The Best Navy Loafers

Navy loafers do a job that black ones can’t quite manage: they read as considered rather than default. Black loafers slip into “safe shoe” territory without much thought, but navy asks a small question of whoever is wearing it, and that’s exactly why they’re worth having. The colour has enough depth to work as a neutral against greys, stone, camel and denim, but enough character to lift an outfit that would otherwise sit flat.

Construction matters more than most people expect from a shoe that looks this simple. Look for a proper apron front and a stacked leather or leather covered heel rather than a moulded rubber block, since that’s usually the first sign of a loafer that’s been cost engineered rather than built. The vamp should sit with a slight architecture to it, not collapse flat across the foot, and the sides should hold their shape without a lining that bunches when you walk.

Suede versions bring a softness that’s brilliant for daytime but need more care and a decent protector spray before they see rain. Smooth leather in navy tends to have more polish and takes better to a slightly dressier context, while a grained or pebbled finish is more forgiving day to day and hides scuffs far more gracefully.

Fit is where most people get it wrong.

A good loafer should feel snug at the heel with a little room to spare at the toe, since leather stretches and suede more so. Anything that needs breaking in for weeks isn’t the right size to begin with.

Styling wise, this is a shoe that earns its keep by contrast. Wear it with cropped tailored trousers and no socks in warmer months, or with a fine ribbed sock and turned up jeans when it’s cooler. It sits well under a wide leg trouser where the shoe just peeks out, and it has a natural affinity with camel coats and grey flannel, since navy against those tones looks deliberate rather than matched. For occasions, think smart casual offices, lunch meetings, gallery openings, anything that asks for polish without formality. It’s also a genuinely good travel shoe, comfortable enough for a full day on foot but smart enough to not look like you’re on your way to the gym. What it isn’t is a shoe for black tie or heavy rain, and trying to make it do either job is where disappointment usually starts.

Top Picks

DIANE’S PICK ANINE BINGVionic Men's Thompson Slip On Loafer with Arch Support in Navy Nubuck, Size 7 Wide

$180.00 ANINE BING

SYDNEY’S PICK SAM EDELMANLoraine Bit Loafer Baltic Navy Leather

$150.00 SAM EDELMAN

CLAIRE’S PICK LIFESTRIDELifeStride Malta 3 Loafer Shoes (Lux Navy Faux Leather) Fabric 7.0 W

$88.89 $32.00 LIFESTRIDE

CARL’S PICK LIFESTRIDELifeStride Chelsea Loafer Shoes (Lux Navy Patent Leather) 10.0 W

$81.05 $29.99 LIFESTRIDE

JASMINE’S PICK W CONCEPT (US)Patent Memory Foam Loafer [Navy]

$128.00 W CONCEPT (US)

FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Franco Senna Lug Sole Loafer (Navy Blue Patent Faux Leather) 8.5 W Slip On Fit, Round Toe, Slip $125.00 FRANCO SARTO

SHOEMALL.COMARRAY Harper Loafer Women's Navy Slip On 6 $35.00 SHOEMALL.COM

FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Franco Carolynn Tassel Loafer (Inky Navy Patent) 6.5 M Slip On Fit, Almond Toe, Slip $110.00 FRANCO SARTO

SHOEMALL.COMMinnetonka Women's Loafer Moc Women's Navy Slip On 7 W $99.95 SHOEMALL.COM

FLORSHEIMFlorsheim Shoes Zaffiro Moc Toe Bit Loafer II Navy Size $145.00 FLORSHEIM

FAMOUS FOOTWEARFlorsheim Men's Zaffiro Moc Toe Bit Loafer II Shoes (Navy) - Size 10.0 $144.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

ANINE BINGVionic Men's Thompson Slip On Loafer with Arch Support in Navy Nubuck, Size 7 Wide $180.00 ANINE BING

SAM EDELMANLoraine Bit Loafer Baltic Navy Leather $150.00 SAM EDELMAN

LARROUDEPenny Light Loafer Navy Suede - 5.5 / Navy $245.00 LARROUDE

ALLEN EDMONDSAllen Edmonds Newman Penny Loafer in Black Leather, size 10.0 3E $425.00 ALLEN EDMONDS

SHOEMALL.COMClarks Ashland Bubble Loafer Women's Blue Navy Slip On 8 $59.49 SHOEMALL.COM

ALLEN EDMONDSAllen Edmonds Newman Penny Loafer in Antique Bronze Leather, size 11.0 3E $425.00 ALLEN EDMONDS

ALLEN EDMONDSAllen Edmonds Sebastian Bit Driving Loafer in Navy Sea Suede, size 10.0 D, Leather/Rubber $350.00 ALLEN EDMONDS

CERQULARBALLY Womens Navy & White Leather Loafer Shoes UK 5 Classic Stylish Low Heel $49.39 CERQULAR

W CONCEPT (US)Patent Memory Foam Loafer [Navy] $128.00 W CONCEPT (US)

CRONJAGERMedusa Greca Driver Suede Loafer Dark Stone Navy $497.00 CRONJAGER

−63%

LIFESTRIDELifeStride Chelsea Loafer Shoes (Lux Navy Patent Leather) 10.0 W$81.05 $29.99 LIFESTRIDE

−64%

LIFESTRIDELifeStride Malta 3 Loafer Shoes (Lux Navy Faux Leather) Fabric 7.0 W$88.89 $32.00 LIFESTRIDE

−58%

FLORSHEIMFlorsheim Shoes Beaufort Moc Toe Weave Loafer Navy Size$118.81 $49.90 FLORSHEIM

−24%

LIFESTRIDELifeStride Zeke Slip On Loafer Shoes (Navy Faux Leather) 8.0$74.99 $56.99 LIFESTRIDE

−30%

FAMOUS FOOTWEARJournee Women's Jannah Medium/Wide Tassel Loafer Flat Shoes (Navy) - Size 10.0$85.70 $59.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

−27%

FLORSHEIMFlorsheim Shoes Tropics Moc Toe Venetian Loafer Navy Suede Size$109.58 $79.99 FLORSHEIM

−33%

FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Franco Mirabelle Loafer (Navy Blue Patent Faux Leather) 9.0 M Almond Toe$134.30 $89.98 FRANCO SARTO

−17%

NATURALIZERNaturalizer Cabaret Loafer Shoes, French Navy Blue Patent Synthe, 10.0M Slip-On Fit, Round Toe, Block Heels$120.47 $99.99 NATURALIZER

−35%

FAMOUS FOOTWEARVionic Women's Walk Roam Loafer Sneakers (Navy Blazer Leather) - Size 10.0$159.98 $103.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR