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

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.

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