24 January 2024 , 10:00
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Dubbed the ‘ideal work shoe’ by Loose Women’s Frankie Bridge, the is a shoe that has graced the toes of school children and office workers for decades - but in 2024, it’s set to be the footwear of choice for fashion fans, social media influencers and just about anyone in between.
The high street has been flooded with varying styles of the latest must-have accessory, from chunky soled varieties, to flatforms and even heeled loafers. But which should you invest in?
There are a couple of things to ponder before you purchase your own pair of loafers. For example, do you typically wear gold or silver jewellery? I ask this because a number of styles on the high street are complete with metal hardware, and if you typically wear silver necklaces and earrings, or opt for silver belt buckles, then you may not get the most wear out of a pair with gold detailing.
Additionally, while loafers are a wardrobe staple, will you plan on wearing them after the current craze has passed? If so, leather styles are much more likely to stand the test of time over polyester, which may be another thing to consider before parting with your cash.
And finally, you might want to work out how you’ll be styling your loafers. I love to wear mine with thick red socks for a pop of colour - as you’ll see in some of the photos below - and so I tend to size up when shopping this particular type of shoe.
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I scoured some of the most popular high street retailers including , , and to see which store has the best loafers to see you through 2024 - and while my favourite look just like an £860 designer pair, there are plenty of other options that are well worthy of a place in your wardrobe. Here’s what I found when I went on the hunt for the ultimate pair of high street loafers.
Mirror Choice Best High Street Loafers -
Our Mirror Choice best loafers are from Marks and SpencerReleased in summer, the previously hit headlines for looking . But at £55, the high street alternative came out £805 cheaper.
The feature a round toe design with gold horse-bit hardware that make them look even more luxurious. The low heel and foot-aligning soles makes them perfect for everyday wear, while antibacterial padding keeps them feeling fresh.
The upper is and they feel very soft yet sturdy. I tried on a size 6 and they were easy to get on and off, felt comfortable to wear, and while structured and a little stiff, would no doubt give in time - particularly with the help of a little leather softener.
Showing each of the pairs of shoes to my dad - who is a former cobbler - he agreed that the were the smartest looking, with a timeless appeal and interesting hardware that sets it apart from other brands.
They did come in more expensive than the other high street retailers, however, every other pair I tried was faux leather, which is reflected in the price difference. These ones, for me, look the part and will last well, with other fashion fans are saying that they .
The M&S leather loafers cost £55 (Bethan Shufflebotham)Shoppers have praised the pair for their for finishing almost any outfit. One said: “Better than designer! Fashionable, comfortable loafers. They look good with practically anything! Well done yet again M&S! Credit due to your women's fashion team!”
Another added: “Fabulous loafers look far more expensive than they are! Had lots of lovely comments.”
“These are really comfortable once you’ve broken them in,” wrote a third. “I have had numerous compliments on them, so very pleased with my purchase.”
With another adding: “Smart , classic design. Look as if they came from Russell and Bromley and cost three times the price. Very happy with purchase.”
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Sharing them on her Instagram account as part of her weekly ‘Faves’ round up, Frankie Bridge has also approved the M&S shoe, commenting: “A - comfortable and smart.”
Frankie Bridge is a big fan of a loafer calling them the 'ideal work shoe' (Instagram/Frankie Bridge)As is often the case with leather shoes, some people have complained that they’re ‘a bit stiff’, while others have said they're a bit on the large side, but they do come in so you should be able to find your perfect fit, with M&S having one of the most diverse size ranges. You can pick up the
Best High Street Alternatives
H&M
H&M's £27.99 loafersAt H&M, I tried on their , which sit somewhere between a flat and chunky style at 3cm high. They feature a decorative tab on the front, but no hardware, which makes them a little more versatile as you won’t be restricted to single-colour accessories. While the upper is made from polyurethane, I found out of others I tried, which makes them my second choice. Those looking for a nice blend of affordability, style and comfort would do well to add these to their wardrobe.
The retailer has a really great selection of loafers online, too. We previously reported on these penny-style for £29.99, which have been and have already sold out. But we also love this or opt for their more
River Island
River Island's patent faux leather £28 loafersRiver Island’s caught my eye with their patent design, but up close, they do look a little bit on the cheap side and I worry that they’ll date quickly. They did fit snugly and I liked the rounded shape of the toe, but there was nothing particularly stand out about this pair that could tempt me to buy them. Oddly, though, add a heel to them and you get these , down from £45 - and these have got some serious designer vibes going on. But my favourite pair from River Island goes to these - I’m a little bit in love. I haven’t seen anything else like them and they really do make a statement.
New Look
New Look's £29.99 loafersFinally, I tried on . For £29.99, they came in £2 more expensive than H&M’s, but didn’t feel quite as luxurious, with a soft, verging on flimsy upper that didn’t seem to provide any support to my feet. New Look describe them as ‘a classic pick for school, college or work’, but for me I can’t see these non-leather shoes withstanding everyday wear for a prolonged period of time.
For something a little more substantial though, and perfect for adding a little bit of height to an outfit without needing heels.
Whichever pair you opt for, there’s no doubt that the loafer is the IT shoe of 2024. Their classic black leather look allows them to be effortlessly paired with any outfit from jeans to smart trousers and skirts, but if you want our opinion, the