https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 03:00:24 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles/page/2#post-2213981 Thu, 05 Aug 2021 11:41:05 +0000 Chris987 2213981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>DonnaF</b> what a great point about thicker lug soles&nbsp;being more insulated and working&nbsp;later into the colder seasons, and about the&nbsp;difference between flexible and non-flexible soles. And also great point&nbsp;about how color and finish can make a huge difference in styling. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles/page/2#post-2213929 Wed, 04 Aug 2021 23:44:00 +0000 DonnaF 2213929@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lug or otherwise thick soles provide more insulation against cold ground so you might have a longer season with such shoes. Also, not all lug soles are the same. The soles on my zebra babies below are HARD in contrast to my burgundy oxfords (also below).</p> <p>This may be just me, but although I like masculine style shoes like oxfords, black or brown leather reads too masculine for me. Thus, I go for patent, color, or colored patent. With the exception of one pair, I could say the same thing about my many pairs of clogs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles/page/2#post-2213845 Wed, 04 Aug 2021 15:03:33 +0000 Chris987 2213845@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>notasf,</b> I do like patent leather, and good point about keeping rain in mind. Hah - good one about wearing trench coats to CA in winter </p> <p><b>Bijou </b>- I like those shoes, although the ankle socks would would not be my thing&nbsp; </p> <p><b>runcarla</b> - those are great, Clark continues to be one of my go-tos. They are great for classic styles and comfort </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles/page/2#post-2213655 Tue, 03 Aug 2021 14:56:29 +0000 Carla 2213655@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My style is skewing classic these days, and the black loafers below in Finds came to live in my closet last month. &nbsp;</p> <div><br /></div><div>You are looking at a nice collection of shoes. &nbsp;The ones with metal detail (Sam Edelman) &nbsp;are&nbsp;<i>my&nbsp;</i>favourites, but the lug sole ones look kind of cool/trendy. &nbsp;</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213647 Tue, 03 Aug 2021 14:09:32 +0000 Bijou 2213647@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the gold detail on the loafers and would wear them with dresses as well as pants. I like the ankle sock with the loafer, although would prefer a neat black ankle sock.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213638 Tue, 03 Aug 2021 13:13:49 +0000 notsaf 2213638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Forgot to add: a few friends and I have exactly the same story about wearing trench coats in winter on a work trip to California. It was not the done thing. Still laugh about it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213636 Tue, 03 Aug 2021 13:10:41 +0000 notsaf 2213636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chris I forgot you are also in New England. I say go with patent: they’re just interesting enough but also so practical for spring/fall rain! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213633 Tue, 03 Aug 2021 13:06:03 +0000 Chris987 2213633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>bj111&nbsp;</b>&nbsp;that heel slipping thing seems to be so common, and it makes the shoes&nbsp;not wearable. </p> <p><b>Sal,</b> it sounds like your "adding a little edgy in shoes" is just what I'm thinking about, and I&nbsp;too am not edgy overall. Good point about hardware being more "statement" where unadorned is more "classic"</p> <p>Thanks <b>Irina!<br /></b> <br />Thanks <b>Jaileen,</b> I'll give that one a look. </p> <p><b>cat2</b> - good point about going with dressier material or trim&nbsp;to go in a glam direction. I do like patent leather. </p> <p><b>Brooklyn</b> your explanations sound spot on to me. </p> <p><b>Shevia </b>- what in interesting way to look at it!&nbsp; Attention seeking vs attention avoiding (my words) ..&nbsp;&nbsp;yet another example of style preferences that vary widely from person&nbsp;to person. </p> <p><b>Jenni NZ</b> those shoes really fit your style!&nbsp; I think you're right about refined vs. edgy</p> <p><b>RobinF </b>- me too! I can't quite bear to part with them even though they are not comfy&nbsp;enough to wear anywhere. They no good at home either because I have&nbsp;soft pine floors (with area rugs) and leather soles are too slippery for wood floors, especially&nbsp;with cats that sometimes dart in front of where you are walking Maybe&nbsp; the fact that I can' bear to part iwth them is a good&nbsp;indicator that I should look for the same style. </p> <p><b>lyn67</b> what a cool shoe! A bit more going on there than I'm looking for, but the "always buy patent" thing&nbsp;resonates .. and the multiple texture idea appeals to me. What brand are the ones you showed? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213631 Tue, 03 Aug 2021 12:51:34 +0000 lyn67 2213631@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I now&nbsp; love&nbsp;&nbsp;the platform sole versions of these (have some like the vionic here, too) which&nbsp; I was happy to find out of&nbsp; Angie's comment&nbsp; "are trendier, more casual, and more hard edged". They are more comfy,&nbsp; just suit my life better and a substantial shoe looks better on my legs in fall/winter -but I always buy patent! I now&nbsp; even have one mix of patent and suede in navy, with <b>white</b>&nbsp;rubber sole, see if I can find a pictie-from Rieker.&nbsp; These will be worn first pair for&nbsp; early fall-then will follow the black patent and black soled ones. I wear them to everything skirts or dresses (will always wear&nbsp; black 15DEN sheers) and to&nbsp; ankle free cigarette or wide leg&nbsp; pants(not jeans!) and black sheer&nbsp; knee highs</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213628 Tue, 03 Aug 2021 12:35:03 +0000 RobinF 2213628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm sad that the Sartos don't work for you any more, they are my favorites! I also like the lug soles. I love loafers but prefer a simpler style without the chains or tassels.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213618 Tue, 03 Aug 2021 09:25:23 +0000 Jenni NZ 2213618@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love my black loafers so much! I got them in Feb 2020 and have worn them 87 times!<br /> Of your options, I like the Cole Haan as the most refined and the lug sole ones as more edgy- since more chunky and also patent.<br /> Pics of mine below. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213617 Tue, 03 Aug 2021 08:55:55 +0000 Jaime 2213617@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would go for the platforms if I wanted attention getting shoes or the vionics if I wanted elegant and non- attention getting.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213602 Tue, 03 Aug 2021 04:14:01 +0000 Brooklyn 2213602@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think glam and edgy are 2 different goals. To me loafers are classic, so not very edgy but certainly can be glam and also can be worn in an edgy way with other clothing.</p> <p>I personally prefer the versions with a platform or chunky LUG sole. They are less classic, and more edgy to my eye, but possibly less sleek and glam. </p> <p>I’m not into loafers but I do have a pair of platform brogues, which have a similar vibe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213580 Tue, 03 Aug 2021 01:39:50 +0000 cat2 2213580@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>3 is the dressiest, given the trim and sleeker profile. If you want something glam, I would look for that profile in a dressier material or trim. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213558 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 22:57:40 +0000 JAileen 2213558@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Did you see this one? &nbsp;It’s part of NAS. &nbsp;I noticed it because it also comes in pewter.</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.nordstrom.com/s/naturalizer-dustin-loafer-women/5910643?origin=category-personalizedsort&amp;breadcrumb=Home%2FAnniversary%20Sale%2FWomen%2FShoes&amp;color=001">https://www.nordstrom.com/s/na.....alizedsort</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213556 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 22:14:27 +0000 Irina 2213556@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Chris987 &amp; LisaP,&nbsp;</b>they are from Massimo Dutti spring collection. They make decent shoes, although some of them made of very thin leather. Comfortable but not going to last long. I’m OK with it, it’s difficult for me to find comfortable shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213552 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 21:58:29 +0000 Sal 2213552@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really struggle with loafers for me but do like them on other people.&nbsp; I am not sure why.</p> <p>I probably prefer my footwear to be <b>a bit</b> more edgy/statement than my clothing in general (I am not very edgy so a bit should be highlighted).&nbsp; I love a statement shoe with simple jeans and sweater or a bold sneaker with a dress for example.</p> <p>I think lug soles are the trendiest at the moment, and are very comfortable in general.&nbsp; Ones with horsebits or hardware or patent are more statement than the simple black leather ones.&nbsp; It does come down to personal taste, comfort, and the pants/jeans/skirts you will wear them with.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213546 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 21:18:56 +0000 Anonymous 2213546@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Those *are* great shoes , Irina . I want to know more about them too ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213545 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 21:08:39 +0000 bj1111 2213545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i love loafers, especially classic ones.&nbsp; i have the vionic ones.&nbsp; comfy sole but my heel is a smidge too narrow and slides out.&nbsp; this is a thing with loafers and pumps. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213542 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 20:46:06 +0000 Chris987 2213542@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Those are nice,&nbsp; <b>Irina.</b> Kind of a modern, minimalist look. They work well with your overall style. What brand are they? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213541 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 20:44:41 +0000 Chris987 2213541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Rachy</b> good point about the fitflops being more of an avant-garde<br /> style. Interesting point about "shallow nosed", although the ones I have are like that and are super comfy except for the sole cushioning. It sure is important to get the right fit and shape for your foot. </p> <p><b>Suntiger,</b> I like those, clarks usually fit me well. I think of that style as sort of a bootie cut down into a loafer - with a unadorned vamp. As you say a backdrop for pants. </p> <p><b>lisa p</b> fascinating point about using footwear to add edge or polish rather than doing it through other clothing items. Now that I think about the outfits you show, with your attention to detail, that makes perfect sense. I guess I've not thought that way because shoes require some real investment so in my mind they need to last  a long time, but that's clearly not the only way to think about it. And others might say that other clothing items deserve some investment too   That loafer you showed is kind of cool, although I don't care for metallic heels, but the shape is kind of interesting.</p> <p><b>Phoebe,</b> interesting that you find the penny loafer more elegant than some of the others. I think you are right that the lug sole ones may date faster, but if I want to add some edginess that might be a good choice. What a great way to think about adding a bit of edginess/glam  - by just a small detail on a pair of shoes. </p> <p><b>Irina,</b> good point about chunky being modern. I agree that classic loafers worn with jeans makes the outfit less casual, and that may be just what I'm going for.   </p> <p><b>Nemosmon,</b> I hear you on planning what to pair them with ... and I've been through those massive try/return cycles too! No fun but necessary if you don't have good B&amp;M shoe stores that fit your needs, as is true for me and clearly for you too. I want to mostly wear them with jeans and/or pants. I've never been much of a dress/skirt wearer but maybe loafers could work with the right one. </p> <p><b>Angie, </b>great explanation of these styles in terms of trendy vs. classic.  I know you wear loafers quite a bit, in bright colors. It's always amazing to me how very different shoes look when they are black vs lighter colors. My summers are generally too warm for closed shoes, although loafers might work on a cool day, but for spring and fall they are perfect. In mid winter when it's very cold I only wear boots. I really like how you so clearly identify which of your garments you like to be trendy (like jeans), and which you like to be classic (shoes). Having a clear pattern like that, even if it's different from yours, seems to lead to good wardrobe cohesion. </p> <p><b>kkards</b>, a lug sole patent leather loafer in a dark red has appealed to me for a while. I think you are right about the vionics and fit flops reading like a smoking slipper, although I think of smoking slippers as dark velvet, not cream leather.  </p> <p><b>JAileen,</b> agree that the lug sole is more modern. Don't you hate that heel slippage thing? It happens to me on so many shoes that otherwise fit, so aggravating.</p> <p><b>Fashintern</b> it is fascinating how just a few details can make for a style one person really likes and another does not! </p> <p><b>notsaf,</b> I suppose black loafers ARE conservative and heavy, but that works for me! I remember going to Boca Raton many years ago with a girlfriend and fellow "conservative New Englander where black shoes are ubiquitous" and we were so amazed at the brightly colored shoes with super high heels in all the shops. The Caribbean/Latina influence was big in Florida even back then. We couldn't believe "normal" women could possibly wear such things. We still laugh about how limited our world view was back then. </p> <p>Interesting that you find the horse-bit to be a feminine detail. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213539 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 20:41:02 +0000 Irina 2213539@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m back to show you mine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213512 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 19:23:44 +0000 notsaf 2213512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love loafers too, but find black ones hard to pull off since they feel very conservative and weighty to me. I tend to prefer a pointier toe and a slightly less masculine style for a black shoe. I would choose a horse-bit detail for that reason. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213510 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 19:14:13 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2213510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The smooth vamps with nothing to break them up, especially on the ones that have deeper cutouts on each side of the vamp so it looks like a tongue, are not to my taste. But that’s neither here nor there. The question that matters is what you think of them, and how they feel on your feet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213488 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 18:20:59 +0000 JAileen 2213488@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the lug soled one. &nbsp;A loafer, but modern.<div><br /></div><div>My problem with loafers is that usually my heel slips out. &nbsp;</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213439 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 16:56:28 +0000 kkards 2213439@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love a good loafer.. for me they are a standard. I prefer them a little tweaked so that the basic underlying preppie is there but with a twist. And if possible, i like them in patent leather.&nbsp;<br />That being said, of course my favorite is the lug soled one…and I’ll throw this find out there as well..its got that traditional tassel thing, but the wedge updates it.&nbsp;<br />I like the&nbsp;Vionics and Fit Flops , which read to me as something between a loafer and a smoking slipper.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213429 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 16:12:55 +0000 Angie 2213429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Modern Classics, and especially the penny loafers, <b>Chris.</b> The platform versions are trendier, more casual, and more hard edged.</p> <p>They are Spring and Summer shoes for my own style. I LOVE classic loafers. They are my "dressy low top sneakers", if that makes sense. I have these at the moment. All on the refined side of the continuum. See Finds below.</p> <p>I wear loafers because I tend to be on the classic side with my shoes. I MUST wear shoes that support my urban walking lifestyle, and these are one way to go. They look good on my feet too. I can keep them narrow and dainty.</p> <p>I am trendier and edgier with other aspects of my style: bottoms, outerwear, hair, eyewear, and colour combinations. So the classic loafer - and classic bags for that matter - work well to temper the rest. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213428 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 16:11:24 +0000 nemosmom 2213428@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>The fitflop and Vionics look driving moc-like to me (well, at least in my head of what I envision as a driving moc).&nbsp; I love the 'jewelry' of the bit or chain ones, and see them as very classic, timeless and hardly&nbsp; boring!&nbsp; They seem to strike a good balance of masculinity and femininity, too. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I just went through a massive try/return cycle of loafers and discovered I needed to carefully consider what I plan to pair them with (jeans? skirts? tees? shirts?) and how much juxtaposition I was looking for... <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>What kinds of pieces are you wanting to wear with a loafer?&nbsp; Maybe that will help steer you in the right direction.<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213423 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 15:50:58 +0000 Irina 2213423@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These are classic style loafers, the chunky pair gives a modern vibe to it but overall, these are more in a timeless category. I don’t find they are edgy or glam. I replaced a pair this year and my new ones are kind of &nbsp;a square toe style. I like to wear them with jeans or woven joggers to give more polish and &nbsp;to make an outfit less casual.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/classic-black-loafers-review-of-styles#post-2213411 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 15:05:59 +0000 Anonymous 2213411@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like 1 the best, traditional but sophisticated so maybe not especially interesting but very nice. I have a mysterious aversion to horsebit detail, a little stuffy maybe, I like chain better, so between 2+3 I prefer the Cole Haan. 4+5 are "fine" but don't have the elegance of 1. The lug sole penny loafers are very cute and while the style may date much faster than the other options they might be the most comfortable and best for activity.</p> <p>Re adding "a little more edge or glam", shoes and accessories seem like great ways! Your examples are great visuals for showing just how much even small differences can make in what seems like a narrow field, black, low heeled loafer type shoes.</p> <p>I like this idea for myself too because the ratio of new and unusual to the&nbsp; overall outfit is relatively small, so mostly comfort zone with a little bold on the edge. </p>