When it comes to women’s leather shoes, synthetic options might look stylish on the store shelf, but can lead to painful blisters and regret after just a few hours of breaking them in.
If the alternative – comfortable but obiang footwear – doesn’t sound thrilling either, it may just be time to go for leather shoes that are buttery soft on your feet, and come in fashionable styles. Try these 8 women’s leather shoe brands from Singapore that look as good as they feel.
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Image credit: Lucca Vudor
Your soles don’t have to suffer in silence for you to look great in heels. Lucca Vudor has designed its shoes with comfort in mind. This can be seen and felt through its soft padded calfskin insole and supportive back. The high-quality Italian leather also adds to the breathability of the footwear.
Every shoe is hand-painted by their craftsmen
Image credit: Lucca Vudor
You also won’t have to fork out an arm and a leg just for a pair of stylish shoes, as Lucca Vudor’s heels start from $79.90 per pair, while their sandals and flats are also priced at a similar range. They also offer free delivery islandwide and a free sizing service for you to try multiple sizes on request.
Image credit: Anothersolegirl
Those working in companies where you’re allowed to ditch formal attire but must still look presentable have to tread the fine line between OL and casual wear – and that includes shoes. Anothersole solves the footwear indecision for you, giving you the professional look of full-grain leather uppers in a sophisticated oxford cut (from $109.90).
You’ll walk comfortably on their natural rubber soles, ventilated footbed, and arch support. When we’re good to travel again in the future, you can flat-pack these shoes into your luggage on work trips or holidays too – they’re lighter than an average pair, at just 280 grams each.
Handmade in Vietnam, these women’s leather shoes are designed by Singaporean owners Benny Chee and Phoebe Charn. To give back to their shoemakers’ community, they donate 10% of revenue to World Vision International Vietnam and other charities that feed malnourished children.
The Amy sandal range
Image credit: @bamboo.lane
On many a sweltering day, many of us have slipped on pleather or rubber sandals to beat the heat. But for those prone to sweaty feet, the parts of your skin in contact with the artificial material will still continue to sweat like nobody’s business – not ideal if you’re subjecting others beside you to the smell all day.
Bamboo Lane’s sandals designed in Singapore by Lotte de Vlaming are made of breathable leather that lets pesky sweat dry off. Plus, they sport a variety of details such as tassels and hand-dyed patterns to match colourful dresses. Usually starting at $90, prices now start from $67.50 during their current online sale period. They come with free local shipping, and are available online and at occasional pop-up fairs.
Sandya Red Stilettos
Image credit: @emblemshoes
Literally putting herself in her customers’ shoes, Emblem’s Singaporean designer Mia Gigandet wears a sample of each pair of shoes she designs every day for a week. If she notices anything less than perfect, she discontinues or improves the design, so you won’t get shoes she wouldn’t wear.
These tried and tested women’s leather shoes (from $40) come in bright shades, open-toed designs, and many feature strappy heels for ladies who rock a bolder look. Handmade with genuine leather from the outsoles to the insoles, their inbuilt foam padding moulds to your feet and cushions them from impact – crucial for high-heeled warriors. Doesn’t hurt that they offer free shipping too.
Bow Rose Sand heels
Image credit: Toufie
Striding in a pair of heels adds to a woman’s height and confidence, but heels also sap your energy by gradually sending aches up your calves and knees. Get a little extra support from Toufie’s heels, such as the Bow series ($249/pair) that ease each step with a broad chunky heel, slightly elasticised soft leather, and anti-fatigue insoles. Proving the saying “beauty is pain” wrong, they also sport a princessy ribbon and come in elegant blue, lilac, and pink shades.
Their handmade leather heels also come in broad widths for ladies with wide feet or bunions to walk tall all day without strain. Starting at $150, they range from EU sizes 34-44, including half-sizes.
The Bow Black
Image credit: @toufieshoes
For those whose feet have changed shape over the years and haven’t been measured in a long time, it’s worth getting a 30-minute shoe fitting to make sure your new shoes fit well. Simply book a free appointment at Toufie’s Ang Mo Kio office – yes, they’re still available to serve you during this Phase 2 period.
And as an extra safety net, if your shoes don’t satisfy you 100%, you can get one free exchange via a direct courier service for store credit.
Address: 14 Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2, Singapore 569503
Opening hours: By appointment only
Website
Metallic Rose Gold Heels
Image credit: GENA SG
Whenever you’re done with a formal meeting or event, but still don’t want to look too chor lor by kicking off your heels and easing into slippers, just discreetly push the button on the side of this pair of 2-in-1 adjustable heels by GENA SG (from $100). The high heel will fold down to reveal a shorter kitten heel, and your sore calves will thank you.
Classic Black Pumps
Image credit: @GenaSingapore
Fast walkers will feel how the ergonomic foam heel cushions absorb shocks, and how the Napa leather lets sweat evaporate quickly as they thump down the streets. The heel and sole are also reinforced with stainless steel. Your heels won’t blister as you walk because of the sheer softness of the leather.
For a little extra support, add on the black or see-through detachable heel straps (from $7) to secure your shoes around the ankle or mid-foot. Try them on at We the People at Millenia Walk, or order them online.
Address: We the People, #01-42 & #02-57, Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039596
Opening hours: 11AM-9PM, Daily
Website
The Yumi
Image credit: @wearepalola
Flats don’t have to mean boring. For women who wear flats instead of heels for health reasons or personal preference, but don’t want to make do with bland shoe designs, Palola‘s off-the-shelf and made-to-order ballerina flats come in dreamy pastels, bold animal prints, metallic and glittery shades, and two-tone styles.
Those who aren’t ready to commit to a custom-fitted pair, but want to treat their feet to the softness of leather can try the off-the-shelf flats (from $345) from size EU 35 to EU 41.
For shoes that fit your exact measurements, go for their made-to-order flats (from $445). Each pair is fully made in Singapore and takes 40 hours to create, including measuring them in person, carving wooden models of your feet, and leathercrafting.
Those who want a contactless shoe fitting for safety and health reasons can try their 24-Hour Fitting Kit with thorough instructions included. It contains up to 4 pairs of fitting shoes to try on, leather swatches to choose from, add-on rubber sole samples, and a $30 gift card for your next purchase. You can speak to the shoemakers via video call for extra help during the fitting process in your own home.
Address: 1 Raffles Link, #B1-33 CityLink Mall, Singapore 039393
Opening hours: 11AM-9PM, Daily
Telephone: 9611 4134
The Oleah Classic Pumps
Image credit: @oleah.co
Western shoe brands with longer sizes seem like heaven if you are “blessed” in the shoe size department with bigger feet. But fair warning: such brands’ shoes tend to be too slim for Asian feet, causing plus-sized Asian feet to end up in shoes with the right length, but not the right width.
Oleah gives customers with bigger, broader feet handmade shoes (from $295) with a wider toe box and a thick footbed for comfortable walking. With curvy lines, the Oleah Classic Pumps play a subtle trick on the eye, so it’s hard to tell that they are actually wider.
To sweeten the deal, Singapore residents can pay in 3 instalments with 0% interest using the Hoolah service.
Telephone: 9298 3141
Handmade women’s leather shoes that check off all the boxes of comfort, durability, and style are worth a try at least once. As leather develops a richer shade over time, takes on the shape of your feet, and contains patterns and markings that are one of a kind, your shoes will become all the more unique to you.
Browse these Singapore shopping guides too:
Cover image adapted from (L-R): Lucca Vudor, @genasingapore
Originally published on 25th June 2020. Last updated by Josiah Neo on 27th October 2021.
This article contains partial partnership content. However, all opinions are ours.
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