For work, a special occasion, or simply everyday elegance, a good pair of dress shoes is essential. Here are our recommendations of well-made shoe brands crafted from quality leathers.
With so many brands available, it can be difficult to navigate the landscape. At Bonnegueule, we appreciate shoes that are well designed, durable, and resoleable. The purpose of this selection is to help you identify reliable brands according to your budget and your needs.
A good shoe starts with good leather. We prioritize high-quality full-grain leathers sourced from renowned European tanneries, capable of developing a patina and gaining character over time.
We work exclusively with stitched constructions for greater durability. Our range includes Goodyear-welted and Norwegian-welted models for maximum resistance in all situations, as well as softer and immediately comfortable constructions such as Blake and Bologna.
The shape (or “last”) is essential: it determines the overall look and style of the shoe.
We develop elegant and comfortable lines, slightly rounded, that are easy to wear and integrate equally well into more refined or more casual outfits.
As a French brand, we manufacture our creations in Europe, with workshops we know well and follow over time. We like to explain our choices: origin of the materials, manufacturing workshops, technical details…
Transparency is an integral part of the way we design clothing.
Alongside our own collection, many brands offer quality shoes and boots. We have selected different brands across several price ranges to help guide you through this vast market.
The brands are organized by indicative price ranges corresponding to different segments. These benchmarks are mainly intended to help you understand what you can expect at each budget level, rather than designating the “best” shoe brands in absolute terms.
Good leather shoes are expensive. Because of this, the offering below €250 is not particularly extensive. That being said, you will still find a few competitively priced brands offering honorable quality models (decent-quality leathers, stitched constructions).
Brands to know:
LodinG, Meermin, Orban’s, Rudy’s (for smaller budgets), Skolyx, Ypson’s
Beautiful leathers, well-designed lasts, quality constructions. This is the segment where you’ll find the best quality-to-price ratio, with shoes that can last a long time if properly cared for.
Brands to explore:
Carlos Santos, Crownhill Shoes, Malfroid, Max Sauveur, Morjas, Myrqvist, Paraboot, Red Wing, Sanders & Sanders, Septième Largeur, TLB Mallorca, Vass Shoes, Wolverine 1000 Mile, Yanko
Refined lasts or timeless classic shapes from renowned shoemakers. Noble leathers such as very fine calfskins, tanned according to traditional methods and sourced from prestigious French, English, and Italian tanneries. Construction is flawlessly executed.
Benchmark brands:
Alden, Alfred Sargent, Antonio Meccariello, Carmina, Caulaincourt, Crockett & Jones, J.M. Weston, Tricker’s, Viberg
Highly refined pairs with genuine craftsmanship and meticulous construction, sometimes handmade, using exceptional leathers. This is also the price range where most shoes made from the famous cordovan leather (horse rump leather) can be found.
Brands to discover:
Aubercy, Corthay, Edward Green, Gaziano & Girling, John Lobb, St Crispin
Second-hand is a relevant option to start with: there is plenty of choice and attractive prices. It is important to check the overall condition of the pair: the sole, the leather, and the overall structure. As for hygiene, there are sprays available that clean the inside of the shoe.
If you would like access to beautiful pieces at a more accessible price, we also recommend taking a look at our Bonnegueule Second Hand selection.
There, we resell shoes from previous collections, customer returns, or even lightly worn shooting samples, all in very good condition.
There is no single answer. Some brands stand out depending on the budget, but also because of the variety of their offering and the styles they propose. This page gives you benchmarks and recommendations to help you find the shoes that suit you.
The Oxford is more formal, with closed lacing. The Derby is more open and versatile, with open lacing that is often easier to wear on a daily basis in more casual outfits.
Goodyear welted construction is sturdier (construction with two stitches) and easier to resole, but also more rigid and slightly heavier. Blake stitching is finer (construction with one stitch) and more flexible.
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to resole a Blake-stitched shoe, although fewer times than a Goodyear-welted one.
A dark-colored Derby or loafer (black or brown) is often a good starting point: versatile, easy to pair, and suitable for many situations.
Boots are generally more casual and suited to autumn/winter, although some can be worn with tailoring, such as Chelsea boots or Balmoral boots. Low shoes are slightly more discreet and versatile.
You can find decent models around €200–300. The best quality-to-price ratio is generally found between €300 and €500.
Place your shoes on wooden shoe trees. Brush them with a shoe brush, then apply some cleaning milk with a cloth. You can go further, but these simple steps already cover the essentials of shoe care and will help your shoes last longer.
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