I’ll tell it like it is: I had them before they were cool again. And no, this is not an attempt to make me look more fashionably interesting than I am. It’s more like that moment in the closet when you realize: Maybe I wasn’t doing the wrong thing back then.
I bought my first pair in 2013. In Leo design. Worn briefly, then ignored for a long time and now? Now they are back at the forefront. And they look at me as if they had just sat it out for the last few years. They probably have just that.
And before we get too specific here: Strictly speaking, my current model is more of a boat shoe than a classic loafer. So the slightly more casual version. More “I’m just going out” than “I have an appointment right away.” But that’s actually quite fitting, because the trend is moving in that direction anyway.
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From “it was nice” to “oh, actually quite good”
If you watch fashion for a little longer, you know: loafers have had their moments. In the eighties, then again sometime around ten or twelve years ago. But that was more of a brief flare-up. Once modern for a moment, then gone again and everyone went back into their sneakers as if nothing had happened.
Things will feel different in 2026. The loafer, or anything that goes in this slip-on direction, is suddenly no longer just a temporary solution, but has really arrived. Maybe he’ll also pass on the Old Money Style?
And I don’t think that’s because we’ve all decided to become particularly sensible now. It’s more because at some point you no longer feel like thinking about whether an outfit just looks good or whether it works every morning. Ideally it can do both.
A quick look back without it being tiring
The classic loafer originally comes from the men’s shoe sector. Early 20th century, inspired by moccasins, developed somewhere between Norway and the USA. Practical, comfortable, without much effort. Later, brands like Gucci made it a real classic and suddenly the shoe was no longer just comfortable, but also chic.
And today? Today the whole thing just seems a bit more relaxed.
What’s happening right now is basically nothing new. The shoe didn’t suddenly fall from the sky. But he comes back different. Less prim, less “I have to look prim now.” And that’s exactly why my boat shoe fits in there pretty well. It’s everything, just not slick.
My look: Leo, but please without drama
I have combined the shoe here with leopard pants. Yes I know. Leo is also a topic. Either you like it or you briefly ask yourself whether it was really necessary. I think it depends on the mix.
The pants bring the pattern, the shoes take the whole thing out a bit. Add a black top and a short, beige jacket and suddenly the outfit no longer looks loud, but simply harmonious.
With a classic loafer it would probably have been stricter. This way it stays relaxed. And that’s exactly what I like about it. It looks like I’ve put some thought into it without it looking like much planning.
And then there was the skirt
Of course I didn’t just leave it at one look. The shoes also had to serve as a pleated skirt. Black skirt, brown knitwear, same shoes and suddenly the whole mood changes. Everything becomes calmer, maybe a little softer. Not more boring, just less “I really want to stand out now”.
And this is exactly where you realize why this shoe works so well. It adapts without completely removing itself. Sneakers would have been too sporty for me at that moment and heels would have been too desirable. The loafer, or boat shoe, sits right in between and simply does its job.
What loafers and capri pants have in common
And now comes the part that I find a bit funny: the loafers share their fate with another item of clothing in my closet. The capri pants. Another candidate who I was pretty sure we were both through with. Not because it was broken. But because I thought: That was just a phase.
And then at some point you stand in front of it again and think: Oh, it wasn’t actually that bad. I think that’s exactly what’s happening with a lot of parts right now. Things that you had already sorted out internally come back. Not identical, but in such a way that you suddenly feel like it again. At this point I’m really curious to see whether these shoes are as polarizing as the capris pants.
Why I really like the loafer right now
I think what convinces me most about the 2026 loafer trend is this mix of “just works” and “still looks good”. The shoe doesn’t want to prove anything. He doesn’t make a big fuss. But complements an outfit in a different way than a sneaker. And maybe that’s exactly why I’m so glad I kept my old pair. Not because it’s trendy again now. But because it shows that not everything you write off is really gone. Sometimes it’s worth just leaving things in the closet. Apparently they have better timing than me.
How do you feel about loafers or boat shoes? Are you a team “always worn” or more like “I’m still thinking about whether I dare”? I’m really looking forward to your opinion and thank you so much for your visit. Have a nice Sunday and if you’re not there yet. I would be happy if you subscribe to my newsletter, so I will remind you once a week that I exist. THANKS.
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