It’s no secret that Italian shoes for men are some of the best in the entire world. Over the past century, the “Made in Italy” marque has been seen as a symbol of prestige and status. Unlike in other regions where the art of shoemaking is relatively new, the European country has been passing it down through generations and generations, with many families dedicating their entire lives to perfecting the craft.
Every single sew and stitch has been executed with ridiculous amounts of detail, precision, and passion. The materials are sourced from some of the most exclusive places on Planet Earth, and they’re treated with the utmost respect from start to finish. Italian brands are also about preventing waste, so that less stuff ends up in our already overflowing landfills. These are just a few of the reasons why they’re seen as the best in the business. Bellissimo!
If you want to give your shoe rotation the upgrade that it deserves, then you’ve come to the right place. In this guide by Opumo, we’ll be checking out some of the best Italian shoes for men available today. From smaller labels like Aurélien to some of the world’s biggest fashion houses such as Zegna, there’s bound to be something here that suits your personal aesthetic and more importantly, your budget. So, let’s get to it!
Best Italian shoes for men in 2024
Pini Parma
To kick things off, we just have to talk about these penny loafers from Pini Parma. A style that’s actually been around since the 1930s, it’s been completely elevated with beautiful blue suede and a calfskin leather lining. Whether you’re relaxing on the beaches of Sardinia or holidaying on the Amalfi Coast, this is your ultimate travel companion. It’s also worth noting that these are actually pretty lightweight, so packing them should be a breeze.
Velasca
With the wet and windy months officially here, every single guy needs a pair of sturdy boots in their collection, and Velasca’s got just the thing with the Tirapè. Dressed up in luxurious dark brown calf leather, these Italian shoes for men boast an ankle-high design for additional support, and brogue-like details for a tailored look and feel. The sole is also infused with Vibram cushioning technology, making these one of the most comfortable boots that money can buy.
Aurélien
Searching for a shoe that’s made to wrack up the miles? Then the City Loafer by Aurélien should definitely be on your radar this season. Designed to tackle the steep hills of San Francisco and the concrete jungle that is New York, these are crafted from the brand’s luxury Softey suede, and are fitted with elasticated inserts to make them easy to slip on and off. It’s also available in 15 other colourways, but these olive ones are the ones to watch.
Brunello Cucinelli
It’s true that Brunello Cucinelli is known more for its premium tailoring and cashmere sweaters, but that doesn’t mean you should totally ignore its sneaker game. The Urano is very clean and very simple, with a beautiful brown calfskin suede construction that’s built to last. A pair of soft cotton laces tie everything together, and all of this sits on top of a crisp white rubber midsole, which makes every single step feel like you’re walking on a nice, plump cloud.
Loro Piana
Inspired by old school tennis trainers, the very appropriately-named Tennis Walk by Loro Piana takes everything that makes Italian shoes for men so great and packs all of it into a neat, minimalist package. Meticulously crafted from a combination of leather and suede, they sit on top of a pair of grippy gum rubber soles. These kicks are definitely on the pricier side, but they’re worth every single penny – we promise.
Zegna
Over the past couple of months, there’s been a lot of hype surrounding Zegna’s X-Lite loafers, and there’s really no questioning why. Made in Italy from smooth leather that’s hand-buffed for an incredibly supple feel and high-shine finish, they’re detailed with a signature 'L'Asola' cutout along the band and set on durable rubber soles. They also come packed with a Zegna-branded shoe horn, which is always good to have.
Tod's
There’s just no way you can talk about the greatest Italian shoes for men without giving these Gommino Driving Shoes by Tod’s a special shoutout. The epitome of southern Italian style, each pair goes through one hundred individual manufacturing steps at the brand's workshop in Le Marche. They’re all hand-constructed from deep navy suede, and come with an exclusive dust bag that’s perfect for travelling with. What’s there not to love?
Ferragamo
Ferragamo’s Single Monkstrap encapsulates everything that is so right about Italian shoemaking. With an elongated silhouette that is slightly squared at the tip, it’s made using the legendary Tramezza method, which is an artisanal technique that has been passed down from generation to generation. Each pair goes through 300 distinct phases and over 6 hours of manual work by experts to ensure a sturdy, resistant finish with a lightweight, comfortable feel. It’s then fastened at the side with a custom, squared, metallic buckle.
Tod's
So nice we’ve mentioned them twice. If you liked the Tod’s Gommino Driving Shoes in navy, then you’re going to like them even more in black. Swapping the penny loafer design for a pair of leather laces, these are handcrafted in luxurious suede and sit on top of a pair of rubber-studded soles that make them ideal for drifting around the bends of the southern shore of Lake Como. These usually sell out quite pretty quickly, so if you see your size, secure it right now before it’s too late – don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Discover the best luxury shoe brands for men in 2024.
