The perfect 'in between' loafers...

[Justkoko]

I am still searching for my perfect loafers. Had DM Adrian for a couple of years but they now seem a bit too clumpy and not quite smart enough somehow.
I've spent quite a long time searching for the perfect thing and still not sure.
Black leather, hi shine, but not patent.
A rounded or almond toe
Not super clumpy, but not super delicate either, in the middle.
A small detail like a snaffle in gold or silver.
Goes as well with a skirt and black opaque tights as it does trousers or jeans.
High ish vamp.
Not to shred the backs of your heels because the sole is so inflexible it flips off your foot as you walk.

If only there was an app where you could narrow styles down...too clumpy, too shiny, etc!

What are clarks like these days? Not bought from them in years. I also spotted some Steve Madden but no idea of quality or comfort for the price.

I'd be wearing with tights and a short skirt, or bare ankles and those liner socks. Though I've never found any yet that stay where they are supposed to so if anyone knows of any....

I was going to order some grensons in the sale but they went out of stock. I'll keep an eye out for some on vinted. Have ordered the above Dune loafers to try. They're brown but look so dark I may be able to pull it off. I'll see when they get here.

🤣🤣🤣

My advice, for comfort don't go leather, go suede or nubuck.

They need to fit around the foot and not be stiff. I'd avoid patent leather.
I think Camper is worth a try, but I like the look of the Lanx collection. I seem to recall that someone (IHaveNever?) said they run small.
Grensons IMO tend to be generous.

Leather shoes on bare feet is making my feet shrivel in horror - blisters and sweat!

My go-to loafers are usually Hobbs. They are so comfortable they have become my standard work shoe - I usually buy as soon as they are on offer so have one pair available to replace.

Unhelpfully, though, I have just checked their site and most are only available in small numbers in their sale so unless the sizes happen to suit you would need to wait for restocking (I have Sia and Vivian so can recommend those).

Honestly I searched high and low and discovered Mens Loafers. Not only are they high shine without being patent but they tick all of your boxes. Size down for mens (I'm a 7 and wear a mens 6 eg). I get mine from TK Maxx

I've just ordered these, in two sizes. cant wait to see them. I need them to be smart for the ofiice and able to withstand a commute
HARWOOD / BLACK PATENT
The Harwood Black Patent are high grade genuine leather shoes and are part of our women's 1992 range. These black loafer shoes are built on our LX-2Y last and made with a cemented construction. The feedback from our customers regarding this style is th...
https://lanxshoes.com/products/harwood-black-patent

@donttellthem , let us know what the sizing is like. They look great.

Sezanne and ARKET both have good loafers

I got the dune loafers. They are very nice looking but I'm not 100% convinced with the brown as I'll often wear them with black tights. They look fab with bare ankles though but I won't be wearing them like this all through winter.
I feel like they are more likely to slip off my heel too, which will annoy me.
I'm now half wondering about brogues. What do you make of these? I like the matte shine texture and the little bit of pink, but in the past certain brogues I had made me feel a bit...marching band? Even though I really like the look on other people. Maybe they were too shiny or uniform looking. I used to have some of the clarks ones and in the end just couldn't make them work.

In case anyone is looking at the higher end of budget, Brand Alley has had some gorgeous Gucci loafers in recently between £200 and 300., they seem to be restocked quite regularly but not in all sizes.

Thanks but nothing in my size and still waaay over budget😁 I did look though as there is a particular pair I love but at £8/900 not going to happen for me!

I got mine from Marks & Spencer.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/leather-patent-flat-loafers/p/clp60510378#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r1c1

@SugarSage , they look smart, and a great price too. Marks are good for shoes.

Not so good on descriptions - these aren't brogues: Patent Lace Up Flat Brogues | M&S Collection | M&S (marksandspencer.com)

I have Boden Chelsea boots which the sole fell off after 6 months, and was super impressed with their customer service (replacement arrived next day, no questions, they weren’t fussed about me returning other pair). So that has given me faith in their quality, oddly.
however yesterday I wore my new to me secondhand Grensons for first time and absolutely loved them. Could feel the quality on my feet and got lots of compliments. That specific thing of chunky not clompy - they’ve nailed it.

And I have an actual vendetta against M&S shoes. Had two pairs last year that just started to disintegrate very quickly (within 2 months) and the customer service was non-existent, including a manager in store who was so rude to me I wanted to throw said shoe at her. I buy quite a lot of clothes there but am done with their footwear.

I was on a similar mission in the spring and after trying on a million pairs I bought some from LK Bennet. They’re good quality and look nice - but just not comfortable. Yesterday I wore them for the first time this season, and had to hobble into Boots for blister plasters after one hour. So cross those off your list.

Haven’t rtft but I get great loafers most years from Aldo, comfy and last really well. Not sure if they have a big selection of black as I usually buy tan. But they’re chunky (but not too chunky!) and smart/casual

https://aldoshoes.co.uk/products/grundgens-black-13804483

An Aldo possibility? Might be too chunky for you

https://aldoshoes.co.uk/products/bissom-other-black-13838571

or these?

Those bissom ones are nice @ShadesOfPemberley but it doesn't say what they are made of. Are they leather? PU? I'm surprised it's not listed considering the price but you'd expect leather? Quite like the leopard ones actually! Are they brown or black though?

Ouch! They were only £199 the other day which wasn't too out of line with the higher end high street options. If I paid £900 for a pair for shiny shoes I'd scuff them the first time out!

You just made me look on Brand Alley and I bought these on impulse. I don’t know if they can even be considered loafers - but no blistered heels!

www.brandalley.co.uk/18868861.html?queryID=a10c18f99427ef2735fc4bba88de15f8&objectID=4512664&indexName=BrandAlleydefault_products

Oh the link doesn’t work. These

I got the M and S loafers - in fact they were so good I bought 2 pairs last year in case they stopped doing them