Contrary to what the name suggests, loafers have caught on as a sophisticated fashion statement for work, fancy dinners, parties, etc. over mere casual occasions. And today, the chunkier they are, the better! Hence, by wearing the best chunky loafers, you can titivate your personal style without making major tweaks in your wardrobe or putting in much effort. 

What makes chunky loafers a popular choice amongst the masses is that they provide the benefits of several footwear in one! To begin with, the elevated structures of these shoes make you look taller and improve your saunter like a pair of sublime block heels. Plus, their thickset outsoles are intricately contoured, which helps you maintain a good grip while walking — great for slippery floors. These shoes have a sturdy exterior that protects your feet from external impact, sometimes more impressively than sneakers! And these factors make us believe that such chunky footwear is here to stay! 

Our contributor Ana Roberts, who is a professional stylist and the editor at Top Trends Guide, says, “You can wear chunky loafers for the office, date night with your partner, brunch with your girlfriends, walking around a city on vacation and any occasion that requires a relaxed to smart casual outfit. Whether you want to dress up or down, this footwear adds unique flair and some extra personality to your look.”

We have listed our favorite products in the list below to help you keep up with this fantastic footwear trend by finding your best pick. Let’s hop in! 

 

• 1
  Best Overall

  Franco Sarto Carolynn Lug Sole Loafers

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What makes this pair of black chunky loafers a fashion wonder is that they look fantastically sophisticated despite having a minimalistic design. In tandem with the delectable glossy texture of these loafers, the adorable fringe details on each toe box jazz up their look and make them a great choice to wear at nightclubs and parties. Furthermore, while the aesthetic of these shoes may not make it apparent, the inFORMA comfort technology of the insoles provides incredible cushioning to your feet, so your feet stay comfortable as you dance and sway! 

Material: 100% leather
Color: Black and brown

2

Best Padded Insole

Eastland Newbury Penny Loafers

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You can trust the quality and finesse of these high-end chunky loafers as it is skillfully handcrafted with premium leather and waxed cotton laces. While the exterior and outsoles of these shoes are sturdy and impact-resistant, the soft memory foam insoles provide sublime comfort that lasts all day. These shoes are also fuss-free and have a minimalistic aesthetic, which makes them ideal for wearing in professional settings. Adding to that, the slip-resistant feature of the shoes also makes them a functional choice for hospitals, restaurants, malls, and places with slippery floors. 

Material: 100% Leather

Color: Black

 

3

Best Sophisticated Design

TINSTREE Platform Work Loafers

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With a simple addition of these elegant chunky heel loafers by Tinstree, you can make your entire outfit look high-end even if you’re wearing denim on top! The soft beige shoes look bright and snazzy, while also pairing well with outfits of most colors. And, the metal link detailings on these shoes set them apart from a plethora of similar styles. As their chunky block heels provide adequate support and balance, these shoes are also a great choice for those who are new to wearing heels. Plus, the comfortable interiors of these shoes will keep your feet blister-free! 

Material: Rubber, TPR, and PU leather

Color: Beige

 

4

Best Arch Support

YETIER Platform Leather Slip-ons

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The glossy upper and contoured base and outsole of these leather shoes harmoniously titivate your style and provide excellent functionality. It consists of a skin-friendly and breathable insole that keeps your feet snuggled — perfect for walking miles in, regardless of how bumpy the road is. At the same time, the shoes provide padded arch support that reduces strain from your heels and toes. However, we recommend going one size up with these shoes to get the best fit. 

Material: Rubber and PU leather

Color: Black

 

5

Most Versatile

RUSAUISE Patent Leather Tassel Chunky Loafers

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These chunky platform loafers have the perfect aesthetic to create a powerful fashion statement. We love them because they are the footwear equivalent of a work blazer — bold, edgy, and chic! Moreover, the kiltie fringe adornment on each upper adds a playful touch, which makes them versatile and not just work-friendly. Hence, you can throw these classic black shoes on whenever in doubt as they pair well with every outfit and keep your feet snuggled for hours. 

Material: Patent leather

Color: Black

 

6

Best Party Pick

Circus NY Deana Loafers

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The unique texture and gold link detailings of these faux leather chunky black loafers by Circus NY give it an edge over the others on the list. With these, you can bid adieu to the uncomfortable, strappy sandals in your wardrobe as they have a high-end aesthetic that will look gorgeous with the outfits you’ve reserved for fancy parties. Another feature we love about these shoes is that they look retro and contemporary at the same time, and are less likely to go out of style! 

Material: Rubber and faux leather

Color: Black

 

7

Best Retro Look

ISOMEI Patent Leather Chunky Loafers

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To take your retro style up a notch, get your hands on these super-chunky loafers with augmented block heels and a forefoot base that stand out in the crowd. Its thick, porous rubber and contoured tread pattern on the outsole prevent skids from accidental jerks and slippery floors. Furthermore, while being a versatile canvas for your outfit, the unique aesthetic of these shoes should not be underestimated as they can magically make your style quotient shoot up. Even if your outfit is simple and casual, you will find yourself feeling more confident by sliding your feet into these. 

Material: Synthetic rubber and authentic leather

Color: Maroon

 

8

Best Skin-friendly Insole

YETIER Women’s Chunky Platform Loafers

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Everyone has to agree on the sheer sophistication in the aesthetic of these gorgeous chunky platform loafers! The rosy beige color and the metal link detailing of these shoes give them a feminine touch, without the strappy discomfort most women’s footwear bring. To boot, these shoes prevent skids caused by external impact as they are made with thick and contoured TPR outsoles. Besides, their breathable leather lining and cushioned footbed keeps your feet snuggled, so you don’t compromise on comfort for style! 

Material: Rubber and PU leather

Color: Beige

9

Best to Wear at Work

Clarks Women's Airabell Slip Loafer

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You can improve your saunter without walking in pain caused by high heels owing to the wedge outsoles of these chunky loafers by Clarks. These shoes have a velvety suede texture that gives them a chic winter aesthetic. Adding to that, the adorable flounces at the upper side of each shoe make you look debonair without any hassle. Furthermore, the pair is suitable to be worn for a number of casual occasions and makes for a dapper airport look, which makes them a wardrobe must-have!  

Material: Rubber and faux leather
Color: Black

10

Best Fusion Aesthetic

AMINUGAL Mary Jane Comfort Loafers

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These shoes combine the design of old-school Mary Janes with chunky loafers, for the ’90s-inspired formal aesthetic. The thickset platform heels of these loafers jazz up the way you walk by making your hips sway — thereby giving you a confident saunter. Besides, the intricately contoured tread pattern of these shoes prevents accidental slip-ups and helps you get a grip! To boot, the glossy upper and matte-finished outsole of these shoes add nuance to your feet, thereby making you appear taller. 

Material: Rubber and faux leather

Color: Black

 

Now that you’ve seen our product recommendations for the best chunky loafers, let us go through the following buying and styling guides to shop wisely and make the best of your purchase. 

Here are a few factors to consider when looking for a good pair of chunky loafers:

Quality And Durability

Shoes carry our entire weight, which makes durability a non-negotiable factor to consider when shopping for them. This is especially true for chunky loafers as they have the thickset outsoles that need to stay in place to prevent you from tripping. To ensure optimal quality, always look for loafers with durable rubber or TPR soles that bolster the impact from the ground up and keep your feet protected. If you’re investing in faux leather shoes, then ensure that the upper doesn’t peel by getting stretched out frequently as that can ruin the entire look of your shoes. Another feature to consider with respect to the quality of shoes is that the stitches should consist of strong threads, and they should be intricately and firmly sewn. 

Comfort

The appearance of footwear can often be deceiving of the comfort it actually provides. Hence, don’t judge how padded a shoe is based on its soft exterior! Always do your research about the cushioning of the shoes’ insoles and infer which materials they are made up of. Do not settle for any footbed that is not adequately soft and breathable so you can prevent aches and muckiness. 

 

The anatomy of our feet is very curvy and contoured, which is why flat and sturdy footbeds are a bad decision for your spinal health. Look for shoes with anatomical footbeds that adjust to the natural curves of your feet, to provide the utmost support and comfort. Memory foam is a good insole material to invest in as it absorbs shock and enhances protection for your feet. Also, take into account the spaciousness of the toe box, depending on the width of your feet. 

Style

When in doubt, avoid buying shoes that are too flashy or available in colors that may not look good with most outfits. Neutral colors such as black, brown, tan, navy, beige, and off-white are great color choices for chunky loafers, but sometimes colors like olive green or maroon are also quite versatile. Going versatile, however, doesn’t mean that your shoes should look boring, as you can experiment with different textures and designs to amp up your look. Some subtle details that adorn minimalistic designs consist of metal links, faux buckles, fringes, flounces, etc.

 

“Chunky loafers can be a challenge to style, with most women pairing the heavy and rugged footwear with jeans. But this fashion-forward shoe can be combined with several classic feminine wardrobe staples to achieve a stylish look. In the fall and winter, pairing leather pants and wool sweaters with black chunky loafers can offer a beautiful, seasonal outfit that will keep you warm and comfortable. For a timeless take, a miniskirt with stockings can complement your designer loafers. A long flowy white dress with versatile loafers can be the perfect style in the summer,” says Ana Roberts, a professional fashion stylist.

Here are some more ways to style your favorite chunky loafers effortlessly:

With Blouse And Jeans

If you’re wearing skinny jeans, then layer up your blouse or t-shirt with a corduroy jacket, casual blazer, or anything that adds volume and nuance to your shoulders. When you throw in your favorite chunky loafers with this outfit, you can create a visually-pleasing sandwich aesthetic by balancing the proportions of your body. 

If you’re wearing loose-fitted flared or boyfriend jeans, then you can perhaps opt for a regular-fit top — be it a full sleeves knit sweater, a sheer button-up blouse, or a simple printed T-shirt to create a breezy, bottom-heavy silhouette. Layering at this stage is optional. We recommend you avoid a spaghetti, halter-neck, or sleeveless top with such jeans to prevent exaggerating the silhouette. 

With Work Apparel

Chunky loafers look excellent with all kinds of work trousers – culottes, cigarette pants, flared corduroys, etc. You can pair these bottoms with a classic full-sleeved button-up, a full-sleeved turtleneck, or a cowl-neck blouse. While layering is a great idea here, it is optional as long as the upper garment is defined around the shoulders. 

With a Dress/Skirt

It is a bad idea to pair chunky loafers with a maxi dress or a summer dress as the combination creates an unflattering, lopsided silhouette! Similarly, bodycon dresses and pencil skirts are absolute fashion faux pas! 

A mini or knee-length skater dress/skirt that is moderately flared at the bottom is perfect to pair with thickset shoes. The key to styling your outfit here is a lovely pair of sheer stockings to create the perfect sandwiched silhouette. 

Additional Factors to Note

1. Do not pair your chunky shoes with soft, droopy, and relaxed fabrics like cashmere and organic cotton, etc. Add sturdy elements to your outfit to pair well with the sturdy aesthetic of your shoes. 

2. It is safe to avoid florals, sundresses, bohemian prints, beachy apparel, etc. with such loafers to keep their sophisticated, winter aesthetic intact. 

Conclusion

The best chunky loafers as listed above, not only accent your unique style but are an evergreen fashion piece to add to your wardrobe. And to make the best of them, you don’t have to make big changes to your personal sense of fashion as these shoes are extremely versatile and look great with most outfits (refer to the style guide above to learn how). These shoes consist of a variety of styles that go well with corporate or fancy settings where you’re required to look your best! We hope you like our product recommendations. Happy shopping! 

Contributor: Ana Roberts, Professional stylist and the editor at Top Trends Guide