Preppy shoes announced their revival with the buzzy boat shoe resurgence of 2024, and its formal cousin, the loafer, isn’t doing too shabby either these days.
As an enduring and endlessly versatile footwear style, the classic loafer has been interpreted in countless ways through the years. Lately, the day-to-night, slip-on shoe has been showing up with ruching — as in, the upper is pinched along the edge to create an interesting textural effect.
Loafers have long been a unisex style, and lately in 2026, the ruched loafer specifically is looking like the latest footwear option embraced by men and women alike.
Hudson Williams seen at the GQ Met Gala after party at Cafe Zaffri at The Twenty Two New York in Union Square on May 4 in New York City; Patrick Dempsey is seen arriving at the Fox Upfront on May 11 in New York City.
Left and top right: Aeon/GC Images. Middle and bottom right: MEGA/GC Images
On the men’s side of things, actors Hudson Williams and Patrick Dempsey have recently showcased two different approaches to styling a dark-colored ruched loafer. The “Heated Rivalry” star partied the night away after his Met Gala debut last week in a dress-meets-sport look from the ERL fall 2026 collection. He modeled athletic shorts which contrasted a black tailcoat and formal collared shirt; meanwhile, glossy, tassel-adorned black loafers completed the look, layered with white socks — what looked like two pairs.
Dempsey, on other hand, attended the Fox Upfront on Monday with a more traditional take on the footwear. Wearing a light-colored ensemble that nodded toward spring and summer, the “Memory of a Killer” actor styled his dark brown loafers with creased white pants, a casual white top and a plaid light green blazer. In an example from 2025, Jacob Elordi contrasted his crisp white button down and trousers at the Venice Film Festival with black loafers featuring the noticeable gathering.
Jacob Elordi attends the “Frankenstein” photocall during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.
Theo WargoGetty Images
On the women’s side, Tracee Ellis Ross recently wore Versace’s Guanto Leather Loafers in brown, an ultra slim style with 3D Medusa hardware on the vamp. Attending the Inc. Founders House Los Angeles event in April, Ellis Ross styled the shoes with a gray ensemble including a matching top and shorts and a tonal double-breasted blazer.
Tracee Ellis Ross arrive at Inc. Founders House Los Angeles Presents Your Next Move: Patterning Success at Regent Santa Monica Beach on Thursday in Santa Monica, Calif.
Getty Images
Elsewhere, Mirja Klein and Elle Ferguson have showcased ruched loafer styles lately, with Klein wearing a Massimo Dutti style in Munich in April while Ferguson donned a Miu Miu pair in March during Paris Fashion Week. The latter style was one with ruching along the back section of the shoe as opposed to the front.
Mirja Klein in Munich, Germany, on April 14; Elle Ferguson in Paris on March 10.
Left and top right: Moritz Scholz/Getty Images. Middle and bottom right: Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
Looking at recent releases, Aritzia and G.H. Bass got in on the ruched aesthetic with a collaborative loafer collection featuring a square-toe option and round-toe option. While that drop targeted women, the collaboration between Grenson and NN.07 focused on men’s with a hybrid style: a mule loafer.
The G.H. Bass x Aritzia Spence loafer.
Courtesy of G.H. Bass
The ruched loafer is just one unisex shoe rising to the top right now. Also fitting under the slim shoe umbrella, the ballet flat is having a moment as it seems like more men than ever, including stars like Harry Styles, are embracing the traditionally feminine style.
The NN.07 + Grenson moccasin mule.
Courtesy of NN.07