Office sneaker is no longer in fashion as young female professionals embrace loafers

Often seen as a wardrobe staple for men, loafers are increasingly becoming a symbol of style for women in the office and the nation’s biggest department stores expect the footwear to be a fillip for sales.

After years of casual office attire that followed workers back into the office after the pandemic, young professionals are now going in the opposite direction.

Department store giants Myer and David Jones are noticing a clear trend towards loafers and other dress flats as Generation Z consumers redefine their approach to corporate dressing.

“It’s not so much a direct swap from heels to sneakers, the real story this season is the rise of the loafer,” David Jones buying manager for footwear and accessories Liz Ormando told The Nightly.

“(Loafers) have become the shoe of the season because they give you that same comfort and ease you’d get from a sneaker, but with a bit more polish that just feels right for the office.”

As well as loafers, Myer general manager for fashion Harrison Ford said slingbacks and ballet flats were also “having a real moment right now”.

“We’re noticing sneakers are becoming more weekend-focused now, while during the work week, young professionals are gravitating toward smarter footwear options,” he said.

“Customers are really resonating with chocolate-coloured footwear and we’re expecting this trend to continue strong through spring and summer, along with toe post (flip-flop style) sandals and gold heels for events.

“There’s also a real appetite from our customers for colour and statement pieces across suede, woven textures and embellishment details.”

Heading into spring and summer, Ms Ormando also expects the backless loafer and the glove-fit shoe to be “two of the season’s most influential styles”.

“We’re also seeing renewed interest in retro-inspired sneakers for casual dressing, while clogs are steadily gaining momentum as an emerging category,” she said.

Australia’s footwear retail industry is worth just over $5 billion, according to IBISWorld, with women’s footwear making up about 55 per cent of the market.

Podiatrist and Bared Footwear founder Anna Baird believes there will always be a place for heels in the wardrobe, but those worn in the office will be in the 6cm category.

“These rules about what a feminine professional looks like are probably gone, like the really high stilettos,” she said.

“People are thinking about what they are spending so rather than a shoe that’s just going to sit under your desk, they’ll want to invest in something that they’ll wear across their wardrobe.”

Echoing this is Perth-based stylist Bridget Hudson.

“Gen Z tend to look for maximum versatility from their wardrobe. Rather than buying pieces purely for work, they want clothing and footwear that can transition from the office into the weekend,” she said.

Ms Hudson added Gen Z were also embracing the “ugly shoe trend of chunkier, more unconventional footwear that previous generations may not have considered appropriate for the office”.

She pointed to the controversial Tabi shoes, which features a split-toe.

Ms Baird expects low wedges, thin-strapped shoes and animal prints to be among the hottest trends this summer.

“If the runways are full of something and there’s three brands doing it, then it’s probably going to be something that people will want to adopt,” she said.

As for David Jones, Ms Ormando said the retailer sourced inspiration from different places, including social media platforms.

“TikTok in particular is accelerating how quickly these trends catch on,” she said.

“The rise of the ‘corporate girl’ aesthetic really captures this, with young women curating and sharing their work wardrobes in real time.

“It’s encouraging all of us as retailers to think about footwear as part of a broader styling story, rather than just a functional purchase.”