You know what they say: new season, fresh silhouettes. This spring, skirt suits, peplum tops, and billowy tapered trousers aren’t the only shapes on our radar. The sentiment extends to footwear, too, with sleek, minimalist loafers standing out among the rest. Unlike their preppy counterpart—the classic penny loafer—this style feels more refined: elongated, understated, and entirely cool. As with various other shoe trends (the soft ballet flat, for one), its popularity can be traced back The Row, followed by Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, and most recently, Dior.
Vogue’s Favorite Soft Loafers
The street style set has taken note—Vogue Italia’s Francesca Ragazzi among them, who can be found pairing a classic black version with a vibrant mix of everyday essentials. And upon returning from Paris Fashion Week, Vogue’s Lisa Aiken was quick to flag a new brick-and-mortar-only destination, Rubirosa’s, serving up some of the sleekest minimalist loafers yet. Founded by Parisian designer Lauren Rubinski, it’s worth the transatlantic trip—though the options below come close if a jaunt to the City of Light isn’t on your bingo card right now.
For spring, dip your toe into suede styles from Banana Republic, The Row, and Khaite, or opt for a bold pop of color with a red pair from Emme Parsons. Crisp shades of ivory, cream, and powder white—from St. Agni, Lemaire, and Jamie Haller—offer a fresh seasonal update (and make for a polished alternative to classic white derbies). A black pair remains a classic choice, whether you chose from A.Emery and Cos’s under-$300 styles to designer iterations by Toteme and Phoebe Philo. Meanwhile, rich chocolate brown options from Madewell and Dear Frances pair seamlessly with everything from poplin dresses to transitional trench coats and denim.
Below, discover why the minimalist loafer is spring’s go-to shoe—timeless, refined, and quietly on-trend.
