In all honesty, I’m entirely new to the loafer trend. I’ve oohed and ahhed over them on Instagram and TikTok time and time again, but I never actually added them to my shopping cart. That is, until last week, when I came across the Faux-Leather Chunky-Heel Loafer Shoes ($40) at Old Navy. I was drawn to them for many reasons, the biggest ones being they’re affordable and equal-parts modern and timeless. They have lug soles similar to ones I’ve seen on countless celebrities, yet the shape holds true to that of a classic penny loafer. In pursuit of the perfect fall-capsule wardrobe, I scooped them up, knowing damn well that they could sell out in the blink of an eye. Check out my honest thoughts on the affordable footwear find ahead.

What I Like About These Loafers

These loafers are so comfortable that it’s hard to believe the price tag — and I’m far from the only Old Navy shopper who thinks this. Scroll through the ratings section on Old Navy’s website, and you’ll see that nearly every review attests to how comfy they are. The footbed is made of a cushioned woven twill that I was able to wear for the full day without desperately craving to take them off — as is the case with many of my shoes.

Another thing I like about these loafers is their faux-patent shine, which makes them look luxe. I wore them with baggy blue jeans, but I also can’t wait to wear them with trousers and miniskirts. PS: if you take a moment to google “patent-leather loafers,” you’ll find that many similar-looking styles are double — if not triple — the price. (Run, don’t walk, people.)

I admit that I acted a *little* too quickly in adding these to my shopping cart and didn’t pay close attention to the sizing. If I scrolled to the reviews, I would have noticed that multiple users attested that they ran big. Instead, I jumped up a half size from my usual 9.5, thinking I might want a little extra room for socks. But I ended up getting a whole lot more room than I hoped for — and so I will be exchanging this pair for a half-size smaller. Definitely take note of that before you make the same mistake I did.

Who These Loafers Are Best For

These loafers are perfect for fashion-lovers searching for a high-quality, comfortable, and affordable pair for fall that’ll top off all of your autumnal ‘fits.

Additional Details

• These loafers also come in white and burgundy, both of which have a black sole.
• These loafers come in sizes 6–11.
• The outsole is made of 51 percent recycled thermoplastic rubber and 49 percent thermoplastic rubber.

Rating: 5