There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the right dress shoes. Two of the most popular brands are Magnanni and Carmina.
Both Magnanni and Carmina shoes are known for their superb craftsmanship and outstanding styles so their shoes are made from the finest leathers, giving this range of shoes a superior look and feel.
The major difference between these two shoes is that Carmina offers more diverse styles of dress shoes and lace-ups than Magnanni.
This doesn’t mean that Magnanni does not produce shoes with different styles, this just means that when it comes to having different styles that shoppers will like, Carmina is a clear choice,
This article will compare Magnanni shoes and Carmina shoes based on their look, feel, styles and key details of the shoes so you can make the best decision for your needs.
First glance
Magnanni
- Well made, comfortable, and stylish
- Nice and cushy soles
- Come in wide variety of styles
- Made with exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail
The first impression of Magnanni shoes is that they are well made, comfortable, and stylish.
The leather is very soft and the soles are nice and cushy. If you’re an athletic person, you’ll love the comfort these shoes provide.
Magnanni shoes are great for dressy occasions because they come in a wide variety of colors and styles.
Whether you’re looking for a pair of men’s dress shoes or casual loafers, Magnanni has something for everyone!
Magnanni Shoes are classic, timeless, high-quality men’s dress shoes. Magnanni shoes are made in Spain with the finest leather. Magnanni shoes come in many different styles, colors, and sizes to suit your needs.
Magnanni shoes are made with exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. Magnanni shoes look great on any man who wants to stand out in a crowd.
Magnanni shoes provide comfort while walking or standing for long periods of time. Magnanni shoes are stylish and modern while maintaining their classic appeal.
Magnanni shoes are made in Spain using the finest materials available. they were well made from high-quality materials that looked like they would last a long time!
Carmina
- High quality and craftsmanship
- Comfortable right out of the box
- Perfect stitches
- Last for decades with proper maintenance and care
Carmina is a very well-known brand in the shoe industry and is highly regarded for its quality and craftsmanship.
The shoes are handmade and the materials used are of high quality. I have been wearing these for a month now and I am loving them.
The first thing that struck me about these shoes was their color. They are not your typical brown or black dress shoes that you see everywhere. The color is a deep burgundy which is perfect for fall/winter wear.
I bought the Captoe Oxford shoes. It’s also great because it won’t clash with any suit you might be wearing to work or casual wear like chinos or jeans.
The second thing that struck me was how comfortable they were right out of the box! That hardly ever happens with dress shoes, so when it does happen it feels like winning the lottery! These were no exception; they felt like pillows on my feet!
The third thing that impressed me about these shoes was how well made they were; every stitch is perfect and there are no loose threads anywhere!
Once you start wearing Carmina for longer periods of time (say, more than a week), you’ll develop a new appreciation for these shoes.
And since they’re made on such high quality lasts from Spanish factories with over 100 years of experience producing footwear, they will last for decades with proper care and maintenance
Magnanni vs Carmina: Let’s compare
| Feature | Magnanni | Carmina |
| Construction | Blake stitching construction | Goodyear welt construction |
| Leather | Full-grain leather | Full-grain calfskin leather and suede vachetta leather |
| stitching | Double stitch | Single stitch |
| Price | Between $340 and around $500 | Between $390 to $700 |
| Build quality | Made with high-quality leather and Blake stitching construction | Similar to Magnanni but with Goodyear welt construction |
| Insole | Leather | High-quality PU leather |
| Outsole | Leather | EVA |
| Sizing and fit | Made in various sizes for everyone. They are also true to size | Made in various sizes for everyone. They are also true to size |
| Style | Classic and modern | Dressy and stylish |
Magnanni vs Carmina: Construction
Carmina shoes are made with Goodyear welt construction. This means that the sole is stitched to the upper at the toe and heel, and then the sole is cemented to the upper.
This is a very durable method of construction, and it makes for a very comfortable shoe.
Magnanni shoes are made with Blake construction. In this method, welts (seam-like strips) are sewn onto the upper and then stitched onto a thick sole.
Blake construction is less expensive than Goodyear welt, but it does not last as long or provide as much support for your feet.
Magnanni vs Carmina: Leather
Both Magnanni shoes are similar in the type of leather used, but then Carmina uses calfskin leather.
Magnanni shoes are made with full-grain leather. Full-grain leather is the strongest and most durable type of leather. It has a thick, tough outer layer that resists moisture and other damage.
Full-grain leather will age beautifully over time, developing a unique patina that reflects its owner’s character.
Carmina shoes are made from full-grain calf leather. it has high quality and is incredibly durable. It is softer than most other types of leather and can be easily polished to a high shine.
Both Magnanni and Carmina use suede leather for some of their shoes like Magnanni Men’s Enrique Oxford and Carmina unlined Chelsea Boots.
Magnanni vs Carmina: Stitching
The stitching used in Magnanni shoes is made of a thick thread which is called “Double Stitch”. This type of stitch is very durable.
The color of this double stitch is usually black, but you can also find it in other colors such as brown or white.
Stitching on the vamp and quarter are also double stitch but with a different technique.
The quarters are stitched from bottom-up as a continuous piece of leather that goes around the front and back parts of the ankle and then comes together at the side seam.
This way, there are no seams visible from the outside but it creates some creases on the inside of the shoe, especially at the side seam.
The stitching used on Carmina shoes is made of a thin thread called “Single Stitch”.
This type of stitch is less durable than the double stitch, but it’s still pretty strong. The color of this single stitch is usually white or black, but some models come with other colors like brown or blue.
On top of that, there is one row of stitching on each side seam so that when you bend your foot forward or backward it will not leave any marks on your skin because there are no seams visible from the outside.
Magnanni vs Carmina: Build quality
In terms of build quality, there is no real difference between Carmina and Magnanni. Both companies use high-quality leathers that is sourced from the world’s best tanneries.
There are differences in the way they are made though. Carmina uses a Goodyear welt construction, which means that the upper and sole are sewn together before being stitched to the midsole.
This is more expensive to produce than Blake construction (used by Magnanni), but it gives greater flexibility and better heat retention.
Magnanni also uses Blake construction, but only for their suede models. They use bologna construction for most of their dress shoes and a different type of sole on their leather shoes too, which is intended to give them a more casual appearance.
Magnanni vs Carmina: Price
Carmina shoes are outrightly more expensive than Magnanni shoes.
A Carmina dress shoe starts from around $390 while a Magnanni costs about $340, till around $500. While you can get a Carmina shoe still around $700
Magnanni vs Carmina: Insole
Magnanni shoes have a leather insole. Carmina shoes have a leather insole. Both brands use the best quality leather available.
Magnanni shoes are designed for comfort and for long-lasting wear. The leather used is soft, but also very durable.
Magnanni uses the best quality of leather in their shoes so that you can enjoy the comfort and style of their footwear for years to come.
The material of the insole in Carmina shoes is made of high-quality PU leather which is very comfortable to wear and has great durability. The insole is also sewn inside the shoe so it will not move around or come loose.
Magnanni vs Carmina: Outsole
Magnanni shoes are made with a leather outsole, which is a great choice for any shoe. The outsole is the part of the shoe that touches the ground, so it’s important to choose one that will stand up to wear and tear.
Carmina shoes are made with an EVA outsole, which is a type of foam material that’s lightweight and shock absorbent. It can also be used in a variety of applications, including footwear.
Magnanni vs Carmina: Sizing and fit
Magnanni shoes are true to size. Magnanni is a brand that is notorious for having a very wide fit.
The leathers used in Magnanni shoes are thick, so they will stretch over time. If you choose to wear Magnanni shoes with thick socks, the fit will be snug. This is normal for Magnanni.
Carmina shoes are true to size as well, but not as wide as Magnanni.
Carmina uses thinner leathers in their shoes, so they do not stretch much at all and are more likely to fit your foot exactly as it was designed by the manufacturer.
Magnanni vs Carmina: Style
Magnanni shoes are designed to be more classic and modern. Carmina shoes are designed to be more stylish and dressy.
Pros of Magnanni shoes
The best thing about Magnanni shoes is their fit
You can get them tailored to your exact measurements, so it’s easy to find a pair that fit perfectly.
Magnanni shoes are also very stylish, appealing to both men and women alike
The company has many different styles and colors of shoes, so you’ll never run out of options when it comes to purchasing something new.
If you’re looking for a classic pair of black dress shoes, Magnanni has them in every style imaginable.
Magnanni shoes are handcrafted and made from premium materials
The leather is high-quality, and the stitching is well done.
Cons of Magnanni shoes
- One downside to Magnanni shoes is their price tag. They aren’t cheap by any means, but they are worth every penny if you can afford them!
Pros of Carmina shoes
High quality
Carmina shoes are made in Spain by skilled craftsmen who have been doing this for generations. The leather they use is also top-notch and can last a lifetime if taken care of properly.
Great fit
Carmina uses lasts that fit your feet well, so you can expect a perfect fit every time you order from them (unless you need an odd size or special shape). They also have a wide range of widths available for those with wider feet.
These shoes are made by hand, so they are very durable and long-lasting. You can wear them for many years to come and they will not break down easily.
The leather used in these shoes is incredibly soft and comfortable. They also have a nice appearance that makes them easy to wear with any outfit you choose for the day.
It’s easy to find something in this brand that matches your style and preferences perfectly, whether you like formal or casual styles of shoes.
Cons of Magnanni shoes
- You need special care when cleaning them because they are made of high-quality leather that can easily be damaged if not handled properly.
- They are very expensive
Overall/takeaway
After several deliberations, I’ve finally come to a decision that Carmina is better than Magnanni. As you know, I can’t just state my decision without supporting it, here are some reasons
Carmina shoes have a more snug fit than Magnanni shoes. This is because Carmina shoes use a European last, which is narrower than the American last used by Magnanni and other brands.
The stitching on Magnanni shoes is much rougher than on Carmina’s shoes (and not just because you can see it).
It feels like there are little rocks in your shoe if you wear them all day long, whereas with Carmina there is no such problem.
Third, if you want a more stylish pair of shoes then Carmina will deliver this for you as well.
They offer many different styles including dress shoes, casual shoes, and boots so there is something for everyone.
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