The Trend
“The loafer is now taking cues from other trends to put a focus on dressier shoes that feel sleeker but have a rumpled sense of elegance to them.” — Jian DeLeon, men’s fashion director at Nordstrom.
What’s Working
“There has been a dramatic expansion of the casual footwear market beyond the sneaker, with extensive design development and innovative flexible constructions, especially notable in the loafer category. This focus on comfort will be incredibly appealing to the customer and was highlighted in numerous brands, including Ferragamo, Magnanni, Tod’s, Church’s and, most notably, at Santoni.” — Bruce Pask, senior director of men’s fashion at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
Style Evolution
“Stylistically, the sleek, Venetian plain vamp loafer felt especially fresh and versatile, both casual and dressy, with stand-out airy, woven versions at Jacques Solovière. Ruched moccasin seams on loafers at The Row, Ferragamo and Saint Laurent added a nice design flourish to the style. We also saw raffia loafers at Manolo Blahnik and Stuart Weitzman, then basket-woven and intrecciato leather at Brunello Cucinelli, Santoni and Magnanni.” — Bruce Pask.
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Spring Predictions
“It’s still all about a loafer for spring 2026, but the focus is on the fabrication or playing more with color to bring newness to the category. The main trend was for raffia or woven detailing, but the overall impact was still smart and not too casual. There were more driving-style loafers across the market this season, which is an easy way to play into more color and a casual aesthetic.” — Sophie Jordan, menswear buying director at MyTheresa.
