In the realm of luxury footwear, few names command as much reverence – and as hefty a price tag – as Tod’s.
For the stylish gentleman seeking to project an air of silent wealth and refined taste, Tod’s shoes are at the top of their list.
But with prices routinely soaring past the £400 mark, one cannot help but wonder: “Why are Tod’s shoes so bloody expensive?”
Let’s embark on a sartorial journey to unravel this mystery, shall we?
Tod’s Legacy and the Price of Heritage
The tale of Tod’s begins not in the glittering showrooms of Milan, but in the humble cobbler’s workshop of Filippo Della Valle in the 1920s.
The family-owned business remained relatively obscure until Diego Della Valle, the founder’s grandson, took the reins in the 1970s.
It was Diego’s entrepreneurial acumen and keen eye for style that transformed Tod’s from a small-time shoe producer into a global luxury powerhouse.
The pivotal moment came when Diego spotted a moccasin-style shoe with a pebbled rubber sole during a trip to New York.
Intrigued by the design but unimpressed by the quality, Diego brought the concept back to Italy.
There, he refined it with superior craftsmanship and materials, creating the blueprint for Tod’s iconic Gommino driving shoe, catapulting the brand into the stratosphere of luxury fashion.
Tod’s rich history is a crucial component of the label’s premium price as when you purchase a pair of Tod’s, you’re buying into a legacy of Italian craftsmanship and innovation.
Tod’s heritage positions the brand as a purveyor of timeless elegance and old-money styles, justifying prices that might make the average chap’s eyes water.
Italian Craftsmanship Cost
Tod’s proudly touts that each pair of their shoes is crafted from 35 separate pieces in a painstaking process involving 100 steps.
View this post on Instagram
While this may sound impressive, it’s worth noting that many high-end dress shoes, particularly those with Goodyear welted construction, often involve even more complex processes.
Nevertheless, Tod’s commitment to quality control is undeniable as unlike many luxury brands that have shifted production offshore to cut costs, Tod’s steadfastly maintains its manufacturing facilities in Italy.
This adherence to the “Made in Italy” ethos ensures a level of quality control that is reflected in the final product—and the high price.
The moccasin-style construction of Tod’s signature shoes, particularly the Gommino, involves hand-stitching the vamp.
This process creates those characteristic vertical lines on the toe, which become even more pronounced in models using shrunken leather.
It’s a labour-intensive process that requires skill and time, factors that inevitably drive up production costs.
However, it’s worth noting that not all aspects of Tod’s shoes are handmade.
Much of the stitching, particularly around the tongue and collar, is done by hand-guided machines.
This blend of artisanal techniques and modern efficiency allows Tod’s to maintain high standards while meeting global demand—a balance that contributes to their premium pricing.
Tod’s Premium Materials
Tod’s shoes are crafted from high-quality leather, including fine calfskin and suede.
The brand also offers exotic skins, like crocodiles, for clients with deep pockets as these premium materials contribute to the shoes’ comfort, durability, and luxurious feel, as well as their eye-watering price.
However, we find it rather disappointing that Tod’s official website lacks detailed information about the specific leathers used in each model of shoes.
The Gommino’s signature pebbled rubber sole is another key component that provides excellent grip, flexibility, comfort, and style.
The rubber nubs can wear down relatively quickly, especially if the shoes are worn frequently for walking rather than driving.
This planned obsolescence, whether intentional or not, ensures that devoted Tod’s enthusiasts will need to replace their beloved shoes more frequently than they might with other high-end footwear.
Gommino’s Iconic Design Drives Prices Up
The Gommino driving shoe is to Tod’s what the Birkin is to Hermès—an iconic product that defines the brand.
This signature style, with its distinctive rubber pebble sole that extends up the heel, has become a symbol of casual luxury.
The Gommino’s popularity allows Tod’s to command premium prices across their entire range.
The genius of the Gommino lies in its versatility.
Designed as a driving shoe, it has transcended its automotive roots to become a staple of smart-casual wardrobes worldwide.
This broad appeal justifies (at least in the eyes of Tod’s) the steep asking price.
However, this versatility comes with a caveat; while Gomminos are comfortable and stylish, they’re not durable if used as everyday walking shoes.
The soft leather and pebbled sole wear out relatively quickly, especially around the heel.
This rapid wear can be frustrating for those who’ve invested a small fortune in their Tod’s, expecting them to last for years.
Interestingly, Tod’s offers a repair service for worn Gomminos, but the solutions—such as adding a rubber sole or wrapping the heel in rubber—somewhat compromise the shoe’s original aesthetic.
It’s a bit like painting over a Picasso to preserve it; effective, perhaps, but rather missing the point.
Tod’s Celebrity Endorsements
Tod’s has long understood the power of celebrity endorsement.
The brand’s ascent to global recognition was famously boosted when Gianni Agnelli, the stylish patriarch of the Fiat empire, was spotted wearing Tod’s on television.
This unsolicited endorsement from one of Italy’s most revered style icons was worth its weight in gold—or, more accurately, in marked-up leather shoes.
The brand has continued to leverage star power over the years and Princess Diana was famously fond of Tod’s bags, a royal seal of approval that undoubtedly contributed to the brand’s prestigious image.
More recently, Tod’s has tapped into the influence of modern celebrities and influencers, further cementing its status as a must-have luxury brand.
So, Are Tod’s Worth the Splurge?
The answer, as with most things in the world of luxury goods, is not a simple yes or no.
From a functional perspective, it’s hard to justify spending upwards of £400 on a pair of shoes that, by many accounts, wear out faster than their more affordable counterparts.
The Gommino, in particular, seems to suffer from a design that prioritises style and initial comfort over longevity.
However, purchasing Tod’s shoes isn’t a functional decision but an investment in a certain image and lifestyle.
For the gentleman seeking to project an air of effortless, old-money elegance, Tod’s delivers in spades.
The brand’s heritage, craftsmanship, and understated design speak volumes without saying a word.
It’s also worth considering the versatility of Tod’s designs as a pair of Gomminos can transition from a casual daytime look to a smart-casual evening ensemble, replacing several pairs of shoes.
Alternatives – Old Money Look for Less
For those who admire Tod’s aesthetic but baulk at the price tag, there are alternatives worth considering.
Brands like Rancourt & Co. offer handmade driving shoes with pebbled soles at a considerably lower price point (around £295).
While they may not carry the same luxury cachet as Tod’s, they offer excellent craftsmanship and a similar style.
For a more budget-friendly option, consider classic boat shoes from brands like Sperry.
While they may not have the same refined look as Tod’s Gomminos, they offer a similar casual-luxe vibe and often boast superior durability for everyday wear.
Alternatively, if you’re set on Italian craftsmanship, brands like Carmina or Meermin offer high-quality, Goodyear-welted shoes at a fraction of Tod’s prices.
While their styles differ from Tod’s casual aesthetic, they embody a similar spirit of timeless elegance.
Tod’s Similar Articles
Style Like A Pro
Before we say goodbye, here’s one of the best-kept secrets in men’s styling circles, a secret that only a few expert image consultants know or are willing to share:
First and foremost, professional styling requires knowing your unique body shape and seasonal colour palette – paramount factors in choosing perfectly fitting clothes in colours that complement your skin, eyes, and hair.
Only then can a stylist engage in styling by occasion, location, season, and time of day, with garments, footwear, and accessories from stylistically relevant, heritage fashion brands to depict high confidence and success.
Best part? You can find your body shape, seasonal colour palette, and ideal fashion style, in less than 5 minutes, by yourself, for free, thanks to our 3 simple steps, below:
1. Find Your Body Shape
Different garments flatter different silhouettes, so knowing your body shape is the first step in dressing like a confident man.
To find out your unique body shape, take our free body shape quiz for men.
Once you know your unique body shape, take the second free quiz to discover your unique colour palette.
2. Find Your Unique Colour Palette
Remember, the garments that compose your outfits come in various colours and you have to make sure that each hue complements your natural colour.
For that, you have to find out your seasonal colour palette, and you can do it by taking our free seasonal colour quiz for men.
3. Find Your Ideal Fashion Style
By now, you should already know your body shape and unique colour palette; the next step is to discover your ideal personal fashion style.
The fastest and simplest way is to take our free fashion style quiz for men; it includes your ideal style, outfit ideas, relevant fashion brands, and much more.
4. Professional Image Consultancy with The VOU
And if you want to style like a professional, by occasion, location, season, and time of the day, you can always ask our expert image consultants and fashion stylists for help.
Our styling services for men are the most comprehensive and detailed on the market, backed up by leading stylists who will guide you step by step in creating looks that communicate affluence, elegance, and endless accomplishments.
Remember, wearing luxury brands isn’t enough; to look stylish, confident, and successful, you must first know your body shape, colour palette, and ideal personal style, and only then style by occasion, location, season, and time of day.
Contact us today to save headaches, time, and money – it’s time to dress like a confident, successful gentleman of exquisite fashion taste –Â the first styling assessment is on us!