Everything worth knowing about Bally Kelys Loafers is below, starting with the part that changes what you buy. A stacked or block heel spreads load better than a stiletto of the same height. Feet swell through the day, so anything tried on in the morning will feel tighter by evening. A leather sole looks better and grips worse. Rubber if you actually walk. The groups below run from the decision that matters most to the ones you make afterwards.

What decides this is toe box, sole flexibility and heel counter. Everything else is preference. Two from the first group show the range: White Fox Boutique's Judson Loafers Black at $65, and Joseph's Leather Penny Loafers at $247. The first is the easy entry point; the second is where the money goes. A leather sole looks better and grips worse. Rubber if you actually walk. A flat with no heel counter will slip at the back no matter the size. A higher price mostly buys materials and finishing, and occasionally it buys nothing at all.

A flat with a longer trouser needs a visible ankle or the leg disappears. From the second group, manymoons.com's Lidia Whipstitch Loafer - Pearl ($160) is the one that earns its place, because it works in more than one context without being restyled. The third group is smaller and deliberately narrower, flats, for the decisions you make after the main one. None of this needs the whole group. One piece from each is usually enough.

There are 20 flats here from 13 brands, $58 to $990, all in stock when this was written. We would not buy all of them, and neither should you. Beek's LOAFER CHARM - Gold at $58 is the low-risk way in, and Isabel Marant's Malvin Loafers at $990 only makes sense if this is a category you already use constantly. On bally kelys loafers specifically: the difference between the top and the bottom of this list is real but smaller than the price gap suggests. Nothing here is included because it is famous, and price is not used as a proxy for quality anywhere on this page. If you take one thing away: one considered purchase beats three hedged ones.