortable: Amberjack The Loafer
There are loafers designed for style. Which too often seem to take a page from Chinese foot binding.
There are loafers designed for comfort. And then there’s Amberjack, which tries to get the best of both worlds.
A comfortable loafer is defined by a supportive outsole, high-quality leathers, and good airflow, and Amberjack’s The Loafer brings all that and more.
The outsole is made with a combination of high-performance athletic TPU and tough, supportive hiking boot material which gives a balance of flexibility around the ball of your foot and support in the heel.
The interior is coated with soft sheepskin that has been laser-perforated to improve airflow and keep your feet from becoming a sweaty disaster.
Best of all, they accomplish all of this while still keeping the classic, attractive loafer silhouette to keep you stylish.
What I Like
- The heel has a recessed portion for additional cushioning and stability.
- The high-performance athletic material used at the front of the shoe lets these flex and feel like sneakers.
- The perforated inner lining helps big time with keeping your feet cool and dry.
What I Don’t Like
They don’t offer wide sizing, but recommend you go up a size. Some reviewers who followed this advice thought the shoes were still too narrow.
What Other Reviewers Say
Many reviewers Googled, “Most comfortable dress shoes”, came across Amberjack, and were not disappointed. Lots of these reviews came from people who spend 8-10 hours per day on their feet, and they reported feeling much more comfort throughout the day.
The Loafers have very few negative reviews, but several customers said the shoes gave them blisters and weren’t that comfortable. Leather loafers will always have some break-in period, so it’s possible that these reviewers just didn’t wear the shoes for long enough.
The Verdict
Amberjack set out to make a pair of technologically-advanced, comfortable, stylish loafers and by all accounts they succeeded.
If you’re tired of your dogs barking after a long day on your feet, check out Amberjack’s The Loafers.
These loafers wear like sneakers but keep the classic loafer profile. High-performance athletic material in the front of the shoe makes for a flexible and responsive wearing experience, while hiking boot material in the heel brings support and stability.
Great Value: Beckett Simonon Bernard
Beckett Simonon has an interesting model, but they offer some of the greatest value you can find. All their shoes are made to order, so it may take up to six weeks to actually get them. But the quality and construction is comparable to what you might find from a $400 shoe.
What I Like
These aren’t your standard tassel loafer. The leather detailing on the upper lends extra texture for a shoe that’ll make you stand out.
The Bernard can play well with casual outfits in lighter colors, or work straight into a formal outfit in black leather.
Beckett Simonon uses all Vachetta leather for this shoe and it both looks and feels incredible.
What I Don’t Like
Because Beckett Simonon’s shoes are all hand made to order, they can take up to six weeks to deliver.
What Other Reviewers Say
Something I’ve seen come up time and time again every time I read through Beckett Simonon reviews is: first time buyers often talk about the next pair of shoes they’re getting from the brand. Comments on the Bernard tassel loafer aren’t much different.
The Verdict
If you have the patience to wait for a pair of hand made shoes, you’ll be pleasantly rewarded with the Beckett Simonon Bernard. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the brands loafers, but their tassel loafers are far and away the best in the industry when considering price and quality.
Blake stitched with full grain Vachetta leather: you'll have a hard time finding this type of quality at such a low price elsewhere.
Best Summer Loafer: Wolf & Shepherd Monaco
Wolf & Shepherd makes some of the most comfortable shoes I’ve tried, and the Monaco is no exception. While I didn’t make it as the most comfortable loafer, it’s a close second.
But more importantly, the Monaco is my favorite summer loafer because of the soft leather heel, which allows you to wear it like a slipper if you’d like. Or you can stay traditional and wear the leather over your heel.
The Monaco is unlined and super breathable, plus it has excellent arch support, which isn’t common in loafers.
Made with unlined Italian suede, these are super breathable and ideal for warm spring and summer days.
Best Horsebit Loafer: Jay Butler Millbank Loafers
Jay Butler specializes in loafers. Literally. They don’t make anything else. And the quality is superb. With added padding in the insole, these are some of the most comfortable loafers I’ve ever slipped on.
What I Like
The Vachetta glove lining feel luxurious and gives this suede loafer a little extra structure.
Four different suede options are all rich looking and fit the fall/winter palette.
If you’re feeling spendy, you can also find these in alligator and ostrich leather.
What I Don’t Like
These are made in the classic 50s American style, so they’re more chunky than their Italian counterparts. The style is at home in fall/winter, but it’s less sleek for spring/summer.
What Other Reviewers Say
The Millbank from Jay Butler has over 170 reviews averaging 4.8 stars. Quality and value seems to pop up in just about every comment, and we can attest to that, too.
The Verdict
The Jay Butler Millbank loafer has a ton of different suede and leather options that fit perfectly into a fall/winter look. Add a beautiful glove lining, and you’ve got yourself the best winter loafer on the market.
Ever tried a pair of suede loafers in the winter? There's something so sophisticated about a richly textured, glove-leather lined shoe when the temperature drops.
Best Penny Loafers: M.Gemi Filare
I’ve had nothing but great experiences with M.Gemi, and while. I haven’t personally tried the Filare, I absolutely love my Volo Due’s, which are the same shape and built on the same last. Unfortunately, the Volo Due is discontinued, but I actually like the cross strap on the Filare better anyway.
Rather than your classic penny loafer keyhole cut, the Filare features a twisted strap of leather across the upper, which is both unusual and super classy looking.
What I Like
The Filare is a modern take on the classic penny loafer. The twisted penny strap turns these loafers from standard to stylish.
Blake stitching means the hand-burnished upper fits snug with the outsole, giving the Filare its signature, compact Italian look.
What I Don’t Like
What Other Reviewers Say
Reviewers have only good things to say about the Filare. We couldn’t find much at fault with it either.
These loafers fit well right out of the box, and they break-in nicely. M.Gemi’s sizing guide is spot-on. While some reviewers said they went a half-size down, we didn’t think that was necessary.
The Verdict
The penny loafer is a classic. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be updated every once in a while. Even with a few bells and whistles, the Filare isn’t going out of style any time soon.
So go ahead, take your time sipping that cappuccino at the cafe.
You can get to Vespa’ing off into the sunset later.
The Filare puts a twist on the classic penny loafer style with a uniquely turned single strap of leather across the upper. The Filare has the shape and elegance of a penny loafer, but a sleeker and more modern sensibility.
Best Drivers: Oliver Cabell Driver
Oliver Cabell is most well-known for their Italian made luxury-level leather sneakers. But they’ve been stepping up their variety with this incredible summer driving loafer.
Made with light 3 oz Italian suede, lined with calfskin leather, and constructed with a Arneflex micro foam insole, these drivers are some of the classiest and most comfortable loafer you can find.
What We Like
When we reviewed Oliver Cabell, we found their quality was outstanding considering the price.
This driver is lined with Italian calfskin and has the micro foam insole so its comfort first.
The light suede makes this an excellent summer loafer.
There are four handsome color options available.
What We Don’t Like
If you’re not familiar with the “sole” of driving loafers, it can be difficult to get used to the rubber studded walking surface.
What Other Reviewers Say
These drivers were just released as of this writing (Aug. 2020) so there aren’t many reviews up yet. But Oliver Cabell is a trusted brand and it seems that all the blogs that know anything about shoe construction fawn over them.
Read our Oliver Cabell review if you’re interested in learning more.
The Verdict
Oliver Cabell’s Driver is the most comfortable driving shoe we’ve tried. Similar to the M.Gemi Sacca, the premium suede and ultra-soft interior make for an excellent wearing experience. While the M.Gemi Sacca is super light and flexible (because it’s unlined) this Driver has a little more structure to go along with the iconic style.
This suede slip on is constructed in Marche, Italy with Italian suede and lined with calfskin leather. The Arneflex foam insole makes for a supremely comfortable loafer.
Best Designer: Gucci Loafer with Horsebit
If you want a designer label, there’s no better brand than Gucci when it comes to loafers. They invented the horsebit, after all.
There are a lot of excellent brands making the same quality level at much cheaper prices (see the rest of this list), so if you’re going designer, make sure the branding is visible. That’s why I recommend the classic Gucci Loafer with Horsebit.
The green and red striped band under the horsebit is iconic, but not overpronounced.
What I Like
The heel is a full 1.4 inches, which is higher than most brands and has a distinctive and classy look.
The red and green striped band hits a nice balance between announcing the designer, but not overdoing it.
What I Don’t Like
The designer branding makes up most of the price. You can find this level of quality for $200 from Beckett Simonon, Taft, or Idrese easily.
What Other Reviewers Say
There aren’t many reviews on the Gucci Horsebit loafer that aren’t absolutely gushing. It’s hard to believe that someone willing to spend over $800 on loafers would want to say anything negative about them.
The Verdict
As I said earlier, you can get the same level of quality from other brands on this list. But you can’t get that iconic red and green stripe. If a designer brand is what you’re after, the Gucci Horsebit Loafer is the benchmark.
The Gucci loafer is the platinum standard. While you can find comparable quality at a fraction of the price, you can't replace the iconic branding. Go big or go home.
What Are Loafers?
Loafers became popular in the 1930s when the shoe company, Bass, created what’s known today as the penny loafer. Inspired by both Norwegian fisherman’s shoes and moccasins, the penny loafer stayed at the height of US fashion well into the ‘60s.
When Aldo Gucci caught on to the popularity of the style, he decided to bring his Italian class and flair. Thus the Horse-bit, or Gucci, loafers were born. From the ‘60s on, hundreds of shoe brands put their spin on the style.
Can You Wear Loafers With a Suit?
Yes, absolutely. Keep in mind that loafers are a casual shoe first, so you’ll be styling your suit in a casual manner. That’s totally fine for most wedding and office occasions, unless you need to adhere to a strict dress code. A fantastic combo is a navy suit with brown loafers and no socks.
Loafers began as casual shoes, but over time they’ve earned their spot among more formal attire. That balance of formal and informal has caught on with many Wall-Street bankers and punk-rockers alike.
Honestly, if I had to scream “buy, buy, sell, buy” in a room for twelve hours a day, I’d want to have a killer pair of loafers on, too.
What Socks to Wear with Loafers
There are a few rules to consider when wearing socks with loafers. It’s certainly possible to pull it off in good style, but you need to make sure you have the right socks.
My favorite brand of dressy socks is Boardroom Socks. It’s crucial that you don’t have your socks pooling around your ankles, and of all the brands I’ve tried, Boardroom does the best job at staying hiked up throughout the day.
Steeped in rich tradition and made in America, Boardroom Socks offer fine knit socks that are perfect for office attire and formal wear. The brand isn’t distracted by loud colors or current trends: instead, they’ve focused on crafting an over-the-calf sock that’s comfortable, durable, and stays up throughout the day.
The key is to match the socks to your pants: don’t worry about the color of your loafers (unless you’re rocking a non-neutral color like indigo or red).
Boardroom also makes my favorite pair of no-show socks. They have a rubber tab on the inside which keep the socks from falling down throughout the day, so once you put them on, you don’t have to worry about them again.
With a slip-grip tab in the back, these stay perfectly in place throughout the day.
But not all no-show socks are created equal. For certain loafers like the M.Gemi Sacca and Wolf & Shepherd Monaco, you’ll want low cut no-show socks. I haven’t found a great brand for this style of sock as they’re quite difficult to keep in place, but I still prefer wearing low cuts to going sockless.
3 Things You Should Consider When Buying Loafers
1. Work or Play?
What’s the occasion? Since loafers bridge the gap between casual and formal, you’ll be able to wear them with a variety of outfits. Stiff leather loafers go well with a smart suit, while light suede loafers look fantastic paired with jeans.
If you’ll be wearing loafers to work, choose brown or black leather and keep the design simple. You’ll still be able to wear them in a casual setting, but you’ll have your formal bases covered.
2. Color and Material
If you’ve got enough Oxfords and Brogues to last you through the workweek, wearing loafers will give you an opportunity to show a little flair.
Can’t handle another brown leather shoe hoarding space in your closet?
Branch out with brightly colored suede. They won’t work for every outfit, but they become the focal point when you wear them.
3. Fit
It’s OK if loafers are a bit snug on the first few wears. The leather will stretch to fit your feet. If you’re trying them in-person before buying, make sure you try with and without socks.
You don’t want to get stuck with an oversized pair of loafers because you tried them on while wearing your wool hiking socks.
The Different Types of Loafers Explained
Penny Loafer
The penny-loafer started it all. Originally created by Bass in the ‘30s, these earned their nickname as young men began to stash pennies in the front square cut-out in case of an emergency. That, of course, was back when pennies were worth keeping.
Tassel Loafer
The tassel loafer as we know it was born in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s. They’re based on a simple slipper design but dressed up with leather ornamentation on the front.
More and more, tassel loafers are breaking free from their casual roots and landing in more formal attire.
Driving Shoes
Driving shoes hearken back to the grandfather of the loafer, the moccasin. Designed with flexibility in mind, there’s no sole on a driving shoe—just rubber segments.
While they were originally meant for driving (who would have guessed) they’re massively popular in Europe during the hot summer months.
Belgian Loafer
You’ll know the Belgian loafer by the signature bow on its upper. Belgians fell out of style after they became associated with the infamous investment fraud and eleven-time felon, Bernie Madoff.
Thankfully, they’ve lost the bad rap. Belgian loafers are worn without socks and look great paired with jeans.
Gucci Loafer/Horsebit Loafer
Aldo Gucci saw the success of the G.H. Bass penny loafer and decided he wanted in on the loafer game. His design had all the comfort and casual ease of the penny loafer, but with a distinct Italian in-your-face touch.
Rather than the compact leather strap across the upper, Gucci added a metal bar designed like a horsebit.
Horse bit loafers (also known as Gucci loafers, even if they aren’t Gucci brand) are a favorite among law firm execs and the Wall Street upper crust.
Further Reading: The 10 Types of Shoes Every Man Should Own
How to Pick a Pair of Summer Loafers
Loafers are one of our favorite ways to dress up a summer outfit. While other shoe-styles like sneakers thrive in the hotter months, there’s no replacing the classic look of a solid loafer.
The key to picking an excellent pair of loafers for summer is breathability.
We put the M.Gemi Sacca Donna at the top of our list because they’re unlined. Not only does this add extra flexibility, but it allows for airflow around the foot.
While it’s always a good idea to wear a pair of low cut no-show socks, unlined loafers give you the ability to go completely sockless.
If you’re buying loafers specifically for late spring and summer, take the opportunity to pick up a bright color and add a pop to your wardrobe.
But if you want something that is versatile enough to fit into your wardrobe year-round, darker shades and neutral tones are your best bet.
Final Tips for Wearing Loafers
Socks, or no socks? Think you can go full Italian, or do you want to play it safe?
Certain styles like penny loafers pair well with brightly colored socks.
With its top-quality suede, stylish color options, and limited break-in period, The Sacca Donna by M.Gemi is one of our favorite loafers. We especially love the unlined interior which keeps your foot both cool and dry.
Other styles, like the Belgian or Gucci loafer, look better without anything underneath.
If you’re the kind of person who shudders at the thought of wearing shoes with no socks, pick up a pair of no-shows. These will reduce the amount of sweat your feet produce and will help you get through the break-in period.
FAQs
Are loafers in style in 2023?
Yes, loafers have been gaining popularity for their laid back casual look. The trend is toward premium loafers with materials like Italian calfskin lining and soft suede.
Can you wear socks with loafers?
Yes, you can wear socks with loafers. If you want to show your ankle, wear an extreme low-cut no-show sock. In the cooler months, textured socks look great with loafers. Just make sure that if you show your sock, it’s more dressy. A pair of cotton crew socks doesn’t go well with loafers.
Can loafers be worn with jeans?
Loafers and jeans are an excellent combination, especially in spring and summer. We recommend a light wash pair of jeans to keep with the super-casual style.
