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M.Gemi; Gilbert Espinoza/Business Insider
Footwear startup M.Gemi crafts high-quality Italian leather shoes, but without the high markup. From flats and sandals to loafers and boots, each style is handmade in family-owned workshops in Italy, sewing love into every pair.
Each of these has remarkable versatility and durability, and we've deemed them well worth the investment. You can find more about our experiences with each M.Gemi shoe below, along with pictures of how they've held up in real life.
The Felize Driving Loafer
Mara Leighton/Business Insider
M.Gemi's Felize suede driving loafer is the brand's number-one bestseller, helping to put the startup on the map. This top contender in our guide to the best loafers for women comes in either pebbled leather, faux croc, naplak, and suede, and has been produced in dozens of colors over the years.
We found it to be the perfect travel shoe because it can easily slip on and off. The Felize loafers are handmade in a Tuscany workshop and have a refined attention to detail that feels effortlessly stylish. Plus, the more you wear them, the more they mold into a custom-made fit.
"After almost a year, I still wear them multiple times per week," says former senior reporter Mara Leighton. "They've worn into a customized mold over time, but haven't lost their shape. The color is still a vibrant green, and they show no real visible wear despite my frequent treks across the city."
Since executive editor Sally Kaplan began testing M.Gemi's Palestra Due, these white leather low-tops have already become a top contender among our favorite white sneakers for women — and that's compared the over 20+ pairs she tried first.
The shoe is super lightweight, unlike most leather trainers that use a denser rubber sole. The leather is thin enough that it feels flexible like a canvas sneaker, so she hasn't experienced any uncomfortable pinching or digging. According to Sally, they look cute with day dresses, but they also make even the sloppiest legging-and-sweatshirt outfits feel pulled together. However, she adds that her "only qualm is that the leather scuffs and scratches easily, and since I'm somewhat rough with my shoes (living in Brooklyn made it hard to keep anything looking nice or new!) and I've already started noticing some signs of wear."
The Sacca Donna Loafer
Sally Kaplan/Business Insider
The Sacca Donna is a classic Italian-style loafer that's offered in three materials: leather, suede, and printed leather. When the Sacca Donna first released, it immediately sold out. After trying it, we understand why. The unlined design is comfortable and made with exceptional attention to detail.
"The leather is supple and thin but strong, and the color is rich and vibrant — true to the hue that's displayed online," says former senior reporter Mara Leighton.
Although a pretty penny, we think the loafers are a worthy buy for the quality and versatility. Based on our experience, we recommend ordering your standard size or a half-size up if you prefer a bit more breathing room.
A classic heeled ankle boot like the Cristina is a wardrobe staple. Style editor Samantha Crozier tested this pair for her guide to the best ankle boots, and cites them as her favorite dressy pair.
"These booties fit like a glove right out of the box, with no need to break them in," she says. "I have the metallic gunmetal pair and they're surprisingly versatile: they instantly add some interest to a little black dress or a simple outfit of jeans and a bodysuit."
The Cristinas are an upgraded version of a retired pair we tested in our initial M. Gemi review called the Corsa. Their interior zipper also seen on the Cristina makes it easy to slip into M.Gemi's leather boots.
