9 Best Women's Loafers That Suit Any Occasion
From classic black leather penny loafers to chunky platform styles.
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A solid pair of loafers can instantly polish off any look. The classic footwear staple lays the most versatile base whether you're commuting to the office or dressing up your favorite pair of denim — plus, you'll find they're (usually) uber comfy. Loafer styles run the gamut from classic black and brown leathers to trendy chunky platforms. Some include tassel details that dress up what would normally be classified as a slipper (shh!). A great transitional shoe, they make a mighty fine pick from summer to fall to winter.
If you'd like to add a touch of sophistication to your look, loafers go that extra mile (a frilly sock combo steps it up even more). In rounding up the best women's loafers, our Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab pros recommend their personal favorites, including brands they know and love and specific pairings they wear when the season suits.
Our top picks:
Read on for more about how we pick the best women's loafers — plus everything you need to know to shop for your perfect pair — at the end of this guide. Looking for more footwear recs? Check out our guides to the best summer sandals and the best workout shoes for your money.
Sam Edelman Women's Loraine Loafers
Pros
- Long-lasting leather
- Non-constricting designs
- Comfortable fit and wear
Cons
Sturdy and comfy, shoes from Sam Edelman are a worthy investment. Though we haven't tested this specific pair, Textiles Lab Executive Director Lexie Sachs owned one of the brand's now sold-out loafers for years and even after many uses, found them comfortable for all-day wear. It's seconded by a Textiles Lab analyst who finds their other offerings non-constricting. Plus, these black loafers resemble high-end options like women's Gucci loafers and tend to look more basic, great for dressing up and down.
• Style: Horsebit loafer
• Material: Leather
• Detailing: Small gold chain
Pros
- Budget friendly
- Comfortable
Cons
- Fits wide
Glossy and structured, these $60 Duchess loafers mimic much more expensive designer women's loafers. The black pair transitions nicely from work to a night out, and our Textiles Analysts offer up no complaints noting that the shiny exterior has yet to show any scuffs or scratches. Plus you get to skip out on the painful breaking-in time — they're comfy upon the first wear. The only caveat: They're a bit wide on narrow feet and our pro "prefers to wear them with thicker socks."
• Style: Penny loafer
• Material: Shiny faux leather
• Detailing: Penny strap
Pros
- Fashion-forward toebox
- Quality leather
Cons
- Difficult to break in
A retro crossover of a penny loafer and a lug sole loafer, this platform Everlane shoe effortlessly blends style and functionality. Its gum sole adds a bit of height while offering great grip, and its almond-shaped toe keeps things less bulky. However, while our Lab experts loved the stylish appearance of these loafers and the slight height offered, they were uncomfortable around the heels so you may want to invest in some heel cushions to go with them.
• Style: Penny loafer
• Material: Leather
• Detailing: Penny strap, lug sole
Vagabond Cosmo 2.0 Loafer
Pros
- Soles offer great grip
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- Not available in half sizes
In all their chunky platform glory, these Vagabond loafers add a bit of height without feeling overly bulky. "I love the rugged outsole that allows me to feel comfortable wearing these even in bad weather," one Analyst says. Fashion tip: Wear them to elevate a pair of flared jeans.
• Style: Penny loafer
• Material: Faux leather
• Detailing: Penny strap, lug sole
Madewell The Frances Loafer
Pros
- Quality leather
- Comfortable wear
Cons
- Potential to scuff
A silhouette dressed in simplicity coupled with forgiving leather, Madewell's Frances Loafer is the perfect pick for casual outfits. Our Lab experts attest that the brand offers "quality leather" in its shoes, belts and work bags and find it "soft and flexible while remaining durable enough for everyday use." One thing worth noting: These shoes can run a bit narrow in their standard sizes, but it's not a major stretch from most traditional loafers. A GH editor found the pair a bit stiff at first, but they immediately eased up for comfortable all-day office wear, sans blisters.
• Style: Slipper loafer
• Material: Leather
• Detailing: Wood sole
Lattelier Leather Loafers With Chain
Pros
- Comfortable wear
- Outer sole offers great grip
Cons
- Not available in half sizes
To add a dash of chicness to your capsule wardrobe, these Lattelier chain loafers are the missing link. Their 10 color options include subtle pops of yellow, pink and green, or go the more neutral route with basic black, browns and greys. One GH editor loves pairing these with black trousers to achieve that off-duty look. "Its lug sole doesn't drag. Rather, it's like stepping into an elevated cushion."
• Style: Horsebit loafer
• Material: Faux leather
• Detailing: Gold chain, lug sole
Hush Puppies Women's Wren Loafer
Pros
- Made with Lab-approved fabrics
- Includes a cushiony footbed
Cons
- Runs narrow
Touted as stain, water and scuff resistant, Hush Puppies' suede was tested firsthand by our Lab, and it weathered the test with high marks. These loafers are great if you're prone to stepping in puddles and spilling beverages. A bit more stylish than traditional loafers, a GH Lab pro says they also "feature a foam footbed that’s retained its cushioning better than some memory foam or EVA footbeds I’ve personally used." For wider feet, keep in mind that they can run narrow and feature a lower toebox, even in their wide sizes.
• Style: Penny loafer
• Material: Suede
• Detailing: Penny strap
Italeau Trino Waterproof Tassel Loafer
Pros
- Great on arches
- Require little breaking in time
Cons
- Runs small, according to site
A modern twist on loafers, these fringed slip-ons feature a small wooden heel. Inside, a cushioned memory foam footbed cradles high arches, ideal for those prioritizing arch support. Fresh out the box, these women's heeled loafers "immediately were comfy to wear and have such a soft feel to them," our Lab pros say.
• Style: Tassel loafer
• Material: Leather
• Detailing: Tassel
Pros
- Cushiony footbed
- Slip on easily
Cons
- Not ideal for long wear
Get the closest you can to walking barefoot. Birdies' slipper loafer looks luxe while keeping you light on your feet. With its seven-layer footbed designed to conform to feet, the shoes offer a cloud-like step. Our Textiles Lab pros agree as they wear their slides constantly — just be aware that the rubber outsole is not designed to be worn for long walks or busy commutes.
• Style: Slipper loafer
• Material: Velvet
• Detailing: Rubber sole
How we chose the best women's loafers
Our Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab features a team of fiber scientists who regularly run category-wide tests of footwear, including the best walking shoes to the best hiking shoes. We research a range of styles, spend hours walking in the footwear and analyze consumer tester data on cushion, support, traction, appearance and more.
Though we haven't officially tested loafers in Lab, our textiles pros personally recommended or approved the above pairs, considering their own experiences of comfort, style and longevity while wearing loafers.
What to look for when shopping for loafers
✔️ Style: All novice loafer wearers should know there is actually a breadth of styles out there: the classic penny loafer, timeless horsebit, modern tassel, trendy lug sole and comfy slipper.
✔️ Material: Generally, loafers are made with leather. Genuine leather usually lasts longer compared to faux options. Then, there are suede, patent and matte options, too. It really comes down to personal preference and style. Just make sure you follow proper maintenance to keep them in great condition, our Lab experts say.
✔️ Detailing: From penny straps to subtle chains, loafers tend to sprinkle in details that make the shoe look all the smarter. Typically, these features relate to the style name — penny straps for a penny loafer, while single chains can equate to horse-bit loafers.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab pros Executive Director Lexie Sachs, Textiles Analyst Grace Wu and Senior Textiles Analyst Emma Seymour, recommended a handful of their favorite loafers and gave feedback on each. With several years of fiber science experience and extensive apparel design coursework at Cornell University, Emma lent her expertise to our guide on what to look for in women's loafers. She oversees in-Lab and consumer tests for backpacks, swimsuits, fanny packs and more.
Associate Editor Jacqueline Saguin collaborated with our Textiles Lab experts to write up this list. As a former Style & Beauty Reviews Writer at Insider, Jacqueline also has an extensive knowledge of fashion and shoes.
Jacqueline (she/her) was a commerce editor for Good Housekeeping from 2021 to 2024. Prior to joining GH, she was a style and beauty reviews fellow at Insider, testing viral trends, reviewing sustainable brands and more. She's a graduate of the University of Florida's School of Journalism, with a specialty in magazines and mass communication.
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