Can loafers replace sneakers as men's IT shoe amid the 'Quiet Luxury' boom?
Loafers are a rage in 2025. From Travis Kelce wearing loafers for his engagement to Taylor Swift, to Sidharth Malhotra wearing loafers with Indian-wear, the shoe is comfortable and versatile.
But, how did loafers become the IT shoe this year despite being a lowkey-luxe staple for decades? Further, will loafers edge out sneakers as the go-to shoe for men?
The origins of loafers
There are multiple theories about how loafers came to be. Some say loafers were designed in 1926, as casual slippers for King George VI of England. London-based Raymond Lewis Wildsmith created the bespoke Wildsmith Loafer for him.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Per other sources, the loafer was inspired by the moccasins worn by First Nations people in the Americas. Norwegian shoemaker Nils Gregoriusson Tverange created the design of the loafer-adjacent Aurland shoe after travelling to North America and seeing these moccasins.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
However, there were also fishing villages in Norway with boat shoes which resembled moccasins, indicating travel between Norway and the Americas years prior to that. Several shoemakers in the U.K. took inspiration from these boat shoes to make loafers.
How loafers became a symbol of casual luxury
This style of shoe became commercially popular during the 1900s. The loafer earned its perception as a luxe casual shoe due to who wore it.
Of course, there was King George VI. But apart from him, the preppy college students from Ivy League colleges also included it in their off-duty outfits.
When luxury brand Gucci’s loafers with the metal horseshoe fixture made waves in the 1960s and 1970s. Thanks to all this, loafers were cemented as the go-to luxe casual shoe for the elite.
Image credit: gucci.com
What about sneakers being a status symbol?
Sneakers were never just a casual form of footwear that people wore. Thanks to hype-culture, sneakers became a way to flex. People lined up to grab limited-edition sneakers that companies released in small numbers to generate more demand. Sneakers were resold at ten times their original price. Several Indian sneaker brands emerged during the sneaker boom too.
Sneakers and celebrity culture
So, owning a pair of rare and special sneakers became a way to show off one’s access to the exclusive. Plus, owning sneakers from a celebrity’s line — such as basketball-player Michael Jordan’s with Nike, or musician Travis Scott’s with Dior — became a status symbol.
That’s why sneakers weren’t just worn as sportswear. They made it to parties, were paired with suits, and got glamourous iterations. Sneaker-collecting, which began in the 1980s, really blew up in the mid-2010s.
Architectural Digest videos showed celebrity homes — be it J Balvin and Zedd’s, or Devin Booker and Lil Baby’s — with separate sneaker closets. The rise of hip-hop culture also glamourised the sneaker, making it a fashionable shoe to wear.
Has the sneaker hype gone away?
The sneaker resale market is no longer operating on the level it was two or three years ago. Limited-edition drops from Supreme generate less hype now.
However, sneakers are still a staple shoe in terms of comfort and durability. One would also be remiss to not mention that the likes of the Adidas Samba have become IT shoes recently.
Did the ‘Quiet luxury’ and ‘Old money’ aesthetics revive loafers?
Social media is rife with ‘Quiet luxury’ and ‘Old money’ outfit ideas, be it Instagram or Pinterest. While these trends carry echoes of classism, they have gained popularity.
As a result, sportswear, sneakers, and athleisure have taken a back seat to loafers, khakis, and polo-neck T-shirts when it comes to semi-formal menswear and casual streetwear.
Olivier Saillard, who is a fashion historian and the artistic director at J.M. Weston, chalked up the loafers’ popularity to how comfortable it is. He told AFP it can serve as an alternative to sneakers: "I think it's a pretty natural alternative to trainers because it's a shoe that can be put on and taken off very easily. There are no laces. It's a very comfortable fit. The moccasin was originally called a slipper moccasin, which shows how much effort was put into the comfort of this model."
The loafer resurgence in Paris
Paris—one of the epicentres of international fashion trends--- is seeing loafers make a splash. Graziella Dubief, the director of footwear purchasing at French department store Galeries Lafayette, told AFP: "It's true that we had a craze for moccasins and we were out of stock in September,” adding that loafers are “traditionally a rather classic model, very urban, a bit ‘preppy.’”
Architect and influencer Romain Costa told AFP: "I've always worn shoes, dress shoes and loafers because I like to break up a slightly casual look ... I find that it brings a contrast that is quite interesting."
How celebrities style loafers
Loafers are among the few shoe styles that can work with everything, from jeans and linen pants, to shorts and even sherwanis. Here’s how celebrities have been rocking the shoe.
Travis Kelce’s engagement look featured loafers
Image credit: Instagram.com/taylorswift
Travis Kelce proposed to Taylor Swift in a pair of brown suede loafers. A preppy take on 1980s fashion, he wore the loafers with shorts and sans socks.
Vijay Varma styles loafers with jeans and Indian-wear
Image credit: Instagram.com/itsvijayvarma
Style chameleon Vijay Varma made a statement in an all-black ethnic ensemble paired with black embroidered loafers. To ensure the look was seamless, he picked a shoe with embroidery in a metallic hue that matched the metal of his necklace.
Sidharth Malhotra loves giving loafers a glam spin
Image credit: Instagram.com/sidmalhotra
Whether it’s a suit or a sherwani, Sidharth Malhotra loves a blingy and kitschy loafer. From sparkles to leopard print to shiny heels, his loafers are a party in footwear form.
Colman Domingo pairs a suit with loafers
Image credit: AFP
The ever-dapper fashion icon Colman Domingo not only wore loafers to the Met Gala, but also the black and white two-toned loafer with a suit. Proof that loafers can be formal and dressy whilst being chic, he is a lesson in how to style the shoe.
The best men's loafers for every occasion
If you’re on the market for a pair of loafers, you’re in luck, because there’s one for every occasion and vibe.
The Monkstory Embroidered Slip-ons in Beige work well with Indian-wear
Price: ₹6,490
Image credit: monkstory.com
Made of vegan suede, these are cushioned well enough for surviving a night of dancing at a wedding, but stylish enough to make for great photos. Perfect for pairing with the pastel sherwanis that are the rage today, this pair is ideal for those who need an alternative to black loafers.
Buy it here.
The Dapper Man's Cognac Penny Loafers are ideal for wearing with suits
Price: ₹6,299
Image credit: thedapperman.in
Looking for a formal pair of brown leather loafers to wear with suits? This handcrafted pair has a top that is full grain leather, plus leather lining, and comfortable cushioning.The construction of the shoe is done using the premium Blake Stitch method, which makes it lighter and more flexible than many leather shoes.
Buy it here.
These Marks & Spencer Suede Lace Drivers in Stone are great for daily casual-wear
Price: ₹4,999
Image credit: marksandspencer.in
Want an easy to slip-on pair of loafers for wearing casually while running errands? These suede driver loafers are perfect for that. Plus, it has a stain-resistant finish and a sole which provides a good grip.
Buy it here.
The Saint G New York Saint Valentin Olive Leather Tassel Moccasins are perfect for a party
Price: ₹11,500
Image credit: saintg.in
Want a luxe pair of leather loafers to wear for fancy dinners or the country club? This olive-green pair from Saint G isn’t about flashy drama, but still has a polished uniqueness that makes it ideal for a preppy look.
Buy it here.
