BlogTop 10 Luxury Shoe Brands in India for Men and Women [August, 2024]
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Owning a collection of high-quality luxury shoes offers unmatched style, comfort, and sophistication that lasts years. This extensive guide covers the top 14 luxury shoe brands in India, the hallmarks of luxury footwear, an overview of luxury shoe types, and an in-depth buyer’s guide to help you make the perfect choice.
Top 10 Luxury Footwear Brands in India
After extensive research and evaluation, we have curated the top 14 marquee names setting benchmarks in luxury shoes in India currently:
- Steve Madden
- Aldo
- Superdry
- Allen Solly
- Woodland
- Puma
- Adidas
- Hugo Boss
- Clarks
- Red Tape
Let’s get familiar with the heritage, house styles, and key features for each to determine which brand best matches your luxury footwear needs:
1. Steve Madden
By combining on-trend styling with fine Italian craftsmanship, Steve Madden has cemented itself among the most coveted designer shoe labels since its inception in 1990.
Heritage – Originated as a humble start-up selling shoes out of founder Steve Madden’s trunk. The self-made empire now encompasses over 170 brick-and-mortar stores internationally alongside ecommerce.
Signature Styles – Trend-focused pumps, mules, booties and sandals for women. Smart oxfords, loafers, Chelsea boots, and monk straps for men.
Standout Features –
- Premium leathers hand-finished by Italian artisans
- Cushioned footbeds on sneakers
- Studs, buckles, and eye-catching embellishments
- On-trend perspex and metallic finishes
2. Aldo
In a short span of 5 decades, Canadian brand Aldo has expanded operations across 100+ countries retailing premium yet affordable designer footwear for young fashionistas.
Heritage – Founded in Montreal in 1972 . Started by crafting handmade wooden clogs before venturing into trend-led footwear. Now reaches style mavens in every corner of the globe.
Signature Styles – Block heels, flatforms, mules and slides for women. Smart oxfords, brogues, and monk straps for men. Contemporary designs in keeping with international catwalks.
Standout Features –
- Buttery soft leather, rich suede and woven textiles
- Lightweight EVA outsoles with slip resistance
- Cushioned memory foam insoles on select lines
- New Arrivals updated weekly
3. Superdry
Staying true to its tagline of “Made to last, built to prove it”, every Superdry product including shoes carries quality hallmarks. Their smart kicks infuse Japanese style sensibilities with vintage Americana vibes.
Heritage – Founded in the UK in 2003 by James Holder and Julian Dunkerton MB. Combines textural elements of Japanese aesthetics with relaxed casual American details.
Signature Styles – Sport-inspired low tops, skater shoes and slip-ons for a street style look in pops of color and graphic prints. Flip flops adorned with bold logos for relaxed styling.
Standout Features –
- Premium fabrics like canvas, leather, and soft nubucks
- Textural elements and minimalist prints
- Partly crafted using recycled polyesters
- Flexible natural rubber outsoles
4. Allen Solly
Madura Fashion & Retail Limited launched its flagship affordable luxury label – Allen Solly in 1993 and has dominated workwear and occasion-wear segments since. Clean tailored lines, smart accents and Italian craftsmanship define their footwear collections.
Heritage – One of India’s first brands to introduce the concept of Friday dressing with its signature range in 1993. Ushered in smart fashion to corporate workplaces.
Standout Features –
- Italian Nappa and patent leather dress shoes
- Field watches with NATO straps
- Smart brogues and oxfords for men
- Sophisticated stilettos and kitten heels for women
5. Woodland
Woodland began manufacturing hardy outdoor trekking shoes in Quebec Canada back in 1947 . While rugged outdoor and trekking shoes sit at the core of offerings, Woodland also retails smart leather sneakers and casuals targeted at the style-conscious.
Heritage – Founded in 1947 in Quebec, Canada. Launched operations in India in 1992 starting off with outdoor and trekking shoes. The first brand to introduce leather shoes in vibrant colors.
Signature Styles – Durable outdoor shoes and trekking sandals equipped to brave the elements. Sport-inspired leather sneakers with contemporary color pops.
Standout Features –
- Waterproof, abrasion-resistant and breathable
- Lightweight Phylon and EVA soles
- Rugged high traction rubber outsoles
- Customizable with prints and laces
6. Puma
This legacy sportswear manufacturer needs no introduction. Started supplying footwear for the Olympics in 1936, continues to be the choice of record-breaking athletes and sportspeople across disciplines. Their lifestyle collecton combines technology with streetwise styling.
Heritage – Founded in 1948 by Rudolf and Adolf Dassler. Originally partnered with Nike for footwear manufacture before branching out independently. Now retails in over 120 countries.
Signature Styles – Heritage styles reinvented for streetwear like the Suede, Basket etc. Smart solid leather low tops and laceless offerings. Classics revived with modern knit Jacquards.
Standout Features –
- Soft suede, full grain leather and woven textile uppers
- Flex groove rubber outsoles for flexing with the foot
- IMEVA midsoles for cushioning and comfort
- Made using vegan and recycled materials
7. Adidas
The iconic three stripes mark excellence backed by decades of sportswear design and innovation. Adidas has outfitted countless athletes and games including FIFA World Cup & Manchester United. Their Originals lifestyle lines allow you to wear those legacies off-field blending retro with contemporary.
Heritage – Founded by Adolf Dassler in Germany in 1949 after splitting from his brother and former partner Rudolf who went on to create Puma. The name combines founder’s nickname Adi with Das, an abbreviation of Dassler.
Signature Styles – Heritage classics like Stan Smiths; reimagined with modern Primeknit sock constructions. Fan favorites such as Superstar and Continental 80 in pop colors
Standout Features –
- lightstrike and Boost midsoles for energized comfort
- Sock-like Primeknit uppers
- TraxionTM rubber outsoles for grip
- Infinity Weave and recycled materials
8. Hugo Boss
Understated luxury sits at the heart of this eponymous empire built by German couturier Hugo Boss post World War 2. Impeccable tailoring in luxe fabrics translates beautifully into their range of hand-finished dress shoes featuring sophisticated color palettes and elevated details.
Heritage – Founded in 1924 Metzingen, Germany by Hugo Boss. Began by manufacturing uniforms before venturing into luxury men’s and women’s clothing. All products are crafted to exacting standards in Italy.
Signature Styles – Formal Oxfords, loafers and Chelsea boots for modern power dressing. Low kitten heels and pointed toe flats for feminine flair.
Standout Features –
- Hand burnished Italian calfskin leather
- Elevated detailing like tassels and hardware
- Shock-absorbing rubber lug soles
- Sophisticated color palettes
9. Clarks
This legacy British brand is still family-owned since its beginnings in 1825. With nearly 200 years perfecting the craft, Clarks continues to deliver heritage styles like Desert Boots, Wallabees and Chukkas blended with contemporary technologies for modern needs.
Heritage – Founded by brothers Cyrus and James Clark in Somerset, England in 1825. Still family-run and headquartered in the region delivering benchmarks in comfort technologies and timeless silhouettes.
Signature Styles – Originals like the Desert Boot, Wallabee, and Trigenic. Smart brogues, loafers, lace-ups and slip-ons marked by clean, fuss-free lines.
Standout Features –
- Natural crepe, latex foam and EVA soles
- Removable ortholite insoles
- Premium water-resistant leathers
- Air circulation systems for breathability
10. Red Tape
In 25 years, Red Tape has cemented its position as India’s leading affordable menswear label across categories, and most certainly where formal brogues, oxfords loafers and dress boots are concerned. Impressive variety with quality equaling expensive counterparts at fractional prices.
Heritage – Homegrown brand launched in 1998. Pioneer in delivering international styling and detailing in Indian ethnic silhouettes for local sensibilities.
Signature Styles – Formal shoes including brogues, oxfords, loafers and lace-ups in classic as well as modern fits. Smart Chelsea and chukka boots in nubuck and leather.
Standout Features –
- Cushioned memory foam insoles
- Shock absorbing EVA outsoles
- Water resistance treatments
- Handcrafted in specialized factories
Comparison of Luxury Shoe Brands
| Brand | Key Materials | Signature Styles | Comfort Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Madden | Italian leather, suede | Pumps, mules, oxfords | Cushioned footbeds |
| Aldo | Leather, suede, woven fabrics | Block heels, flats, oxfords | Memory foam insoles, EVA outsoles |
| Superdry | Canvas, leather, nubucks | Slip-ons, flip flops, sneakers | Rubber outsoles |
| Allen Solly | Nappa leather | Brogues, oxfords, heels, flats | Water-resistant leather |
| Woodland | Leather | Sneakers, outdoor shoes | Phylon, EVA soles |
| Puma | Suede, leather, textiles | Suede, Basket styles | IMEVA midsoles |
| Adidas | Leather, Primeknit | Stan Smiths, Continental 80 | Boost cushioning |
| Hugo Boss | Calfskin leather | Oxfords, loafers, Chelsea boots | Rubber lug soles |
| Clarks | Leather | Desert boots, Wallabees, Trigenic | Crepe, latex foam soles |
| Red Tape | Leather | Brogues, oxfords, loafers, boots | Memory foam insoles |
How To Choose The Best Luxury Shoes – Buyers’ Guide
Follow this guide covering fit, materials, silhouette, and styling tips to invest in hand-crafted designer shoes that do justice to your personal signature style and last years.
Fit & Sizing
Fit should be the number one priority, so have your feet sized every time you shop instead of relying on old data. Your feet change dimensions over years.
Try shoes towards the end of day when feet are marginally swollen to better gauge fit. Wear the socks you’d normally style them with.
The ideal fit leaves about half a thumb’s gap between your longest toe and shoe tip. Heels shouldn’t lift inside when walking. If too tight, the material will give and stretch over time so buy slightly roomy. Leather shoes take time breaking in.
If one foot is larger, fit shoes to that foot. Use insert pads to take up volume. Have both shoes tried on, not just left or right. Walk around the store and even try a short jog to check slippage before buying.
Materials & Maintenance
Leather ages beautifully developing character and patina over time. Tough full grain is durable, easy to care for and molds to your feet. Textured patents and metallics make dressy statements.
Suede and nubuck look luxe but need weather protection sprays. Canvas is softer, washing machine friendly but less water resistant. Synthetics and vegan leather work but test quality first.
Copper and fiberglass shanks provide arch support. Soles are either glued or stitched using techniques like Goodyear Welt. The latter allows resoling to extend shoe life.
Use cedar shoe trees to retain shape. Keep stored dust-free inside fabric shoe bags. Avoid wearing the same pair on consecutive days. Clean gently with specialized wipes and apply leather creams to nourish.
Style Tips
Classics like oxfords and loafers have forever style status, but update finishes and colors per trends. Metallic Tones, patent and matte mixes are hot for partywear. Neons add Gen Z edge.
Match shoe personality to your personal style. Luxe sport styles like Puma x Balmain sneakers or Cole Haan Zerogrands fuse smart with casual. Minimal brands like Clarks, Hugo Boss and Charles & Keith offer muted refinement. Rocker chic labels like Steve Madden and Aldo carry flamboyance.
Invest in staples black and nudes plus experiment with statement styles in equally enduring colorways like white, blue or wine. Limit trend-led designs to accessories for longevity. Pay attention to occasion-appropriateness. Formal shoes won’t work with dressy casuals. Stick to versatile neutrals if building a core luxury shoe wardrobe.
Be budget conscious and analyze cost per use. Luxury needn’t equal expensive. Prioritize investing in classic staples from affordable luxury brands like Aldo, Charles & Keith, and Inc.5 that will work for years over seasonal trendy pairs. Sale shop timeless investment pieces.
Many luxury brands manufacture their lines across India, Sri Lanka and Italy maintaining strict quality control at fraction of importing full price. This allows brands like Red Tape, Allen Solly and Metro Shoes to retail affordable luxury.
Care for shoes well using shoe trees, water protection sprays and conditioners to prolong life span. Get them resoled once outsoles wear down to renew.
What Defines Luxury Shoes?
Luxury shoes check the following boxes:
Premium Materials – The finest leathers like calf, lizard, and alligator skin, buttery soft suede, rich canvas etc.
Expert Craftsmanship – Handcrafted by master artisans using specialized techniques like Goodyear welting. Marks of careful handiwork.
Comfort Technologies – Anatomical arch support, cushioned footbeds, moisture-wicking linings, and flex groove soles.
Brand Heritage & History – Legacy brands have perfected shoemaking over decades or centuries. Their heritage inspires trust in the quality.
Style & Exclusivity – Luxury shoes feature exclusive lasts, on-trend silhouettes, innovative embellishments and detailing that helps the wearer stand apart. Limited edition runs are common.
Investment Worthy – Thanks to premium constituents and flawless make, they last several years with proper care. Some even gain value over time.
Types of Luxury Shoes
Before exploring brands, let’s overview the kinds of luxury shoes considered wardrobe staples:
Oxfords – Formal lace-up shoes for suits featuring closed lacings and sleek profiles. Cap toe and brogue detailing are popular. Consider brands like Hugo Boss, Red Tape, Steve Madden.
Loafers – Sophisticated slip-ons ideal for smart casual office and weekend wear. Penny, tassel and snaffle loafers reign supreme. Try Aldo, Clarks, Allen Solly.
Monk Straps – Similar to oxfords but with a buckled strap instead of laces. They work well with modern slim fits. Check out options by Red Tape, Steve Madden.
Brogues – Distinguished by decorative perforations and serrated edges on leather panels. Smart wingtips and half brogues upgrade suits and formal wear. Brands – Aldo, Red Tape, Steve Madden.
Chelsea & Chukka Boots – Ideal ankle boots to add smart edge. Consider Clarke, Red Tape, and Woodland.
Sneakers – Contemporary luxury brands like Golden Goose craft high-end sneakers using specialty leathers and detailing. Also see Puma, Adidas, and Superdry.
Dress Flats – Classic leather ballet flats with bows, buckles or cap toes from Steve Madden, Inc.5, and Charles & Keith.
Court Shoes – Timeless single sole stilettos and kitten heels featuring pointed toes or sleek cuts. For special occasion dressing. See options from Charles & Keith.
In Conclusion
Let shoes transform your look, mood and confidence much like an iconic handbag or statement watch can. Debuting a head turning pair of scarlet brogues or razor sharp metallic Oxford stilettos allows you to red carpet your everyday.
We hope navigating the heritage, signature styles and key features of the 14 featured Indian and international luxury brands helps identify your best fit literal and figurative based on sensibilities. Do share your favorites. And remember to flaunt good shoes! They are pivotal style and comfort pieces guaranteed to uplift any outfit.
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