Loafers y/n - YouLookFab Forum

I'm pondering the purchase of a pair of nude/blush loafers. I'm relatively new to loafers though - I own one pair that has turned out too large so slipping off when walking, and now I'm confused about sizing and more.

I have relatively wide feet and am used to wearing shoes with socks OR sandals without. Loafers however can only be worn with pantyhose or those tiny no-show socks. Wearing closed shoes without socks can aggrevate my athlete's foot (which returns every summer). Last year I finally decided against purchasing the Clarks pure zen loafers that Angie recommended for this very reason. But this year the style is still all over the place, I still love the look and it would still work very well with the direction my wardrobe is going. So am reconsidering.

Below in finds a pair (the Juliet Lora) that I currently ordered on sale. Unfortunately they are out of half-sizes and I'm pretty sure the size I ordered is half a size too small. The right foot is tight but doable, the left is uncomfortable. I'm unsure if this is because my left foot is larger or because maybe the right shoe has been tried on more often before. I really like these shoes but I'm worried they won't stretch enough by breaking them in to ever be really comfortable. Especially when my feet may swell in the summer heat. But an entire size bigger may fall off my feet...

The other pair (Angie's pick) I have tried on multiple times in-store. It's also tight but seems just a bit wider and thus more comfortable to begin with. The downside? In this particular style even no-show socks aren't an option.

Thought? Ideas? Is there some rule concerning loafer fit that you should buy them too tight and break them in? Do you wear closed shoes without socks?

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Zappos

Clarks Pure Tone

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5 years ago

nemosmom

Veteran

Have you tried liner socks? The Skechers ones cover the bottoms of the foot and tops of toes, but don’t come far up the sides of the foot. They are the only no-show sock I can wear with low cut shoes.

Amazon

SKECHERS Ladies' Liner Seamless Toe Non Slip Heel Grip 8-Pair

unfrumped

I wear loafers and often have to adjust them with heel grippers or inserts.
I never go barefoot in them. Most of the time I’m in longish or ankle pants and wear sheer knee- highs. I also wear some “ half” footies( front part of foot.
Most but not all of my loafers are either suede or a soft leather. I especially like penny loafers myself( not always trendy but it’s sort of one of my “ signature syles “) and had some luck with blush Bass Weejuns in a soft pebbled leather These seem to run larger and I did size down.
Sometimes I am in a half size smaller if will never wear actual socks. For loafers it can be tricky to wear different thicknesses. Occasionally I can wear thin insert + sheer hose , vs no insert + trouser sock.

carter

My feet sweat in closed toe shoes in Spring/Summer, but I love loafers. Because of this, I always buy 1/2 size larger and use an insert. This way I can wear the loafers sockless and just change to a new insert when one gets funky.

Spenco Rx Comfort Thin Lightweight Cushioning Orthotic Shoe Insole, Women's 7-8.5/Men's 6-7.5

Stagiaire Fash

I like wearing loafers barefoot. If they’re actually leather, they’re more breathable/less sweaty. If I’m in an athletes foot-prone phase (no idea why, but it comes & goes), I keep a can of Desonex powder next to my shoes and put it on every time I wear them, massaging it between my toes & on the bottoms of my feet, and sprinkling one last shot across the tops of my toes before putting the shoes on. A bonus is that it can help slightly tight shoes slide on more easily.

Ps. What shoe is in the photo? I like it

kkards

I wear loafers without socks....but only if the lining is leather....I find that that takes care of the "funky"...and I never wear the same shoe 2 days in a row.....

a good shoe repair guy can stretch a shoe...

Anonymous

I like the shoes, but sounds like they're not comfortable. Truthfully, wouldn't count on any shoes getting more comfortable!
No help with the socks thing. If it's warm enough to be sockless its warm enough for sandals in my book

Liesbeth

Fashintern: the pair in the photo is also clarks, model juliet lora. I couldn’t find it here and was too lazy to create a find.
Thanks for the tips everyone. I will return this pair and see if a size up still works so I can add sock liners. I do find it more comfortable that way even with real leather shoes that are supposed to breathe...

Chris987

I am a big fan of loafers. I wear them a lot in spring and fall when I want something more polished than sneakers but don't want a bootie. I don't wear ballet flats or slides because they don't stay om my feet and I rarely wear pumps so loafers are my go-to for a lot of outfits. I also find them among the most difficult shoe type to fit. Too loose and your foot isn't supported, too tight and they hurt. Since they don't have straps or laces the fit has to be just right. I've resigned myself to having to order, try, and return quite a few before If find one that is just right. Even within the same brand different styles often fit differently. For me, I need to wear them at home for several hours of walking (not just sitting) in order to tell if they are really going to be comfortable

I also wear nude knee-high hose with them (or a darker color depending on the loafer color and pant color). I've never found a very lightweight sock liner that stays in place under loafers, and by the time it's too warm to wear hose I'm usually preferring sandals. If I wear any shoes with bare feet (except maybe sneakers) I am guaranteed to get some sort of blister, even if I use products like foot glide so I never do it with loafers

Carter's suggestion of ordering 1/2 size up is a great one, I do that do so I can add an insole for cushioning, but I always wear hose too.

My advice would be to be patient and eventually you will find something that works, even if it's not the first style you try. I'm also not a fan of having a cobbler stretch shoes....yes it can work but then you can't return them if it doesn't work. Just my opinion. And your choice of socks/no socks will be what works for you, there are lots of different answers to this question and in my mind they are all just fine!

Good luck!

p.s. To give you an idea of what I mean by trying on a lot of styles....I've been on a black loafer hunt for a few months, and have tried all the ones below. I think the first one (Franco Sarto) is going to be a keeper but I haven't worn it around the house yet. All the others either didn't quite fit right or I didn't like the style once I saw them on my foot. Shopping for shoes takes SO MUCH TIME

Nordstrom

SARTO By Franco Sarto SARTO by Franco Sarto Kip Loafer (Women) | Nordstrom

Trotters Slip-On

$92.95

TARYN ROSE Taryn Rose Blossom Loafer (Women) | Nordstrom

Frye Frye Kenzie Venetian Flat (Women) | Nordstrom

Trotters Trotters Anice Bit Loafer (Women) | Nordstrom

Geox Geox Marlyna Loafer (Women) | Nordstrom

Trotters Trotters Harlowe Pointy Toe Loafer (Women) | Nordstrom

Trotters Trotters Anastasia Flat (Women) | Nordstrom

shiny

Loafers are a tricky feet for my high-volume, medium-veering-on-wide feet that have a bunion. Either the top band is too tight across my foot, or my foot is falling out of the back, or they are gaping at the sides when I walk.

However I have had great luck this year with these brands:

1. Me Too Adel. Only offered in black and a pink-ish nude (I got the black). Note NOT the Audra which comes in a zillion colors. The Audra is way too tight across the top for comfort. The Adel on the other hand is not at all!!! These are super cushiony too. I have worn these all day long walking for miles with no socks with zero problems. A+!

2. Me Too Audra in the white perforated version. I know I just said these aren't as good as the Adel for high volume feet, but for some reason the white perforated version works where the other options do not. I also like the perforations for cooling sweaty feet.

3. Steve Madden Feather loafer. I duplicated these in leopard and in nude suede. These fit well and comfortably right out of the gate and are absolutely adorable! They are not as great as the Adels for walking all day on hard surfaces (they're fine on carpet), but pretty dang good -- I'd give them an A-. I think they'll be perfect with no-show socks, but without them they are fine, just not 12+ hour shoes where you are walking all the time. (AKA my last conference).

4. Giani Bernini loafers - these look more like driving moccasins. I have yet to put them through their paces but they were super comfortable so came home with me.

The Me Too's and the Giani Bernini's have tons of padding if you need that.

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