The Fashion Memo

PORTER Picks: Luxe Loafers

Shop like a fashion editor with our expert guide to the most sought-after loafers for fall/winter ’26

Fashion editor Millie Parry
Fashion
From top: Dries Van Noten, Gucci, Bottega Veneta

The word versatile gets thrown around a lot in fashion, but loafers are the real deal: they truly do go with everything. The beauty of this preppy shoe is that it will always retain an air of polish, which allows it to pull a look together in an instant – whether elevating jeans, grounding floaty dresses or finishing crisp tailoring. You only need to look at the fall/winter ’26 runways for proof, with brands such as Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu and Chanel styling a plethora of looks with sleek loafers. Plus, the silhouette has been worn on rotation by style icons for decades (Katharine Hepburn, Princess Diana, Alexa Chung and Zoë Kravitz, to name just a few), cementing its wear-forever appeal.

The best loafers retain original design codes, including polished leather uppers, a structured sole and either a gleaming metal buckle, tassels or a penny strap (according to fashion lore, the cutout detail was once used for carrying a coin to make emergency phone calls). Unsurprisingly, given their evergreen nature, most brands with leather-working credentials have at least one signature iteration. Classic colorways – black, brown and tan – are adaptable all-rounders that wear well.

  • BOTTEGA VENETA
    Silenzio Intrecciato leather loafers
    د.إ4,600.00
    Select a Size
    36
    37 - low stock
    37.5 - out of stock
    38 - low stock
    38.5 - out of stock
    39 - out of stock
    39.5 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    41 - out of stock
    42
  • GUCCI
    Jordaan Horsebit-detailed leather loafers
    د.إ4,000.00
    Select a Size
    36 - low stock
    36.5 - low stock
    37 - low stock
    37.5 - low stock
    38
    38.5
    39 - low stock
    39.5
    40 - out of stock
    40.5 - out of stock
    41 - out of stock
    41.5 - out of stock
    42 - out of stock
  • SAINT LAURENT
    Le Loafer Cassandre-embellished mules
    د.إ4,500.00
    Select a Size
    EU 35
    EU 35.5
    EU 36
    EU 36.5 - out of stock
    EU 37
    EU 37.5 - low stock
    EU 38
    EU 38.5
    EU 39 - out of stock
    EU 39.5 - low stock
    EU 40 - out of stock
    EU 40.5
    EU 41
    EU 41.5
    EU 42
  • DRIES VAN NOTEN
    Glossed textured-leather penny loafers
    د.إ2,720.00
    Select a Size
    36 - out of stock
    37 - out of stock
    37.5
    38
    38.5 - out of stock
    39 - out of stock
    39.5 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    41

Look to Saint Laurent for a riff on the collegiate penny loafer, this season reworked with a collapsible heel that creates a backless look, or try Bottega Veneta’s sleek style in burgundy Intrecciato leather. Of course, no loafer roundup would be complete without mentioning Gucci. The iconic Italian house has been crafting classic loafers for more than 70 years, and its ‘Jordaan’ style is an update on the original horsebit design, which first launched in 1953. Wear your favorite pair with everything from midi skirts and ankle socks to slouchy knits and wide-leg jeans.

  • STUDIO NICHOLSON
    Donovan leather loafers
    د.إ2,065.00
    Select a Size
    36 - low stock
    37 - low stock
    38 - out of stock
    39
    40
    41 - low stock
  • GUCCI
    Rhody horsebit-embellished shearling-lined leather slip-ons
    د.إ5,350.00
    Select a Size
    36 - out of stock
    37 - out of stock
    37.5 - out of stock
    38
    38.5 - out of stock
    39 - out of stock
    39.5 - out of stock
    40
    41 - out of stock
  • JAMIE HALLER
    The Penny calf hair loafers
    د.إ3,345.00
    Select a Size
    36
    37 - low stock
    37.5
    38 - low stock
    38.5 - out of stock
    39 - low stock
    39.5 - out of stock
    40 - out of stock
    41 - out of stock
    42 - low stock
  • DRIES VAN NOTEN
    Leather loafers
    د.إ3,115.00
    Select a Size
    36
    37
    37.5 - low stock
    38 - low stock
    38.5
    39 - low stock
    39.5 - low stock
    40 - low stock
    41 - low stock