Step Inside Ferragamo: The Genius Behind the Tramezza Shoe

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What's Inside

Shoe Reviews: A Surprising Hit

Every time I post a shoe review, it blows up—millions of views, outperforming my bag videos every single time. It’s clear you all love shoes. And honestly? So do I. But here's the thing: while I’ve spent years learning the ins and outs of leather bags, shoes are a whole different animal. Different construction, different stresses, and a whole different level of precision.

That gap in knowledge held me back. I didn’t want to just wing it. If I was going to go deeper into the world of shoes, I wanted to learn from someone who really knew the craft.

DISCLAIMER: This video is a paid partnership with Ferragamo. The brand provided the Tramezza shoes and also supported the production of this video. However, all opinions, analysis, and commentary are entirely my own—based on my experience as a leather expert and craftsman.

Enter: Ferragamo, Hollywood’s Original Cobbler

As I was thinking about where to start, a name popped into my head: Salvatore Ferragamo. I’d reviewed one of their bags before, but Ferragamo wasn’t just a luxury brand name on a label. This man was the cobbler to Hollywood’s golden era. Marilyn Monroe’s shoes? His. He literally invented shoemaking techniques that are still being used today.

So I shot my shot. I reached out. Honestly, I didn’t expect anything. Legacy luxury brands rarely respond to folks like me. But Ferragamo surprised me. Not only did they reply—they sent me their signature Tramezza shoe and included a confidential, technical document explaining how it’s made.

First Impressions: Elegance in a Box

Opening the box felt like a moment. The Tramezza shoes looked elegant and sharp—pure class. And even though I’ve taken apart bags that cost more than these shoes, my hands were shaking a little just holding them. That’s the power of craftsmanship. You can feel when something’s been made with intention.

Of course, I had to try them on. Spoiler: they’re two sizes too small. Shh… don’t tell Ferragamo.

Tramezza Construction: A Goodyear, Elevated

Let’s talk construction. The Tramezza is rooted in the Goodyear welt, a gold standard for shoemaking. For the uninitiated, a Goodyear welt involves stitching a strip of leather (the “welt”) to both the upper and the insole. Then, the outsole gets stitched to the welt. This creates a durable, easily resoleable construction.

But Ferragamo adds a twist. “Tramezza” means “in-between” in Italian, and in this shoe, it refers to an extra layer sandwiched between the insole and outsole. Think of it like a bonus layer of support and comfort.

Inside the shoe, the construction begins with the insole, followed by a steel shank that adds stability. Then comes the Tramezza layer itself, which adds structure and cushioning, before everything is topped off with a leather outsole. All of these layers are stitched together twice—first, the insole and the welt are joined using a Goodyear machine. Then, the upper, welt, and outsole are sewn together again using a technique called a “rapid” stitch.

The result is a shoe that has all the strength and resoleability of a traditional Goodyear welt, but with added flexibility and comfort that molds to your foot over time. It’s a thoughtful evolution of a classic technique—one that blends durability with luxury wearability.

Time to Dissect: What’s the Leather Telling Me?

I applied acetone to the upper leather—and it absorbed it immediately. That tells us there’s no plastic coating on top. Just aniline dye. Pure, honest leather. It’s gorgeous.

Moving inside, the lining is also beautifully done. Looks like calf leather again—likely top grain—buffed slightly with a light protective finish. Even on the inside, Ferragamo is using top-tier cuts and taking no shortcuts.

Every stitch? Clean. Every cut? Precise. The outsole is hand-stained, which is the kind of detail most people will never notice—but real artisans still do it. That tells you everything about the brand’s values.

So… Any Criticisms?

None. And you know I try to find them—especially when we're talking about premium prices. But here? From the leather to the technique, from the feel to the finish—Ferragamo nailed it.

I don’t yet know the exact cost of making a Tramezza shoe, but I can tell you one thing: they’re using a lot of leather. And good leather. Inside, outside, and in between. This is not a quick-assembly, fast-fashion product. This is art.

Ferragamo: A New Level of Respect

I gained real respect for Ferragamo through this. They didn’t just open the door—they showed me the whole blueprint. That kind of transparency is rare in luxury, and it speaks volumes about their pride in craftsmanship.

This dissection lit a new fire. I’m genuinely curious about the rest of their line now. I’ll be keeping the conversation going—and maybe on my next travels, I’ll stop into a Ferragamo boutique, try on the right size, and probably end up buying a pair. That's the danger of dissecting great products… you end up wanting them.

Your Turn: What Would You Ask a Ferragamo Craftsman?

I might get the chance to connect with someone from their team again. So here’s my question for you:

If you had the chance to ask one of Ferragamo’s master shoemakers anything, what would it be?

Drop it in the comments. I’ll collect the best ones and try to pass them along.