Back-To-School Season Is In Full Swing – And The Soft Loafer Is Leading The Charge

Back-to-school season is in full motion. The kids have their fresh uniforms, and it feels like the perfect moment to update your own work wardrobe. Work bag?Leather And Tote. Check. Grey pleated skirt? Check. And the shoe we’re currently obsessed with? The ruched at the sides, soft-soled loafer aka the soft loafer.

For years, loafers were the shoe I avoided at all costs. They conjured memories of stiff leather, clunky silhouettes, and long school days ending with sore feet. The sensation of hard soles against concrete floors is synonymous with my school years. But the new wave of loafers crafted flexible soles and with soft finishes has changed the narrative entirely. They’re chic, wearable, and most importantly, comfortable enough to carry you through a full day.

Fashion houses have already embraced the shift. At Miu Miu’s Fall/Winter 2025 Paris show, the loafer came reimagined with ruched leather sides, giving the classic a delicate, almost playful twist. Meanwhile, Prada’s Spring/Summer 2026 menswear show in Milan highlighted the power of a sleek black loafer. Saint Laurent also have suede versions online too, proving there is a style for every type of dresser.

The loafer has always had a steady presence in fashion, but the soft loafer feels like the next phase of its evolution. My prediction? It’s going to become the investment shoe of the season. With the rise of elevated everyday footwear - ballet flats and Mary Janes dominating sales last year, it makes sense that shoppers will turn to something just as versatile but a little more structured - and just as close to the ground.

Part of the appeal lies in their versatility. Loafers are no longer confined to their traditional pairing with smart trousers and opaque tights. No, no this summer, we’ve seen them styled with denim jorts, pleated mini skirts, even baggy cargos - proof that they’re not just work appropriate but for a casual day out too. The soft loafer delivers that great mix of polish and comfort, making them the perfect transitional shoe as we move into autumn.

The verdict? The soft loafer has graduated from classroom uniform essential to fashion’s new must-have. And if the runways are any indication, it’s about to become the most worn shoe of the season. Scroll to pick up our favourite styles of the shoe online.

Shop: The Best Soft Loafers Online

Renee Washington, Grazia's digital fashion and beauty writer, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie..