5 Best Shopping in Rome, Italy

Founded in the 1920s, Tod's has grown from a small family brand into a global powerhouse so wealthy that its owner Diego Della Valle donated €20 million to the Colosseum restoration project. The shoe baron is best known for his simple, classic, understated designs done in butter-soft leather, but his light, flexible Gommini line of driving shoes, with rubber-bottomed soles for extra driving-pedal grip, are popular as well. There is also a location on Via Condotti.

Shoe lovers with a passion for minimalist design flock to Fausto Santini to get their hands on his nerdy-chic footwear with its statement-making lines. Santini has been in business since 1970 and caters to a sophisticated, avant-garde clientele looking for elegant, classic shoes with a kick and a rainbow color palette. An outlet at Via Cavour 106, named for Fausto's father, Giacomo, sells last season's shoes at a big discount.

Fratelli Rossetti is an old-world company with modern aspirations. Although known for its classic leather mens' and womens' loafers, some of its recent offerings are slightly more playful, with oversized tassels, say, or contrasting colors. It also has lines of leather sandals and sneakers.

Giuseppe Zanotti creates sought-after men's and women's shoes ranging from colorful loafers to couture sneakers to pencil-thin stilettos (often with a bit of sparkle or other bling). The footwear here is placed on a literal pedestal so the craftsmanship can be admired from all angles.

Hollywood's gliteratti and social butterflies trust their pretty little feet with one brand: Salvatore Ferragamo. Fans will think they have died and followed the white light when they enter the Rome stores, where shoes and handbags are displayed on pillars like jewels. The Florentine design house also has ready-to-wear clothes, scarves, and ties. Men's styles are found at Via Condotti 65, women's at 73/74. Want to sleep in Ferragamo-style? Its splendid luxury Portrait Suites Hotel is on the upper floors.