Italian shoes are synonymous with high quality luxury that is durable without sacrificing class and elegance. The range of brands available in the Italian shoe industry is fantastic for men; and whether you want to buy from a large, multinational company such as Gucci or a smaller, family run business, you’ll be absolutely spoilt for choice.
In fact, although giant multinational brands play an important role in the shoe making industry, small to medium-sized companies still occupy a significant market share. This has helped to create a thriving and competitive market for consumers with an incredible selection of styles and price ranges to choose from.
Italy is famous for its leatherware and although not all shoes are made with leather the vast majority of the best styles are. Italy is also renowned for its superb craftsmanship. This means that you can be sure that Italian made shoes are crafted from top quality materials using refined artisan skills that have been passed down through the generations of shoemakers.
The Best Italian Shoe Brands For Men.
Italy’s best shoe brands combine modern trends, creative flair and the traditional styles of Italian men’s fashion. Using sophisticated production techniques and masterful craftsmanship, Italian men’s shoe brands are among the most prestigious in the world.
Salvatore Ferragamo.
Salvatore Ferragamo was established in 1923 and soon grew to become one of the top brands in the Italian shoe market. With bold, striking and versatile designs, the brand creates shoes to suit every occasion, from casual and relaxed to smart, formal and elegant. Salvatore Ferragamo makes shoes for both men and women although the male collection really stands out for its quality and value for money. From urban style trainers to the traditional lace-up black shoe, Salvatore Ferragamo has made shoes for numerous celebrities, including Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe and Douglas Fairbanks!
Santoni.
Established in the 1970s, Santoni makes top-end luxury men’s shoes. Starting its days as a small family-run business, Santoni has become one of Italy’s favorite brands of male footwear. Best known for its iconic double buckled shoes as well as the super comfortable trainers and eye-catching collections of polished leather evening shoes, Santoni has a huge range of styles available for you to peruse. With some of the best designed cuts, seams and finishes in the industry, Santoni epitomizes the very essence of understated Italian refinement.
Ermenegildo Zegna.
Originally known as Ermenegildo Zegna, the company rebranded itself in December 2021 as simply Zegna, which marked the beginning of a new chapter in the brand’s story. Founded in 1910 by Ermenegildo Zegna in Piedmont, Northern Italy, as a luxury fashion house, the company soon carved out a position amongst Italy’s top brands.
With a beautiful range of shoes on offer for men, Zegna specializes in super soft sneakers and suede loafers. The brand also manufactures traditional patent leather shoes with an elegant buckle as well as sturdy sports footwear. Coming in a huge range of colors and styles, if you’re looking for chic, ultra-stylish casual footwear, you should take a moment to browse the Zegna catalog during your search for the perfect shoes.
Tod’s.
Tod’s makes a wide range of comfortable, stylish and long-lasting shoes, including the hugely popular ankle boots, loafers, Gommini shoes and desert boots, to name but a few! The company was founded by the Della Valle family in the early 1900s and over the years the brand expanded into a serious international player in the industry.
Specializing in high quality luxury men’s shoes, Tod’s creates timeless shoes that are ideal for every occasion. In recent decades, reflecting the brand’s ongoing success, Tod’s has broadened their portfolio, buying the Roger Vivier shoe company in 2001.
Gucci.
Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci is one of Italy’s most recognizable luxury brands. As well as creating collections of ready-to-wear clothes, accessories, watches and luggage, the brand also produces an excellent range of ultra-chic men’s designer shoes. Gucci’s men’s shoes are often irreverently eclectic in style and are sure to stand out from the crowd! Made with expert craftsmanship and retailing at very reasonable prices, some of Gucci’s most iconic men’s shoes include its moccasins, Horsebit loafers, the Princetown slippers and their colorful, high fashion sneakers.
Mario Bruni.
Founded in 1953, Mario Bruni has been producing superb men’s shoes for several generations, including classic men’s loafers, rugged boots, brogues and a range of personalized handmade shoes. The company remains focused on research and design to ensure that all of its shoes meet the very highest standards of excellence. The leather that Mario Bruni uses in their shoes is all sourced from Italian tanneries so you can be sure that it will be subtle, flexible and durable.
Velasca Milano.
Producing handmade shoes in Italy, Velasca Milano is a medium-sized company that aims to deliver the best quality of shoes at an extremely affordable price. The brand is able to do this by delivering directly to its customers without having to go through any middlemen.
This allows the brand to leverage the power of the internet, hand make the shoes on order and deliver them without having to pay for any retail premises! This exciting new business model means that you can choose from a massive selection of styles including monk-straps, cordovans, lace-ups, boots, loafers, summer shoes and sports shoes without breaking the bank to have them hand-made for you.
Paolo Scafora.
The story of Paolo Scafora began in the streets of Naples in 1956 as a small family-run operation. Since then, the brand has exploded in popularity and now produces high-end ready-to-wear collections for men. However, despite its success, the brand still embodies the traditional family values that helped it to succeed in the first place.
Paolo Scafora still uses luxury leathers such as French calf and inner linings such as cashmere, ermine and even mink! Every shoe is hand-stitched by an expert artisan, embellished with unique nuances and really reflects the stylish elegance of Neapolitan flair. For traditionally sophisticated evening shoes and lace-ups, Paolo Scafora is one of Italy’s leading men’s shoe brands.
Enzo Bonafe.
As one of Italy’s most exclusive brands, Enzo Bonafe supplies politicians, financiers, businessmen and celebrities with high quality handmade men’s shoes. The brand has built a sterling reputation amongst its cosmopolitan clientele and by using its experience and traditional knowledge the company creates shoes that you’ll really treasure.
You can only buy Enzo Bonafe shoes in the most exclusive stores in Rome, Florence, Milan, Ravenna, Cesena, Teramo and Parma. The brand also has stores overseas, in New York, Oslo and Tokyo, among other major cities.
Stefano Bemer.
Based in Florence, Stefano Bemer is a traditional Italian shoe maker that has been designing and crafting bespoke men’s footwear for almost 70 years. Among the brand’s more unusual employees, the British actor Daniel Day-Lewis actually worked as an apprentice with Stefano Bemer in 1999!
The brand primarily makes classic styles of Italian lace up shoes as well as loafers and sneakers. Stefano Bemer only uses the very best materials and artisan practices, working from the company’s small workshop in a converted ancient chapel in Oltrarno, Florence.
Lemargo.
Lemargo makes a wonderful collection of men’s lace up shoes, ankle boots and casual walking shoes which incorporate the finest Italian leather, craftsmanship and expertise. The family run business underwent a major overhaul in 2011, opening a new operation in a specially designed factory in Marche, Eastern Italy. With their new setup, Lemargo has been producing the same excellent shoes that they have always been renowned for. You’ll find a great choice of styles available at prices that are very reasonable considering the quality of their work.
Bruno Magli.
Bruno Magli was founded in 1936 by Bruno, Mario and Marino Magli in the modest basement of their house in Bologna. Together, they learned the craft of shoemaking from their grandfather and it wasn’t long until they opened their first shoe factory together. Following the end of World War II, the siblings opened a larger factory in Bologna and by the 1980s they had retail stores in Italy, Europe, America, Australia and China. Bruno Magli shoes became a household name in the United States during the O.J. Simpson trials.
The Bruno Magli brand produces a sophisticated range of traditional lace up and wingtip shoes in multiple understated tones, as well as casual suede loafers and sneakers. Recently, Bruno Magli has also added a selection of jogging and sports shoes to their brand’s offerings.
Bontoni.
Bontoni produces ready-to-wear and made-to-order men’s dress shoes in their family owned workshop of fewer than 10 people. The Bontoni company makes less than 3000 shoes each year; with each pair of men’s shoes taking up to 14 weeks to complete! With both ultra-smart dress shoes and more casual designs in their stores, Bontoni excels in applying subtle nuances to their designs as well as bold decorative leather work on the outside of the shoes.
As one of Italy’s smallest and most exclusive men’s shoemakers, a pair of Bontoni shoes is precious enough to be a family heirloom! These handcrafted shoes are works of art and represent the very essence of Italy’s heritage of artistic excellence. So if you’re looking for a really special pair of Italian men’s shoes, then this third-generation luxury shoemaker should be at the very top of your list.
Italian Men’s Shoe Brands Are A Step Ahead Of The Rest.
Italian shoe brands have alchemically combined the essence of suave Italian elegance with the latest in modern design to provide a versatile range of superior shoes for men. From classy lace-up wingtips to ultra-chic patent leather loafers, from high fashion trainers to rugged ankle boots, you won’t find a better selection of top quality shoe brands anywhere else in the world.
