Of course, we have to kick things off with the good stuff. Gucci makes the best loafer of all time, full stop. That’s not hyperbole. The Horsebit loafer is not only the most widely recognized loafer in the world, it is arguably one of the most iconic shoes in modern men’s fashion history. A flagship product since its 1953 debut—decades before Alessandro Michele stepped in as creative director and overhauled Gucci—the Gucci loafer demanded respect from both the fashion and finance world. Whether it was Francis Ford Coppola, Gordon Gekko, Tom Ford or Michele himself, the Gucci loafer reigns supreme.

Featuring a thick stacked leather sole and namesake “horsebit” hardware—a nod to Gucci’s origin as a saddle maker—the design is formal but approachable, and pairs with quite literally anything. While various versions exist, we gravitate towards the “1953,” a near exact replica of the original. If a stacked leather sole just isn’t for you, the rubber lug sole iteration with thick tread is a more comfortable (and frankly more durable) alternative. If you protect the sole, the Gucci loafer will be the last shoe you ever have to buy.

When Lev Tanju began the Palace expansion a few years ago, the label quickly transitioned from small-time London skate team to full-fledged streetwear line, the Brits' answer to Supreme. While both are steeped in hip-hop and skate references, the most notable difference is that while Supreme wholeheartedly embraces New York, Palace is quick to to refer back to its British roots, formalwear included.

While Palace has released a cheeky garment here and there, the loafers are on another level. Entirely made in the U.K., producing high-end leather and suede footwear—especially without a footwear partner or as part of a collaboration—far exceeds what most competitors would even dare, Supreme included. Not only are they impressive structurally, they are really just excellent looking shoes. Though the mid-top snakeskin version is an underrated classic, our personal favorite is the pony hair version, which has released on a few separate occasions in various colors. Featuring vibrant pony hair atop a natural brown leather sole and custom Palace interlocking “P” hardware, they are the British skate world's answer to anything you can find over on Savile Row. Particularly rare is the white version, an L.A.-exclusive released to commemorate the L.A. Palace store opening. If you can find those for a decent price, act fast, they won’t be there long.

If Gucci sits at the far end of the fashion spectrum—both in prominence and price point—G.H. Bass & Co, is at the other. Almost 150 years old, the Maine-based American brand began producing American-made footwear in 1876. While its entire line-up is great—as you would expect for a brand still in business after a century—it’s the Weejuns penny loafer that keeps the whole operation going smoothly.

With a slightly raised leather sole and traditional detailing, the shoe has all the makings of a classic penny loafer—penny slot included. When people say American manufacturing is dead, simply show them a pair of Weejuns. Yes, this isn't the flashiest pair of loafers you can buy, but at less than a $100 retail (and often half that on Grailed), you simply cannot match this sort of cost per wear. A true marvel in American ingenuity.

While Teddy Santis' New-York based streetwear label began as a rather humble collection of tees and hoodies with a few cut-and-sew pieces, the label has shifted dramatically in terms of both offering and approach over the past few years. Though the first few seasons were rather run of the mill, recently Santis has kicked things into overdrive, sourcing high-end fabric for outerwear and debuting impressive collaborations ranging from New Balance to Porsche.

With a New York storefront and wide-ranging seasonal collections running the gamut of elevated New York City closet classics, Aimé Leon Dore is not to be underestimated.

Take the brand's recent drop of loafers. While the first edition, a classic black-and-white two-tone penny loafer, was excellent, the drop that followed was even better. A trio of cleverly color-blocked loafers came equipped with custom-branded Aimé Leon Dore pennies, the type of detail that often goes unnoticed. While—like many things Aimé Leon Dore—the shoes sold out instantly, Grailed is just about the only place on the internet you can find them. For arguably the best streetwear loafers on the market right now? Doing a bit of digging is more than worth it.

A metaphorical stone’s throw from Bass stands longtime competitor Alden. Open nearly as long as its Maine counterpart, the Massachusetts-based shoemaker has produced high-end men’s leather goods since its inception—a relative rarity in the unfortunately dwindling New England footwear manufacturing business. Still, Alden marches ahead, standing as one of the most respected shoemakers in men’s tailoring, with men from Boston to Tokyo swearing by the handmade oxford, brogues and, of course, loafers.

Sitting atop a true wooden sole (who even does that anymore?) and made from a nearly whole-cut calfskin with minimal adornments, the 660 is a go-to for generations of American elite. As the loafer gains a deeper foothold in the male wardrobe, this classic is well worth considering. Though the tassel loafer is certainly not for everyone, the increasingly traditional cut is seeing a slow resurgence alongside prep fashion, and is ripe for a comeback.

First and foremost, whether you like him or not, Hedi Slimane is a singular talent. His gift for making commercially viable menswear— fashion that men want to buy en masse—is unparalleled. Even though he has since taken his talents to Celine, between 2012 and 2016, Slimane overhauled (and renamed) Saint Laurent Paris in his image, quickly making it one of the fastest growing fashion labels in the business, with significant gains in menswear specifically.

Within his laser-focused vernacular—rock n' roll, psychedelia and punk rock—there was a wide range of aesthetic influences. This includes London Teddy Boy fashion, embodied by his love for creepers and two-tone loafers. Available in a black-and-white colorway, the thin, rounded and relatively sleek penny loafers were one of the most underrated footwear designs of his entire tenure.

Unfortunately with Slimane gone and Anthony Vaccarello taking menswear in a new direction, they are no longer available—that is, at retail. You can still find plenty of pairs in like-new condition on Grailed. That said, Slimane has since repurposed the design at his new gig at Celine, though they are much harder to find, and come at an even greater cost than the prior version. Do yourself a favor and find a lightly used pair right here.

Not traditional in any sense, when Maison Margiela introduced men’s Tabi boots in 2018, the fashion world was split (pun not intended). Yes, fans of the fashion house had been begging for decades for a men’s version of the iconic shoe founder Martin Margiela unveiled in 1989. Yet, apart from die-hards, would men actually wear them? The result was a resounding yes, with many styles selling out. The shoes transitioned from limited released to a core part of men’s collections.

While the boots are undoubtedly difficult to pull off, the flat loafers are not only surprisingly manageable, they are unbelievably comfortable. In supple leather on top of a thin pressed leather sole, the silhouette is equal parts house slipper and loafer, all while making an outsized statement for serious fashion heads. Certainly not for everyone, but the Tabi is a piece of fashion history—not to mention a guaranteed conversation starter.

When Jonathan Anderson took over Loewe in 2013, luxury conglomerate LVMH was attempting to transition the 146 year-old Spanish leather goods business into a true Spanish fashion house. With no ready-to-wear to speak of, Anderson was given free reign. One primary goal was clear however: utilize the brand’s pre-existing leather expertise.

While the seasonal collections are typical Anderson—childlike, free-flowing, whimsical and celebratory—the leather pieces remain grounded in craft and tradition. The only true crossover is in footwear and fashion accessories.

Take the Collapsible Heel loafer. While the collapsible back has been a trend since Gucci’s Alessandro Michele decided to implement the design to the Gucci Jordaan loafer after he realized he was constantly sliding into his own shoes, Anderson takes things up a notch. An embossed-croc effect across the upper starkly contrasts with an almost patent alligator collapsible panel at the heel. The silhouette is difficult to make sense of, different from nearly every angle. Whatever they are, they’re enticing. These are hard to find, so if you see a pair, act fast.

Named for St. Mark’s Place, the sketchy, edgy street in New York where 1017 ALYX 9SM hails from (that’s the “SM” in “9SM”, for those wondering), the St. Mark’s represents the coming together of Alyx’s dark, techwear-adjacent fashion and the simple, yet iconic, Belgian loafer. Introduced in 2019, the St. Mark’s features a black leather upper with metal hardware on the tongue. In the few seasons it’s been in circulation, the St. Marks—and the Alder, an ostensibly identical model—has been rendered in pebbled, woven, smooth and crocodile leather.

We’re big fans of Belgian loafers, but we’re also fans of putting a modern twist on classics—which is exactly what Alyx has done with this loafer. Dress it up and give your tailoring an edge or pair it with jeans to give your casual weekend looks a refined touch.

The Luco has been a mainstay of Hedi Slimane’s Celine, with new colors added and modifications made on a seasonal basis. The Triomphe Chain version, which features a robust, gold Cuban link chain across the tongue, has arguably been the best of the bunch.

Not only is it made from supple calfskin, it represents a refreshing take on the classic gold hardware-clad loafers we’ve come to expect. The gold Cuban link chain is both nostalgic and luxurious, striking the balance between what’s familiar and what’s new—as has become Slimane’s calling card—thus making the Luco Triomphe Chain a must-have for Slimane’s loyal fans and followers.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you took a tassle loafer and mixed it with a rugged boot? Wonder no more, thanks to Dr. Martens’ Adrian Tassle loafer. Known for its leather boots and signature Airwair soles, part of the Adrian tassle loafer’s appeal is that it doesn’t look like what we expect from Dr. Martens. Yet, Dr. Martens first introduced the Adrian tassel loafer back in the 1970s, so it’s not a new shoe, per se.

With a rugged sole, and slightly clunky detailing on the upper—the tassles, for example, are a little bulkier, made from thicker strips of leather—the Adrian Tassle loafer is a little more casual than some of the other options on this list. And, once the leather is broken in, it’s also quite comfortable, as Dr. Martens is famous for.

Since its inception, Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God has excelled at redefining American luxury by blending together sportswear and the codes of traditional menswear. The Loafer offers a perfect example of Fear of God’s uniquely luxurious-but-casual aesthetic. Made from supple Italian reverse suede or leather, with a contrast sole, The Loafer draws on traditional leather shoes and slip-on sneakers alike, albeit with premium detailing, like the moccasin stitching on the toe box. The back-to-front sloping sole and unstructured heel allow these to be worn as crush-back mules for those who are in a rush or are feeling particularly casual.

The versatility of The Loafer—like so much of Fear of God’s offering—is part of what makes it an interesting proposition. It can be paired with sweatpants or a suit, depending on the color, material and how it’s worn.