So you've decided it's time to upgrade your shoe game and give Italian footwear a try. Great choice. This footwear is timeless and versatile. You'll make a statement each and every time you step out wearing your new shoes. But, if this is your first time buying Italian shoes, you likely have questions.

How do Italian shoes fit compared to US shoes?

You've probably heard that European sizing, in general, runs smaller than American sizing. This is true not just of European shoes, but all types of European clothing. And because high-quality Italian shoes aren't cheap, you want to make sure you nail the sizing on your first purchase.

Don't stress. Today, we're going to cover everything you need to know about sizing Italian shoes. We'll unpack the Italian shoes sizing system in-depth to help you gain a better understanding of your size. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly which size to pick.

Why You Must Understand The Italian Shoes Sizing System Prior To Buying

In this day and age, it's becoming increasingly rare to buy shoes in a physical store. Brick and mortar locations are dwindling, while e-commerce stores are on the rise. Let's face it - buying shoes online is far simpler and more convenient than finding stores near you and shopping at them.

There's no doubt that online shopping is more convenient than in-store shopping. But with online shopping comes problems, too. The most glaring issue is that you really don't know what you're getting until it arrives. High quality brands do a great job providing detailed, accurate descriptions of products along with HD images to get you a better idea of what you're buying. Still, though, some things are left up in the air.

The most important? Sizing.

You don't know for sure how your shoes will fit until they arrive. If you buy the same brand over and over again, this isn't an issue. And if you're buying shoes from a US-based brand, you usually have nothing to worry about.

But picture this: you pull the trigger on your new Italian shoes. You can't wait for them to arrive. When they finally do, though, you find that they're not quite the right fit. They may be too big, or too small. Either way, this is a nightmare scenario. You're forced to work with customer service to try and exchange your shoes for the right size. This waiting period can be unbearable, and having to ship back the originals is inconvenient.

We are going to help you avoid all this. By reading through to the end of this short article, you'll be able to buy Italian shoes in confidence knowing you're getting a perfect size, the first time. So, without any further ado, let's dive into how to pick your shoe size.

Finding Your Italian Shoe Size

You're going to size up when picking your Italian shoe size. That's because Italian shoes tend to be both narrower and shorter than American shoes. If you've worn other types of European shoes - such as French or German shoes - know that Italian shoes are even still a bit smaller.

Italian shoes follow the typical European shoe sizes, despite running a bit smaller than other European styles. The best way to pick your Italian shoe size is with the help of a shoe size conversion chart. These are incredibly straightforward. With one of these shoe size conversion charts, picking your Italian shoe size is as simple as converting your US size by finding it on the chart. Take a look at this one below:

Italian shoe size conversion chart 

Pretty simple, right? A size 11 in USA shoes would be a 45 in European shoes. But, this chart isn't one size fits all (pun intended). Each manufacturer has its own unique sizing. When in doubt, we recommend finding a size chart of the specific brand you're looking at. And, don't be afraid to reach out with questions. As you now know, this isn't something you want to take lightly.

Del Toro Italian Shoe Sizes Break The European Mold

At Del Toro, we're fond of all things Italian. After all, we are the premier Italian shoe brand. But, we do things a bit differently than other Italian footwear brands. Instead of using Italian shoe sizes, we stick with US sizes. This keeps things simple and uniform. If you typically wear a size 11 American shoe, you'd be a size 11 in our Italian shoes, too.

We make things even easier, though. On each of our product pages, we help you find the perfect Italian shoes fit. You can look up your favorite footwear brand (Nike, Asics, etc.) and pick your shoe size. From there, you can describe the width of your foot - average or wide. From there, we'll recommend the perfect size for our footwear. You'll never have to stress about getting the right Italian shoe sizes when you choose Del Toro.

Other Quick Differences Between American Shoes & Italian Shoes

We want to quickly explain some other key differences you should be aware of between American and Italian footwear:

  • Weight: The weight differences between American & Italian footwear can be staggering. American shoes are typically heavier. This may be your personal preference. However, many people prefer the lightweight feel of Italian shoes.
  • Stitching: Another difference between Italian & American shoes is the stitching techniques used. This visual difference is one you might not notice unless you directly compare the two types of footwear. While American footwear commonly features a Goodyear welting, Italian footwear relies on the Blake stitching method.
  • Materials: Italian footwear is prized for its high quality, durable leather. While you can certainly find leather American shoes, you'll rarely find the same level of quality.
  • Price: When considering the higher quality leather, more detailed stitching, and lightweight yet durable material, it's no surprise Italian shoes are more expensive than American shoes. You get what you pay for.

When considering all this, you can likely see why Italian footwear is a premier choice.

Final Thoughts On How Italian Shoe Sizes Fit

Well, there you have it. Everything you need to know about Italian and European shoe sizes in general. This is not something you should overlook when purchasing a pair of foreign designer shoes. Fortunately, picking the right Italian sizes is as simple as following a European size conversion chart. And when in doubt, reach out to the manufacturer directly.

At this point, you're ready to get started shopping. You can avoid the hassle of converting between Italian sizes and American sizes by choosing Del Toro. Not only do we provide simple sizing, but we also provide luxury handmade Italian shoes for any occasion. We offer both Italian shoes for men and Italian shoes for women.

From Italian loafers to Italian sneakers, Italian slippers, and everything in between. Browse our collection and find the perfect footwear for an upcoming event or for everyday wear. You won't regret it.