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In college, I worked at Nordstrom’s selling men’s shoes. I must say, those were glorious times for retail – this was before buying clothes and shoes online was possible. I sold a lot of men’s luxury dress shoes. I also had the privilege to get training about how luxury shoes are made. I gained an appreciation for the art of making well-crafted luxury shoes. Here you can see the skill, dedication, and passion it takes to make a pair of Santoni shoes. It truly is art.
Here are 5 of my favorite magnificently crafted men’s shoes.
Santoni is an Italian luxury shoe brand renowned for its craftsmanship and quality. Established in 1975 by Andrea Santoni in the town of Corridonia, Italy, the brand quickly gained a reputation for its handmade footwear. Santoni shoes are crafted using traditional techniques passed down through generations, with a focus on attention to detail and fine materials.
Over the years, Santoni has expanded its product range to include not only men’s and women’s shoes but also accessories and leather goods. Today, Santoni continues to be a symbol of Italian luxury and craftsmanship, with its shoes prized for their timeless elegance and superior quality.
I have collected 12 pairs of Santoni shoes over the years. They are comfortable, durable, and beautiful. My favorite dress shoes.
Salvatore Ferragamo was an Italian shoe designer known for his innovative designs and for creating some of the most iconic footwear of the 20th century. Ferragamo was born in 1898 in Bonito, Italy, and by the age of nine, he knew he wanted to be a shoemaker. He moved to the United States in 1914 and started working in a shoe factory in Boston, where he honed his craft and studied anatomy to better understand the structure of the foot.
In 1923, Ferragamo moved to Hollywood and began creating custom footwear for celebrities and movie stars. His shoes were known for their innovative designs and use of materials, such as cork, wood, and metal, due to wartime leather shortages. Ferragamo’s creations became synonymous with luxury and style, and his client list included Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and the Duchess of Windsor.
After returning to Italy in 1927, Ferragamo established his eponymous brand in Florence. He continued to innovate, introducing new designs such as the wedge heel and the cage heel. Today, Ferragamo is a global luxury brand known for its shoes, accessories, and ready-to-wear collections, all of which embody the brand’s commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and innovation.
I have had the privilege to own several Ferragamo loafers over the years.
Crockett & Jones is a British shoemaker founded in 1879 by Charles Jones and Sir James Crockett in Northampton, England, renowned for its high-quality, handmade footwear. The company quickly gained a reputation for craftsmanship and durability, specializing in Goodyear welted shoes, a construction method that allows for resoling and longevity.
Throughout its history, Crockett & Jones has supplied footwear to the British armed forces during both World Wars and has also provided shoes for the royal family. The brand is known for its classic English designs, including brogues, oxfords, and loafers, all made with meticulous attention to detail and using the finest leathers.
Today, Crockett & Jones continues to be a respected name in the world of luxury footwear, with its shoes prized for their comfort, durability, and timeless style.
The brand remains family-owned and operates out of its original factory in Northampton, where its shoes are still made using traditional techniques passed down through generations.
My favorite type of shoe is a Chelsea boot. I had to get the special edition 007 Hamilton pictured above.
Allen Edmonds is an American shoe company founded in 1922 by Elbert Allen and Bill Edmonds in Belgium, Wisconsin. The brand is renowned for its high-quality, classic men’s shoes, particularly its Goodyear welted dress shoes. They were worn by several U.S. presidents, including Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. Allen Edmonds became known as the “presidential shoe” due to its popularity among American presidents for its classic style, comfort, and quality craftsmanship. This recognition further solidified Allen Edmonds’ reputation as a prestigious and iconic American shoe brand.
What sets Allen Edmonds apart is its commitment to traditional craftsmanship and quality materials. The brand’s shoes are made using the finest leathers, including calfskin and cordovan, sourced from renowned tanneries around the world. Each pair of Allen Edmonds shoes is crafted using the Goodyear welt construction method, which allows for resoling and ensures durability and comfort.
Allen Edmonds is also unique in its commitment to domestic manufacturing. While many shoe brands have moved their production overseas, Allen Edmonds continues to produce the majority of its shoes in the United States, using a combination of skilled craftsmen and modern technology to ensure the highest quality.
My first big ticket purchase while working at Nordstrom was a pair of Allen Edmund shoes. These are amazingly comfortable shoes. However, I prefer the style of European brand shoes.
This is the only shoe on the list I have never purchased – see the price tag. I will one day. Yes, they are expensive, but it takes 250 steps to make one pair of Berluti shoes.
Berluti is a French luxury shoe and menswear brand founded by Alessandro Berluti in 1895. The brand is renowned for its exquisite leather goods, particularly its shoes, which are highly sought after for their craftsmanship and unique patinas.
Berluti shoes are known for several unique features that set them apart:
- Signature Patina: Berluti is famous for its handcrafted patinas, which give each pair of shoes a unique and rich color. The patina process involves multiple layers of dye and polish applied by skilled artisans, resulting in a depth of color and a beautiful finish.
- Unconventional Materials: Berluti is known for using unconventional materials in its shoe designs, such as kangaroo leather, which is known for its strength and suppleness. The brand also uses exotic leathers like alligator and ostrich, adding to the luxury and uniqueness of its shoes.
- Exceptional Craftsmanship: Berluti shoes are handmade in the brand’s workshop in Ferrara, Italy, by skilled artisans who have honed their craft over generations. Each pair of shoes is made with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring a perfect fit and finish.
- Timeless Design: While Berluti is known for its innovative approach to materials and craftsmanship, its designs are timeless and classic. The brand’s shoes are elegant and sophisticated, making them suitable for a wide range of occasions.
One day, I will buy a pair from the Paris showroom.