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Like a great pair of flats, the best loafers for women are rare in their sheer versatility and practicality. Once you've locked in on a comfortable pair, you'll find that they go with just about any ensemble, from workwear outfits to a chic casual look with wide-leg jeans and a crisp white T-shirt. We tested in search of leather loafers with good arch support, because besides the classic style points, loafers are meant to be a sensible footwear option. More of our favorites include include lightweight travel loafers that can collapse and pack easily into a carry-on. Arch Support Shoes For Women
Best overall: Everlane The Modern Loafer - See at Everlane Everlane's classic loafer offers a simple and chic shape with flexible leather that has never given us blisters.
Best lug sole: Madewell Bradley Lugsole Loafer - See at Madewell Get the lift of a platform and the comfort of a cloud thanks to the cushy insoles of these lugsole loafers from Madewell.
Best packable: Rothy's The Loafer - See at Rothy's We like to switch into these after wearing heels because the soft, breathable mesh molds to your feet and folds neatly into a tote bag.
Best for avoiding blisters: Sam Edelman Loraine Bit Loafers - See at Sam Edelman This pliable pair takes no time to break in, and the leather conforms to your foot the more you wear them.
Best for walking: Vionic Uptown Loafer - See at Vionic The arch support and super flexible soles on these collapsible loafers were the most comfortable to walk in over long distances.
Best luxury: Gucci Brixton Horsebit Convertible Loafers - See at Nordstrom Our favorite Gucci loafers are made with supple Italian leather and have fold-down feels so they can double as mules.
Best platform: M.Gemi The Tamara - See at M.Gemi Add some dimension to your look with these patent leather high platform loafers, which are surprisingly lightweight despite their chunky sole.
Best classic penny: G.H. Bass & Co. Whitney Weejuns - See at Free People If you agree that the classic penny loafer will never go out of style, then G.H. Bass & Co. makes some of the best loafers for women we've found.
Best suede: Margaux Penny Loafer - See at Margaux Margaux is one of our team's favorite brands for fine leather footwear, and these suede penny loafers get extra points for their wide range of sizes.
Best velvet: Birdies The Starling Flat - See at Nordstrom These cushioned velvet loafers come in a wide range of colors and patterns, with an exterior inspired by classic smoking slippers.
Best budget: Naturalizer Cabaret Loafers - See at Amazon If you're looking for loafers under $100, the Naturalizer Cabaret Loafers are an elegant and comfortable choice.
Best Mary Jane: Charles & Keith Circle Charm Mary Janes - See at Charles & Keith These coquettish loafers have cute metallic charms you can match with your jewelry — plus, they're adjustable thanks to the buckled straps.
Best driving: M.Gemi The Felize - See at M.Gemi M.Gemi's The Felize loafer is the perfect travel shoe because of its typical driving rubber sole that offers extra cushion and support with each step.
Best Gucci dupe: Steve Madden Lando Loafer - See at Amazon The Lando bears an uncanny resemblance to Gucci loafers, with practically identical gold horsebit hardware.
Best heeled: Frye Jean Loafers - See at The Frye Company These block-heeled loafers are easy to walk in and offer a distinct vintage look when you pair them with high-waisted flared trousers.
If you're as big a fan of an Everlane as we are, you might remember its original loafer, which was one of the styles that first put the brand on the map. Years later, they reintroduced our top pick for the best loafers for women with an updated look and fit, and the new version is definitely even better than the old.
The toe is slightly more rounded so your toes have more room to wiggle, and the leather is a bit more flexible. They've never given me a blister, which is more than I can say for the old pair. A stacked wood heel gives them a casual vibe, and the rubberized sole prevents slipping and sliding on slick floors.
The new loafers are supple, round-toed, and flexible, but not so bendy that they feel like flats or smoking slippers. They have good arch support, and the rubber soles have way more traction than the old version of the shoe.
For sizing, these come in whole and half sizes and they fit true-to-size. I wouldn't recommend them if you have particularly wide feet, but if you're usually in between sizes, go a half size up for the best fit.
Read our full Everlane Modern Loafer review.
Color options: True Black, Stable, Cherry Wood
Lug sole loafers are a great way to add some height without uncomfortable heels. This pair has an almost 2-inch platform, which makes it a great choice for wearing with pants that are just a little too long. They're also is padded with Madewell's signature CloudLift padding, which provides a cushioned insole so you can't walk in them.
You'll never appreciate a pair of shoes more than once you've reached your limit of standing in heels and you can just pull some loafers right out of your purse. Rothy's flexible knit material is made from recycled water bottles, and their loafers retain their shape even after being folded in half. It took no time at all for me to break this pair in, and although they're too thin and breathable to wear in cold weather, the Ecru colorway matches everything in my wardobe. They have a slender silhouette that's similar to Friulian slippers, and despite having a narrow toe box that may not suit wider feet, they still stretch comfortably. I recommend sizing up if you're between sizes.
Read more in our full Rothy's flats review.
The Sam Edelman Loraine Bit Loafers come in more than 20 colors, from classic neutrals to bold choices like bright lemony yellow, jade green, or pink croc-effect. Each season, you'll find new colors and textures introduced.
The leather loafers for women are just structured enough to hold their shape, but not so stiff that they'll blister you out of the box. I was able to wear mine for the first time for a whole day (including commuting from the suburbs to Manhattan and back) with no discomfort. They have a small amount of cushioning — like enough that I would definitely bring these on a walking-heavy vacation.
As for sizing, they come in whole and half sizes with a few colors offering a wide width. I am often in between a 7.5 and 8, and I opted for the 8 this time, but I easily could have fit in the 7.5. The leather will stretch and conform to your feet as you wear them, so I'd recommend going a half size down if you are already in between sizes. Otherwise, I'd opt for your usual size.
Halfway between a sneaker and a loafer, the Vionic Uptown Loafer is an important style to know about if you're prioritizing comfort. Their performance is backed by Heeluxe's rigorous assessment that tests for fit, stability, cushioning, and flexibility. When I first put these on, I was impressed by the sturdiness around my ankles from the deep heel cups. The leather was very stiff to begin with, but it started to soften after about five or six wears. These are also great if you have high arches like mine, because the padding reaches all the way up the inner wall of the shoe. You can wear the Uptown Loafers just as you would walking sneakers — the lightweight, flexible soles can fold in half, and they have enough traction for stepping on uneven or slippery terrain. They're also perfect for travel, since they collapse into a slim profile.
If you've thought long and hard, and you know that designer loafers for women are what your heart desires, get the Gucci Brixton Horsebit Convertible Loafers. They're pricey, sure, but these fantastic women's loafers will last you a lifetime. Our former senior style and beauty editor, Maria Del Russo, has had her pair of Brixtons for five years and says they're the most versatile shoe she owns. She credits this to the fold-down heel that lets you wear them like mules, so you're essentially getting two shoes in one. The workmanship is apparent the longer you wear them, too. Maria has gotten these loafers re-soled twice, but the leather and hardware have both stood the test of time.
The one drawback to the Brixtons is that after many years, the fold-down heels have turned a slightly more faded shade of black than the rest of the heel. You can take them to a cobbler or use a leather conditioner to fix that, though.
As for sizing, these come in whole and half sizes, but be careful to check the sizing chart since they're usually listed in Italian sizing, which is different from European sizing. We recommend going up if you're in between sizes.
Yet another top contender among our favorite women's loafers by M.Gemi is the Tamara. These super shiny patent leather loafers have a 2-inch heel and lightweight EVA soles — less clunky, more chunky. The Tamara's supple leather uppers are handcrafted in Tuscany and add a touch of gloss to your look. Plus, the grooved soles provide ample tread for keeping steady on slippery sidewalks.
There are several versions of G.H. Bass' Whitney Weejuns (a super chunky lug-sole pair, a '90s-inspired platform pair, a croc-effect pair, the list goes on), but nothing can beat the classic version of these best loafers for women. Though they take a bit of time to break in, especially at the heel, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how comfy and supportive the insole is. Plus, the traditional penny loafer look will never go out of style.
In terms of sizing, these come in whole and half sizes, and I recommend going true to your usual size. If you're in between, you'll want to size up, especially if you plan on wearing them with socks.
I'm a big fan of Margaux's flats, and their line of loafers for women are even more comfortable. The suede is soft and easy to break in, and there's a bit of cushioning on the insole that makes them comfortable for long days out. The construction is also better than most other suede loafers I've tried, so points to Margaux for quality.
I wouldn't recommend wearing them on a super long walk, but they're otherwise comfy for work, weekends, errands, and the like. You can expect the suede to crease across the foot pretty quickly, but that's the case for most suede shoes. You'll see it more in the colorful pairs but it's barely noticeable on the black pair I have.
The sizing with Margaux shoes is actually kind of hard to get right in my experience, so heed this advice: Opting for a half size down but a wider size is likely to get you the best fit, unless you have particularly narrow feet. I am usually between a 7.5 and 8 with pretty average width, but I got the 7.5 Wide pair and they fit like a glove. The 8 was too big, and the regular 7.5 was too tight.
This loafer comes in whole and half sizes with narrow, medium, and wide fits. Margaux is also known for its extensive size range, with this pair coming in sizes 3-14.
Birdies makes indoor-outdoor loafers for women that are as comfy as a regular pair of slippers. Several members of our team are big fans of Birdies — former travel editor Hannah and former senior home and kitchen reporter Connie both have multiple pairs. "For each pair, I had a brief break-in period of a week or so where the back of the shoe rubbed up against my heel, but since then, it's molded well to my feet. I prefer to wear them on cooler days because as comfortable as the cushioned insoles are, they can make my feet sweat on hot days," Connie said.
Both Hannah and Connie say to order a half size up for the right fit, especially if you're usually in between sizes.
For a dressy shoe option on a budget, Naturalizer's Cabaret style is a great deal among the best loafers for women. The leather is flexible and not too stiff, so they're comfy for long days. Plus, you can almost always find this pair on sale in various colors (but beware that sizes sell out quickly every time they get marked down).
After testing the classic black leather version of a similar pair, we found the size chart to be a little off — this loafer is available in half sizes with narrow, medium, and wide widths, but we recommend to go down a half size, as they tend to run a bit large. Overall, though, Naturalizer creates comfortable loafers with good traction that you'll get a lot of mileage from.
Mary Jane shoes are making a comeback, and this pair from Charles & Keith takes a classic loafer and turns it trendy. Charles & Keith are known for their ever-changing styles, so style and beauty editor Maiya Pascouche has tried different pairs of Mary Jane loafers from the brand in the past. "With faux leather, I often expect a bit of break-in time, but my favorite pair wore perfectly the first time and I consider them one of my most comfortable shoes. I love the embellishments on Charles & Keith loafers and they take a classic, comfortable shoe to a new level," Maiya said.
These shoes come in only whole sizes, so I recommend sizing up to your next whole size, especially if you plan on wearing socks with them at any point.
The M.Gemi Felize loafers are some of the most versatile and well-made shoes former Insider Reviews senior reporter, Mara Leighton, owns. After a year of testing them multiple times per week for our M.Gemi review, she says they've held up well (no wrinkles along the top, minimal wear along the underside of the toes and heel). However, she notes that sizing isn't perfect.
"I ordered my true size, and they've grown looser and more custom-fit as moccasins do over time. But, even so, the top is still snug; I couldn't layer anything thicker than a light sock with my pair." She says that if you're in between sizes, or you've ever had to size up in shoes, you should go up at least a half size in these.
Check out our full M.Gemi Felize Loafer review.
The ongoing conversation around the best loafers for women tends to be led by designer brands like Gucci, despite the fact that they aren't very accessible. The benefit of this style lasting through generations is that their dupes get better over time, too. Steve Madden's iteration bears an uncanny resemblance to the chunky Gucci lug sole horse bits and are priced much more affordably.
The inch platform gives these prep school worthy loafers an edgier vibe that pairs well with calf socks or tights. The leather upper may take time to break in, but the reward is a pair of smart looking loafers with a flair reminiscent of the East London punk scene.
The leather on Frye's heeled loafers have a distressed effect that give you an expertly-styled vintage inspired look when paired with high-waisted flared pants. These have some height to them, but the wide base of their 2.6-inch wedge heels makes them easy to walk in. The Jean loafers are crafted with genuine calfskin leather and have detailed stitching on the toe, saddle, and rear. Several reviewers claimed they ran large, and because leather does stretch with more wear, we recommend you size down for this style.
You don't need to wear socks with all loafers — in fact, slipper-like pairs such as Birdie's Starling loafers are best worn barefoot. But if you're prone to sweaty feet or want an extra layer to wear in cold weather, investing in the right socks to wear with your loafers can make a world of difference.
If you want to add padding to protect from blisters but you don't necessarily want the contrast of a sock, we suggest some seamless no-show socks. Another popular trend with loafers is pairing them with socks that are an accessory unto themselves. Sheer socks — like these cute socks with hearts on them or ruffle socks from Amazon — are great for adding a feminine flair to your shoes.
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