10 Best Italian Shoe Brands for Men

Nothing says luxury quite like having an item that is Italian-made. With an eye for detail and premium leathers and fabrics, it’s no wonder they have set the standard for the fashion industry when it comes to opulence and design. So whether you already own multiple pairs or you’re looking to make your first purchase, keep reading for a breakdown of the best Italian shoe brands. Happy Shopping!

1. Santoni

Regardless of whether you are looking for your first or 15th pair of fine Italian leather loafers, nothing compares to a pair of bespoke shoes. Santoni’s Made-To-Order service allows you to play an active role during the process of designing and fine-tuning your dream pair of shoes.

You will assist in choosing the shape, premium leather, and finish of your customized shoes. However, if you’re not quite ready for the price tag that comes with this experience, Santoni has so many options of ready-to-wear loafers, sneakers, ankle boots, slippers, and more, you’re sure to find the perfect pair.

2. Gucci

I don’t know about you but I can spot a Gucci shoe from a mile away. With their signature green and red flag or double G emblem, this is one brand that needs to be in everyone’s closet. While they are well-known for their sneakers, available in an array of options such as high-tops, low-tops, prints, plain, metallic, mesh, and premium leathers, there is much much more on the Gucci docket.

With slippers, slides, loafers, drivers, lace-ups, and even espadrilles. there’s a shoe for everyone. Probably multiple shoes. I have four pairs in my cart right now and I’m not done shopping.

3. Ace Marks

Each pair of Ace Marks shoes are individually handcrafted by 4th generation Italian artisans, with uppers made from full-grain supple calfskin and a cushioned insole made from memory foam, these shoes are as comfortable as they are beautiful. Each pair is hand-dyed and hand-burnished through a process that takes hours but gives each pair an individual and unique touch of depth and richness of color.

No two pairs are exactly alike. With options for both dressy and casual wear, Ace Marks prides itself on not only providing a high-quality product designed to last a lifetime but also selling directly to you with no extra retail markups. 

4. Salvatore Ferragamo

Comfort meets design in Ferragamo’s latest shoe collection for men. Discover an array of styles that not only suits sophisticated tastes with loafers and oxfords but also those who are looking for a more casual look with sneakers and slip-ons. Ferragamo has you covered.

Sustainability is a large part of the company’s mission and they have introduced chrome and metal-free leather. They also use soles made of leather tanned with plant-based materials through a certified lower environmental impact production process, making your newest pair of shoes a pair that you can feel good about wearing for a multitude of reasons.

5. Bontoni

Keeping in the same traditions as other Italian fine leather shoes, Bontoni’s bespoke and made-to-order shoes are handcrafted from only the finest material by some of the world’s leading experts. They’ll guide you through the process of choosing a style, size, color, material, construction, and sole so you can add your own personal touch.

Each part of the process is unique and will have you floating on air as you strut around in your new shoes, designed by someone who knows you best… you! It’s you. You know you best. Don’t forget to thank yourself for this amazing gift.

6. Ermenegildo Zegna

Come for their suede triple-stitched suede slip-on sneakers and stay for their deer-skin Derbys. Ermenegildo Zegna started off as fabric makers but evolved into ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, and of course, shoe brand. They continually adapt to the needs of modern customers with new styles, fabrics, and leathers while also maintaining the originality of the company’s vision. 

7. Tod’s

The Tod’s Group is another internationally well-known brand that has become a key player in the production and distribution of luxury footwear, leather goods, clothing, and accessories, as well as a global ambassador for Italy’s deeply rooted manufacturing traditions and a symbol of the Italian lifestyle. 

Personally, I’ve been a Tod’s fan from a very young age when I first saw their ads in the issues of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vanity Fair. They were simple and low-key, yet silently screamed luxury from a mile away. 

From their timeless suede driving shoes in rich colorways to their more neutrally-toned desert boots to their unique multicolor sneakers and slip-ons, Tod’s covers the gamut when it comes to unsurpassed footwear. Hopefully narrowing down your shopping cart is easier for you than it was for me.

8. Bruno Magli

Available in classic styles and colorways, this Italian shoe brand is for the gentleman that enjoys life’s luxuries. Unlike some of the other brands on the list, Bruno Magli’s understated designs and neutral tones keep this brand from being showy and instead keeps them classic, iconic, and ready for any occasion. 

Combining the old with the new and inspired by their artisanal heritage, this collection highlights not only where they have been, but also where they are going. Impeccable craftsmanship meets modern styles equaling an unparalleled luxury experience your feet will not soon forget.

9. Oliver Sweeny

In 1969 there was a 16-year-old named Oliver Sweeney who wanted to run away to London to make shoes… so he did. After spending two decades learning from some of the best Italian bespoke shoemakers, he decided to go it alone and start his own business. You could say it worked out. 

Using a natural, chemical-free tanning process on their leather, these shoes are made to last a lifetime. The options of style and fabrics are endless and under Tim Cooper, the company’s “Cobbler-in-Chief” since 2009, they have been constantly evolving by combining classic shoe-making techniques with 21st-century technology and innovation.

10. Moreschi

The creation of a Moreschi shoe undergoes 250 to 300 manual steps, combining the heritage and know-how of the master craftsmen with the needs and trends of today’s market. Known for their signature sneakers in soft deer leather with a rubber sole, each sneaker has the chairman’s signature in lieu of the brand logo and dominates the profile of the shoe. Carefully selected to combine class, style, and comfort, Moreschi shoes stand the test of time.

There you have it! Hopefully, this breakdown helps you find your next favorite pair of luxury footwear, whether it be a sneaker, slip-on, slide, slipper, or loafer. Or all of the above. Who am I to judge how many pairs you should own. I personally need to win the lottery first, but that’s me. You do you. Treat Yo Self.