Are Gravati shoes worth it?+
If you want Italian shoemaking done the old way, Gravati earns its keep. Each pair is hand-crafted entirely inside the family's Vigevano factory, with every pattern hand-cut and the uppers cut, lasted and finished by hand. Enthusiasts tend to praise the soft, characterful leathers and the comfort, and many find Gravati holds up as well as English makers while feeling a touch more fashion-forward.
Are Gravati shoes good quality?+
Yes. Founded in Milan in 1909 and still family-owned, Gravati is genuinely artisanal: the uppers are clicked, lasted and finished by hand by the factory's own artisans and technicians, with only the sewing done by machine. That hands-on process is what owners point to when they talk about consistent fit and impeccable stitching.
How are Gravati shoes constructed, and what is the Blake method?+
Gravati uses several construction methods, but the majority of its production is Blake construction, where the sole is stitched directly to the insole and upper through the inside of the shoe. This gives a sleeker, more flexible profile than a welted shoe. Gravati also does Bologna and Goodyear construction, so the same maker can offer quite different feels underfoot.
How does Gravati compare to Crockett & Jones and other English makers?+
They are different animals. English houses like Crockett & Jones lean on stiffer calfskin and Goodyear welting; Gravati tends toward softer, more characterful leathers and Blake construction, with lasts that are a little more fashion-forward. Many owners reach for their Gravatis more often precisely because they feel supple from the start.
Where are Gravati shoes made?+
In Vigevano, Italy, a town with deep shoemaking roots. The whole pair is built within the factory rather than farmed out, which is part of why Gravati frames itself as a traditional, single-workshop maker.
Can I get Gravati shoes made to my specification?+
In a sense, yes. Gravati does not keep stock the way most brands do; instead, retailers specify the patterns, lasts, leathers, soles and construction methods they want, and only then does the factory make the shoes. That made-to-order rhythm is unusual and means the version you find can vary by stockist.
What leathers does Gravati use?+
Gravati is known for very soft, characterful uppers, and the house has worked across a wide range of skins beyond standard calf. The leather is a big part of the brand's appeal, since it breaks in comfortably and gives the shoes their distinctive hand. Choose the finish to match how dressy or relaxed you want the pair to read.
Where can I buy Gravati shoes?+
Gravati has long been carried by select American specialty retailers, including Stanley Korshak, Davide Cenci and Wilkes Bashford. Because the factory builds to each retailer's specification, it is worth checking what patterns and leathers a given stockist actually carries.
How do I make my Gravati shoes last?+
Treat them like the hand-built leather goods they are: rotate pairs so each rests a day between wearings, use shoe trees to hold the shape, and condition the supple uppers so they do not dry out. With Blake-constructed shoes a good cobbler can resole them, so a well-kept pair can serve for many years.
Should I size Gravati like other dress shoes?+
Because the leathers are soft and the lasts run a little more fashion-forward, fit can feel different from a stiff English shoe. The supple uppers tend to mould to the foot, so it pays to try the specific last and pattern in person where you can, rather than assuming your usual size translates directly.
