M.Gemi shoes review: Our honest take

Footwear startup M.Gemi crafts high-quality Italian leather shoes and bags without the high markup of big-name brands. From boots to work bags, each style is handmade in family-owned workshops in Italy.

For our M.Gemi review, we detail our experiences with its bestselling styles from the moment we first became acquainted with the brand three years ago. Today, we consider M.Gemi one of the best brands to find ankle boots and loafers for women.

Each of these picks 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 product below, along with pictures of how they've held up in real life.

The Una

We've tested tons of shoes for our guide to the best flats, but these are a true standout when it comes to craftsmanship. Made from smooth Italian nappa leather, it's got a comfy, glove-like fit and a no-slip sole.

It's a favorite of senior associate style editor Gabrielle Chase, who wrote about them in our guide to the best ballet flats. Here's what she said:

"The Una is made with a thin, unstructured nappa leather that's extremely flexible and smooth. Inside around the heel is a layer of suede, so there's no chance of developing blisters. I don't recommend these for long walks, since they don't come with any padding or cushions. I wore mine on a stroll in the park and could feel the pavement underfoot.

Nevertheless, the main appeal of the Una is how soft and delicate they feel. They're designed with a stretchy criss-cross strap to keep them in place and a soft square toe, similar to a real ballet slipper. I got mine in the shade 'Butter,' which is now discontinued."

I knew I had to try the M.Gemi Una after hearing Gabrielle rave about them in her guide to the best flats, and now I completely understand the hype. They did. The leather is exceptionally soft and flexible, wrapping around the foot almost immediately instead of requiring the usual breaking-in period.

What surprised me most, though, was how light and packable they are. I now tuck them into my bag whenever I'm testing shoes for my guide to the most comfortable heels, since they're easy to pull out the moment a pair starts pinching. They weigh next to nothing, take up very little room, and feel comfortable from the first wear, making them an ideal emergency flat.

The Marta

Flip flops with a little kitten heel are the shoe of the summer. They're everywhere right now — from the streets of NYC to beachside vacation towns. But there's one problem: almost all of them are uncomfortable.

These are one of the first pairs I've ever tried that actually get the comfort factor right. Most heeled flip-flops don't adapt the flip-flop shape to be comfortable with heels — the pitch of the heel pushes your feet forward, creating uncomfortable pressure between the toes.

But this pair doesn't create the same sensory ick. It's the most walkable heeled flip-flop I've tried, and I've been wearing it on repeat this summer with dresses, linen pants, and everything breezy.

The Palestra Due Sneaker

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 Felize Driving Loafer

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."

Read more in our full M.Gemi Felize loafer review.

The Danza

The Danza is a ballet flat that isn't flat at all. It has a hidden wedge that measures about three-quarters of an inch, which is why I was initially attracted to it. I'm five-foot-one, so adding a little bit of height keeps certain long pants and maxi dresses off the floor.

These flats use the traditional Italiansacchetto construction technique, which minimizes interior seams so the soft leather lining wraps smoothly around the foot. This is supposed to reduce rubbing and pressure points while allowing the shoe to flex and mold more naturally to your foot.

Though the Danza is cute, walkable, and well-constructed, the sizing is a bit inconsistent. I got a 37 EU — the same size I always order from M. Gemi — because I'm usually a size 7 US, but it was a little too big. I didn't expect this, since I read comments that said to order a size bigger than you usually do.

The Sacca Donna Loafer

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.

The Lizza Due

The Lizza Due feels far easier to walk in than its height suggests. Its platform offsets much of the heel, creating a gentler slope that puts less pressure on the front of the foot. I could wear it much longer than steeper platforms, which often start to feel punishing after an hour or two.

I tested the suede version, which gave the dramatic silhouette a softer, more versatile finish. It still looked polished enough for a wedding or formal event, but it felt less overtly flashy than metallic leather and worked with a wider range of outfits.

The wide ankle straps are another major reason the shoe feels so manageable. They hold the foot firmly in place and reduce the side-to-side wobbling that can make tall heels tiring to wear. The result is an occasion shoe that gives you plenty of height and impact but still feels realistic for standing, walking, and dancing through a full event.

The Cristina Boot

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.

The Felize Shearling Driving Loafer

I've written at length about the most comfortable loafers for women, but this is my favorite moccasin style for winter. I wear them at home as slippers because the cozy shearling lining is incredibly soft on the inside, even if they present like typical driving loafers on the outside. I also like that the "gommini" soles (Italian for "rubber padded") provide excellent traction, so I'm not sliding on suede when I step.

I wear a US 8, so I chose a size 38.5. They took a couple days to form to my foot because the fuzzy shearling is piled high, but they eventually fit me true to size. Now, they slip on and stay on with ease. — Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor, Insider Reviews

The Laura Convertible Backpack

This convertible backpack tote is a fantastic work or travel companion. Unlike lots of options on the market, this bag is stylish enough to look like a purse. In fact, it looks exactly like the slouchy, oversized hobo bags that are everywhere this season.

It's smartly designed so that you can easily switch from a tote to a backpack without any dangling straps. And it functions perfectly whichever way you want to carry it. Plus, the straps are wide, so they won't dig into your shoulders.

If you're going on a trip, this would be a fantastic daypack. It's big enough to hold a water bottle, an extra jacket, snacks, and anything else you need. And when you go to dinner at night, the bag will magically transform into a chic, Italian leather purse.

I just wish the straps were adjustable. I was originally worried about the backpack hanging too low since I'm five feet two inches. Though I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't, I do think that adding a buckle would make it more comfortable for different types of bodies.

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