Sole Mates: Dressing Up with the Sartorial Flat

In our new footwear series, we're exploring how to wear dynamic silhouettes from the brands we love. First up, in recognition and support of our favorite Italian collections, we delve into styling fashionable brogues and loafers.

On Katy: Tory Burch dress; Hellessy wrap and pants; On Daniella: Versace top; Tod's dress; Fratelli Rossetti shoes.
On Katy: Tory Burch dress; Hellessy wrap and pants; Fratelli Rossetti shoes. On Daniella: Versace top; Tod's dress; Fratelli Rossetti shoes.

Nestled in the closet of any sharp dresser alongside suits and tailored essentials, undoubtedly lies a sturdy pair of dress shoes. From classic Oxford styles to perforated lace-ups to leather loafers made for mastering "Sprezzatura" style (that's Italian lingo for effortlessly polished)—fancy flats with a sartorial edge have been a staple for decades.

What's bringing these menswear-inspired shoes into the modern era, however, is the clever way of pairing them with feminine silhouettes for an ultimate mix of aesthetics. CEO of Fratelli Rossetti, a family-run Italian brand that values tradition with artisanal quality, Luca Rossetti is certainly privy to that concept. He reflects, "When we first ventured into the women's market in the early '70s, the first models were men's shoes offered in women's sizes: Derbies, Oxfords, and loafers, which became very popular. The androgynous take was daring and practical, a groundbreaking change in fashion. Since then, the osmosis between our collections remains one of the brand's most representative values."

On Bruna: Sandro blazer; Oscar de la Renta tank; Brunello Cucinelli skirt; Piaget bracelets; Stylist's own socks; Fratelli Rossetti shoes.

How would we wear one of the new Fratelli Rossetti styles? For starters, an impeccably crafted loafer or brogue adds to the sophistication of a pleated skirt, mid-length dress, or cropped trousers that showoff the ankle, of course. These shoes bring an instant, dapper touch that dresses up wardrobe essentials, no matter the occasion.

"The Fratelli Rossetti woman cares about the harmony of shapes, the quality of materials, and wants to feel natural and at ease in whatever she wears.

Plus, owning 100% Italian-made footwear stitched by a skilled artisan is a unique fashion rite of passage in and of itself. Rossetti shares insight into the brand's highly considered process: "From the leather selection to the cutting to the application of the upper, and then the hand-coloring and brushing of the sole, every step is done with care and passion."

He continues that some of these special details are meant to be discovered by the wearer, noting his admiration for how versatile styling the flats can be, "The Fratelli Rossetti woman is an international, open-minded person, who's always seeking refined and timeless products. She cares about the harmony of shapes, the quality of materials, and wants to feel natural and at ease in whatever she wears. This is someone who doesn't just follow general trends, but has her own individual style and knows that you can look just as smart and chic with an Oxford or a loafer as you can in a heel."

Credits Intro Photo Photographed by Danilo Hess; Styling/Creative Direction by Jacqueline Zenere; Makeup by Mark Edio; Hair by John Ruidant; Modeled by Katy Ching and Daniella Davis at Supreme Management / Inset Photo Photographed by Olivia Graham; Styling/Creative Direction by Jacqueline Zenere; Makeup by Robin Schoen; Hair by Elsa Canedo; Modeled by Bruna Tenório. Special thanks to The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York
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