Brown Loafers

The largest color rack after black, and the one we would tell most people to buy second. Over two hundred pairs for women, men and kids, in faux leather, suede and leather.

See also: Black Loafers, Camel Loafers, Beige Loafers, Burgundy Loafers, Men's Loafers, Women's Loafers

Brown is a range, not a color

From a light tan to a near-black chocolate, and they do not do the same job at all.

1. Tan and light brown
   Casual, warm and at their best in summer against beige and white. In suede this is the most flattering brown there is.
   See also: Camel Loafers, Beige Loafers

2. Mid brown
   The workhorse. It goes with denim, with gray, with olive and with navy, and it is the brown to own if you only own one.
   See also: Navy Blue Loafers

3. Dark chocolate
   Almost as formal as black and considerably warmer. Our recommendation with a navy or gray suit, where black can look severe.
   See also: Men's Leather Loafers

3 mistakes to avoid when buying brown loafers

1. Matching the brown to the belt exactly
   Close is worse than clearly different. Either they match or they do not, and a near-miss is the only version that looks wrong.

2. Wearing brown with a black outfit
   Black pants and brown shoes need a third thing to link them, usually a brown belt or bag. Without it the shoes look like they came from another day.
   See also: Black Loafers

3. Buying tan suede as a winter pair
   Salt marks light suede badly and the mark stays. Dark brown in faux leather takes the winter far better.
   See also: Winter Loafers