Loafers Are My Go-To in Autumn—5 Classy Trouser Styles That Pair Best With Them

If there’s one thing I love about the start of a new season, it’s refreshing my wardrobe. I’m a summer girl at heart, but by the end of it, I’m ready to pack away my warm-weather staples and bring out my knitwear, denim and a fresh dose of styling inspiration.

One of my favourite parts of the seasonal switch is the shoe swap. Chunky boots are an essential in my autumn/winter wardrobe, but they won’t be making an appearance just yet. And while ballet flats remain a year-round staple, this season I’ve got my eye on a different classic: loafers. They’re nothing new, but their timeless appeal and endless versatility make them worth investing in.

In fact, loafers are having a real moment, more so than ever, and I’m completely on board. I’ve always loved a black leather pair, but after writing recently about suede loafers, I couldn’t resist picking up a brown pair from H&M. I decided to go for an affordable high-street option first, just to see how often I’d reach for them and how well they’d work with my existing wardrobe before committing to a higher-end investment pair. Spoiler alert: they basically go with everything.

Now, with the weather cooling and jeans firmly back in my daily rotation, I’ve found myself reaching for loafers more and more—and it got me thinking about what other trousers they’d work with. I usually stick to jeans or tailored trousers and end up repeating the same outfit formulas. But as it turns out, loafers are far more versatile than I gave them credit for. So, I’ve rounded up five different trouser styles that pair perfectly with loafers, in case you’re looking for a little inspiration too.

5 Trousers That Look Best With Loafers:

1. Loafers + Tailored Trousers

Style Notes: This is a go-to combo of mine when it comes to styling my loafers. Tailored trousers are something I wear at least once a week, and loafers just give them that extra polished feel. It’s an outfit I wear if I’m going to be in the office and want something effortlessly stylish yet still work appropriate

Shop the Look:

Toteme

Tailored Blazer Black

And what better way to finish off a tailored look than with the matching blazer?

With Nothing Underneath

The Boyfriend

WNU shirts are such amazing quality.

Toteme

Double-Pleat Tailored Trousers Black

There's nothing like owning a pair of good tailored trousers.

TOD'S

Gommino Textured-Leather Loafers

Don't reserve white for summer, it feels just as crisp and fresh in autumn.

2. Loafers + Straight-Leg Jeans

Style Notes: Another failsafe way to wear loafers is with a straight-leg jean. I either wear mine without socks or opt for a chunky ribbed style for those colder days. I love the contrast between a casual blue jean paired with the smartness of the loafer for a preppy finish.

Shop the Look:

MANGO

Cotton Top With Straps

A wardrobe basic for such a good price.

COS

Facade Straight-Leg Jeans

I adore this jeans, these will be my next purchase.

This is the H&M pair I bought - I cannot wait for them to arrive.

& Other Stories

Voluminous Belted Wool Coat

This coat looks so much more expensive than it is.

3. Loafers + Tracksuit Bottoms

Style Notes: The unlikely pairing: loafers and tracksuit bottoms. While it’s not one I’d have ever tried myself, after seeing it on Marilyn, this is absolutely something I’ll be giving a go to make a tracksuit feel more elevated.