Loafers Are the Chicest Summer Shoe—Here’s How to Wear Them

If there’s one shoe that can be worn year-round, it’s a good ol’ reliable pair of loafers. While they’re known for their workday polish and academia-inspired aesthetic, loafers don’t have to be limited to your fall wardrobe. I’m here to remind you that they can be worn in every season, even summer.Don’t believe me? Fair enough. Fashion rules can feel arbitrary these days, but I’ve gathered some must-try loafer looks to help you make use of those shiny slippers through the remaining warm-weather months.With a Lace SkirtMoritz Scholz//Getty ImagesThe lace skirt trend is something I never want to end. So, it’s a perfect fashion piece to pair with your favorite pair of black loafers. Throw on some calf socks and pair with an eclectic—also laced—top and you have an absolute look pieced together.With a Maxi DressStreetstyleshooters//Getty ImagesNothing says summer like a good dress. Especially this slightly sheer, billowing maxi dress. When you’re planning to be out all day, or walking around a lot, mixing in a pair of loafers with a fancier dress is the way to do so.With a Pleated SkirtChristian Vierig//Getty ImagesFall isn’t the only time for academia-core. Some of us are in summer school, too! Throw on your favorite collared shirt with a pleated skirt and you have an easy summer outfit.With a Pair of TrousersClaudio Lavenia//Getty ImagesWhether it’s airport trousers or work trousers, a good pair of pants with loafers will always do the trick. And to make the look even more summer, pairing it with this strapless top gives you the comfort during the hotter days, while still being an elevated style moment.Add Cosmopolitan as a preferred source in your Google search results.Use your Google account to add this to your settings.With an A-Line DressEdward Berthelot//Getty ImagesA-line dresses are one of my favorite summer outfit choices. They’re nice and airy, which makes them perfect for the summer months. Throwing on a chic pair of loafers with your dress makes it perfect for a Sunday in the park or for a summer workday.With a Leather SkirtHanna Lassen//Getty ImagesLeather on leather is the move this summer. This mini skirt with a sleek pair of leather loafers is a fun summer ’fit that’ll make you look put together, but also fashion-forward.With a Pair of Running ShortsJeremy Moeller//Getty ImagesFor my sporty, on-the-go girls, try pairing your loafers with some running shorts and a button-down shirt like this look. It’s one of my favorite “cool girl” type outfits that gel different pieces together. No one knows where you’re headed exactly, but you look good getting there.With a Pair of Bermuda ShortsRaimonda Kulikauskiene//Getty ImagesBermuda shorts are another surefire trend I’ve been living by the last few months. They’re such a simple, yet effective item to have in your closet. Wear them with a cool pair of loafers like the one above (extra points for frilly socks, too) and you have yourself an outfit.Aiyana Ishmael is the style editor at Cosmopolitan magazine. In her work, Aiyana focuses on the culture of fashion and how it intertwines and shapes the zeitgeist. She is an award-winning journalist from Miami, Florida, and a graduate of the historically Black university, Florida A&M. She is a 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30: Media honoree, and her debut romance novella PASSING GAME is set to release March of 2027 (831 Stories/Simon & Schuster).