Black Loafers

A black loafer is the first pair most people buy and the last one they replace. You will find them here in faux leather, leather, suede and glossy finishes, for women, men and kids. Here is how to pick the right black.

See also: White Loafers, Brown Loafers, Navy Blue Loafers, Thick-soled Chunky Loafers, Women's Heel Loafers, Men's Tassel Loafers

Not every black is the same black

Same color, four very different shoes. The material decides the whole effect, so settle that before you settle the shape.

1. Faux leather
   Close to half of this rack, and the easy choice: a damp cloth and it looks new again. Our pick for everyday wear, for commuting, and for anyone who would rather not think about upkeep.

2. Leather
   Clean, slightly glossy, the dressiest of the blacks. It molds to your foot over a few weeks and answers to a bit of cream. Worth it if the pair is going to the office.
   See also: Leather Loafers

3. Suede
   Matte and soft, far less severe. This is the black you wear with denim without looking like you came from a job interview.
   See also: Suede Loafers

4. A glossy finish
   High shine, made for evenings and for weddings. A wipe with a cloth brings it back. Note that the shine sits on faux leather as often as on leather, and reads the same either way.
   See also: Patent Loafers

What black forgives and what it does not

Black does not forgive dust. On a light shoe a scuff blends in, on a black one you see it from across the room. Two minutes with a cloth before you walk out changes more than any polish.

The other thing nobody warns you about: a deep black and a faded black do not belong in the same outfit. If your black pants have drifted toward gray, a sharp black shoe will show them up. Suede is more forgiving there, and so is a pair of gray ones.

5 mistakes to avoid when buying black loafers

1. Buying black because it feels safe
   Black is safe with navy, gray and denim. It argues with warm browns and with olive. If your closet leans warm, a brown or camel pair will get worn more often.
   See also: Brown Loafers, Camel Loafers

2. The wrong sock
   A light sock under a black loafer cuts the leg in two, and it is the most common mistake we see. Go no-show, or match the sock to the pants.

3. Taking the same size in every material
   Leather gives over time, faux leather barely does. Between two sizes, go up in faux leather and stay true in leather and suede.

4. Wearing suede on a wet day
   Water marks suede and the mark tends to stay. Keep a glossy or faux leather pair for those days and save the suede for dry ones.
   See also: Suede Loafers, Patent Loafers

5. Drying a wet pair on the radiator
   Heat hardens leather and then it cracks. Let a damp pair dry in open air, away from any heat, loosely stuffed with paper.