The Best Loafers for Work Outfits

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woman lounges while wearing black loafers and black work pants

Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

Hunting for the best loafers to wear with work outfits?

We've talked about flats for work a lot, including investment ballet flats, the best foldable flats, sophisticated strappy flats, nude flats, and interview flats — but we haven't talked about loafers in way too long!

What are your favorite loafers to wear with work outfits? Do you see yourself being an all flats, all the time kind of woman going forward, or do you still wear heels occasionally?

{related: check out our Guide to Comfortable Heels!}

TLDR: Our Favorite Loafers Right Now

As of 2025, some of our favorite loafers for work are from Sam Edelman, Everlane, and Madewell. If you want something more classic, readers love Sperry and Ferragamo; if you want comfort, Vionic and Naturalizer have options. Meanwhile, if you want something a bit more feminine or slouchy, the Tory Burch loafers are all really highly rated at Nordstrom (especially this “ballet loafer“)!

The Best Loafers for Work Outfits

The Best Loafer Overall: Sam Edelman

black loafer with gold bit detail on vamp

Sam Edelman shoes are often reader favorites — they have crazy cushioning inside, they're affordable, and they're generally on trend. These loafers are no different — they're $150-$170 new but you can often find them for under $100, come in a bunch of colors and patterns.

(Other Sam Edelman classics readers have loved over the years: this pump and this ballet flat.)

The Best Comfort Loafer: Vionic

black loafer

Another reader favorite, especially for comfort shoes? Vionic. At $135, these shoes are affordable but stylish. The insole is cushioned, with arch support — but is also removable if you have your own favorite insole. You can find them at Zappos and Nordstrom.

More options for comfort: Sofft, Naturalizer, Rothy's, Birdies (and, honestly, the Sam Edelmans!).

The Best Classic Loafer: Everlane

woman in jeans wears black loafers

Everlane loafers have been a cult favorite for years! Their “modern loafer” in particular is a big favorite, and at $168 it's one of the more affordable options on this list. They also have lug loafers (all on deep sale right now, fwiw) as well as more minimal driver loafers.

Other classic options: G.H. Bass loafers, M.Gemi, Sperry, or Rag & Bone.

The Best Feminine Loafer: Tory Burch

black ballet loafers

We've featured these sleek Tory Burch loafers a lot in the past year or two — they come in a bunch of colors and are a great mix of elegant and preppy. You can currently find them in more than 15 colors at Nordstrom, with a bunch of colors on sale.

They're $298-$348 new, but you may find them under $200 if you're lucky.

Looking for some other quirky takes on loafers? Do check out Freda Salvador, Sezane, Larroude, or Roger Vivier.

The Best Lug Sole Loafer: Madewell

some of the best loafers for work: madewell

If you're looking for a '90s-inspired lug soled loafer, Madewell has one of the best options — it's luggy without being platformy, if that makes sense. The shoes are made with “LITE” leather — Low Impact to the Environment leather that uses less energy and water than the standard tanning process.

You can get the shoes at Zappos or Madewell.

Other great options for lug soles: Vagabond and Everlane.

The Best Splurge Loafer: Ferragamo

some of the best loafers for work: ferragamo

Ferragamo shoes are always reader favorites for comfort — one of those IYKYK brands, especially at this price point. They come in lug soles, drivers, and the pictured classic loafers, which are $895.

Another good option for a splurge: Gucci's horsebit loafers, Bottega's loafers, or celebrity favorite Jamie Haller. (AGL loafers are another worthy splurge, but for about half the price.)

The Best Foldable, Washable Loafer: Rothy's

almond toed loafers from Rothys

Rothy's has a number of different types of loafers — drivers, moccasins, lounge loafers, and the almond-toed loafers we've pictured here.

Most of them come in 10+ colors, sizes 5-13, and are washable, lightweight, and foldable.

Similar options include Birdies, Skechers, and Vivaia.

Other Comfortable Flats for Work We Love

Classic Flats for Work

Some of our favorite comfortable flats for work as of 2025 include AGL, M.M.LaFleur, Vivaia, and French Sole. On the more affordable side, check out Rothy's, Sam Edelman, and Rockport. We've also rounded up the best loafers for work, and our favorite sneakers for work outfits!

Stylish Strappy Flats

Stylish strappy flats can be hard to find! As of 2025, these are some of our favorites — also, in general, check J.Crew, Boden, Jennifer Chamandi, Manolo Blahnik, and Valentino (on the pricier side, obviously). Nordstrom also has a surprisingly large selection!

Investment Flats to Splurge On

If you want to make an investment in flats in 2025, these are some of the most classic options. AGL and Ferragamo are reader favorites for comfort, while Chloé, Chanel and Valentino are all recognizable status symbols.

The Best Washable Flats

There are a ton of machine washable flats these days, and we just rounded up some great options at CorporetteMoms! Whether you need or want these because you're a parent, a pet owner, or a medical worker — or just someone who tends to hate shoes that aren't pristine — there are a ton of affordable and polished styles of washable flats to choose from.

Some of our favorites are these:

Looking for washable flats? You'd be surprised how many there are. As of 2025, our favorites include Rothy's (also at Nordstrom!), Skechers, Vivaia, AllBirds, and Amazon seller Tingrise.

The Best Foldable Flats

These can be amazing if you're a) traveling for work and want something super lightweight that won't drag down your bag, or b) you're adjusting to heels or new shoes and just aren't sure how long you're going to last in them. (I've sometimes brought these along on date nights with my husband if I'm really out of practice with heels!)

Some of our favorite foldable flats as of 2025 include Silky Toes, Yosi Samra (at Amazon and Nordstrom), and Amazon seller HEAWISH. If you're looking to splurge, the Tory Burch travel flat also has a split sole.

Readers, do tell: What do you think are the best loafers for work outfits? 

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

Stock photo at top via Deposit Photos / ruseyskiy.

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2 Comments

  1. I have bunions and have found the GH Bass Weejun Women’s Loafers to be perfect! Everlane loafers are okay. Madewell was too tight!