These "Boring" Shoes Were Never for Me—Until Now

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(Image credit: @annaflorencelaplaca)

Calling these shoes "boring" may be a little harsh, but I wouldn't necessarily categorize them as the most exciting pair of shoes to own. Much like neutral pumps and block-heel ankle boots, loafers tend to be the more underrated of all shoes despite the fact that they're likely the pairs doing most of the legwork in our wardrobes. I, for one, always knew that a pair of solid loafers would be (in theory) a practical footwear choice, but I couldn't get past the idea of the shoes as "stuffy" and, well, boring. I'm sorry if you're a loafer wearer and this offends you. Maybe it's because my personal style is much edgier than it is classic, but either way, I filed the shoes away long ago—or so I thought.

Recently, I've noticed an influx of cute loafers that actually appeal to my style. Rendered with platform soles and patent and croc finishings and adorned with hardware embellishments, fall's new wave of loafers has me completely rethinking why I was so against the shoes in the first place. Major footwear designers from Acne Studios to indie brands like Nicole Saldaña are reimagining how cool loafers can really be—and I'm here for all of it.

Whether you love or loathe the shoes, go on to shop the cute loafers that I'm pumped to try.

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Next up, read about the five indie brands I'm infatuated with right now.

Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.