Shoe shopping in Italy
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Da Costanzo
In 1959 Clarke Gable stopped off at this tiny, unpretentious shoe shop on the main street to get himself a pair of handmade leather sandals (to go with the Bermuda shorts he picked up earlier at the famous La Parissienne). The shop’s still going, selling a bewildering range of colourful styles to a mixed crowd of passers-by and shoe aficionados. Prices start at around €90, which is a small investment for gleaning a piece of Hollywood history.
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La Botteguccia de Giovanni
A reliable place to come for handmade sandals made by craftsman Giovanni in his small workroom at the back of the shop. Choose the colour leather and any decorative bits and pieces you want (shells are particularly well suited to Positano somehow…), tell him your size and then nip round the corner for a cappuccino while he makes them. Prices start at around €50.
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La Rapida
There are numerous shops selling leather sandals in the centro storico but head to the far end of Via Fuoro and you’ll find this tiny cobbler. An old-fashioned shop, it doesn’t have a huge range, but the quality’s as good as anywhere else and the prices (from €30) are generally better. It also does repairs.
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Maria Rosaria Ferrara
Get a pedicure and then step out in a pair of these ornate handmade soft gelati-coloured leather sandals decorated with natural shells, shimmering beads and sparkling sequins. Maria will also custom design a pair for you – handy if you want to match an outfit.
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Fratelli Rossetti
For one of the last words in classic elegant footwear, made to last a lifetime, you should have a browse here.
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Fausto Santini
Rome’s best-known shoe designer, Fausto Santini is famous for his beguilingly simple, architectural shoe designs. Colours are beautiful, quality impeccable.
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Mori & Bozzi
These pumps aren't for frumps. Ladies, pop in here for fun footwear. Sandals to high heels, platforms to flats, you'll find all sorts of designs to wiggle your toes in.
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Iris
Those in the know head to Iris to snap up not-so-easy to find footwear from edgier under-license labels John Galliano, Proenza Schouler, Veronique Branquinho and Viktor & Rolf.
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Calzoleria Bologna
Starring hometown shoemakers as well as Bolognese and foreign competitors, Florentines come here for eye-catching kicks at earth-bound (not bargain) prices. Even Converse comes with a twist.
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Posto Italiano
Reasonably priced Posto Italiano has an always-beguiling collection of fashionable, accessible and highly wearable women’s shoes. A showcase for emerging Italian designers, it also stocks more established brands.
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Loco
Sneaker fetishists should hotfoot it to Loco for the very latest in big-statement footwear. It’s a small shop, but full of attitude, with an interesting collection of original sneakers (for boys and girls), winged boots and suede sandals by international and Italian designers.
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De Bach
Squeezed between the big-name outlets, De Bach sells glittering shoes for girls with attitude. Six-inch stiletto-heeled sandals in gold and silver are not for the faint-hearted but, hell, lady, you're the boss.
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Sciù Scià
Walk past and you’d miss it but the local ladies love Sciù Scià for its own range of handmade shoes and multicoloured suede bags. Styles are sensible but chic, classic with a twist, and the quality is excellent. Bank on at least €90 for flats, €150 plus for a bag.
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Antonio Barbaro
Preppy guys head here for new-season shoes from TOD and Hogan and crisp shirts from Polo Ralph Lauren. Preppies-in-training can pick up toddler-sized Hogan, Rich and Baci a few doors down at Barbaro Junior (Via Toledo 231).
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Le Solferine
Turn the sidewalk into your own personal runway in Solferine's standout shoes. Any week is Fashion Week in handcrafted boots with inlaid rhinestone heels, and it only takes two of those gold leather peep toe heels to tango.
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Car Shoe
Now under the wing of Patrizio Bertelli (Mr Prada), the original ‘60s hybrid of sport shoe and smart casual loafer is set for a comeback in this flagship shop. To counter the lothario rep, it now also does ranges for women and kids.
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Deliberti
This is the place to replenish your designer trainer range. Brands stocked include Helmut Lang, Puma, Bikkemberg and Adidas. Keep an eye out for a small, dangerous-looking range of leopard-print stilettos by Casadei. Sales are common.
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Sergio Rossi
Pop into what feels like Sergio's living room where, elegantly strewn about, you'll find some of his supersexy shoes for women - stilettos reign supreme. While steeped in the classic, his creations are innovative in colour and design.
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AVC by Adriana V Campanile
Designer Campanile started with a small shop in Parioli, and nowadays her heels stalk the city. You can see why: AVC shoes and boots are covetably wearable, stunningly chic and practical – and not insanely priced.
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AVC by Adriana V Campanile (Galleria Alberto Sordi)
Roman designer Campanile started with a small shop in Parioli, and nowadays her heels stalk the city. You can see why: AVC’s shoes and boots are covetably wearable, stunningly chic and practical – and not insanely priced.
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Mada
Blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Mada is one of those shops that transcends fashion, supplying supremely elegant, beautifully made shoes (€210 to €380) to discerning Italian women of all ages. Pure old-school Italian quality.
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Raspini
A classic Florentine purveyor of fine footwear, with an enticing range of quality fashion for both sexes. They carry such designer names as Prada, Miu Miu and Armani. Now a prosperous chain across town, Raspini first got into business in 1965.
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Crepida
Join the queues of Romans-in-the-know at this tiny shop tucked behind Largo Argentina. Here you can get custom-made shoes at off-the-peg prices; that is, €250 for a pair of boots, €135 for a pair of shoes. They take about 10 days to make.
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Jossa
There's nothing restrained about the ultracool menswear collection here: paint-splashed denim, hot-pink shirts, striped pastel knitwear and sexy pinstriped suits. Match it all up with hip footwear from Pantofola d'Oro, Carshoe and Abercrombie & Fitch.
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Cesare Paciotti
Although a few pairs of men's shoes sneak in here, the bulk of the show is a ladies-only affair. Classic footwear, that knows no fashion fade, sits alongside funkier gear that will put a spring in your step but might look silly in a couple of years' time.
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