Fashion Rules: Do's and Don'ts for Styling Loafers
Welcome to this tutorial on how to style loafers! Loafers are a classic shoe that many of us have in our closets, but styling them can be tricky.
Instead of adhering to strict fashion rules, I’ll focus on how loafers influence the proportions and silhouette of your outfit.
Once you understand this, you’ll be able to adapt the guidelines to suit your personal style with confidence! Let’s get started.
The loafers I have in my closet feature a beautiful dark croc-embossed texture, giving them a substantial visual weight.
1. Wide-leg trousers
While many stylish people pair loafers with voluminous wide-leg trousers, which creates a specific look, it’s not my personal style.
Personally, I like it when there’s a bit more juxtaposition between the shoe and the trouser. The loafer’s visual weight can complement wide legs, but I prefer contrast.
To achieve this, I paired the loafers with a sleek turtleneck, creating tension between the fitted top and the volume of the trousers. This contrast enhances the overall silhouette.
2. Cropped trousers
One trouser style I prefer with loafers is a more structured, cropped design. I love showcasing the shoe and leaning into the menswear-inspired look. The tailored structure of cropped trousers doesn’t overwhelm the loafers, allowing a bit of ankle to show.
This creates an interesting play on proportions because we have the contrast of the volume of the cropped trousers with the little ankle and the profile of the shoe, making the overall look more dynamic.
3. Bootcut trousers
Another trouser silhouette I find interesting with loafers is the classic boot cut.
While this style may lean more towards a corporate or traditional menswear look, I appreciate its crisp structure and balanced volume.
This ensures the loafers don’t get lost in the outfit, maintaining a strong visual presence.
4. Midi skirt
I’m not particularly fond of the look of loafers paired with a midi skirt.
While there's nothing wrong with this combination, when my loafers and midi skirt are similar in color, the look falls flat. The silhouettes of the skirt and any top I choose can end up too alike, lacking enough contrast to create visual interest.
To add tension, I’d swap in a fitted turtleneck. This introduces more visual contrast and evokes a '90s vibe. This style may not be traditionally flattering — there are breaks in the lines and no heels — but it creates a cool '90s reference.
The contrast between the fitted turtleneck and chunky loafers makes the outfit more dynamic, allowing the eye to appreciate the differences in silhouette and style.
5. Mini skirt
My personal favorite way to style loafers is with a mini skirt. I just love this combination! A mini skirt shows off so much leg, which feels both sexy and confident.
Pairing it with loafers creates a fun contrast, as the loafers are practical, easy to walk in, and city-ready, making the look both stylish and functional.
On colder days, I like to add sheer tights to my look. Instead of opting for basic tights, I prefer something with a bit of detail, like subtle nude or black fishnets.
My favorite choice, though, is polka dot tights — they create a great juxtaposition with the menswear vibe of the loafers.
You could also try pairing loafers with socks. I don’t mind the horizontal line break, especially since I’m showing so much leg. I also like how it gives off a trendy and scholarly vibe.
6. Sweater dresses
Let’s start with the sweater dress, a staple in many closets for fall. While it's easy to assume that the visual heft of a sweater dress pairs well with the heft of loafers — especially with some skin showing — my recent pairing didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
I found that the bare legs felt off with the weighty, long dress; the balance of cozy materials and exposed skin didn’t quite work.
To improve the look, I added sheer tights. This way, the tights complement the visual weight of both the sweater dress and the loafers.
They provide just enough coverage without overwhelming the outfit, allowing for a bit of leg definition while maintaining a cohesive look.
7. Mini dress
The skin-to-fabric ratio is crucial when styling dresses with loafers, but fabric choice matters too. Take this cute cotton dress: it’s short and voluminous, but the light, crisp fabric keeps it from being overwhelming.
The bare legs complement the loafers beautifully, making the shoes the focal point that balances the dress's volume.
I also love the mix of styles here — the romantic, airy quality of the dress paired with the functional loafer creates a fun contrast.
How to style loafers
So there you have it! We’ve explored how to style loafers with trousers, skirts, and dresses. I hope this guide inspires you and helps you with your fall transitional dressing. Remember, the key is to have fun and adapt these tips to fit your personal style!
Which look is your favorite? Comment down below.
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