Am I in a safe enough space to say that I’m kind of over winter fashion? I mean, I’ll never tire of a buttery-soft sweater, but in terms of outerwear and shoes, I’m ready to move onward and upward. So when I saw Katie Holmes and Gigi Hadid trading in their winter boots for my favorite spring shoe — my version of the groundhog not seeing his shadow — I decided it was time to follow suit.

While chunky, platform loafers were trending in 2023, both stars were recently spotted wearing a more classic and sleek version of the timeless leather shoe. It’s the practical but polished style I reach for when I want to elevate my look without forfeiting comfort: the heel is minimal and the silhouette is streamlined, making it both easy to style and walk in. 

To help you make the transition from chunky winter boots to this versatile style, I found six lookalike loafers, and prices start at just $40. 

Dream Pairs Penny Loafer

If you want to get the look for less, Dream Pairs’ $40 loafers at Amazon are the best place to start. This style is available in six colors and features a chic metal detail shoppers call “subtle yet stylish.” According to fans, these loafers are so cushioned they “feel almost like slippers.” “When I… put them on my feet, I was in shoe heaven,” gushed one person, adding that the shoes were more comfortable than styles double their price. And per someone who noted that these require no break-in time, the loafers are “cute, comfortable,” and expensive-looking.

J.Crew Winona Penny Loafer

Real leather loafers are never going to be cheap, but J.Crew’s fan-favorite Winona Penny Loafers are currently marked down. Available in both black and brown for 35 percent off, this style features a small heel, slight ruching along the shoe’s upper, and a glossy finish. “This has the classic [loafer] width and shape and yet a very modern look,” wrote one person who said that the “rich and beautiful” shoes “go with everything,” including jeans, trousers, and skirts. “These shoes instantly dress up any outfit,” wrote another, while a third raved, “The quality and design of these are absolute perfection. They… are my new go to shoes.”

Tory Burch Jessa Loafer

Tory Burch made the sophisticated style slightly more glamorous with its Jessa Loafer, which features a large, eye-catching gold detail across the top of the foot and a smooth, nearly seamless finish. This style is “made from impressive, buttery soft, and supple leather,” said one shopper who called them “comfortable for all-day wear.” And according to another person, the style “really dresses up jeans” and looks just as good with work slacks, with someone else adding that they’re a “great shoe for work or play.”

With stars breaking out their sleek, outfit-elevating loafers ahead of spring, I’m ready to do the same. Shop more of the style you can wear now and throughout the rest of the year, below. 

Marc Joseph New York Beverley Road Loafer

Madewell the Bennie Loafer

G.H. Bass Whitney Leather Loafer

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