Maglieriapelle Pamukkale Review: Handcrafted Brogue Shoes Made In Turkey

Style & Appearance

At first glance, the Pamukkale don’t resemble your typical brogue shoes. Indeed, they stand out from a distance with their lavishly painted finish and unique brush strokes. While this may not be conservative nor to everyone’s taste, they’re certainly memorable.

Until today, I’ve never been particularly fond of painted shoes. However, Maglieriapelle has helped me see this art-form under a new light. The varied pressure of each brush stroke leaves a deep and textured finish that is reminiscent of old wood.

In addition, the Pamukkale consist of a full brogue design with rich ornementation including a toe medallion as well as pinking and perfing. If these terms sound unfamiliar to you, head to our full brogue guide to learn more.

As for the soles, they are magnificent with a deep red and black painted finish. Visible brass nails decoratively border the outsole and frame the Maglieriapelle logo. Meanwhile, a shank-like ridge descends from the base of the hell up to the flat of the foot.

Finally, these brogues feature probably one of my favourite details seen on a shoe to date. I’m referring to the stunning tan threaded Opanka stitch that contours the midsole.

Being hand-painted and handmade, each shoe will be unique. Therefore, you can be confident that the shoes you wear are one-of-a-kind.

Fit & Comfort

Firstly, we did have a few sizing issues with Maglieriapelle’s. However, we were soon put at ease thanks to Umar and his team’s stellar customer service as they swiftly found the right size for us.

Umar, a partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Maglieriapelle, assured us that their footwear is true to size and that they had yet to have any sizing issues from their satisfied customers.

Therefore, if this does on the off-chance happen to you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Maglieriapelle as they’ll surely help you find the right size.

As for the comfort of these shoes, they were as to be expected with traditionally-made dress shoes. I found that they were somewhat stiff and not overly comfortable during the first day. However, after some wearing in and using cedar shoe trees to mould their shape, they became quite cosy.

Given that these are shoes that I’ll be reserving for special occasions as you’ll read below, the comfort isn’t necessarily a priority.  Nevertheless, I do want them to be as pleasant as possible!

Dress Code & Formality

As previously mentioned, this aren’t particularly conservative shoes. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that they can’t be worn formally!

Overall, these are very versatile shoes that can be worn with a variety of different wardrobes for a range of occasions. Thanks to their distinctive Sprezzatura feel, they can be worn casual on an everyday basis without actually feeling casual.

Generally, they’ll look their best as business casual footwear at the very least. Consider pairing them with a combination of no-show socks, slim chinos and an open colour shirt.

Nevertheless, I’ll be wearing these with business professional attire. Personally, I feel that they really exude the prestige that they merit when worn with a well-cut three-piece suit. With us steadily approaching the colder months, their colours work nicely with the golden colours of autumn.

Meanwhile, they’d also look fantastic during the summer months with lightweight linen. A beige or light grey suit would be a fine choice in this scenario.

However you decide to wear them, I feel that these are truly special and prestigious shoes that are great for special occasions. As such, they won’t be something that I’ll sport everyday but will keep them safely tucked away, ready for flaunting when the opportunity arises.

Presentation & Value For Money

Delivered in an understated black box with gold lettering, the shoes are carefully wrapped in branded orange paper. With every pair, you’ll get a buffing pad as well as a shoe horn as well as a bag.

I’m usually quite complacent with shoe horns. However, I’ve been using them in this case as I want to take good care of these shoes. With regards to the buffing pad, it’s certainly a thoughtful addition.

In fact, I was talking with Maglieriapelle’s Umar on how to look after these shoes. He suggested that the buffing pad will be sufficient on a regular basis. Nevertheless, I should use colourless shoe cream to nourish the leather every now and then.

This way the original nuances of the brushstrokes are preserved rather than causing any discolouration with regular polish.

Finally, these are indeed premium shoes and are sold at a premium. You can purchase them directly from Maglieriapelle for $465 USD. While this may seem like a lot, I believe that they’re worth every penny.

I’m not aware of any other brand that produces quality handmade shoes at the same price point. With the painstaking detail and quality of these shoes, they’re truly a labour of love and you’d be hard pressed to find the same for less.

Closing Thoughts

A truly unique and distinguished shoe, the Pamukkale by Maglieriapelle is a wonderful specimen. From the rich brushstrokes to the meticulous detail of the threaded Opanka stitch, these brogues are a veritable expression of artisanal craftsmanship.

Between the name and concept, Maglieriapelle has a strong Italian influence. However, the brand’s identity is distinctively Turkish by having married Occidental and Oriental techniques and aesthetics.

Indeed, the Pamukkale may not be everyone. Nevertheless, if you have an appreciation of authentic craftsmanship and handmade shoemaking, these brogues deserve you undivided attention.

Further Reading

Once you’ve finished reading our review, feel free to peruse our wide range of shoe content such as the following resources:

• Maglieriapelle Brand Overview
• Most High-End Dress Shoes For Men
• Most Comfortable Dress Shoes For Men
• Dress Shoe Construction Guide