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The Best Loafers for Women to Wear This Summer, From Classic Leather to Ruched Suede

We tested six pairs worthy of your seasonal style.

By Alisa Rendor Plus Icon

Alisa Rendor

Recent Articles by Alisa Rendor

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May 29, 2026, 4:42pm

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a lineup of six women's loafers tested and reviewed by our editors; steve madden black leather loafer over white background; top loafers for women to buy this year

Courtesy Manufacturers, WWD/Alisa Rendor

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Best Women’s Loafers to Shop This Season

EDITOR’S PICK

Alohas Aven Suede Loafer

Buy Now AT ALOHAS $195 Jump to Details

BEST VALUE

Steve Madden Madison Leather Loafer

Buy Now AT STEVE MADDEN $99.95 Jump to Details

BEST HYBRID

M.Gemi Vela Loafer

Buy Now AT M.GEMI $298 Jump to Details

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT

Cole Haan Grand Ambition Alette Buckle Loafer

Buy Now AT COLE HAAN $99.95 Jump to Details

BEST CHUNKY

Dolce Vita Tiggy Loafer

Buy Now AT DOLCE VITA $150 Jump to Details

BEST FOR SOFTNESS

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2025’s third quarter was a notable season for loafers, per the Lyst Index — where the same silhouette across two different labels dominated the trend forecasting platform’s hottest products list. Saint Laurent’s Le L o afer and The Row’s Eel Loafer clinched second and fourth place in the roundup, respectively. Almost a year later, we’re seeing the styles pop up once more in pop culture references (think Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s ensembles in the hit Hulu show “Love Story”), sported by celebrities on the red carpet, and photographed on the feet of It-girls worldwide.

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Originating in Norway as a practical measure for fishermen and achieving notoriety stateside with the help of G.H. Bass’ Weejuns circa the 1930s, the loafer has kept its status as a cult classic while being open to inventive reimaginings across time: now sold textured, printed, heeled, and in numerous other variations.

Courtesy Getty Images/Lawrence Schwartzwald

The most versatile of the bunch can easily elevate an outfit or, alternatively, bring it down to earth. As your favorite stars and influencers are doing as we speak, you can style a loafer with straight-leg jeans and tees as you walk your 10,000 steps, LBDs for dinners in the city, and even crew socks-plus-nylon shorts for some high-low contrast.

As the summer season heats up, know that you don’t need to push your chosen loafer to the back of the closet along with those winter sneakers. After all, as chic as thong sandals are, every style-savvy woman still needs a go-to closed shoe option for work and formal occasions in the warm-weather months. Letting the adaptable loafer be that shoe just might become the best decision you make all year.

Here, our team tests the best loafers for women from 2026’s most in-demand brands, spanning the ruched, the suede, and the penny-equipped. Your first, or next, pair is just a few clicks away.

EDITOR’S PICK

Alohas Aven Suede Loafer

$195

Buy Now AT ALOHAS

Ruched loafers are having quite a moment right now, as the textural and unisex style makes its rounds within celebrity circles and gets covetable placements during high-profile events (reference Hudson Williams’ debut at the Met Gala after-party earlier this May). Designed in Barcelona, this particular pair from Alohas adds effortlessness to the edgy look by way of soft suede in a coffee-like hue — sustainable, 100-percent cow suede to be exact. Combined with that goat leather insole, it easily broke in after just a few wears and looked polished as can be as I reached for the loafer during the work week and the weekends alike.

Price upon publish date of this article: $195

BEST VALUE

Steve Madden Madison Leather Loafer

$99.95

Buy Now AT STEVE MADDEN

Steve Madden continues to grow its following and understandably so: merging affordability with a bursting-at-the-seams selection of footwear and accessories for women with high standards. If you’re just dipping your toes into loafer territory, you’d be wise to make this exact black penny loafer your first-ever purchase. Every part of the shoe is crafted out of genuine leather, save for the outsole, and reads as sophisticated from the very first glance. The construction and quality of the materials here are hard to beat considering that under-$100 price tag, and I appreciated how preppy the Madison made all my late-spring getups seem as I tested it for this piece.

Price upon publish date of this article: $99.95

BEST HYBRID

M.Gemi Vela Loafer

$298

Buy Now AT M.GEMI

The resurgence of boat shoes has never been more apparent, what with their role on the spring 2026 runways and Sperry’s numerous partnerships with brands like Monse and Aritzia. Can’t decide if you want the boat shoe or the loafer? M.Gemi confirms you don’t have to pick. The hybrid proves its craftsmanship chops with a hand-stitched Italian calf suede upper and Italian leather footbed. Its outsole, meanwhile, is made of natural, pebble-shaped rubber called gommini — creating an overall supportive composition that spares wearers from slips on slick surfaces.

Right when I took it out of the box, the Vela flaunted a soft and flexible feel, with swappable laces that managed to add even more personality. Inspired by M.Gemi’s bestselling Felize driving model, this slip-on-and-go shoe will serve you well during errand runs, coastal highway adventures, and date nights in equal measure.

Price upon publish date of this article: $298

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT

Cole Haan Grand Ambition Alette Buckle Loafer

$99.95 $168 41% off

Buy Now AT COLE HAAN

Cole Haan’s Alette features a narrow profile with an attention-grabbing buckle design and a zero-drop outsole. I immediately noticed (and savored) the fact that it has extra cushioning, powered by the label’s proprietary Grand Lux Technology, and that the shoe, on the whole, is feather-like in its lightness. Indeed, it’s the lightest loafer I’ve ever tested, which makes the Alette an ideal travel companion.

The only downside? It’s prone to scuffing based on that low-to-the-ground build and glossy finish. All is forgiven after experiencing the Ortholite footbed, though, which guarantees soft landings sans moisture, hot spots, or end-of-day foot pain. In Mahogany, I found this leading, on-sale women’s loafer to be utterly irresistible.

Price upon publish date of this article: $99.95

BEST CHUNKY

Dolce Vita Tiggy Loafer

$150

Buy Now AT DOLCE VITA

Every penny loafer out there has a chunky counterpart (or at least needs to), because sometimes all that’s missing from your footwear rotation is a height-boosting stack. This fan favorite from Dolce Vita benefits from a mattified, genuine leather upper and subtle, ribbed welt edges on the sole — bestowing upon it step-in comfort from the get-go and a more distinct visual narrative, respectively.

Like me, you’ll be supported every mile of the way when strolling in the Tiggy, all while staying grateful for its spacious toe box that, refreshingly, accommodates wider feet. The shoe’s heel clocks in at an inch, so treat it as an apt introduction to the chunky loafer universe that nevertheless keeps things subdued (and thus timeless).

Price upon publish date of this article: $150

BEST FOR SOFTNESS

G.H.Bass x Aritzia Milton Loafer

$146.25 $195 25% off

Buy Now AT aritzia

The recently released G.H.Bass x Aritzia loafer capsule offers two iterations: Milton and Spence, with the former boasting a shorter tongue and a more squared-off toe. I felt drawn to the Milton in its palest shade, a Chocolatier Brown with just the right amount of shine. Skipping the break-in period altogether, the shoe blessed me with an extra-cushioned midsole that did an impressive job despite its streamlined nature.

In the outsole department, I did notice some scratching on the first day of use, so I’d suggest potential resoling if you’re planning on enjoying the collaborative arrival long-term. As for Aritzia’s instantly recognizable ladybug detail on the included coin? It was the cheekiest little cherry on top.

Price upon publish date of this article: $146.25

Even More Loafers for Women to Shop Now

Gucci Women’s Jordaan Loafer

$1,090

Buy Now AT gucci

Price upon publish date of this article: $1,090

Coach Lucy Loafer

$149

Buy Now AT COACH outlet

Price upon publish date of this article: $149

Duke + Dexter Wilde Cherry Red Penny Loafer

$360

Buy Now at duke + dexter

Price upon publish date of this article: $360

Miu Miu Ruches Nappa Leather Loafer

$1,120

Buy NOW AT SAKS fifth avenue

Price upon publish date of this article: $1,120

Casadei Versilia Loafer

$612.50 $875 30% off

Buy Now at casadei

Price upon publish date of this article: $612.50

Why Trust Footwear News

For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis, and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.

Why Trust WWD

Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.

Meet the Author

Alisa Rendor is Penske Media Corporation’s Commerce Manager. There, she oversees strategy, partnerships, and operations in the affiliate group. Rendor has bylines in Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and Billboard — spanning fashion, lifestyle, and music beats. She consistently leverages her expertise in data and industry trends to round up the best deals and must-have buys for the savvy shopper. Prior to her stint at PMC, Rendor was at Hearst, working with its biggest commerce partners across lifestyle titles like Good Housekeeping, Elle, and Esquire Magazine.

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The Best Loafers for Women to Wear This Summer, From Classic Leather to Ruched Suede

Recent Articles by Alisa Rendor

Best Women’s Loafers to Shop This Season

Alohas Aven Suede Loafer

Steve Madden Madison Leather Loafer

M.Gemi Vela Loafer

Cole Haan Grand Ambition Alette Buckle Loafer

Dolce Vita Tiggy Loafer

G.H.Bass x Aritzia Milton Loafer

Gucci Women’s Jordaan Loafer

Coach Lucy Loafer

Duke + Dexter Wilde Cherry Red Penny Loafer

Miu Miu Ruches Nappa Leather Loafer

Casadei Versilia Loafer

Related Articles

Alohas Aven Suede Loafer

Steve Madden Madison Leather Loafer

M.Gemi Vela Loafer

Cole Haan Grand Ambition Alette Buckle Loafer

Dolce Vita Tiggy Loafer

G.H.Bass x Aritzia Milton Loafer

Even More Loafers for Women to Shop Now

Gucci Women’s Jordaan Loafer

Coach Lucy Loafer

Duke + Dexter Wilde Cherry Red Penny Loafer

Miu Miu Ruches Nappa Leather Loafer

Casadei Versilia Loafer

Why Trust Footwear News

Why Trust WWD

Meet the Author

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