Meet the 3 Chic Portuguese Shoe Brands That Should Be on Your Radar

There are often two types of fashion people in the world: bag people and shoe people. Regardless of what camp you fall into, there are pros and cons for each category. Are bags that good of an investment? What do you do if the shoes you buy pinch your feet? Is that truly worth this much money? 

Wherever you fall, though, we can agree that in a world of automation, declining luxury quality control, and ultra-cheap, questionable labor practices, artistry reigns supreme when you're on the hunt for leather goods. So, when I visited Portugal, one of the largest leather goods and shoe manufacturing countries in the world, I knew I had to tap deep into the country's rich history of generations-long craftsmanship. 

Aided by APICCAPS (Associação Portuguesa Ind. Calçado Componentes Artigos Pele Sucedaneos), the country's leading footwear and leather goods manufacturing organization, I spent nearly a week visiting factories, spending hours at technological centers, and sitting down with leaders and designers in the Portuguese footwear space. If you haven't been paying attention to them yet, now is the time to do so. Trust me—these three shoe brands need to be on your radar.

Widely recognized as one of the country's most buzzy designers (and awarded with GQ Portugal's Fashion's Man of the Year numerous times), Luis Onofre's signature sexy, sleek heels, boots, and sandals have been in the hearts and minds of women for more than a decade. Born into a shoe-making family and learning the trade from his grandparents, Onofre's skillful yet modern take on the female form and shoes isn't to be missed.

While Portugal's leather and shoe-making industry is seeped in deep, rich history, at times, innovation isn't just exciting—it's essential. Enter the brand Ambitious. As the brand's name suggests, the APICCAPS-backed footwear technology has made leaps and bounds within the Ambitious brand, particularly when it comes to leather cutting. The brand's leather sneakers and loafers are made using specially cut patterns, strategically placed to use as much leather as possible, and in turn, curb textile waste and byproducts as much as possible.

For an industry marked by decades-long connections among families, Carlos Santos stands out as one of the leading brands in the pack. Not only does the luxury leather men's shoe brand go back at least two generations, but the Santos family has also recently expanded into the women's sector.

After spending an afternoon seeing the detailed, delicate handcrafted process that all Carlos Santos shoes are made from, it's safe to say that the label has earned its luxury status.