Resident Image stylist and market editor Melissa Magsaysay soothes your sartorial woes in the weekly Your Stylist blog column:
Sure, loafers have a traditionally preppy appeal synonymous with private school uniforms or country club get-ups, but the style is getting a considerably sexy twist for fall, coming with treacherous heels, wedges and luxe leather materials.
Take a look at versions that turned up on the YSL and Alexander Wang runways. Wang did them as super-high stilettos with disco ball-esque metallic leathers and YSL has a thick wedge on their kilty detailed, patent-leather loafers.
This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the Bass Weejun (arguably the loafer of all loafers) and the company is releasing a limited edition collection of classic Weejun styles, plus a few fun pairs in metallic leather and with tassel details. 
For something less traditional, but still with same preppy polish, Belle by Sigerson Morrison is doing a couple of loafer-esque shoes with high and chunky heels and a comfortable, squishy crepe sole.
Proenza Schouler is going a more masculine route, with a flat ankle boot that has a subtle tassel detail.
Since the style has a strong preppy vibe (even if done with a stiletto heel or in a funky color), stick with clean and classic lines and solid or simple patterns when pairing them with your clothing. Basically, anything flowy, boho-esque or too soft and romantic looking won’t work with the season’s loafers.
Try pieces such as a traditional tan trench, cropped ankle-length trousers, a sexy pencil skirt and sophisticated knee-length shift dresses when wearing fall’s big shoe trend.
-- Melissa Magsaysay
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Photos at top from left: Alexander Wang metallic leather loafers/Gianni Pucci, gorunway.com. YSL patent leather wedge loafers/Gianni Pucci, gorunway.com.
Middle, from left: Belle by Sigerson Morrison kilty loafer heels, $350 at www.zappos.com. Belle by Sigerson Morrison, Bass Weejun 75th anniversary edition, $109 at www.bassshoes.com/Bass.
Bottom, from left: Proenza Schouler tassle ankle boots/Proenza Schouler, $1,055 at Saks Fifth Avenue. Belle by Sigerson Morrison patent leather kilty loafer heels, $350 at Saks Fifth Avenue/Belle by Sigerson Morrison.