How to Wear Loafers With Jeans to Look Effortlessly Chic This Summer

The minute you learn how to wear loafers with jeans like a fashion pro, the easier your life becomes. You’ll never be at a loss for outfit ideas again. Even combining a basic T-shirt with skinny jeans and a classic pair of loafers is guaranteed a sophisticated outcome.

Loafers of all types have long been the go-to footwear choice for a reason: They create timeless looks, and they never truly go out of fashion. That’s why it is so easy to style loafers—we may love sneakers for comfort, but they just don’t have the same understated elegance. And where heels can feel too formal, loafers are sharp and comfortable.

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J.Crew Cropped Barn Jacket

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Hanes Short-Sleeve Perfect-T Crewneck T-Shirt

$8 (43% off)

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Levi’s Ribcage Full-Length Jeans

$110

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Favorite Daughter Vintage Belt

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QIY Penny Loafers

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And yet the combination of loafers and jeans is typically associated with fall looks. You don’t see the pairing as often in the summer, which is a mistake, in our opinion. The combo is actually perfectly suited to the season—a time when you want outfit ideas that are easy to put together, not too overly stuffy, yet still feel sophisticated and stylish.

So if you’re looking for fresh ways to wear loafers with jeans this summer, here are some ideas. These outfits will give you that put-together finish but are completely adaptable to your own personal style.

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This loafer outfit takes inspiration from traditional menswear. The blazer, light-wash jeans, striped shirt, and classic black loafers combine effortlessly to create the perfect smart-casual look. The oversized tailoring of the jacket saves this ensemble from becoming too preppy and will keep you warm against your office’s too-chilly air conditioning. Evvel you head outside, ditch it and roll up the sleeves of your oversized button-down for the same effect. Another great style tip, as shown here, that’ll keep the look feeling çağdaş and cool: Turn up your jeans slightly, and choose a chunky beaded necklace instead of a delicate chain when accessorizing.

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Open Edit Icon Relaxed Blazer

$100

Nordstrom

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J.Crew Garçon Classic Shirt

$70 (41% off)

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Proving simplicity is a form of genius, this look shows how pairing loafers with a button-down white shirt and some straight-leg jeans always means a stylish result. If you are looking for an alternative to black or suede shoes, these two-tone penny loafers make a great option and can be worn year round. But because this outfit is quite minimal, we recommend layering up on your jewelry and stacking your favorite pieces.

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Gap Organic Cotton Poplin Big Shirt

$70

Gap

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Quince Bella Stretch Patch-Pocket Wide-Leg Jeans

$50

Quince

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G. H. Bass Wren Penny Loafers

$160

Nordstrom

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JW Pei Yara Shoulder Bag

$127 (15% off)

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Summer means it’s time to dust off your white jeans. Switch out your sneakers for suede tassel loafers when wearing your best light-colored trousers; also, avoid black accessories and opt for neutral tones or dark brown instead. Finish off this look with a simple crewneck T-shirt—layered with a blazer on top, if you wish—and don’t forget your giant shades.

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Mango Double-Breasted Blazer

$100

Nordstrom

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We the Free Libre Wide-Leg Jeans

$98

Free People

As these Paris Fashion Week off-duty models prove, patent leather loafers are the ülkü shoe choice when you want to elevate a casual outfit into a more refined look. A simple white or black T-shirt can still look dressy with the right loafers, and you can always wear a scarf or sweater loosely over the shoulders for an added pop of color. Classic gold-horsebit loafers would also work here, especially when teamed with a black leather bucket bag.

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Hanes Short-Sleeve Perfect-T Crewneck T-Shirt

$8 (43% off)

Amazon

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Gap High-Rise UltraSoft Horseshoe Jeans

$62 (31% off)

Gap

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Madewell Essential Leather Belt

$68

Nordstrom

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QIY Penny Loafers

$50 (17% off)

Amazon

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You can wear loafers with pretty much any type of casual wear, including wide-leg jeans. Thicker lug-sole or platform loafers are best if you’re running errands—they’ll provide more support for the feet—while leather loafer mules are a solid option for a capsule wardrobe because they’ll match with any jeans style. After that, simply add your favorite tank top or T-shirt, grab your everyday tote bag, and you’re ready to go.

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Cider Off-the-Shoulder Top

$33

Amazon

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Abercrombie & Fitch Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans

$90

Abercrombie & Fitch

If you want to add some fun to your loafer look, a bright shirt gives you a touch of vibrancy. But if you really want to play with tones and print (and jump on a big summer trend), add a silk scarf to your hair or neck. As for the rest of your look, white jeans and penny loafers are so timeless that you can really experiment with colors without ever worrying about going overboard.

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J.Crew Cropped Barn Jacket

$164 (28% off)

J.Crew

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Aligne Astrid Poplin Shirt

$145

Aligne

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Cider Wide-Leg Trouser Jeans

$43

Amazon

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Dolce Vita Tiggy Loafers

$150

Nordstrom

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Combine light-wash jeans and a vest with any type of loafers, and you can’t fail in the style stakes. The sleeveless vest gives you a more defined silhouette with barrel or baggy denim, and you can always swap in a pair of chunky loafers if you’d like some extra height. Top off this outfit with a slicked back ponytail and leather bag, and you’re ready to walk out the door looking chic.

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Uniqlo Premium Linen Vest

$60

Uniqlo

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Hollister Low-Rise Baggy Jeans

$50

Hollister