Autumn Loafers

The fall rack is the other big one, and for good reason: this is the season a loafer does its best work. Closed shapes, deeper colors and thicker soles, in faux leather, leather and suede, for women, men and kids.

See also: Winter Loafers, Spring Loafers, Brown Loafers, Thick-soled Chunky Loafers, Men's Loafers, Women's Loafers

What to change when the season turns

Three adjustments, and they all come down to weather and to socks.

1. Go up on the sole
   A thicker, notched sole keeps you off a wet sidewalk and grips it. Half of what sells from September onward is this shape, and the tread is why.
   See also: Thick-soled Chunky Loafers, Chunky Platform Loafers

2. Leave room for a real sock
   A summer pair bought for bare feet will be tight in October. If you are buying now for the whole season, take the larger of your two sizes.

3. Deeper colors
   Brown, burgundy, navy and deep green. Fall is when suede looks best and when it is most at risk, so it is worth owning both a suede pair and an easy one.
   See also: Brown Loafers, Burgundy Loafers, Green Loafers

3 mistakes to avoid when buying fall loafers

1. Suede as the only pair
   Fall is wet. One good suede loafer and one faux leather pair beats two suede pairs, every time.
   See also: Suede Loafers

2. Ignoring the tread
   Wet leaves on a smooth sole are genuinely slippery. Turn the shoe over and look at the bottom before you look at anything else.

3. Keeping the summer fit
   Socks take up more space than people account for. A pair that fits perfectly bare will pinch with a thick sock, and the pinch is at the toe.
   See also: Winter Loafers