13 Wicked Italian Luxury Shoe Brands [Reviews Included]

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Italian Shoes

The Made in Italy label is one of the most respected globally. In this sense, Italian luxury shoe brands are trendy in all parts of the world. What makes one brand of Italian shoes stand out from the others? Generally, it should be comfortable, durable, and stylish. However, the shoe should suit the occasion.

Luxury leather shoes

Our Top Pick in the Luxury Italian Shoe Brand Category

Our review found that Prada Women's Leather Logo Plaque T-Strap Flat Sandals is the best overall Italian luxury shoe brand. The manufacturer is reputable, it’s brilliantly designed, and you can wear it on different occasions.

Popular Italian Shoe Brands

There are many Italian shoemakers, but who is the best? Top-rated men’s and women’s shoes must have a beautiful style. They should also enhance your look and be of unmatched quality. With that in mind, here are the famous Italian shoe brands you should be aware of:

Gucci

Gucci is a high fashion house that opened its doors in 1921 in Florence. It produces clothes, bags, and shoes available globally. The Italian brand has shoes that integrate modernity, craftsmanship, and eclectic style, making it stand out.

Gucci’s women’s shoe collection offers a wide range of designs, including boots, décolleté, and sandals. You can also find slippers, moccasins, and sneakers.

Prada

Prada entered the fashion industry in 1912 in Milan. It has grown into a multinational, having several branches. Furthermore, the brand also produces watches, perfumes, and cell phones. Prada has made its name by producing artisanal leather garments.

The company started manufacturing shoes in 1983 and has produced shoes, boots, and sandals. Their materials of choice are leather and nylon. Celebrities and other notable persons love Prada shoes because they have attractive designs.

Salvatore Ferragamo

Salvatore Ferragamo founded this shoe brand in 1923. The Salvatore brand has become one of the most respected Italian luxury shoes. His bold and colorful designs saw his fans call him the cobbler of the stars.

Big names like Mary Pickford, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, and Douglas Fairbanks are the famous names that wore his brand. Salvatore died in 1960, but his family continued the business. They transformed the company into a fashion house respected globally.

Tod’s

The Della Valle family founded Tod’s in the early 1900s, specializing in luxury footwear. Their shoes are a mix of Italian craftsmanship and modernity. In this sense, Tod’s men’s shoes are undeniably timeless and elegant.

The brand’s business and marketing experts have worked tirelessly to make it a reputable international brand. Its fame grew more when Diego Della Valle, Tod’s owner, convinced Gianni Agnelli, Fiat’s president, to don moccasins during the television broadcast of football matches.

Fratelli Rossetti

Fratelli Rossetti entered the market in 1953 in Parabiago in Milan. The brand specializes in luxury footwear for women and men. Their craft, comfort, and timeless lines have seen it succeed globally.

Currently, the brand has single-brand boutiques in the main capitals globally. They manufacture flexible shoes without very comfortable laces. For example, the “Brera” moccasin, a classic shoe without laces, has become one of the best casual shoes.

Dolce & Gabbana

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana founded this brand in 1985. The brand has grown into one of the biggest shoe brands. Apart from shoes, the brand also manufactures eyewear, perfumes, clothing, and accessories.

What makes Dolce & Gabbana stand out is its ability to present new ideas while maintaining the style and creativity that has made it famous. The brand’s footwear collection comes with bold patterns.

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani is one of the biggest Made in Italy brands. The company manufactures perfumes, clothes, and accessories. Its shoes are trendy because of their elegance and creativity.

Currently, people who love classic shoes that keep up with the latest trends are Giorgio Armani’s biggest customers. The brand has become the face of Italian fashion.

Giuseppe Zanotti

Guiseppe Zanotti is one of the best Italian boots brands. The designer kick-started his career designing women’s shoes in the 90s and has grown to be one of the most famous Italian brands with 50 stores globally.

Zanotti began as a DJ in the 1980s before dedicating himself to shoe design. He has also had stints collaborating with fashion houses like Roberto Cavalli, Missoni, Valentino, and Dior as a freelancer. He is popular for his exceptional processing precision.

Sergio Rossi

Sergio Rossi is a women’s shoe company that came into being in the 1950s in Cesena, Romagna. It is now part of the Gucci Group. The son of a cobbler from San Mauro Pascoli founded the brand. 

He started his career in Milan in the 1950s, where he grew his passion. He started selling his hand-made models to boutiques in Bologna. In the 70s, he also partnered with other top brands such as Dolce & Gabbana and Versace.

Santoni

This brand hit the shoe market in the 1970s and has grown to become a brand that sells the best Italian shoes. It started as a small family shop and grew through scrupulous craftsmanship, which you can see from the seams, finishes, and cuts. Santoni Italian women’s shoes are now the symbol of refinement and excellence. What sets the brand apart is innovation and traditions.  

Bruno Magli

Bruno Magli is one of the best Italian shoe manufacturers. The company manufactures stunning shoes for both men and women. What sets them apart is the fine quality of their designs. Furthermore, the Italian designer launched this brand in 1936 in Bologna, Italy.

The Bruno Magli brand has become one of the best Italian shoe brands. Esteemed women like Christina Onassis, Sophia Loren, and Princess Margaret of England have been wearing Bruno Magli. They helped to make the Italy shoe brand trendy globally.        

How to Care for Italian Shoes

When you remove your brand new Italian shoes from the box, you know their perfect look will start depreciating. However, if you can adequately care for and store your Italian shoes, they will maintain their stunning looks for longer.

Before you get a pair of the finest shoes Italy produces, consider the different leather types and choose the one that suits your style. Each material requires specific treatment to ensure it looks good for long.

How to Clean and Polish Your Italian Leather Shoes

You must clean your shoes before you polish them. This is essential because it removes dirt and dust, allowing the polish to condition the leather properly. Polishing your shoes ensures they remain moist and supple. Follow these steps to clean and polish your shoes:

  • Using a soft-bristled brush, clean off any dirt or dust.
  • After that, use a soft cloth to apply an appropriate cleaner to the shoe’s leather parts. Experts suggest you use a lanoline-based beeswax polish because it softens and protects the leather.
  • Wipe off any excess polish with a clean cloth and buff the shoe using a soft shoe brush.
  • Allow the shoes to sit for 20 minutes before applying a spray-on waterproofing repellant.

How to Store Italian Leather Shoes

The leather will likely dry out and crack if you store your shoes poorly. In this sense, it is best to keep your Italian leather shoes in a temperature-controlled area away from direct sunlight. Consider wrapping your shoes in acid-free tissue and then in a plastic bag to avoid dust and moisture.

Additionally, keep your light leather away from dark leather because light leather can absorb color from dark leather. Talk to a shoe assistant for care tips and the products you should use on your new Italian shoes.   

Cleaning leather shoes

Italian Luxury Shoe Brands – An Overview

  1. Prada Women's Leather Logo Plaque T-Strap Flat Sandals – Best overall women’s shoes
  2. Prada Men's 4E3340 6DT F0009 Leather SneakerBest men’s casual sneakers
  3. SALVATORE FERRAGAMO Men's Boston Cap Toe Lace Up Shoes – Best men’s official shoes
  4. SALVATORE FERRAGAMO Women's Badia 70 Patent Leather High Heel Pumps Shoes US – Best for semi-formal events
  5. Tod's Women's Patent Leather Moccasins Shoes – Best elegant ladies’ shoes
  6. No products found. – Best men’s suede slip-ons
  7. Dolce & Gabbana Women Airmaster Sneakers Multicolor – Best women’s sports shoes
  8. Dolce & Gabbana Kids Sneaker Classica Vitello Nappa (Little Kid/Big Kid) – Best kid’s sneakers
  9. Guiseppe Zanotti Women's E000125a Cruel Sandal Heeled – Best evening heeled sandal
  10. Guiseppe Zanotti Men's Ru00011d Sneaker – Best men’s fashion classic sneakers
  11. Sergio Rossi Women's A78360-MTE121 – Best women’s shoes for all occasions
  12. Santoni Sneakers – Best men’s sportswear
  13. Bruno Magli Men's Forest Oxford – Best classic Italian shoe
Sergio Rossi Women's ALMA Wedge Sandal, Cipria, 38.5 Medium EU (36,6 US)
Prada Women's Patent Leather Logo Plaque T-Strap Flat Sandals, White (Bianco) (numeric_6_point_5)
Product name
Sergio Rossi Women’s ALMA Wedge Sandal, Cipria, 38.5 Medium EU (36,6 US)
Prada Women’s Patent Leather Logo Plaque T-Strap Flat Sandals, White (Bianco) (numeric_6_point_5)
Price
Price not available
Price not available
Sergio Rossi Women's ALMA Wedge Sandal, Cipria, 38.5 Medium EU (36,6 US)
Product name
Sergio Rossi Women’s ALMA Wedge Sandal, Cipria, 38.5 Medium EU (36,6 US)
Price
Price not available
Buy Now
Prada Women's Patent Leather Logo Plaque T-Strap Flat Sandals, White (Bianco) (numeric_6_point_5)
Product name
Prada Women’s Patent Leather Logo Plaque T-Strap Flat Sandals, White (Bianco) (numeric_6_point_5)
Price
Price not available
Buy Now

How We Tested the Products

Italian shoe manufacturers prefer leather as their raw material. What makes leather shoes better is that over time the leather becomes softer, making the shoes more comfortable. You can test a leather shoe’s quality by looking at its construction. Here are the essential factors we looked at when trying these products:

Bond Testing

Shoe manufacturers use different components to make leather shoes. They stitch and glue the elements together. Therefore, we checked the consistency in the bonding quality between the different parts.

Size and Fitting

We expected that the Italian leather shoes with dimensions would match their labeled size. We tested the shoes to ensure all measurements were accurate. Furthermore, we also checked that each pair’s right and left halves have identical sizes.

Zip and Fastener Testing

Leather shoes like Italian boots brands have fasteners such as zippers. Our team of expert reviewers checked the buckles to ensure they worked correctly. Furthermore, we checked to ensure the manufacturer used suitable materials to make fasteners.

Accessory Pull Testing

Many top shoe brands come with decorative components. However, unless the manufacturer attaches the accessories firmly, they quickly become loose, ruining the shoe’s appearance. We performed this test for all the shoes in this post, and all of them passed the test.

Color Fastness – Rub Testing

Shoe manufacturers use dyes of different quality on the leather. Therefore, we tested the shoes on this list to check whether they could stain the wearer’s skin or clothes. We used the rub test to measure the color fastness of the leather shoes on this list. All the shoes on this list exhibited dye permanence.

Chemical Testing

We used chemical testing to check the safety and health of the Italian shoes in this review. The hazardous substances we tested for include PCPs, DMF, banned azo dyes, formaldehyde, and chrome VI.

Mold Contamination

Because leather is a natural material, it tends to get mold contamination. The mold contamination can happen during shipping or because of poor storage. In this sense, we checked the Italian shoes on this list to ensure they arrived at the stores free from mold and contamination. All of them passed the test!

Aesthetic

We also checked the shoes’ aesthetics to ensure their finishes enhance their appearance. For example, variation of leather’s natural texture improves its appearance.

Sole

A shoe sole determines whether it will be durable and comfortable to wear. The shoes on this list use modern technology to manufacture rubber soles that are long-lasting and comfortable to wear.

Comfort

Comfort is an essential factor to consider when buying shoes. We checked whether the shoes have cushioning for better grips that would give you the confidence to walk.

All the shoes on our list have well-padded insoles. Moreover, the shoes have leather lining and sock play, making them breathable, and eliminating chances of foul odor.

Our Reviews on the Best Luxury Italian Shoe Brands

Prada Women's Leather Logo Plaque T-Strap Flat Sandals – Best Overall Women’s Shoes

About:

Prada women’s leather shoes are leather sandals with an open round toe. The adjustable pin-buckle ankle strap ensures the shoe fits perfectly. Furthermore, the brand is reputable globally, and you will mostly find celebrities wearing these sandals. 

Brand: Prada

Men’s, Women’s, or Kids (specify boys or girls’) shoes?: Women’s

Shoe Type: Sandals

Open or Closed?: Open

Material: Leather

Design: Flat sandals

Color/s: White

Available sizes: Sizes 4 to 11.5

Product features:

  • Rubber sole
  • Adjustable pin-buckle ankle strap
  • Tonal leather-lined footbed
  • Patent leather upper
  • Open round toe

Pattern: Plain

Occasion: Casual events

Prada Men's 4E3340 6DT F0009 Leather Sneaker – Best Men’s Casual Sneakers

About:

This Athletic Prada sneaker is a top-rated shoe for men by one of the best Italian sneakers brands. It is a leather shoe with a rubber sole making it ideal for different occasions. Furthermore, you can get it in various sizes, and its footbed makes it suitable for all-day comfort.

Brand: Prada

Men’s, Women’s, or Kids (specify boys or girls’) shoes?: Men’s

Shoe Type: Sneaker

Open or Closed?: Closed

Material: Leather

Design: Lace-up leather sneakers

Color/s: White

Available sizes: 9.5 to 13

Product features:

  • Leather sole
  • Low top sneakers
  • Genuine leather uppers
  • Closed rounded toe

Pattern: Plain

Occasion: Casual events, college

SALVATORE FERRAGA Men's Boston Cap Toe Lace Up Shoes – Best Men’s Official Shoes

About:

Salvatore Ferragamo shoes are undoubtedly the most stylish Italian shoe brand. It would be an excellent addition to your wardrobe. The rubber sole and padded insole make these Italian designer men’s shoes comfortable on your feet.

Brand: Salvatore Ferragamo

Men’s, Women’s, or Kids (specify boys or girls’) shoes?: Men’s

Shoe Type: Men’s Oxfords

Open or Closed?: Closed

Material: Leather upper and rubber sole

Design: Lace-up vamp

Color/s: Black and brown

Available sizes: 5.5 to 13 (Wide and X-Wide options available for all sizes)

Product features:

  • Rubber sole
  • Padded insole
  • Leather upper and lining
  • Lace-up vamp
  • Includes dust bags

Pattern: Plain

Occasion: Official

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO Women's Badia 70 Patent Leather High Heel Pumps Shoes US – Best for Semi-Formal Events

About:

High heel pumps are the basics for every wardrobe. If you are looking for cute Italian women’s shoes that give you a stunning look, these shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo are what you are looking for. The heels are not so high, meaning you can feel comfortable in them for a more extended period.

Brand: Salvatore Ferragamo

Men’s, Women’s, or Kids (specify boys or girls’) shoes?: Women’s

Shoe Type: Pumps

Open or Closed?: Closed

Material: Patent leather

Design: High heel pumps shoes

Color/s: Beige

Available sizes: 10.5

Product features:

  • Leather sole
  • Pointed toe
  • High heel
  • Patented leather upper and lining

Pattern: Plain

Occasion: Evening parties or semi-formal events

Tod's Women's Patent Leather Moccasins Shoes – Best Elegant Lady’s shoes

About:

This shoe by Tod’s is creative and elegant, ideal for people who love that stylish look. Depending on your style, you can wear it for official and semi-formal events. Furthermore, the thick platform ensures you feel comfortable wearing them for long.

Brand: Tod’s

Men’s, Women’s, or Kids (specify boys or girls’) shoes?: Women’s

Shoe Type: Moccasins shoes

Open or Closed?: Closed

Material: Patent leather

Design: Loafers

Color/s: True red

Available sizes: 7.5

Product features:

  • Rubber sole
  • Patent-leather uppers
  • Closed rounded toe

Pattern: Plain

Occasion: Formal and semi-formal events

No products found. – Best Men’s Suede Slip-Ons

No products found.

About:

Tod’s men’s suede leather moccasins shoes are another top drawer Made in Italy shoe. It has a durable rubber sole that allows you to keep walking stably. Furthermore, it comes with a soft insole to keep you comfortable if you stand for long.

Brand: Tod’s

Men’s, Women’s, or Kids (specify boys or girls’) shoes?: Men’s

Shoe Type: Loafers

Open or Closed?: Closed

Material: Leather

Design: Slip-on

Color/s: Ebony

Available sizes: 6 to 13 (all in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide width variations)

Product features:

  • Rubber sole
  • 100% suede
  • Smooth leather lining to protect your foot’s skin from friction
  • Soft insole

Pattern: Plain

Occasion: Formal and semi-formal events

Dolce & Gabbana Women Airmaster Sneakers Multicolor – Best Women’s Sports Shoes

About:

This is a new and dynamic line of sneakers by Dolce & Gabbana. It has an ultra-light upper, making it ideal for your off-duty days. If you are a sporty woman, then these sneakers are a perfect fit for you.

Brand: Dolce & Gabbana

Men’s, Women’s, or Kids (specify boys or girls’) shoes?: Women’s

Shoe Type: Sneakers

Open or Closed?: Closed

Material: Nylon, calfskin, suede, and rubber

Design: Lace-up vamp sneakers

Color/s: Multicolor

Available sizes: 4 to 14

Product features:

  • Ultra-light upper
  • Nylon upper with rubber, suede, and calfskin details
  • Branded rubber sole
  • Branded tongue
  • Soft insole

Pattern: Multicolored

Occasion: Off-duty, sporty event

Dolce & Gabbana Kids Sneaker Classica Vitello Nappa (Little Kid/Big Kid) – Best Kid’s Sneakers

About:

The Dolce & Gabbana kids sneaker is famous footwear globally. You can enhance your kids’ looks stylishly with these shoes. Their sole and upper design is comfortable enough to ensure your kids can enjoy themselves throughout the day.   

Brand: Dolce & Gabbana

Men’s, Women’s, or Kids (specify boys or girls’) shoes?: Boys

Shoe Type: Sneakers

Open or Closed?: Closed

Material: Leather

Design: Slip-on

Color/s: Nero/Bianco

Available sizes: 13.5 (little kid)

Product features:

  • Leather sole
  • Closed rounded toe
  • Lace-up vamp

Pattern: Plain

Occasion: Casual

Guiseppe Zanotti Women's E000125a Cruel Sandal Heeled – Best Evening Heeled Sandal

About:

Guiseppe Zanotti is among the top-rated Italian luxury shoe brands. The cruel sandal has a cloud of organza and chiffon reminiscent of the manufacturer’s craftsmanship. This is your ideal choice if you want a classy shoe for your evening party.  

Brand: Guiseppe Zanotti

Men’s, Women’s, or Kids (specify boys or girls’) shoes?: Women’s

Shoe Type: Heeled Sandals

Open or Closed?: Open

Material: Leather

Design: Winged sandal

Color/s: White

Available sizes: 5 to 12

Product features:

  • Leather sole
  • Winged sandal
  • High heels
  • Open toe

Pattern: Has a cloud of organza and chiffon

Occasion: Evening party

Guiseppe Zanotti Men's Ru00011d Sneaker – Best Men’s Fashion Classic Sneakers

About:

You should get the Guiseppe Zanotti Men’s Ru00011d sneaker if you are looking for the best Italian shoes to complete your fashion gear. Apart from its excellent design, it is very comfortable to wear. The rubber sole also ensures you can comfortably move around with it on different surfaces.  

Brand: Guiseppe Zanotti

Men’s, Women’s, or Kids (specify boys or girls’) shoes?: Men’s

Shoe Type: Sneaker

Open or Closed?: Closed

Material: Leather

Design: High-cut sneakers

Color/s: Jasmine

Available sizes: 7 to 11

Product features:

  • Rubber sole
  • Double zip closure
  • Flach heel
  • Schmal shoe width

Pattern: Printed snake mid-top

Occasion: Casual wear

Sergio Rossi Women's A78360-MTE121 – Best Women Shoes for all Occasions

About:

If you want to light up the room with some sophistication, these slip-on wedges by Sergio Rossi are a great choice. It is a slip-on construction with an open-toe silhouette having crisscross straps across the vamp. Furthermore, it has a padded leather footbed and a brand logo patch.

Brand: Sergio Rossi

Men’s, Women’s, or Kids (specify boys or girls’) shoes?: Women’s

Shoe Type: Platform and wedge sandals

Open or Closed?: Open

Material: Leather

Design: Wedge

Color/s: Multicolor

Available sizes: 6 to 10

Product features:

  • Leather sole
  • Fabric or textile
  • Novelty fabric wedge; crisscross
  • Slip-on construction

Pattern: Colorfully stripped upper

Occasion: All occasions

Santoni Sneakers – Best Men’s Sportswear

About:

Santoni sneakers are an excellent lifestyle, sportswear, and artisanal heritage. Santori crafted this men’s sneaker using luxurious suede and embellished it with a contrast stitch detail. It comes with a wide-fit silhouette with round toes. You will also enjoy maximum comfort thanks to its flexible cupsole.  

Brand: Santoni

Men’s, Women’s, or Kids (specify boys or girls’) shoes?: Men’s

Shoe Type: Sneakers

Open or Closed?: Closed

Material: Luxurious suede

Design: Low-top sneakers

Color/s: Brown

Available sizes: 6.5

Product features:

  • Suede sole
  • Lace-up vamp
  • Closed rounded toe
  • Rubber cupsole

Pattern: Embellished stitches

Occasion: Casual wear

Bruno Magli Men's Forest Oxford – Best Classic Italian Shoe

About: 

The Bruno Magli Forest Oxford is a top-quality shoe with brilliant Italian craftsmanship. If you love traditional Italian shoe-making techniques, this is the shoe to go for. It is comfortable, and you can wear it on different occasions.

Brand: Bruno Magli

Men’s, Women’s, or Kids (specify boys or girls’) shoes?: Men’s

Shoe Type: Leather Boots

Open or Closed?: Open

Material: Leather

Design: Boot

Color/s: Dark brown

Available sizes: 7 to 16

Product features: 

  • Leather sole
  • Padded leather insole
  • Contemporary styling
  • Premium calfskin leather

Pattern: Plain

Occasion: Formal and semi-formal occasions

Luxury women shoes

Summary

Enough said. If you are a fan of Italian luxury shoes, you now know the factors to consider when selecting. You also know the different top Italian luxury shoe brands you can consider. Above all, you also know the top-rated shoe brands in various categories you can buy.

With that in mind, the Prada Women's Leather Logo Plaque T-Strap Flat Sandals are an excellent place to start. You should order a pair for yourself or your loved ones, and you can rest assured they’ll love them!

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