Italy is known for its many clothing and fashion brands. Some of them are big conglomerates that sell everything from apparels and accessories to outerwear and sportswear. Italian shoes have ruled the fashion world for their impeccable craftsmanship and refined quality. The majority of these shoe brands manufacture the finest leather shoes you will not find anywhere in the world. Although, you might find replicas of shoes from these brands with their logos and custom patches.

The unmatched quality of Italian shoes has earned Italy a reputable name in shoemaking business. The increasing demand of Italian shoes can be gauged by the fact that the export value of the Italian shoemaking business reached €9.5 billion in 2018 from €8.4 billion in 2014, according to a survey by Statista.

In this article, we will take a look at some of the best Italian shoe brands. Currently, there are more than four thousand Italian shoemaking companies that are in operations. But we will list here only the best Italian shoe brands that have made a global impact for their unparalleled quality of shoes. Here they are:

1. Gucci

The king of leather-made apparels, Gucci is a household name in Italy. After a long history that spans almost a century, Gucci is still a favorite brand of fashionistas who love to wear leather apparels like leather jacket with custom embroidered patches or a pair of shoes. The company has come a long way to become one of the highest-selling shoe brands in the world. Gucci is particularly known for its loafers that sports the famous interlocked “G” logo of the brand.

So what makes this brand top the list of the best shoemakers? Well, it is its use of superior-quality leather and fantastic handcraft that result in a shoe product that beat other shoe brands. Gucci has shoes for people of any generation, taste and size.

Whether you are a c-level executive, a fashion celebrity, a socialite or a just the boy/girl next door, you will find a shoe from Gucci that matches your style needs. From moccasins and loafers to pumps and sneakers, there is every type of shoe for every man and woman. Depending on your choice of footwear, you can pay anywhere between $550 to $900 for a good pair of shoes.

1. Santoni

Santoni was founded by Andrea Santoni in 1975. Though, he is no longer the in-charge of Santoni, it is still flourishing under the leadership of Giuseppe Santoni (son of Andrea). Santoni has moved forward its traditional legacy and embraced the modern design in shoemaking.

The company still makes handmade shoes that excel in quality and durability. No matter if you are a patron of formal shoes or want a casual footwear for your daily affairs, Santoni has a shoe for every reason. For the snobby individuals, it has the finest leather-made lace-ups that can make you look classy and dapper.

But if you are dressing down for a casual or semi-formal occasion, you can consider its range of double buckles, loafers, ankle boots and sneakers. The ladies have the extra liberty to choose suede sandals and décolleté that look chic on feet of every woman.

Be prepared to pay more than $500 for any of its collection of shoes. Rest assured, the quality and comfort is the best in the business.

1. Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A.

Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A. was launched in 1927 by Salvatore Ferragamo who had a successful stint as boot supplier in Hollywood. The tinsel town became impressed by his colorful and bold designs. Such was his impact on the tinsel town that he was dubbed the “the shoemaker to the stars.” He was a favorite of biggies like Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland.

His spell in Hollywood got him enough fame and money to open his own shoe store that he opened in 1927 after he came back to Florence. After facing initial glitches due to shortage of raw materials, he established his company in 1928 and it went on to become one of the best Italian brands in shoemaking business. Today, Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A. is run by family members of Salvatore Ferragamo.

It sells stylish footwear for both men and women. For guys, it offers footwear for every occasion whether it is a formal gathering or a casual get-together. There are lace-ups and monkstraps. There are loafers and ankle boots. For the gals, it has some cool high-heels that they can wear in a formal, semi-formal and casual events. And there are sandals and wedges to wear on a regular day to office or for a casual Friday.

1. Bruno Magli

Bruno Magli was co-founded by three siblings: Marino, Bruno and Maria. The three were interns at their grandfather’s shop and learned the craft of shoemaking. It was in 1936 that the siblings began making shoes for women. In 1947, they opened their first shoe shop in Bologna where they made handcrafted shoes for both men and women. The shoes were praised for their refined stitching and appealing design.

By 1969, Bruno Magli became an international brand that represented the traditional workmanship of Italy and the unprecedented quality of its products. Today, it is a global business that manufactures an array of leather products from suits and shoes to watches and handbags. However, its staple product remains the shoes that it sells in different regions including Europe, America, Australia and China.

Bruno Magli is versatile in its range of shoes that suit both men and women. Just go to its website and you can see a whole lot of shoes that include lace-ups, oxfords, monkstraps, sneakers, pumps, flats, sandals and you name it!

1. Tod’s

Tod’s was conceived by Filippo Della Valle in 1920. But it was his grandson Diego Della Valle who made it a success. Diego Della Valle belonged to the family of cobblers so he didn’t take much time learning the art of shoemaking. But unlike his forefathers, he was a wily fellow and used astute marketing tactics to promote his brand.

Among his many clever marketing gigs included his collaboration with Gianni Agnelli, the ex-chairman of Fiat. He roped in Gianni for a marketing gig that could benefit his brand. He asked him to don Tod’s moccasins during soccer matches. Gianni agreed and it made headlines in newspapers. The hype gave the much-needed boost to his spikes shoes. He continued such collaborations with celebrities like Tom Cruise, Richard Gere and Mel Gibson. In the next few decades, Tod’s became a global player in shoemaking business.

Today, Tod’s range of shoes include laced shoes, gommino, loafers and sneakers which are worn by men. For women, it sells ballerinas, pumps, mules and sandals.

These are some of the finest Italian shoe brands you can consider if you prefer quality over quantity. All the shoes from these brands are superior in quality and highly durable.