There is an unspoken language of style that seems to pulse through the world’s most photographed men, a vibe that often travels silently from one high-profile closet to another. Recently, this sartorial telepathy manifested in the form of a pair of ultra-luxurious loafers that have become, in essence, the “default shoe” for some of the most famous faces on the planet. Jacob Elordi, the Australian star currently on a wildly thematic press tour for his role in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, was recently spotted in London sporting a refined pair of eel-leather loafers by The Row, the same pair that British icon Harry Styles was photographed wearing in Rome just days earlier. It’s a coincidence that might look like twinning at first glance, but dig a little deeper and you will see it’s more about timing and the evolution of menswear taste than imitation.
The loafers in question hail from The Row, the minimalist luxury label founded by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Known for its discreet yet immaculate craftsmanship, the brand has built a reputation on designs that appear simple but feel incredibly considered. These particular loafers are part of The Row’s autumn/winter ‘25 collection and were crafted in Italy with delicate pleats surrounding an almond-shaped toe, finished with hand-painted leather soles.
Elordi’s choice to wear these loafers wasn’t just about comfort or classic good taste. It followed hot on the heels of another statement footwear moment when he was seen in Nike’s Dunk Low ‘Frankenstein,’ a nod to the role he plays and the visual theme he’s woven throughout his press tour wardrobe. His approach has been described as tall and slightly chaotic in an elegant way, weaving theatrical references into otherwise grounded menswear looks. In London, pairing a dramatic outfit with such refined loafers reinforced his ability to balance eccentricity with an innate sense of polish.
Harry Styles, by contrast, has taken a more grounded, everyday approach to the same shoes. When seen out in Rome last month, he paired his pair of The Row loafers with relaxed attire, treating them almost like an elevated alternative to trainers. For Styles, the loafer isn’t a red carpet showpiece but a reliable staple that transitions effortlessly between errands, rehearsals, and casual public outings. It’s a refreshing example of how a truly good shoe can blur the boundaries between practical and luxurious.
The moment speaks to a broader shift happening within menswear, especially among the younger generation of style-minded fans. We’re witnessing a transition where sneaker enthusiasts aren’t abandoning their beloved trainers; instead, they are broadening their horizons and embracing wardrobe staples that offer greater versatility. Loafers, traditionally seen as somewhat formal or confined to boardrooms and dress codes, are now being recast as the next logical step in menswear’s evolution, offering the same comfort and ease as a sneaker but with far more sartorial range.
What’s especially intriguing is that Elordi and Styles aren’t coordinating or deliberately copying one another. They are, in many respects, pioneers of this loafer renaissance from their respective corners of fashion. One is a rising star known for his dramatic onscreen roles and off-screen risk-taking; the other is a global pop sensation whose influence on menswear has only grown as he continues to embrace minimalist tailoring and quiet luxury alongside his more flamboyant past.
Whether you call it coincidence or collective intuition, the shared love for these shining, eel-skin loafers from The Row is emblematic of a larger trend: the loafer wave is here. Sneakers may still hold a place of affection, but loafers now provide a way to elevate everyday dressing without sacrificing ease. And if the biggest names in fashion, film, and music are riding that wave, perhaps it’s time the rest of us hopped on board too, one slippery, shiny pair at a time.
