Best Mule, Ordinary, and Luxury Loafers for Fall at All Price Points
With the change of seasons from warm to cool comes the always impending swap of trends and closet shelves. Though it is a hassle, there is something a little rewarding about this biannual swap; it always makes me somewhat nostalgic for how time is going by. Today on the blog, we are going to be talking about a 1950s trend that has resurfaced to the mainstream once again: loafers for fall.
If you are lucky enough to have lived through the past decades where these lovelies have been in style, you may even have a pair or two tucked away under a bed or on a shelf. It’s always great when things work out that way. If you don’t, not to worry. In today’s article, we are going to be covering:
- 1 – What is a loafer?
- 2 – What is the difference between a loafer mule and a loafer?
- 3 – The history of the loafer
- 4 – Roundup of best loafers for fall at all price points
- 5 – How to Style Loafers for Everyday
- 6 – Why pay for luxury?
- 7 – What price point loafer is best for me?
IF YOU ARE IN A HURRY: The roundup is in section 3 <3
1 - What is a Loafer?
A loafer is, by definition, a shoe with a low, nearly flat heel, structured body, and no laces. It is completely enclosed all the way around, so no part of the foot is seen. The female loafer a lot of the time looks a little bit more masculine in structure compared to the other shoes you may find in a woman’s closet. This is because what we know as a “women’s loafer” today was built on the structure of the already existing and popular men’s workwear shoe.
2 - What is the difference between a loafer mule and a loafer?
The answer is all in the heel. While a loafer has a back, a mule is open, making it more of a slide. There is such a thing as loafer style mules as well, which have the loafer front format but the mule open back. If you ever see a company refer to something as a “slide on loafer” they technically are not using the correct terminology. That is a loafer mule. Slides have no real heel, and loafers are defined by their heel.
3 - The History of the Loafer
It all started with Gucci.
In 1953, Gucci launched their famous Horsebit loafer. This creation planted the seed for feminine loafers and mules for decades to come. The style grew in popularity throughout the 1950s. This said, it took until around 1957 (seven years) for more affordable brands to make similar copies that were more attainable to the average shopper. The loafer and loafer mule disappeared during the 60s, but promptly made a reappearance around the mid 70s thanks to A-list stars at the time (think Goldie Hawn and Jodie Foster).
Goldie Hawn in heeled loafers
Credit: Getty Images
Jodie Foster in Gucci’s Horsebit loafer
Credit: Julian Wasser
In 2016, Gucci relaunched their famous loafers as part of an overall rebranding campaign, which meant it was only a matter of time before they became popularized again. Sure enough, seven years later, in 2021, we are seeing their reappearance.
Emma Roberts
Credit: Getty Images
Jennifer Aniston
Credit: Instyle.com / Alo Ceballos / GC Images
4 - Roundup of best loafers for fall at all price points
All of these items have been researched and vetted by me over the span of several days to make sure I am including only the best of the best. For the most part, I saw a huge shift in quality on items under $50 – under $100 to the loafer mules and loafers under $200 – under $400.
5 - How to Style Loafers for Everyday
Loafers are one of the most versatile shoes you can have. This is one of the reasons I consider them an investment piece! Through them with jeans and a button down for a classy, yet casual, everyday look. Style them with a sweater dress and some hoops to keep things comfy and ready for anything. Layer on some of your most classic jewelry staples to add to your look.
6 - Why Pay for Luxury Loafers?
In short: the loafer style is one that is timeless. It will always return, make a short disappearance, and then return again. Spending money on a pair of higher end shoes will allow you to keep and rewear them for the rest of your life. Fast fashion is always appealing these days, but those items rarely last. Even if you can’t afford the Gucci price tag, there are plenty of other luxury brands selling a similar product. These are made of nice, long lasting materials at a more affordable price point than the famous ones by Gucci.
To that same end: most elite brands mean it when they tell you you’re a customer for life. They’ll allow you to come in to get metal polished, leather replaced, and any tiny pull looked at for free or at cost. Investing in luxury – if you can afford it – is investing in a life long, multigenerational piece.
7 - What price point is right for me?
This is always a tricky question when it comes to purchasing “trending” items. Shoes – to me at least – are always the toughest item to judge. I talked a little bit about investment pieces when I talked about my favorite versatile top. Essentially, think about what you are wanting this item for. Are you going to wear it once or twice, or is this going to be something you are going to be wearing on the regular and keeping safe?
Luxury shoes to me are like luxury bags. Those are the two areas in modern fashion that I feel have stayed loyal to the phrase “you get what you pay for”. Meaning, if you spend $40 on a bag, it’s going to be awesome to wear to football games and out to dinner. But if you spend $1400 on a bag, it is an investment piece you can carry for the rest of your life. With most elite brands, they mean it too.
If you are asking this question, I recommend you consider an item that is a little bit more “middle of the field”. Something around or between $100 – 250 (or $150 – 300, depending on your budget) that is in a color you plan to wear often. This item will look nice, and hold up through the test of time. By the time you have to replace said product, you will know the answer (and maybe be more financially able) to whether or not you want to invest in a forever piece.
