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 my opinion it depends on your height/weight as to level of frumpiness. On me at 5ft nothing and slightly overweight, I fear the ‘elegant’ ones would be very frumpy. I’d rather go clumpy to style it out. I tend to wear a lot of DMs in my arty job.

I don’t mind these ones: https://www.sezane.com/en/product/vicky-loafers/smooth-black#size-5

‘Wears my money’ blog has some good styling options though she recommends the Gucci ones at £££.

I have the top pair of dune loafers and wear them a lot (as well as other similar ones from other brands).

It doesn't make me look frumpy, as IMO frumpy would depend on how you style those.
P.S. I'm 39

I love loafers and I'm glad they are back.

I have the R&B ones in both black and tan colours and some "pony skin" ones from Moda in Pele.

I find all of those frumpy. I much prefer sth like this
https://dukeanddexter.com/products/wilde-cherry-penny-loafer-womens?variant=40606785863778

They don't suit me, plus at 67, I've seen loafers cycle around at least three times so far and I'm happy to pass. I had a red suede pair in the 90s with a kitten heel that were okay-ish, but of the selection posted above, the only ones I'd even try on are the silver R&B.

You need long slender legs and narrow feet to pull them off elegantly, IMO.

I love the look of loafers but I've yet to meet a pair that didn't utterly destroy the backs of my feet. They seem to hit me at the exact point that heel turns into my ankle and rip my skin to shreds.

@JanglingJack same here. They remind me of my dodgy landlord from student days 🤣. I just don't like them at all. (But I'm sure they suit some people and it's up to them what they wear!)

This exactly 👍🏼

I’m not great with hard shoe back, but loafers are often really uncomfortable. I’ve really enjoyed the trainers and dress trend that’s been going in recent years. Much kinder to my feet.

The Patrick Cox loafers I used to wear with miniskirts definitely looked cool on young, slim 90s me. Current fat me in similar shoes looks frumpy.

I’m not great with hard shoe back, but loafers are often really uncomfortable. I’ve really enjoyed the trainers and dress trend that’s been going in recent years.
I know this trend is over in some areas but it's not where I live. Long may it continue!

I tried a chunky/platform pair a few months ago but just couldn’t like then. I have small feet and just felt (and probably looked) ridiculous. Thankfully my sister took them!

I do wear loafers to work most days though. I think they’re the perfect mix of comfy and professional. I wear them with anything really. From jeans, a top and a blazer to dresses, skirts etc. I think they’re so versatile!

I used to love black loafers and brogues, but an ex boyfriend of mine told me they looked like nuns shoes and now I can’t unsee it 😂 I still think they can look good on younger women with nice legs, but not me sadly. Having said all that, I am thinking of getting some for work because my current heeled Mary Janes are pretty but painful!!

I'm sure I read a thread a while back about what sort of shoes were best for work and everyone was recommending loafers. Unbelievably I managed to get a comfortable pair from Office a few years ago and they feel great but I catch sight of myself in the mirror and think 'who's that frump?'. Sadly I don't think I ever had the legs to pull them off and I'm definitely too fat and old now!

Good disclaimer brackets, I must remember those 🤣

I don’t like them and avoid them. I particularly didn’t like that trend a few years ago of men wearing them without socks.

I just bought some black loafers from Natualizer. I really like them but agree they can be tricky to style. While they can look like 'office clerk' if worn with chino trousers.

I style them with wide leg jeans, or my 501 levi straight leg, with one roll up of the hem and bright socks.

https://www.naturalizer.ca/en/product/womens-adiline-loafer-7012722/black-leather-ec0120493

I love loafers. Chunky loafers are cool and dainty ones are very much not, but that doesn't mean I don't still wear mine to the office. I'm not trying to look cool while wrangling spreadsheets.

Finding a flattering pair of loafers is like trying to find the perfect pair of jeans - - you have to try on so many pairs to get the right style, fit etc. The soles are definitely the key thing.
I saw a young girl wearing some chunkies and they looked really good on her but I could never pull them off - legs are too short. Very thin soles can be very unflattering if you dont have long thin legs. Those that come up high on the foot cut you off at the ankle and accenutate the shortness of leg.
I'd pass on all of them; especially in black.

I think the thing is shoes/outfits that your gran would wear or you associate with middle aged/older women often come back in fashion again, once you become middle aged/older yourself. What was once considered frumpy now becomes on trend. I think that's what's happened to loafers.

I wear them. I think they are smart. Today I wore some (not black though, leopard print) with black trousers cut just above the ankle and a green light jumper. Smart for the job I was doing, just a work shoe really.

I like loafers, but not black ones. They just feel so…school shoe-ish.

Chunky loafers - yes!! I don't care that they make my feet look bigger or add height, own it. It's what they're mean to to do. Looks so good with tights and a nice Coat, so I'm looking at Dr Martens ones

Flat ones - only if you're very stylish and/or beautiful and can pull it off (I couldn't)

I've worn loafers since about age 13. Originally because I was a big Michael Jackson fan when I first decided to wear them. But I also have very wide feet and find them comfortable and easy to take on and off, especially when I spent a few years in Japan, where it's culture to take shoes off when entering homes, schools, doctor's, etc, so couldn't be faffed with shoe laces 😅
It seems that all or most children there wear loafers to school too. So I think that any age can look good in loafers, but does depend on the style somewhat, as some of the ones I've seen in the shops can look a bit Granny-ish.
But yeah, a Michael Jackson / Japanese school girl type looking loafer looks cool (and comfortable) to me.

It is not the loafers, it is a person! Some people can carry off any shitty apparel and footwear with such an aplomb and panache!

Indeed, I think summer evenings in Cornwall will still be full of people wearing the look. In London, maybe not so much but it’s surely ideal for museum and gallery days with lots of walking