Do Brunello Cucinelli shoes run true to size, why are they so expensive, and are they worth the investment?

Renowned for his “sportivo-chic” aesthetic, Brunello Cucinelli is the undisputed king of cashmere. Based in Solomeo, a small Renaissance village in central Umbria, Italy, Cucinelli has built a billion-dollar fashion empire based on top-notch quality materials, exquisite craftsmanship, and what he refers to as “humanistic capitalism.”

A brief background on Brunello Cucinelli

 Born into a family of farmers in the rural town of Castel Rigone, Cucinelli grew up without running water or electricity. Seeing how his father was humiliated and mistreated because of his lack of education, he decided he would “promote a concept of work that ensured moral and economic dignity.”

Cucinelli has personally restored the hamlet of Solomeo to provide his employees with a better working environment, and with the Project for Beauty he has created three parks in the Solomeo Valley, recovering properties previously occupied by abandoned factories.

Brunello Cucinelli Size Chart

While Brunello Cucinelli specializes in sophisticated, brightly-colored knitwear crafted in luxurious cashmere yarn, linen, and silk, the brand also offers a collection of stylish footwear for men and women: from lace-ups to boots, sneakers, loafers, and heels, they will complement any outfit. Here’s what you need to know before you invest in a pair.

Do Brunello Cucinelli Shoes Run True to Size?

Do Brunello Cucinelli shoes run true to size? All shoes from the brand come in half sizes and whole sizes (men’s EU 39 to EU 46, women’s EU 35 to EU 41).

The label follows Italian/European sizing—however, on the brand’s website, you can find a helpful size chart, with measurements in cms. We recommend comparing measurements to a similar pair of shoes you already own. If you’re still unsure, read our shoe size conversion article.

Generally, Brunello Cucinelli shoes fit true to size. If you have narrow feet, we recommend going down half a size. Keep in mind that small variations can occur based on the model and material used.

Brunello Cucinelli shoes are the epitome of comfort—the women’s white suede and fabric runners, for instance, are crafted in supple suede and techno fabric and feature a lightweight rubber sole to ensure cushioning and flexibility. The men’s suede lace-up shoes are just as comfortable: crafted in soft, velvety leather, they have a sturdy yet flexible panama TPU sole.

How To Care for Brunello Cucinelli Shoes

To ensure the longevity of your shoes, you need to properly care for them. Here’s how:

• Keep your shoes away from moisture and dust. Store your shoes in a cool, dry place, and stuff them with newspaper or tissue paper to keep them from sagging. Needless to say, don’t wear them with damp feet, and, if they do get wet, remove the laces and the insole and let them air dry.
• Avoid direct sunlight. Sunlight and heat can cause leather to fade and stiffen, so make sure you don’t leave your shoes sitting next to a window or heater.
• Clean the sole. Regularly clean the sole of your shoes using a toothbrush to remove dust and debris.
• Leather: regularly dry brush your leather shoes using a horse-hair brush. Every few months, apply a renovator oil, to condition and moisturize the leather. Find out more on how to care for leather shoes.
• Suede: look for a quality suede brush and use it to remove dirt and grime. Make sure you treat your suede shoes with a waterproof spray to prevent stains.

Why is Brunello Cucinelli so expensive?

What’s behind those price tags? Here are a few reasons why Brunello Cucinelli shoes are so expensive:

• Each pair is handcrafted by skilled artisans in the hamlet of Solomeo, Italy. Brunello Cucinelli believes manual work and craftsmanship are the most authentic expressions of people’s humanity and creativity, and has established a School of Arts and Crafts to rediscover and pass down this tradition.
• Brunello Cucinelli practices “humanistic capitalism”: employees are encouraged not to send emails or to be available for business purposes past the end of their working time (which ends at 5:30pm), the workplace is welcoming and well-lit, and wages are 20% higher than the industry average.
• Brunello Cucinelli uses only the finest materials: velvety suede, supple calfskin… all raw materials are sourced from the best Italian suppliers. Many models are embroidered with sparkling monili, the brand’s signature detail: nickel-free fine brass beads that add a sophisticated, distinctive touch to casual styles.

So, finally…

Are Brunello Cucinelli shoes worth it?

In a word: yes. 

When buying a pair of Brunello Cucinelli shoes, you’re not only investing in a stylish wardrobe staple that will last you years and elevate any outfit—you’re investing in a company that deeply values its employees and the environment.

“I don’t want to buy anything if I’m sure that during the production process someone or something was harmed,” Cucinelli told GQ style. And neither do we.

Discover our selection of Brunello Cucinelli footwear for women, men, and kids. We constantly have the best pricing offer in the market, as we import our items directly from Italy.

Shop italist for up to 40% off on over 200,000 up-to-the-minute luxury fashions for women, men, and kids from leading brands like Golden Goose, Fendi, Gucci, Miu Miu, and many more—direct from Italy’s finest boutiques to your door.

 

About the Author

Alex English is the Head of Content Marketing at italist.com, building on a lifelong passion for fashion and luxury. After publishing a lifestyle blog for nearly ten years and obtaining an MBA in Milan at SDA Bocconi, one of Europe’s top business schools, he joined the italist team in 2019. His work since then has focused on upper-funnel messaging, brand storytelling, establishing italist as a thought leader in the space, and enriching the customer experience on the platform. Find him on LinkedIn.