Are black loafers frumpy or cool?

[CoffeeOpinions]

I am new to the style and beauty board, and I see a range of opinions on here about all things S&B, but I thought I'd ask my question here and garner some thoughts!

It's about flat shoes - black loafers, with a gold embellishment on the top (e.g. chain or snaffle, as in from a horse's bridle). I see younger models wearing these shoes in online advertisements, and I'm sure I've seen young women wearing the shoes in real life and looking smart/cool/good.... but I worry about looking frumpy! I'm 41. Does the level of frumpy vs cool/stylish depend on the specific brand of the shoe, or something about the shape? I live in London, and I work in the arts.

Here are a few links to the sort of thing I mean. If anyone has any insight on how to choose the least frumpy version for my age, do share!

Black Dune leather with chain
https://www.dunelondon.com/goldsmith-chain-trim-leather-loafers-black-0076510780004484.html

Black Dune suede snaffle loafer
https://www.johnlewis.com/dune-glenniee-suede-comfort-snaffle-loafers-black/p111138960?size=EU40&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5v2wBhBrEiwAXDDoJWO7bcNKeHh3EpntNrtdJ1X48SN3C_r0NX0nIvBuWKb2t5HQbTELCxoCNQMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Black Russell Bromley snaffle
https://www.russellandbromley.co.uk/loafer/123953?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5v2wBhBrEiwAXDDoJQeCrIvrOfbUuVkZejmiy8q38bgpMGrd4l1PQCp8yq-rsgFtuy1b-RoCFNkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

In theory, I really like them. Particularly the last link you’ve posted. In practice I think they’re really hard work.

I cannot find a pair that look right and I can’t work out how to put them into an outfit. They’re such a weird mix of formal and informal to my eye. I tend to prefer a lighter coloured shoe but even then..nah. I think the way they’re cut, high and straight across, is really unforgiving and shortens your leg unless you have long, straight legs. I look unbalanced in a way I can’t seem to make right. This is more a personal preference thing, but I find the thinner soled, more delicate ones with the tiny heel a bit prim for my taste, and the big lug soled ones remind me of the sixth form common room in 1997.

I think they’re on the advanced styling syllabus and not something I’m capable of dealing with. Having said all that, I often see women much older than me wearing them in the ‘traditional’ way with an ankle length trouser suit type outfit and think how lovely they look so.. don’t know. Best left to the experts is my opinion. Same with ballet flats and Mary Jane’s, they’re a minefield.

Personally I think all the ones you’ve linked to are in my mind frumpy. The clompy, rugged ones seem to be more in fashion……unless things have changed recently which is possible.

Even the thought of them makes my heels wince, DD calls them and brogues man shoes

Personally I find the first two frumpy but th4 Russel ones I like snd would look great with a trouser suit.

I hate all of them 🫣 sorry!!!
I wouldn’t put any of them on my feet, they look really dreary and all of them look like shoes my grandad would wear, The slip on has a lot to answer for!

Going by my office they are definitely in. Either in a clumpier style than your links but still with a chain, or in a sleeker more trad loafer style, worn my like ballet flats were.

I see ones like these being worn https://www.johnlewis.com/sam-edelman-laurs-lug-sole-loafers/black/p109171588?size=8&srsltid=AfmBOooSOk7u24T1s9QwKiXyZD7CJjOc8_Hj5B8pRQ1IDFn_ViHiaE-uVSs

Thank you for the replies! I might have to just try them out and see how I feel. I see them looking elegant on women wearing slim-fit trousers, especially ones that end a little above the ankle? So I might have a go and see if I can get away with that. The clumpy loafers aren't my style at all, although I recognise it as a trendy style. (I have narrow ankles and legs and the clumpy loafers just look ridiculous on me.)

I’ve just bought these ones and I feel very well dressed and fashionable when I wear them
https://stepaheadshoes.com.au/shop/calabria-black/
I think it’s the shape. I love the heel on mine. The ones you’ve linked have a lower silhouette but they look comfortable.
Frumpy is in the eye of the beholder. I’d go for ones with a more dramatic shape, but only if they were still comfortable.
They’ll look great with shorter slim fit trousers.

For some reason I think suede ones can be easier to carry off.

I don't like any of them but if I had to pick a pair I'd be far happier in these clumpy ones. They've got a definite look to them. I could imagine contrasting them with a very feminine cotton dress.

The chunky ones are definitely more current (though they remind me too much of my 90s school shoes!!)
I was toying with getting some for work & tried on a pair of suede neon pink ones.
Even in pink they still felt kind of frumpy so I sent them back. I think styled in the right way on a 20 something they look great but not on me!

I think loafers look good, either clumpy or classic.

Bloody hate the word frumpy, it is misogynistic IMO.

I would have to wear sort sort of hidden sock, the thought of my bare feet encased like that with no air, however I can never keep hidden socks on they just work their way off my feet so loafers for me are completely impractical and awkward to wear so it’s a no from me.

I think there a good transitional shoe. Have 2 pairs for when I don't want to wear trainers.

The R&B minimal black ones are very comfy indeed and look good with tapered trousers. For wider cropped or wide full length or balloon leg trousers or dresses would go with a lug soled one like this one
https://www.russellandbromley.co.uk/westminster/241929
also consider the colour of your hair. If you are blonde or have light brown hair tan or beige or even white may be better in summer

My friend who works in London has bought the Gucci ones and loves them for work.

I think unless you have very skinny legs they very flat shoes can make you look short and dumpy (especially with skirts).

I got the clumpy loafers last year and I hardly wear them. I call them my Rumpelstiltskin shoes- not sure why 😂.
I feel that like I look like a middle aged school girl in them.

I wear them for work and are practical and comfortable and for the dress code

They go with skirts dresses and trousers

But mine are more of a flatform compared to those linked. I like the snaffle links.

Sometimes they sort of bag around the sides and make my feet look odd.

Loafers really have to be tried on and studied IMO.

I love loafers and glad they are around - again.

For me, Ive skinny legs and small feet so finding the perfect pair for me can be hard work

For me its how clumpy are they? I cant have soles too far out, nor too chunky cut. I personally hate the chunky chain but thats because I can not carry off chunky - Id love to, but I cant

And then the toes have to be the perfect cut for the whole balance of the shoe . I cant do ( and Ill say in nail shapes as I know those ) squared or almond, I need a good oval shape or a light square

I do love a loafer but for me, I need to try on what seems like hundreds and the difference to what I will buy and reject could be 1 mm :)

The chunky loafers have been in for a while now, and still look nice to me. I don't care at all for any of the ones you've linked though - sorry! Maybe it's me, but they look really old-fashioned and probably quite hard to look good in.

I have these in the burgundy and love them. I don’t like the ‘thin’ loafer as they look quite dated, but these are a classic. Also available with the yellow stitching.

https://www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/adrian-smooth-leather-tassel-loafers-black/p/14573001

Loafers read modern/cool, masculine and formal to me - so the balance of the rest of the outfit is tricky to get right depending on how you dress (and will be quite personal). For me, I'm more casual so could only wear these with denim as anything else would make me feel over dressed.

Alas, the last pair of loafers I bought ended up being sold on as the design meant my feet kept trapping air and farting. Terrible.

I have a pair of Russell and Bromley ones. Often get people saying how smart they are but I do look after my shoes and keep them well polished. At R and B prices it’s essential.

I have skinny legs but not sure I have worked out the best pair of socks especially with shorter cigarette type trousers. Any suggestions?

I like loafers a lot, but not usually with a snaffle detail. I find it hard to get them to fit, they fall off as I've narrow, flattish feet. Boden ones fit me well so I've a couple of pairs from there.

I bought the pearl detail, thick soled R&B ones this winter.
https://www.russellandbromley.co.uk/showstomper/241760
So far I have worn them with black wool suit trousers, drapey black wider leg trousers, navy lighter weight suit trousers, navy narrow cigarette trousers. Always wool, so far, a slightly formal edge, but also can add in sparkly socks or a silver shirt with a bit of a 70's feel.

Basically, I wanted a shoe that could elevate an outfit into more dressy, evening territory, but which wasn't a heel, since I'm fond of walking easily and painlessly. These fit the bill, and also have a slight Teddy Boy, brothel creeper feel to them which I quite like. I'm next going to pair them with a brown pair of quite tailored trousers, again in light wool, and a caramel silk shirt - I think the pearl detail will bridge the difference between the shoe and trouser colour, and I can help it along with sock choice - maybe a soft pink or burnt sugar?