Penny Loafers Are Fine, But Expert Dressers Know This Flat-Shoe Trend Makes for Elite-Level Outfits

So far this fall, the only shoe silhouettes that seem to matter are flat styles: ballerinas, sneakers, and especially loafers. While there's still a time and place for a pair of heels, It girls everywhere are doubling down on their loyalty to flats, but especially to loafers. The coolest outfits of the season all feature a pair of sophisticated loafers, and they lend such a polished and elevated feel to everything from jeans to trousers to miniskirts. Loafers themselves are such a timeless item that they don't see as many trendier iterations—until recently, that is,

A fresher evolution of loafers is quickly emerging for fall 2025, and it's already beginning to take over the shelf space of penny loafers. I'm talking about ruched loafers, a style that features more gathering around the stitching at the edge of the shoe, usually with a smooth finish at the top that gives it a more interesting (but no less sophisticated) look. I can't scroll through Instagram these days without seeing someone stylish in my feed wearing a pair that they're more often than not styling with classic jeans and a pair of crew socks. If you ask me, the perfect fall outfit involves a brown suede jacket, dark blue jeans, ribbed socks, and ruched loafers—just take a look at Emma Leger below to see what I mean.

Ahead, see how fashion people in Paris and New York are styling the ruched-loafer trend that makes fall outfits look elite, and then shop our favorite pairs.

How Fashion People Are Styling Ruched Loafers

Style Tip: Dark-rinse denim and ruched loafers are two of fall's elevated basics that happen to look flawless together.

Style Tip: All the most stylish It girls are wearing crew socks with with loafers to give them a very 2025 spin.

Style Tip: Embrace the effortless Parisian vibe with a tailored wool coat, classic jeans, and glossy ruched leather loafers.

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