Trade Your Sneakers for One of These Fall Loafer Trends Instead

They're just as comfortable.

woman wearing black loafers and white socks.
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)

Don’t tell my sneaker collection, but I’m eyeing a new style for fall 2025: Loafers. They’re everywhere on my newsfeed, for one, but they’re also proving to be a go-to when I want an elevated fall shoe that doesn’t feel stuffy. I’ve found myself looking at the biggest loafer trends of the season and debating which one I should invest in before cold weather kicks in.

Sure, you probably already know about classic black styles or even ones that come in a funky, ‘70s-inspired croc print. But what about the sky-high platform styles that nearly broke the internet (and a few ankles) when they debuted at Gucci earlier this year? They’re one of fall’s biggest shoe trends, as are grandpa-core tasseled loafers—another controversial trend that fashion insiders have already co-signed for fall.

If you’re ready to ditch your sneakers (and your sandals, for that matter), keep reading. Below, I’ve chronicled the must-have loafer trends you can invest in now and style to perfection over the next four months.

Suede Loafers

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - AUGUST 05: A guest wears beige trench coat, yellow socks with black polka dots and brown loafers outside the Skall Studio show during Copenhagen Fashion Week day two on August 05, 2025 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Raimonda Kulikauskiene/Getty Images)

Suede loafers are here to stay.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Suede trends every fall, but this year, everyone is obsessed with suede loafers in particular. It's easy to see why. The forgiving fabric is less blister-prone than traditional leather and wears better over time to perfectly fit your foot. Plus, some of the styles here are basically just fall-ified versions of summer's boat shoe trend, proving that preppy styles are here to stay.

Classic Black Loafers

woman wearing loafers in Milan

You can never go wrong with a pair of black loafers.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)

Less of a trend and more of worthwhile investment, black loafers are everywhere right now. If you haven't picked up a pair for yourself, consider any of the incredibly chic styles below. Some come in a nightime-friendly patent leather fabrication, while others prove that sticking to the basics works best.

Croc-Printed Loafers

woman wearing croc-printed loafers in Copenahgen

Croc-print styles offer a subtle change to your loafer lineup.

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Croc print is so subtle, you might not even notice it's there—but thats the point. It offers eagle-eyed shoppers a little something special compared to the rest of the finds on this list. No matter which shade you end up choosing, they give your outfits a cool retro flare.

Loafer Mules

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - AUGUST 5: Sonia Lyson, attending Copenhagen Fashion Week SS26, is seen wearing a chocolate brown cropped button-up jacket with a structured silhouette, classic collar, slightly puffed sleeves and dropped shoulders from Zara; a loose black satin camisole top with lace trim along the neckline and hem from Zara; cream white satin jogger-style trousers with an elasticated ankle cuff from Zara; a pair of dark brown suede backless loafers from Billi Bi Copenhagen; a mini brown monogram handbag with gold-tone hardware and a short gold chain strap from Louis Vuitton; a square-faced gold Panthère de Cartier wristwatch from Cartier; two golden Love bracelets from Cartier; an open Tubogas bangle in yellow gold from Bvlgari; rectangular gradient-lens sunglasses with gold temples and logo detail from Miu Miu during Copenhagen Fashion Week day two on August 5, 2025 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Moritz Scholz/Getty Images)

Loafer mules are the definition of a transitional shoe.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

File this style under: the perfect transitional shoe trend. Loafer mules offer you the flexibility of a sandal without having to expose your toes to the gritty streets, and allow you to accessorize with a chunky sock once the weather cools.

Tasseled Loafers

woman wearing tasseled loafers in New York.

Everyone and their grandpa are in love with tasseled loafers.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)

Call your grandpa and ask if it's okay to borrow his loafers—tassels are back for fall. Go all-out old man with a pair of chunky socks and a thick sweater, or play tap into the wrong shoe theory by teaming a pair of chunky loafers with a sweet dress.

Platform Loafers

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - AUGUST 04: A guest wears a loose-fitting jacket featuring a graphic print with cartoon characters and the word "FLASH" in blue on a patterned background. The jacket has a front zipper and long sleeves. Underneath, a black asymmetrical skirt with a decorative trim of circular patterns in various colors is visible. Black platform soles loafers with gold-tone hardware are worn. The hairstyle is long and wavy, and dark sunglasses are worn. A subtle necklace is visible, outside Forza Collective, during Copenhagen Fashion Week, on August 04, 2025 in Copenhagen, Denmark (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

Platform loafers are so bold (yet so easy to style).

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If Bella Hadid is already a fan of a shoe, I know I should at least consider trying it for fall. Case in point: her love of platform loafers. She recently wore a pair in New York, so I would prepare to see them everywhere this season.

Julia Marzovilla
Fashion E-Commerce Editor

Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she reviews the latest launches from fashion and beauty brands, finds the best on-sale items around the internet, and interviews experts to find the best products in any category to share with her readers. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site as an expert in everything from the best laptop bags to the best laser hair removal devices.

In her near decade of experience, Julia has both written for several top outlets in the E-Commerce space and worked at major fashion labels. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and worked as the Trending Fashion and News Writer STYLECASTER. You can find her across the internet at @JuliaMarzovilla. In real life, you can find her creating shopping guides for her friends, cooking or baking in her too-small kitchen, or buying tickets for the next time Harry Styles is in town.

Julia has a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Journalism from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. She lives in New York City, her hometown.