Shoe shopping in Europe
-
A
Francesco da Firenze
Jolly Francesco and his crew hammer out fine men’s footwear in the dusty workshop just behind their slightly less dusty shop. He provides ready-to-wear models as well as made-to-measure kicks at surprisingly non-astronomical rates.
reviewed
-
B
Daniela Ghezzo
A gold chain is pulled across the doorway, but not because Daniela is out: she’s chatting with a customer about shoe preferences while taking foot measurements. In the atelier once run by the legendary Segalin-family cobblers, maestra Ghezzo continues the tradition of custom-making every pair to measure, so you’ll never see your oxblood ankle boots on another art collector, or your Florentine brown wingtips on a rival titan of industry.
reviewed
-
C
Gmeiner
London, Paris, Toyko: Gabriele Gmeiner honed her shoemaking craft in sartorial centres around the globe, and jet-setters now seek out her hidden Venice workshop for ultrasleek Oxfords with hidden ‘bent’ seams and brogues minutely detailed with hand-stitching, all made to measure for men and women. If Gabriele’s not stitching on-site, she’s probably at the women’s prison on Giudecca, where she leads a job training program in shoe design.
reviewed
-
D
Mörtz
On any given weekend, elderly ladies and gents of the city can be seen riding buses and trams to the Wienerwald (Vienna Woods) for a bit of Wandern (hiking). Their boots look as though they've survived both world wars and they'd easily survive another couple - they're probably from Mörtz. Here you can find superb handmade hiking boots sturdy enough for any hike you care to undertake, and they're comfortable to boot.
reviewed
-
E
Mauro Leoni
You knew there had to be a fun, original, wearable, inexpensive shoe maker in Milan, and Mauro's it. Metallic ballet slippers with an X marking the spot across the toe, 1940s pink wing-tip pumps, red polka-dotted grosgrain heels, and orange T-strap flats, all for less than around €75 - it's enough to make you forget all about that mean old Manolo and standoffish Jimmy Choo, and finally fall in love again.
reviewed
-
F
Baťa
Established by Tomáš Baťa in 1894, the Baťa footwear empire is still in family hands and is one of the Czech Republic’s most successful companies. The flagship store on Wenceslas Square, built in the 1920s, is considered a masterpiece of modern architecture, and houses six floors of shoes (including international brands such as Nike, Salomon and Cat, as well as Baťa’s own), handbags, luggage and leather goods.
reviewed
-
G
Giovanna Zanella
Woven, sculpted and crested like lagoon birds: Zanella’s shoes practically demand that red carpets unfurl before you. The Venetian designer makes shoes custom, so the answer is always: yes, you can get those peep-toe numbers in yellow and grey, size 12, extra narrow. It’ll cost you of course, but at least you won’t be upstaged by Angelina Jolie in the same pair at the Venice Film Festival.
reviewed
-
H
Berluti
A custom-made shoe for every man's passing whim: go Zen in profound seaweed-green leather, rock out in deep purple, or warm up in sun-bronzed ochre that's the essence of Italy. There's the occasional misstep, like wing-tips covered with Da Vinci code scribblings - but the streamlined, single-eyelet numbers don't miss a beat. Prices have more than adjusted for inflation since Berluti was founded in 1895.
reviewed
-
I
La Vetrina di Beryl
Barbara Beryl’s name was known to cultists around the world, way before Manolo became a byword for female desire. Stumbling upon this deceptively nondescript shop is like chancing upon the shoeracks at a Vogue Italia photo shoot. Edgier pieces from Prada, Marc Jacobs and Costume National are joined by practically certifi able eccentrics like Paul Harden. There’s a rack or two of clothes too.
reviewed
-
J
Shoebaloo
We like the chic shoes here – imports include Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Miu Miu and Prada Sport, along with the less expensive but just as wearable house label. This branch is more central, but the one at PC Hooftstraat 80 has one of our favourite interiors in town: imagine a giant white spaceship tinged with green and lined with shoe shelves and eggs for you to sit on.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Stefano Bemer
Men’s footwear doesn’t get better than this. The shop’s brochure justifies the extravagance this way: ‘Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten.’ Combining classic designs with a modern flair, Bemer produces both made-to-measure and prêt-à-porter models. Materials range from English suede to the skins of crocodiles, ostriches, stingrays and, yes, toads.
reviewed
-
L
Hogan
The saving grace of cobblestone-pounding, style-conscious Milanese, Hogan built a global reputation on fancy sneakers that are a dream to wear. Now that flair for casual finery is also found in retro peep-toe platforms and funky orange, brown and green striped bags in buttery leather. Prices are competitive with other Golden Quad designers, around €200.
reviewed
-
Bertolini & Borse
You can't go to Italy and come away without buying at least one pair of shoes. So why not do it in style at this legendary store, established in 1923 and located in Turin's most fashionable shopping street? Besides high quality (and sometimes quirky) footwear, it stocks handbags, clothing and accessories to satisfy the most demanding style-fiend.
reviewed
-
Fred de la Bretonière
This Dutch shoe designer’s products are solid and not terribly expensive, as if made to ride a bicycle in. That sounds dull, but in fact Fred satisfies the burning need for both a sensible heel and a knee-high boot in candy- apple red leather. Men’s shoes are also available, though the colour spectrum isn’t as broad.
reviewed
-
M
Helen Bateman
From sparkly stilettos and sleek satin pumps to 1950s-style open-sided court shoes and soft suede loafers, Helen Bateman’s shop has every kind of handmade shoe and boot you could wish for. You can even order customised satin shoes – slingbacks, pumps or kitten heels – dyed to any colour and decorated with whatever your heart desires.
reviewed
-
N
Salvatore Ferragamo
Another grand Florentine name, Ferragamo gained fame by custom making shoes for famous feet - think Katherine Hepburn. Men can order made-to-measure shoes and choose the material, from crocodile skin to classic leather. The boutique also turns out clothes and accessories for the more mature and conservative fashion follower.
reviewed
-
O
Seventyfive
At this true temple to trainers, you can stimulate your sports-shoe obsession with all the latest high-tech footwear. For sport or fashion you're sure to find something here that'll make your toes twinkle. The brands on offer include Gola, Diesel, Everlast, Nike and Adidas. Naturally, Von Dutch makes an appearance too.
reviewed
-
P
Tolin
A master repairman of all things in leather, Signor Tolin also makes shoes and boots to measure of all descriptions, including orthopaedic ones. Shoes are piled up any old how in the shop window. Two-toned numbers, girl's boots, classic shoes for stepping out - you name it, Signor Tolin can probably do it!
reviewed
-
Q
Zeiss
Milan’s miles of cobblestones and days of drizzle can make the most dedicated heel-wearer weep. Take a cue from locals who don Bikkemberg trainers for day. Patent and metallic options are available for those who refuse to entirely discard glam. There’s also a large range for children and men.
reviewed
-
R
Calzature Boccanera
This old-fashioned Testaccio shoe store stocks big designer names at big designer prices. With a great range of men’s and women’s footwear, here you’ll find Tod’s, Gucci, Prada and D&G, among others. It’s particularly worth a look at sale time.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
Borini
Those in the know pile into this unglitzy shop, run by the Borinis since 1940, to try on the cool, candy-coloured shoes. Whatever is fashionable this season, be it wedges or winklepickers, Borini will have it, at reasonable prices and in a cover-every-eventuality rainbow palette.
reviewed
-
T
Tod's
The quintessential Italian shoe merchants have been dressing the heels of Florentine families for decades. Their classic, comfy loafers, in all manner of shapes, sizes and colours, are best known for the practical rubber studs on their heels which help reduce driving scuffs.
reviewed
-
U
Tod’s
The trademark of Tod’s is its rubber-studded loafers (the idea was to reduce those pesky driving scuffs), perfect weekend footwear for kicking back at your country estate. This flagship store showcases top-of-the-range casual shoes and expensive leather accessories.
reviewed
-
V
La Manual Alpargatera
The bright white shop front is a local landmark. Everyone from the Pope to Michael Douglas has ordered a pair of espadrilles (rope-soled canvas shoes or sandals) from this store, which sholds its own against Nike and co. It also does a line in sun hats and bags.
reviewed
-
W
Manuela Calzature
This is a small family business with a broad if somewhat conservative range of shoes, including more expensive footwear that the family makes under its own name. Don't judge it by the cheap junk outside, and dare to penetrate inside this musty, narrow store.
reviewed
