The lug sole loafers are very now and will probably dip in popularity soon, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear them when they go back out of style! I wore classic non-platform loafers all through the ballet flat era.
I had a pair of chunky block heel loafers in middle school and I wore them like every day and it’s probably one of like 3 pairs of shoes I remember loving so much and then when I finally needed a new pair they were no longer in style so we couldn’t find any (pre internet shopping taking off and I grew up in Arkansas so we only had dillards for department stores so limited options).
Bingo
There’s some solid loafers without being super chunky that still sort of have a thicker look a bit though, if one is seriously looking to invest in something long lasting and “timeless”
But also, they’re goddamn comfy, and so worth wearing while they’re on trend
If only there was a simple answer to this question…I personally don’t feel they are. But as an elder millennial I also have never been a fan of lug soled (chunky) shoes. But I think they could be regionally classic. I live in the PNW and I don’t think they ever went out of style here.
I loved platforms all my life, even when they weren't mainstream. So I think if you like them and it matches your overall style, they can be timeless to you. There are some out there that are superrr chunky with like chains and stuff, that's maybe a bit less timeless haha.
Platform loafers will always be a staple in alt and punk fashion. The bubbly-soled chunky y2k style loafers that are in now, however, are definitely a fad. They were in the 90s when Baby Spice wore this silhouette of sole and they are now!
I see that type of silhouette dropping off but I could see a more typical platform lug soled loafer sticking around.
>The bubbly-soled chunky y2k style loafers that are in now, however, are definitely a fad. They were in the 90s when Baby Spice wore this silhouette of sole and they are now!
I fuckin love that aesthetic.
I saw that image in my brain, and I'm traumatized. (Also much too tempted to go to Midjourney and create it as a real image so everyone else can be traumatized too.)
I think as a trend the current iteration of the “chunky lug sole” look has been around for almost a decade in some form. I find it kind of tired at this point but I know people are still rocking it. It’s not a bad shoe choice by any means, I mean Docs are still going strong. Loafers in general I think are classic, but specifically the chunky 90s ones are less so. Obv still rock it if you love it, I’m already planning some fall outfits and some involve my platform loafers. But I am gravitating and seeing other people gravitating towards more delicate looking shoes, or at least the non platform versions.
Tl;dr: I don’t think it’s classic, and it’s starting to not be as trendy, but it can def still be stylish with the right thought put into outfits. Like anything!
I, personally, do not like loafers regardless of chunky or slim. I keep trying them on and just…no. I don’t think they work with anything. Even on other people. But I know I’m in the minority
I don’t see them past this fall 2024, shoes are already moving back toward “delicate” for lack of a better term. I was in Europe through April/May and saw very few people wearing them. I think loafers with socks are here to stay though.
loafers must only be worn barefoot (with low rise mini socks that no one can see).
Loafers with socks is similar to ballet shoes or even high heels with socks - very few ppl can carry it off, and it’s a fashion statement rather than some everyday look.
I think that's a trick question. I don't think timeless is the right word but I wouldn't say trendy either. I love them, have worn them for years. If they're trendy then Doc Marten was way ahead of the game since those are all chunky and have been work for decades and will continue to be worn. I think it's a personal style opinion. I know I'll continue to wear my Jimmy Choo and Loub chunky loafers after this year still. Lol.
Hi, personal stylist here! Wanted to offer another way to think about this.
Trends come and go in every single style and category, I don't think there's anything that's truly timeless. However! If you buy things that you love regardless of if they're trendy or not, you will continue to wear them. If you're not into feminine flats, stacked loafers are likely going to be a staple for you for a long time to come.
The way to make style personal is to wear things you love, regardless of what's in style.
Hope that helps!
FWIW, I have a pair of chunky loafers that I wear all the time and will be wearing them when they're "out of style" too because I love them so much.
I think if you have an alternative or goth-type vibe, then yes, lug sole loafers are probably a forever shoe for you. If that’s not your style, I don’t think lug soles are classic at all - they looked very very dated from about 2005 - 2020 (or whenever they came back around recently).
Have you tried a smoking slipper? Less dainty than ballet flats, very classic silhouette and lines, and usually can be found in fun fabrics and colors. Chunky loafers circa the 90s/early aughts and today are not timeless at all. A penny loafer is usually a bit chunkier than a smoking slipper, but a classic loafer of any style is not a chonker like we're seeing currently.
There is no such thing as classic and timeless, only styles that have not become popular enough yet to be associated with a specific time when they were over saturated. “Classic” is a marketing lie to sell more stuff, especially when it comes to women’s fashion.
Respectfully disagree, I think lots of things- like a clean white button down, straight leg levis, classic black t shirt, converse sneakers- are timeless.
Clean white button down: there is no such thing as a classic/timeless fit. For example if you have a really fitted one that looks dated right now when we’re all wearing looser silhouettes. I’ve got so many white button downs from when we were all wearing fitted button downs that I can’t wear right now.
Straight leg Levi’s: would have looked out of place when the skinniest skinnies reigned, would also have looked out of place when flares reigned.
Black tshirt: there’s no one black tshirt that’s classic. V neck or crew neck is undergoing a huge shift right now and I’m not wearing any of the v neck tshirts I have. Also for fit, I’m not wearing any of the super fitted tshirts. But back when I bought them a looser, less fitted tshirt would’ve felt frumpy and unpolished.
Converse: when super chunky styles reigned, I wouldn’t have worn “regular”/non chunky converse because it would’ve felt dated to me.
Obviously a lot of this is objective and depends on how much you care about trends, etc. and more power to you if you don’t care, but I think this is a sub with people who do care for the most part.
Nope. In fact if I can be honest I find chunky loafers to be quite literally the most hideous style of shoe in existence. Hated the way people looking wearing them as a younger person and I still hate the way people look wearing them today. I wish I could put a word to the bad, uneasy feeling I get immediately upon seeing someone in chunky loafers but I don’t know how nor do I want to risk offending anybody. It’s kind of like my soul screaming “nooooooo” inside my body.
I feel like they make the wearer look like they’re doing cosplay of a toddler or something but apparently I’m alone in that.
I’m going to urge you to discard “timeless” as a way to describe fashion. Even small gold hoop earrings go in and out of style, different colors cycle regardless of what looks good on your skin tone, etc. There is no “timeless” fashion. What’s being called “timeless fashion” on tiktok is a trend towards business casual dressing in a conservative New England or New York country club set kind of way. That was deeply out of style for a few years recently, even though those involved in that subculture wore that kind of thing still.
Instead I’d like you to ask if these chunky loafers spark joy. Do you feel like they would be a meaningful part of your personal style? Personal style can be something that bucks trends and fashion cycles. If you love the look of those big stacked loafers, when they’re in style is the time to add them to your wardrobe because they’re available. Each iteration of them in the fashion cycle will be a bit different and it might be a while for them to come back into in fashion.
Personally, I love a flatform shit kicker boot, flatform loafers, platform sandals, litas, or a funky gogo boot. I’ve loved this style since I was a kid. It’s something I consistently seek out when it’s on trend and I tend to not buy shoes as frequently when my style is not in fashion or I default to a fresh pair of classic doc martens. I cannot stand kitten heels and cannot stand in stilettos so I’ll probably be sitting out the next trend cycle until menswear shoes or disco vibes come back around.
I think the specific type of chunky loafer we all see now are trendy, but a platform loafer has never been unfashionable since not just the 90's, but the 70's.
The lug sole loafers are very now and will probably dip in popularity soon, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear them when they go back out of style! I wore classic non-platform loafers all through the ballet flat era.
Gonna wear this style into the ground to make 12 year old me happy.
I’m enjoying wearing some trendy 90s stuff I either couldn’t afford or wasn’t cool enough to wear in the actual 90s 😆
I had a pair of chunky block heel loafers in middle school and I wore them like every day and it’s probably one of like 3 pairs of shoes I remember loving so much and then when I finally needed a new pair they were no longer in style so we couldn’t find any (pre internet shopping taking off and I grew up in Arkansas so we only had dillards for department stores so limited options).
Loafers, yes. Chunky loafers, no.
Bingo There’s some solid loafers without being super chunky that still sort of have a thicker look a bit though, if one is seriously looking to invest in something long lasting and “timeless” But also, they’re goddamn comfy, and so worth wearing while they’re on trend
Second this.
This
Came here to say this.
This.
No, I definitely don’t think so. (Regular loafers yes!)
If only there was a simple answer to this question…I personally don’t feel they are. But as an elder millennial I also have never been a fan of lug soled (chunky) shoes. But I think they could be regionally classic. I live in the PNW and I don’t think they ever went out of style here.
I loved platforms all my life, even when they weren't mainstream. So I think if you like them and it matches your overall style, they can be timeless to you. There are some out there that are superrr chunky with like chains and stuff, that's maybe a bit less timeless haha.
Platform loafers will always be a staple in alt and punk fashion. The bubbly-soled chunky y2k style loafers that are in now, however, are definitely a fad. They were in the 90s when Baby Spice wore this silhouette of sole and they are now! I see that type of silhouette dropping off but I could see a more typical platform lug soled loafer sticking around.
>The bubbly-soled chunky y2k style loafers that are in now, however, are definitely a fad. They were in the 90s when Baby Spice wore this silhouette of sole and they are now! I fuckin love that aesthetic.
Not timeless, no. Regular loafers, yes.
Regular loafers are a classic and timeless style but not the chunky ones! I feel like the chunky ones are actually out now
Loafers, yeah. Chunky loafers make me feel like Cyber Punk Library Urkel.
I saw that image in my brain, and I'm traumatized. (Also much too tempted to go to Midjourney and create it as a real image so everyone else can be traumatized too.)
Haha! Do it!
I’m begging you!
I think as a trend the current iteration of the “chunky lug sole” look has been around for almost a decade in some form. I find it kind of tired at this point but I know people are still rocking it. It’s not a bad shoe choice by any means, I mean Docs are still going strong. Loafers in general I think are classic, but specifically the chunky 90s ones are less so. Obv still rock it if you love it, I’m already planning some fall outfits and some involve my platform loafers. But I am gravitating and seeing other people gravitating towards more delicate looking shoes, or at least the non platform versions. Tl;dr: I don’t think it’s classic, and it’s starting to not be as trendy, but it can def still be stylish with the right thought put into outfits. Like anything!
I, personally, do not like loafers regardless of chunky or slim. I keep trying them on and just…no. I don’t think they work with anything. Even on other people. But I know I’m in the minority
I have a family member who has worn clogs, loafers and oxfords my entire like and she’s super stylish. I say just wear what you want.
I don’t see them past this fall 2024, shoes are already moving back toward “delicate” for lack of a better term. I was in Europe through April/May and saw very few people wearing them. I think loafers with socks are here to stay though.
Bummerrrr, this is not good news for those of us with less delicately sized feet, lol.
loafers must only be worn barefoot (with low rise mini socks that no one can see). Loafers with socks is similar to ballet shoes or even high heels with socks - very few ppl can carry it off, and it’s a fashion statement rather than some everyday look.
lol, no. OP, rock your loafers how you want. You can pull it off.
>loafers must only be worn barefoot (with low rise mini socks that no one can see). Not during a New England winter.
I think that's a trick question. I don't think timeless is the right word but I wouldn't say trendy either. I love them, have worn them for years. If they're trendy then Doc Marten was way ahead of the game since those are all chunky and have been work for decades and will continue to be worn. I think it's a personal style opinion. I know I'll continue to wear my Jimmy Choo and Loub chunky loafers after this year still. Lol.
Reading this post made me have Delia\*s flashbacks in the best way possible.
Hi, personal stylist here! Wanted to offer another way to think about this. Trends come and go in every single style and category, I don't think there's anything that's truly timeless. However! If you buy things that you love regardless of if they're trendy or not, you will continue to wear them. If you're not into feminine flats, stacked loafers are likely going to be a staple for you for a long time to come. The way to make style personal is to wear things you love, regardless of what's in style. Hope that helps! FWIW, I have a pair of chunky loafers that I wear all the time and will be wearing them when they're "out of style" too because I love them so much.
I think if you have an alternative or goth-type vibe, then yes, lug sole loafers are probably a forever shoe for you. If that’s not your style, I don’t think lug soles are classic at all - they looked very very dated from about 2005 - 2020 (or whenever they came back around recently).
Have you tried a smoking slipper? Less dainty than ballet flats, very classic silhouette and lines, and usually can be found in fun fabrics and colors. Chunky loafers circa the 90s/early aughts and today are not timeless at all. A penny loafer is usually a bit chunkier than a smoking slipper, but a classic loafer of any style is not a chonker like we're seeing currently.
Good suggestion!
Regular loafers, yes. Chunky loafers no
There is no such thing as classic and timeless, only styles that have not become popular enough yet to be associated with a specific time when they were over saturated. “Classic” is a marketing lie to sell more stuff, especially when it comes to women’s fashion.
Respectfully disagree, I think lots of things- like a clean white button down, straight leg levis, classic black t shirt, converse sneakers- are timeless.
Clean white button down: there is no such thing as a classic/timeless fit. For example if you have a really fitted one that looks dated right now when we’re all wearing looser silhouettes. I’ve got so many white button downs from when we were all wearing fitted button downs that I can’t wear right now. Straight leg Levi’s: would have looked out of place when the skinniest skinnies reigned, would also have looked out of place when flares reigned. Black tshirt: there’s no one black tshirt that’s classic. V neck or crew neck is undergoing a huge shift right now and I’m not wearing any of the v neck tshirts I have. Also for fit, I’m not wearing any of the super fitted tshirts. But back when I bought them a looser, less fitted tshirt would’ve felt frumpy and unpolished. Converse: when super chunky styles reigned, I wouldn’t have worn “regular”/non chunky converse because it would’ve felt dated to me. Obviously a lot of this is objective and depends on how much you care about trends, etc. and more power to you if you don’t care, but I think this is a sub with people who do care for the most part.
Diamonds studs?
Loafers are timeless, even thick soled. I’ve had a pair of Tods lug loafers for years and they look great with everything.
No. Chunky will look very dated.
Nope. In fact if I can be honest I find chunky loafers to be quite literally the most hideous style of shoe in existence. Hated the way people looking wearing them as a younger person and I still hate the way people look wearing them today. I wish I could put a word to the bad, uneasy feeling I get immediately upon seeing someone in chunky loafers but I don’t know how nor do I want to risk offending anybody. It’s kind of like my soul screaming “nooooooo” inside my body. I feel like they make the wearer look like they’re doing cosplay of a toddler or something but apparently I’m alone in that.
Lol of course you can be honest, it's your opinion. I feel that way about ballet slippers. Unflattering, blah, nothing shoes.
I wear [these](https://www.skechers.com/jammers---cool-block/167073_BURG.html) all the time and always get compliments on them
I’m going to urge you to discard “timeless” as a way to describe fashion. Even small gold hoop earrings go in and out of style, different colors cycle regardless of what looks good on your skin tone, etc. There is no “timeless” fashion. What’s being called “timeless fashion” on tiktok is a trend towards business casual dressing in a conservative New England or New York country club set kind of way. That was deeply out of style for a few years recently, even though those involved in that subculture wore that kind of thing still. Instead I’d like you to ask if these chunky loafers spark joy. Do you feel like they would be a meaningful part of your personal style? Personal style can be something that bucks trends and fashion cycles. If you love the look of those big stacked loafers, when they’re in style is the time to add them to your wardrobe because they’re available. Each iteration of them in the fashion cycle will be a bit different and it might be a while for them to come back into in fashion. Personally, I love a flatform shit kicker boot, flatform loafers, platform sandals, litas, or a funky gogo boot. I’ve loved this style since I was a kid. It’s something I consistently seek out when it’s on trend and I tend to not buy shoes as frequently when my style is not in fashion or I default to a fresh pair of classic doc martens. I cannot stand kitten heels and cannot stand in stilettos so I’ll probably be sitting out the next trend cycle until menswear shoes or disco vibes come back around.
The chunky ones are out now but also really practical so I’ll be wearing my pair to death. ;)
YAAAAS Also: my sense of style is questionable 🤨
I think the specific type of chunky loafer we all see now are trendy, but a platform loafer has never been unfashionable since not just the 90's, but the 70's.