No, Not Trainers—The Loafer Trend That Suits Jeans, Trousers and Leggings

By wazup on December 31, 1969 Comments Closed / 2 views

Whether worn in the offices of investment banks, the corridors of preppy private schools or on the feet of off-duty supermodels as they wander through the avenues of Manhattan, there’s no denying that loafers have become one of the most universal footwear trends over the past decade. Because what other shoe could take you from the boardroom to the bar as seamlessly as this pseudo-yuppie staple?

When it comes to investing in a pair, it’s not just a matter of heading down to the high street and picking up the first style that piques your interest. With countless options to choose from—penny! tassel! backless! horsebit! heeled!—it’s important to contemplate the exact effect you want these popular flats to have when wearing them. But, as the likes of Hailey Bieber and Zoë Kravitz can attest, gathered loafers are the most in-demand variation and, by direct correlation, really the only category worth considering.

An image of @cocoschiffer wearing gathered loafers.

Whilst items like Gucci’s slip-on Princetown mules or Prada’s chunky Monolith stomper once reigned supreme, our collective shift towards more streamlined and minimalistic shapes has allowed the gathered loafer trend to flourish. For the uninitiated, the shape refers to a low-profile style that features ruching around the toe box and a slim upper. Decisively simplistic, this is an iteration that is elevated in its commitment to a well-crafted and exceptionally sophisticated design.

In fact, the style has become so coveted that it’s quickly becoming conflated with what a conventional loafer should look like, with many luxury brands adopting this shape as their default choice. Indeed, designers like The Row and Miu Miu are reaping the benefits of gathered loafers becoming incredibly popular in the mainstream through the success of their own versions, including the Soft Eel loafer and the Buffalo loafer in leather, respectively. And you only need to look at these labels’ adherents for evidence of how chic and polished the best gathered loafers can be.

An image of The Row soft gathered loafers via @smythsisters.

A perennial street style fixture, Hailey Bieber can often be seen sporting a pair of gathered loafers as the finishing touch to her sensually tailored wardrobe, whilst Kendall Jenner always makes a point to complete her jeans-and-a-nice-top silhouettes with a pair, too.

More recently, whilst attending a promotional event for Frankenstein, Jacob Elordi eschewed all forms of method dressing for a typical ‘East London creative’ ensemble that featured an Arc’teryx windbreaker, pleated white wide-leg trousers and, as the pièce de résistance, Saint Laurent’s well-adored Le Loafers.

An image of Jacob Elordi wearing Saint Laurent le loafers.

Ready to slip into something a little more stylish? Stitched to perfection, cut to be trim and well within the zone of comfort, uncover the best gathered loafers that have earned Who What Wear UK’s tick of approval, ahead.

The 19 Best Gathered Loafers of 2026

The Row

Soft Loafer

Style Notes: It’s the style you’ll spy every It girl in, whether she’s trotting down to her local café for an iced latte or heading to a cocktail soirée at a newly-opened gallery opening. How do we know? It’s something we’ve spotted the style’s designers, the Olsen Twins, doing whilst wearing this exact pair.

Material/s: 100% Eelskin Leather

Sizes: EU35 – EU42.

Colour/s: Olive, Rouge, Black and Dark Brown

Saint Laurent

Le Loafer

Style Notes: From the Rive Gauche’s low-lit jazz bars to the Rive Droite’s velvet-adorned brasserie, there’s not a spot in Paris where Saint Laurent’s Le Loafers wouldn’t fit in.

Material/s: Lambskin

Sizes: EU34 – EU42

Colour/s: Cognac suede, Dark Havana suede, Dark Chocolate suede, Black leather

Prada

Leather Loafers

Style Notes: Both intelligent and artistic, these Prada loafers strip the style back to its essence before dialling it up with sumptuous Italian leather and a tapered point.

Material/s: Buffalo

Sizes: EU34 – 42

Colour/s: Black

& Other Stories

Penny Loafers

Style Notes: A staple of the Great British high street, & Other Stories has undergone quite the overhaul since fashion designer Jonathan Saunders was appointed creative director. However, chic wardrobe staples like these gathered loafers remain a cornerstone of the brand.

Material/s: 100% Nappa Leather

Sizes: EU36 – EU42

Colour/s: 5, including black, light grey suede, beige suede and brown suede

M&S

Leather Loafers

Style Notes: Another high-street behemoth, M&S is where I always turn to for my sartorial fundamentals, making this best-selling style a firm favourite at an accessible price point.

Material/s: No specific material is provided.

Sizes: UK 3 – UK 8

Colour/s: Black

Miu Miu

Buffalo Leather Loafers

Style Notes: Inspired by traditional menswear codes, this Miu Miu pair features an embossed logo stamped in gilded lettering and a slightly concave fnish.

Material/s: Buffalo leather

Sizes: EU 34 – EU 42

Colour/s: Black

H&M

Loafers

Style Notes: Suede loafers might be somewhat of a new invention, but it hasn’t stopped the internet from becoming swiftly besotted with them.

Material/s: 100% Polyester

Sizes: UK 2 – 9

Colour/s: Dark brown suede, burgundy leather, black leather and cappuccino brown.

Reformation

Francine Ruched Loafer

Style Notes: From sweet ditsy floral dresses to decadent silk trousers and now, gathered loafers that live up to their designer counterparts, Reformation truly has cornered the market for chic wardrobe staples.

Material/s: Soft leather with a faux eel embossed effect

Sizes: UK 2.5 – UK 5

Colour/s: Black Crinkle Patent, Espresso Crinkle Patent, Hazel Suede and Almond Eel

ZARA

Soft Gathered Loafers

Style Notes: You can always pull together an impactful outfit on a shoestring budget at Zara, so allow these gathered loafers to be the foundation for these chic looks.

Material/s: 100% Polyurethane

Sizes: UK 2 – UK 9

Colour/s: Black

Massimo Dutti

Embossed Leather Loafers

Style Notes: Made of cowhide leather and featuring a dainty penny strap, these gathered loafers will look so polished peaking out under the hemline of stovepipe jeans or styled with a flirty mini dress.

Material/s: 100% Cow Leather

Sizes: UK 2 – UK 9

Colour/s: Brown.

MANGO

Gathered Leather Moccasin

Style Notes: The basis for so many expensive-looking outfits begins at Mangos, from essential white t-shirts to sumptuous knits. Now, add this pair of gathered loafers to your rotation. Make note, however, the brand advises these run a little big, so take one size down for your true fit.

Material/s: 100% Bovine Leather

Sizes: UK 2 – UK 9

Colour/s: Black and burgundy

Whistles

Black Manny Slim Loafer

Style Notes: Back in stock, these shoes constantly sell out, meaning you’ll have to act quick to invest in a style you’d find in any well-edited wardrobe.

Material/s: 100% Cow Leather

Sizes: EU36 – EU42.

Colour/s: Black, burgundy and tan.

ALOHAS

Aven Black Leather Loafers

Style Notes: Since opening a new store in SoHo, every tasteful dresser from Dean Street to Dalston has been spotted wearing these elegant Alohas.

Material/s: 100% Cow Leather

Sizes: EU 35 – 46

Colour/s: Black, suede brown, burgundy, vintage brown, distressed brown and satin brown.

Sezane

Andrea Loafers

Style Notes: With a mock croc finish, this French pair balances the elegance of Le Marais with the effortless coolness of Malibu.

Material/s: 100% crocodile-embossed cowhide leather

Sizes: UK 2 – UK 9

Colour/s: 4; including black, leopard print and olive green.

Lili Curia

Frances Penny Loafer

Style Notes: A third-generation shoe maker, London-based brand Lili Curia weaves history, heritage and a reverence for the anarchic into each shoe, making the brand one of the most disruptive on the market at the moment. Note the vintage-inspired elements, including the silver coin detailed which is nestled nicely into the fabric, too.

Material/s: Mustard leather lining

Sizes: UK 2 – 8.

Colour/s: Black