11 Best Loafer Brands to Invest In Now: From Heritage Icons to Modern Platforms

Loafers are one of our ride-or-die shoes. Just like your favorite sneakers, they’re a unisex option that has made a serious comeback in recent years.

These ‘70s-inspired shoes are fashion-meets-practicality with a minimalistic silhouette and a comfortable design that you’ll reach for every day.

Whether you’re creating a capsule closet or like to splurge on your shoes, loafers are an investment-worthy style for both men and women.

From sleek horsebit classics to chunky patent platforms, these standout loafers from Ferragamo, Prada, Cole Haan, and Gucci showcase how the silhouette evolves across luxury, comfort, and statement design

These are the shoes that can take you from a day at the office to grabbing a flight and catching dinner along the way. Loafers are the ultimate all-in-one shoe that works for every season.

Once you invest in your first pair of loafers, there’s no going back—the real question becomes which brand best matches your style, whether you lean classic, contemporary, or quietly luxurious.

While there are many different types of loafers to choose from, we’re making it easy by rounding up 11 of the best-selling loafer brands to help you narrow down your search.

1. Gucci: The Horsebit Loafer That Defined Modern Luxury

The undisputed King of loafers is Gucci. If you’ve fallen in love with the design and want to invest in a designer pair, Gucci is our top recommendation. You can buy them at Mytheresa.

Introduced in 1953, Gucci’s iconic Horsebit loafer redefined casual luxury, pairing equestrian-inspired hardware with a sleek, city-ready silhouette that still feels timeless today

You can thank them for the resurgence of loafers since 2015, when their Creative Director, Alessandro Michele, brought the style back as a staple in their footwear range.

With Gucci, you can choose between classic loafers with a small heel or keep it classic with their signature horsebit style. Gucci’s menswear range includes the famous Jordaan velvet loafers, a must-have for evening wear.

2. Prada: Minimalist Loafers With a Streetwear Edge

For sleek, minimalist loafers, look no further than Prada. The Italian luxury fashion house takes a simpler approach to its loafers than Gucci does.

Amongst their most popular are the streetwear-ready raised-platform loafers. The ‘Monolith’ loafers feature Prada’s distinctive triangle logo and a combat boot-inspired sole, giving this classic shoe a contemporary twist.

Prada’s lug-soled Monolith loafers are made from the house’s signature brushed leather in classic black that will go with everything

If you’re looking to splash out on new loafers, Prada’s satin loafers with crystals will set you back four figures.

3. Cole Haan: Athleisure-Inspired Comfort Meets Classic Design

One of our favorite mid-level brand options is Cole Haan. The American footwear brand offers loafers for both men and women, focusing on more casual, laid-back silhouettes.

Available at Zappos, Cole Haan’s ‘Cloudfeel Weekender’ loafers are the perfect weekend style and the pair you’ll reach for all summer long.

Cole Haan is one of the most popular shoe brands for loafers, mules, and driving shoes

The brand’s women’s loafers take a more athleisure design, giving you a loafer with the practicality of a sneaker. Their snake print ‘4.ZERØGRAND’ loafers are our top pick for women.

4. Salvatore Ferragamo: Timeless Italian Craftsmanship and the Gancini Detail

When it comes to classic Italian footwear, Salvatore Ferragamo is always at the top of our list. Their loafers are amongst some of the simplest you’ll find from any luxury designer.

Salvatore Ferragamo’s signature double Gancini bit completes the refined look of these Crown apron-toe loafers

Ferragamo’s ‘Gancini’ motif appears across the vamps, along with the occasional tassel on more minimalistic designs.

In the women’s department, their loafer incorporates their famous ‘Viva’ design. Ferragamo is a brand to choose if you want loafers that will last you for years to come.

5. Louis Vuitton: Logo-Driven Loafers With Contemporary Appeal

Louis Vuitton might not be the first brand you think of when buying loafers, but their footwear is quickly becoming a best-seller for the fashion house.

Louis Vuitton’s popular loafers and moccasins feature hand-stitching and refined details

Loafers have appeared in several of its recent collections, including the LV X NBA range. The loafers from this collection incorporate grained calf leather embossed with the fashion house’s iconic Monogram pattern.

Within the womenswear collection, Louis Vuitton’s Chess flat loafers are made with the logomania fan in mind. They take the traditional loafer style and elevate it with an all-around monogram canvas print.

6. Coach: Accessible Luxury With Polished Everyday Appeal

If you want luxury loafers without breaking the bank, Coach is one of our top picks. This American brand can easily rival its European counterparts in style and quality.

Their ‘Isabel’ loafer is a classic choice for workwear and sits at a more attainable price point than some of the other options on this list. The signature buckle gives the Isabel loafer a distinctive Coach look.

Polished buckles modeled after the Coach logo add a signature element to this bright watermelon suave, streamlined loafer

Although Coach has a limited footwear range for men, their ‘Collapsible Heel Driver’ loafers are a classic off-the-clock look that incorporates the Coach monogram in a subtle way.

7. Dr. Martens: Chunky Platform Loafers With a Subversive Edge

Although Doc Martens are known as synonymous with combat boots, the British brand is making a statement with its platform loafers.

Manufactured at the original Dr. Martens Cobbs Lane factory, the Adrian tassel loafer first hit the streets in 1980

These shoes are for the guy or gal who likes to keep their closet sleek and minimalist, but with a rock-chic feel.

If you have a pair of Doc Martens boots in your closet, you’ll want to pick up a pair of their loafers as well. The unisex ‘Adrian’ loafers are amongst their best sellers.

8. Sam Edelman: Feminine Classics With Modern Chunky Soles

Another mid-level brand worth checking out for women’s loafers is Sam Edelman.

Sam Edelman’s Monna is a versatile chunky loafer with a platform lug sole that’s equal parts refined and rugged

While their loafers tend to stick more to the classic style, their ‘Monna’ lace-up lug sole loafer is a platform style that you’ll want to wear throughout the autumn and winter months.

These chic platform loafers are perfect for styling with jeans or tights and a skirt.

9. Sperry: Nautical Heritage and Everyday Practicality

When it comes to simple loafers you can take anywhere, Sperry tops our list. Their slip-on loafers come in a variety of leather and silhouettes.

Their loafers range in price from $100 to $200, making them comfortably attainable.

The Seaport penny loafer brings timeless nautical polish to everyday dressing, with clean stitching, supple leather, and an easy slip-on silhouette that works from dockside to city streets

Sperry’s ‘Gold Cup Harpswell 1-Eye Driver’ loafer offers extra grip and anti-shock and vibration technology, making it the perfect choice for the man who is always on the go.

10. UGG: Slipper-Level Comfort Reimagined as Loafers

Another brand you might not immediately think of for loafers is UGG. When you consider that the shoes are often thought of as being as comfortable as slippers, it’s no surprise that UGG is offering loafers.

UGG’s ultra-soft loafers deliver slipper-level comfort with a relaxed, slip-on silhouette that makes them perfect for effortless, everyday wear

Their ‘Eevon’ loafer is a transitional style that features three layers of soft foam for all-day support.

11. Clarks: Budget-Friendly Workwear Staples That Last

If you’re on a budget for basic loafers that you can add to your workwear closet, Clarks is one brand you don’t want to overlook.

A cushioned tassel loafer balances statement detail and everyday wearability, combining sleek bit hardware, soft leather lining, and flexible soles for all-day comfort

Why Loafers Remain the Ultimate Smart Investment—And How Celebrities Keep Reinventing Them

From heritage house icons to modern, chunky reinterpretations, loafers have proven they’re far more than a passing trend.

Their ability to shift effortlessly between polished tailoring, off-duty denim, and fashion-forward layering is exactly why they continue to anchor both designer collections and real-world wardrobes.

If you’re looking for fresh inspiration on how to style them now, these celebrity-driven looks and editorial guides show just how versatile—and enduring—the loafer truly is.