European shoes brands

Val

Hello everyone, it was probably discussed many times here, but I don’t see it… sorry if it is the case.
Would you share your favorite shoes brands from Europe? I recently changed countries and climate, with all my belongings still in storage, and even if it was not - all I own is completely irrelevant to my current lifestyle.
Shoes were always the most difficult thing for me to buy and now I am lost completely.
I am looking for summer and mid-season shoes, with a small heel (3-5 cm), for everyday wear but dressy enough to be taken out on a casual occasion. Not for the office.
I actually saw some that I really like on YLF finds (ex Naturalizer D’Orsay pumps), but they would be shipped from outside Europe and it is a huge hassle because of duties, possible returns and such

2 weeks ago

Shopping

31 replies

Latest reply was from avicennia

pirouette

Active Member

I have shoes and boots from Gabor and Hispanitas. Both are good quality Gabor is a German make and Hispanitas is Spanish.

2 weeks ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I have Hispanitas too, they are imported to New Zealand by a good shoe store near my home. I also have Pikolinos and Wonders from the same store.
I have heard of Gabor and also Ara which are German. All are good and the ones I have are low heels!

2 weeks ago

jam

Active Member

When living in Ireland 8 years ago, I liked to browse the Clarks store. They had way more interesting and attractive styles than carried by US Clarks stores.

2 weeks ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Also an Italian brand called Evaluna.

2 weeks ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

If you Googled mikko.co.nz they have a brands list, all European. I know it’s a rather round about way to find out, Google an NZ shop from Portugal?!

2 weeks ago

Kate

Veteran

Rieker and Remonte are German brands that I’ve bought and are very good.

2 weeks ago

Val

Active Member

Thank you so much! I will try all the suggestions and come back to show what I’ve got.

2 weeks ago

Je Ne Sais Pas

Active Member

Seconding Hispanitas and Pikolinos.
Unisa is another great Spanish brand, as is Vialis.
Also from Spain: Camper and Pons Quintana. In general, these last two are more expensive and fashion-forward.

2 weeks ago

Sal

Veteran

I have had success over the years with

Dansko
Rieker
Pikolino
Hispanita
Birkenstock:)

I have heard good things about Russell and Bromley (UK) and Paul Green too but haven't owned them myself.

2 weeks ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Trippen, Birkenstock and A.S. 98, are better known and great and there are just tons of great Italian, Spanish and other brands that might not be really well known but make excellent shoes. I think I would start with what is locally distributed where your are.

2 weeks ago

Kate

Veteran

Seconding A.S.98 and of course, Birkenstocks.

2 weeks ago

Jonesy

Veteran

Yoox is an online retailer based in Italy with an enormous selection of European (designer) brands; their offerings are typically past season, so they are discounted. I have purchased shoes on yoox.com from Vic Matie, Moma, and Henry Beguelin. Might be worth a browse!

2 weeks ago

Kathie

Veteran

I haven’t purchased from them yet, but UmmLila has a great pair of sling backs from Jonak, and I might try them out. Nodding along about Hispanitas. I have a pair that’s 5+ years old and still in great shape.

2 weeks ago

avicennia

Veteran

It really depends on your style. Are you wanting refined shoes, or a more edgy look? Right now, I’m going for the later and have been buying from Camper, a Spanish brand with a fashion forward look.

2 weeks ago

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Val, what are your foot needs?

E.g. I have wide feet & a high instep, & I swear by FitFlop (not a European brand per se, but they have separate EU & UK websites, plus physical shops).

P.S. I wouldn't recommend Clarks anymore - agree they were good in the past (when I lived in the UK), but I've been disappointed with the price VS comfort ratio the last few times. Also heard from someone who works there that their quality has gone downhill.

Good luck with your shoe hunt!

2 weeks ago

anchie

Veteran

From my experience every European country has different brands available, especially in stores, probably better variety online. Here in Austria local and German brands are most easily available, like Gabor, Hogl, Paul Green, Ara, Birkenstok and Tamaris. Lot of Geox and Ecco stores too. I also like Hispanitas. I don’t think that Dansko are european, never seen them. Two brands that I also like but found only online are Si Barcelona and Alpe, they could be Spanish

2 weeks ago

Helena

Veteran

Birkenstock and Ecco are my two faves for comfort-first style!

2 weeks ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

More love for Paul Green, Ecco, and what Jaime said!

If you have narrower feet, Italian shoes tend to work well.

2 weeks ago

Joy

Veteran

Know if your feet are narrow or wide and where your stchis. Shoes like Clark's have the arch in the wrong place for my feet and are not comfortable for all day. My feet are narrow so
i have luck with Vionic and anything that runs narrow.

2 weeks ago

avicennia

Veteran

I agree with Angie, Italian shoes are good for narrow feet. And I second Anchie, I love my Ara sneakers, I find them much more comfortable than Paul Green.

2 weeks ago

Jen

Active Member

Worishofer sandals are very fun— come in great colors, adjustable straps and very comfortable.

2 weeks ago

Val

Active Member

Thank you all again, sorry I don't answer to each in detail. This is a whole new world for me, I am studying all the suggested stores.

My feet are regular, not wide, not narrow, and don't have too much of an arch, I usually don't have troubles with fit.

I descovered though that I went up one size comparing to 4 years ago, don't know how it is possible - I didn't gain weight or got bunions, just the foot got longer.

Local offline offer is very limited, I should go to Lisbon or Sevilla to shop in person I guess, just need to sortout immediate needs right now.

Thank you so much again, it is so helpful

2 weeks ago

Val

Active Member

From what I tried - Gioseppo are fun, but don't live long, leather if very soft and comfortable though

2 weeks ago

nuancedream

Veteran

Another vote for Camper. Comfortable and cute. I also like Fidji (Portugal) and M. Gemi (Italy).

2 weeks ago

lyn67

Veteran

Clarks, Gabor, Ara, Tamaris, Rieker....Where exactly are you interrested to know? Do you want online or B&M stores? Suggest trying on the EU sizes in B&M stores first to see how they fit...then you can order online easier.

2 weeks ago

Joy

Veteran

My post meant to say know where your arch is. Some shoes that have it in the wrong place can be very uncomfortable.

2 weeks ago

Val

Active Member

lyn67 I look for online mostly, clothes and shoes B&M stores are very few here and badly strocked - I am in a provincial town in the south of Portugal. There is much more chance to see good stuff in offline in Lisbon or Sevilla, both same distance from me, but I thought it is too precise of a location to ask advice about. I was probably wrong!

What exactly I am interested in - I just want to have the places where to look for comfotable but stylish shoes - I spent my life in high heeled pumps, it was easy to buy, easy to wear, easy to coodinate with the outfit, I just picked a color from the outfit and matched it with teh pumps.

But now my lifestyle is completely different and pumps are out of the question.

Joy ok, I understand it now, I never paid attention to this. I guess I treated pretty badly my feet, and now they rebelled and paying me back - now I do feel uncomortable in many shoes and don't understand why. I will pay attention to the arch

1 week ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I have very good friends who have travelled to Portugal several times (initially in 1989 which I realise is 35 years ago) and who have always said how great the shoes were from there? When they have gone back for nostalgic reasons re-living their youthful travels they often bring back shoes? I have never been to Portugal or Spain, but could you not search on Portuguese brands or Spanish brands? Surely those countries would be able to deliver shoes? I am a little confused.
I understand that the stores in your town may not have a great selection and you might need to try a bigger city, but I am puzzled as to why you can’t narrow the search down by internet better first.

1 week ago

Val

Active Member

Jenni NZ it is very interesting! Actually Portugal has great production facilities for shoes and many French (and I would think other countries' ) brands have their products manufactured here in Portugal. As for buying here offline - either one has to be in a manufacturing area (we have "furniture valley" - geographical area where all the furniture manufacturers are located, "shoes valley" etc.) or in a big city like Lisbon and Porto.

But when I am sitting in front of my screen and type in "low heel slingbacks", in portuguese/english/french, I get lot's of zara-asos etc propositions.

Interestingly, now that I did searches of specific brands that were sugegsted here, I get proposed more things that look like what I am lookinf for - I guess Google's algorithms finally got what I am looking for!

And also I am not a good shoe shopper - I can buy lingerie from the other side of the planet in a difficult size and it will fit me as a glove, second hand dress from Vinted only with two fuzzy pictures and get it right - I know what will work for me. But shoes - constant struggle, style wise and comfort wise.

1 week ago

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