Having a Seasonal Shoe Crisis? Lean into loafers
Photos: Sarah Brick
That’s an overly dramatic headline for a feature on autumn shoes, but for those of us finding it hard to put the Birkenstock’s away, the Seasonal Shoe Shuffle is A Thing. And, this muggy weather is not helping. There’s an ease to simple sandals; they are comfortable, go with everything and you don’t need to worry about the length of your trousers. For a friend’s birthday party on Saturday night, I wore a snazzy silk shirt with my black jeans and then reverted to Birkis at the last-minute. My summer pedicure timed-out weeks ago, but fortunately it’s dark by 7pm and no-one could see my crusty feet.
During this liminal period, loafers are the easy, slip-on solution. I bought this pair from Gucci with the advance from my second book: Know Your Style. Obviously, we are not talking about a Sally Rooney-size payment; the entire advance went on the shoes. That was almost eight years ago (pre-Brexit prices) and I’m still wearing the Gucci loafers, today. The leather is super soft, and it really is like wearing a pair of slippers. Which is a necessity now that my bunion has started playing up. As if the perma-hard, cracked skin and bruised toe nails weren’t enough…
The Italian luxury brand introduced the Horsebit Loafer in 1953; I first noticed them when young Jodie Foster opted for sports luxe on a skateboard. We were approximately the same age when Taxi Driver came out in 1976, though I didn’t see the skateboard images until my undergraduate fashion days, but I could totally relate to her Tomboy Style. Jodie Foster has always been COOL. I love what she says about her decades-long career and age-wise transitions in this interview for W Magazine,:
‘Suddenly 60 is just the perfect thing! There’s a kind of contentedness that you have… There’s something about being the wise one in the room.’
And back to footwear… for those having a Seasonal Shoe Crisis here are the best loafers for autumn. (TIP: Weleda Skin Food is good for crusty, spent-the-summer-in-sandals feet):
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STYLE NOTES
The jacket is my old Acne Studios blazer. The shirt dress I bought in the sale from Officine Générale this summer. And Gucci Jordaan Loafers. The bag is vintage Gucci from Menage Modern Vintage (Double Gucci, eh!)
Discussion (33 Comments)
It does depend on the shape of your feet and the fit of the shoe. One of my friends can’t wear loafers. I’m a half-size and often footwear companies don’t include half-sizes so I end up not buying! Or if a shoe is too big – sometimes socks are enough, and a heel grip might help but that’s not ideal.
Alyson, can you recommend some sort of loafer sock if you wear them with bare feet. Many thanks.
Hi Sarah, I tend to wear normal socks with trousers, and no socks with skirts/ dresses. But I will look into this…
Thank you Alyson.
margieusa says:
https://sheecsocks.com has various no-show socks and they are great! They ship both to the USA and internationally. I’m in the USA and wear these socks all the time. They never creep down into a shoe. I wear them in sneakers/ballet flats/loafers. They’re great!
Mrs Tonia says:
Smart getup here Alyson and super range of shoes shown. I’m a loafer wearer and have a few old pairs I wear. May consider a new pair for this autumn season. Thanks for the suggestions.
Caroline says:
I have a number of pairs of loafers but they always look wrong on. I can’t work out whether it’s to do with trouser length or width.
Anyway some words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated as like you I feel they ought to be the answer to this in between time before the boots come out.Paddie Hanson-James says:
I find Clarins Foot Beauty Treatment Cream brilliant for keeping the heels soft! It has a lavender, slightly medicinal smell that I love. Father Christmas brings me a tube ever year!
Catherine Mitchell says:
I love a loafer and have a pair of patent tasselled Grensons that seemed like a shocking indulgence six years ago but which still look and feel just as good. I really appreciate the investment now! What, though, do you wear as your invisible ‘sock’ layer? I am assuming you have got something between your foot and the shoe. I’ve never got to grips with this concept.
Joan Moncrieff says:
I’d love to wear a loafer but as a size 9 (43) I have to look at men’s and they are too wide.
Some shops boast of offering a 9 but it is usually a size 42. Surely womens feet are getting bigger so why not the shoes!
Angela Griffiths says:
This : “(Double Gucci, eh!)” is why I am here! Hahahah! You are wise AND a hoot!
Jill Hunter says:
I bought a pair of black Gucci loafers in the late sixties. My boyfriend, at the time, hated them. I could not break them in as my feet must have been a non Gucci shape, so I gave to my mother who gardened in them as they were so sturdy and lasted for years.
Zoe C says:
I am no longer able to wear loafers as I use to wear orthotic insoles. So any suggestions regarding alternative footwear, not trainers, would be ideal.
Karen says:
I can relate to the seasonal shoe crisis. I am a Birki girl and wear them as soon as I can (usually March) and until my toes turn blue (usually November). Fortunately, here in southern Nevada in the U.S., it’s pretty warm most of the year. (I get a pedi once a month, and after the one I had yesterday, my toes are a seasonal copper.) I have a problem with closed toe shoes and struggle to find something that doesn’t put too much pressure on the top of my toe. I’ve found canvas Sperry boat shoes work the best, but they don’t cut it for more formal occasions (not that my life has many). I love the look of loafers and may try to find one that works.
Isabelle fish says:
Did you know that loafers were invented in Norway? Going to visit the original Factory in October. Getting a new pair is top of list!
LOVE this look Alyson. Have worn loafers since the eighties when it was ok to be a Michael Jackson fan…it was his loafers that first inspired me to wear them (though never with white socks). I love them and they’re great for the Gentlewoman look that you inspire. Thank you for the recommendations.
Using lotion on your feet every night at bedtime is the key to soft, attractive feet. As Paddie suggests, there are creams specifically made for feet, but I have found that any body lotion will do if used consistently.
Sartorissima says:
Anyone remember Patrick Cox’s Wannabe loafers? In storage, I have plain black, brown snakeskin and red crocodile. They are coming out for autumn!
Hooray! I had two pairs of Patrick Cox loafers: one classic, black pair and a brown pair that had a plaited detail across the top and looked quite 70s.
Susanna says:
Beautiful look! I wish I could wear loafers, but my high instep means they fall off, and they don’t provide enough support for my arthritic feet. I’ve recently discovered the lovely jazz Oxfords made by Sole Terra shoes (Portuguese, I think). They are butter-soft, come in a rainbow of colors, lace up high, have good insole support, and I can wear them all day long. They look “gentlewoman-ly” with skirts and tights, and great with pants and a fine, bright sock. Such a good alternative to trainers, Zoe C, and there’s a low boot version as well!
Vera D. says:
I’m glad that with hallux rigidus in one toe, so a bump, and a small bunion on the other, I basically have only a handful of places to buy shoes so I don’t look at any brands that don’t stock widths. I have 3 pairs of identical loafers from Caroline Macaron in France, that fit my bad feet perfectly. She changes the colours every season and sometimes does them in suede. The model hasn’t changed, it’s called Calisson. More room in the front, a narrow heel but doesn’t look chunky, wide or orthopedic. Oh and very lightweight, always made with soft leathers and suedes and lined with soft leather. I also started to wear her refined sneakers, just change the laces to match the shoe colour. Again, lightweight and a great transitional season shoe for bad feet.
caroline says:
Vera, thank you for this tip!
I have very wide feet plus a bunion. Searching for comfortable, attractive shoes is so time consuming and frustrating.
If anyone else can suggest other companies that make shoes that might fit me, please let me know.For those needing soft comfortable footwear to accommodate bunions and formerly broken toes I recommend the French brand Arche. Like everything now way more expensive than they used to be. But long lasting. Comfortable and unlined so minimal rubbing on sore joints. They come in good range of colours. I’ve got several pairs of nubuck shoes boots and sandals I’ve had for years. Always used to buy in sales and when in France near an Arche boutique.
I’ve found an online business maybe Shoe Garden here in England which stocks this brand.
Another one I’ve bought loafers and boots from is Mephisto. Extremely cushioned comfortable footwear.Karen Ritvo says:
FYI any of the Boden links for US readers link to BodenUSA and always say “Oops” and then you have to search yourself to try to find it.
Sue Baldaro 
Teresa Barnard 
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How do you keep a loafer on ?