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 mini skirts. 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 which 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.

Shop the Trend

I thought it was perfect before I even saw the price.

Banana Republic

Leather Moc-Toe Loafer

I always look for flats with a subtle stacked heel that gives just a little lift.

Saint Laurent

Leather Loafer

The pair every fashion person is investing in.

Don't sleep on Vince's shoes—the quality is simply unmatched.

Zara's penny loafers come with a more ruched silhouette for the best of both worlds.

Mango

Leather Penny Loafers

This nutty brown hue looks especially expensive.

A New Day

James Ruched Loafers With Memory Foam Insole

Based on how popular Target's memory foam mesh flats were last summer, I have a feeling these won't be in stock for much longer.

The Row

Soft Leather Flat Loafers

My holiday wish list is already coming together and these are making the cut.

Mansur Gavriel

Ruched Loafers

I have yet to see a pair of suede loafers I didn't fall immediately in love with.

Everlane

Leather Day Driver Loafers

Note the collapsible back.

White loafers are so underrated IMO.

J.Crew

New Winona Penny Loafers

A best-seller for a reason.

Reformation

Francine Ruched Loafer

Reformation makes some of my favorite shoes right now.

ALOHAS

Aven Rift Burgundy Leather Loafers

I didn't know I needed burgundy loafers until now.

ASOS DESIGN

Minnie Ruched Detail Loafers in Black

Prada

Ruched Leather Loafers

BLACK SUEDE STUDIO

Arrow Loafer

THE ATTICO

Charles Loafer