In this section of the article, we have prepared a complete and comprehensive helpful guide for choosing and buying leather shoes when you are in the country of Italy.
Leather was among the most famous and sought-after specialty products from Italy for a very long time, even before savvy tourists discovered the pleasures of collecting hand-painted pottery from Deruta or Caltagirone, assembling pungent chocolates in Alba and Umbria, or selecting fine linens from Anghiari or Perugia.
In the Middle Ages, Florence, Italy, became the center of Europe’s artisan leather sessions.
At that time, the Oltrarno neighborhood in Florence was densely populated with craftsmen who made anything from footwear and accessories to embellished saddles, leather armor, and even ornate journal bindings out of leather.
This is when Italian leather first gained a reputation for its high quality and long-lasting nature.
BE AWARE OF YOUR LEATHER:
The quality of the leather itself is one of the most significant aspects that you must take into consideration while shopping for leather in Italy. The hide is the material from which leather is produced, and the hide is made up of several biological layers that are mechanically separated throughout the curing and tanning process.
Leather is produced from animal hide. The many kinds of leather that are produced are then placed into one of several distinct quality categories, including:
Piano Fiore, also known as full grain, is the type of leather that is regarded as being of the highest possible quality.
It is crafted from the topmost layer of the hide and is treasured for its ability to be both soft and long-lasting, as well as for retaining an enjoyable leather scent and maturing into a dark color with a natural gleam.
Cuoio di Grano, also known as top-grain leather, is a type of leather that is considered to be in the middle category.
It is also made from the top layer of the hide, but its natural flaws and pores are sanded down to produce a more even finish.
This is the type of leather that is used to make the vast majority of purses and wallets, and the distinction between pieno Fiore and parte Grano or cuoio di Grano is a subtle one that is not always easily distinguishable.
Vera pelle, also known as genuine leather, is the leather of the lowest standard.
It is crafted from the inner layer of the hide that is left over after the two layers of leather that are of a higher grade have been removed.
The majority of low-cost leather goods are constructed from vera pelle or vero cuoio, which frequently consists of multiple layers of low-quality leather that have been glued together and dyed to give the appearance of more prized leather.
Steer clear of cuoio rigenerato, also known as bonded leather, which is created from scraps of leather that are pressed and glued together, as well as imitation leathers made of simipelle or ecopelle.
ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO QUALITY:
Whether you are purchasing in a hip boutique, a craftsmanship workshop, or a halt in a market stall, you can quickly assess the quality of both the leather and the workmanship by following these guidelines:
Feel: High-quality leather has a velvety, buttery texture, is silky to the touch, and is not tough or papery in any way.
Leather should have an enjoyable, earthy aroma that tastes rich and natural, and it should have this aroma.
The leather of any kind that emits an odor similar to that of glue or chemical products is not of very excellent quality and will not endure the test of time.
Look: Before anything else, examine the hue.
The natural leather of the highest grade is dark golden brown in color, and it includes a natural grain that gives the leather both structure and depth.
You can get more variety with dyed leathers because they come in trendy hues, but you should make sure that the dyes are not being used to cover up lower-quality leather.
Examine any edges that have not been finished to determine whether the dye has been absorbed through all of the layers of the hide or whether it was simply painted on the surface.
Check the finishing and the stitching in the second step.
It is important that the stitches be neat and consistent, and that any finishing touches, such as zippers, buckles, or studs, be of the finest possible quality.
DECIDE WHERE TO SHOP:
Tourists to Italy can find excellent leather goods anywhere from the Alpine towns in the northern Dolomites to the islands off the southern coast of Italy’s coast; however, there are three major leather-producing industries, each offering a different life experience and level of expertise than the other two.
Craftsmen: Across Italy, there are a surprisingly large number of standalone leather workshops that are still actively accepting new customers.
You can find these specialized ateliers not only along the narrow pedestrian lanes in towns along the Amalfi Coast, on the hilltops in Umbria and Tuscany, and even in the quiet calle of Venice.
Of course, Florence has the highest concentration of these ateliers than any other city in Italy.
You can frequently observe these master craftspeople as they cut, sew, and hand-finish their pieces, and the resulting shoes, bags, gloves, and other accessories they create are stunning and one-of-a-kind.
Visit an artisan workshop if you are interested in having a pair of shoes or a bag made specifically to your specifications.
Luxury boutiques: Italy’s premium brands produce good leather products as well; however, the value of these goods lies not only in the quality of the leather and the craftsmanship but also in the prestigious name of the brand.
The majority of the production, which includes preparing the leather as well as the cutting and stitching of clothing and accessories, is outsourced to small and medium-sized businesses in the industrial leather sector (see below).
However, skilled artisans frequently take care of the meticulous final touches in-house for the brand.
Visit a designer boutique if you adore the elegant appearance of Italian design but also place a premium on the quality that is built to endure a lifetime if you respect both of these qualities.
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