New York-based shoe brand Dolce Vita has gained a reputation for their stylish yet wearable footwear designed for the modern woman‘s lifestyle. With a wide range of styles from combat boots to strappy sandals to comfy sneakers, Dolce Vita aims to be a one-stop shop for fashionable shoes to take you from day to night.
But with so many footwear brands out there, what sets Dolce Vita apart? And are their shoes truly worth the hype – and the price tag? In this in-depth Dolce Vita shoes review, we‘ll take a closer look at the brand‘s background, best-selling styles, customer feedback, and more to help you decide if their shoes deserve a place in your closet.
About Dolce Vita Shoes
Founded in Manhattan‘s Lower East Side in 2001 by shoemakers Nick Lucio and Van Lamprou, Dolce Vita quickly made a name for itself with its bold, eye-catching shoe designs favored by models, celebrities and fashion-forward women.
According to the founders, the brand‘s aesthetic was inspired by the "fearless spirit of the modern woman who makes her own way in the world." They aimed to design shoes that blended timeless silhouettes with distinctive, edgy details to elevate any look.
Now under parent company Steve Madden, Dolce Vita has expanded its collection to include a wide array of styles from boots to flats to heels, all with a focus on quality craftsmanship, comfort, and that signature Dolce Vita flair. The brand boasts an impressive social media following of 283K on Instagram and features in top fashion publications like Vogue, Harper‘s Bazaar, and Who What Wear.
Dolce Vita Shoe Styles and Pricing
One of the biggest selling points of Dolce Vita is the brand‘s versatility. Their collection truly has something for everyone and every occasion, with styles ranging from edgy to vintage-inspired to minimalist chic.
You‘ll find ankle boots, over-the-knee boots, platform sneakers, block heel sandals, loafers, lug sole boots, and much more, with new designs released each season. The brand is known for its cool and contemporary take on classic silhouettes.
In terms of aesthetics, Dolce Vita favors a neutral color palette of black, white, camel, and shades of brown/tan, which makes their shoes easy to mix and match with different outfits. That said, you‘ll also find pops of metallic, animal print, and the occasional pastel in their lineup.
Dolce Vita shoes generally range from $100-$300, putting them on the higher end of the contemporary market. Boots tend to be the most expensive, usually coming in at $200 or more, while sneakers and flat sandals are typically under $150.
While not cheap, Dolce Vita‘s prices are on par with similar "affordable luxury" shoe brands like Sam Edelman, Vince Camuto, and Marc Fisher. What you‘re paying for is the brand‘s unique designs and quality materials like real leather and suede.
The company also has a lower-priced diffusion line called DV which offers similar aesthetics at a slightly more accessible price point, with most styles under $100.
Dolce Vita Shoe Sizing and Fit
In general, Dolce Vita shoes run true to size, with some customers even saying certain styles like their sneakers and flat sandals run a bit large. The brand offers a handy size guide on their website with measurements in inches and centimeters to help you find your ideal fit.
However, some reviewers noted their boots and narrower styles like pointed toe mules ran a bit small, so you may want to size up a half size in those. Dolce Vita also offers some boots in both standard and wide calf options, making them a great choice for those with athletic calves.
In terms of comfort, Dolce Vita gets mixed reviews. Many customers rave about their sneakers and flat sandals, saying they‘re super comfortable right out of the box and great for all-day wear. On the flip side, some of their heels and boots with taller shafts required more breaking in.
Ultimately, comfort comes down to your individual foot shape and needs. We recommend reading reviews on the specific style you‘re eyeing to get a sense of how they fit and feel for different people.
Customer Reviews of Popular Dolce Vita Shoe Styles
To give you a better idea of how Dolce Vita shoes perform in real life, we combed through hundreds of customer reviews of some of the brand‘s most popular styles. Here‘s what we found:
Paily Heel in Leopard Calf Hair
With a 3.3" block heel, subtle square toe, and on-trend leopard print calf hair upper, the Paily heels make a fierce statement while still being easy to walk in. Customers love the bold look and say they‘re surprisingly comfortable for heels.
"These are quite possibly the perfect heels!", raved one reviewer. "The block heel and padded footbed makes them comfortable enough to wear all night, and the leopard print is stunning. I got so many compliments at a wedding. Worth every penny!"
The only caveat several mentioned is the calf hair, while luxe, is a bit delicate and prone to shedding or even rubbing off over time. We‘d recommend treating them with a suede protector to keep them looking pristine.
Zina Platform Sneakers
Dolce Vita‘s platform sneakers have gained cult status among the fashion set for their street style cool factor. The best-selling low-top Zina sneakers feature a 1.5" platform sole, tonal laces, and a patchwork design of suede, leather, and/or calf hair depending on the color you choose.
Reviewers rave about how lightweight and comfy the Zinas are thanks to the cushioned insole and bouncy rubber sole. People love styling them with both casual and dressy outfits for an effortlessly cool look.
"I was afraid these would be heavy and hard to walk in with the platform, but they‘re actually super lightweight!", said one customer. "The mixed textures make them look so unique and expensive. I can wear them all day with no pain. Definitely worth the price!"
Another noted, "I sized up half a size based on the reviews and they fit perfectly. The patchwork design is such a fun detail and elevates any basic outfit. I‘ve been wearing them nonstop!"
Huey Ankle Boots in Ecru Leather
Combat boots are a staple in any cool girl‘s wardrobe, and Dolce Vita‘s Huey ankle boots put a fresh spin on the style with an of-the-moment ecru colorway and chunky lug sole. Made of soft full grain leather, these lace-up boots feature a 2" stacked heel, padded collar, and pull tab.
Many reviewers commented on the excellent leather quality and construction, saying these boots are built to last for many seasons. People also appreciated the side zipper that made them easy to slip on and off.
"These boots are even better in person!", gushed one reviewer. "The leather is buttery soft yet substantial, and the light ecru color is such a nice alternative to black or brown. The lug sole has great traction too. I can tell these will be a fall staple for years to come."
As with most combat boots, several people mentioned the Hueys took a few wears to fully break in and mold to their feet. We recommend wearing them around the house with thick socks at first, or using a leather stretcher on any particularly tight spots.
While these boots are definitely an investment at nearly $300, reviewers say the quality and comfort make them worth the splurge, especially if you live in a walking city and need durable everyday boots.
Is Dolce Vita a Sustainable Brand?
In addition to style and quality, more consumers are considering a brand‘s environmental and ethical practices when making purchasing decisions. So how does Dolce Vita stack up in terms of sustainability?
According to their website, Dolce Vita is taking steps to minimize their environmental impact and promote more sustainable business practices. This includes:
- Using eco-friendly and recycled packaging materials
- Partnering with tanneries that utilize environmentally-safe practices
- Introducing more sustainable vegan leather options
- Working towards a goal of sourcing 50% recycled or bio-based materials across all products by 2025
While they‘re not perfect, it‘s clear sustainability is a growing priority for Dolce Vita and they are making an effort to reduce waste and increase the use of earth-friendly materials. Many of their shoes are also designed to be timeless wardrobe staples you can wear for years to come.
Conclusion: Is Dolce Vita Worth It?
After an extensive look at Dolce Vita‘s brand history, product offering, customer reviews, and sustainability practices, our verdict is that yes, their shoes are worth the investment for the fashion-conscious buyer looking for high-quality, comfortable, and stylish footwear.
While Dolce Vita shoes definitely aren‘t cheap, you‘re paying for excellent craftsmanship, on-trend yet timeless designs, and materials that are built to last. Based on the glowing reviews, their shoes seem to strike the perfect balance of style and wearability.
We love that the brand offers such a wide range of styles to suit any woman‘s aesthetic, from bohemian to edgy to classic and everything in between. And with most styles priced under $200, Dolce Vita is an accessible option for those looking to treat themselves to nicer shoes without totally breaking the bank.
Ultimately, the best shoes are the ones that make you look and feel amazing, and Dolce Vita delivers on that promise according to hundreds of happy customers. If you‘re in the market for a pair of trendy yet practical shoes to pepper in your wardrobe, we can‘t recommend Dolce Vita enough!
Shop Dolce Vita Shoes
Now that you have the full scoop on Dolce Vita, you‘re probably wondering where you can snag a pair of your own! Luckily, the brand is widely available at many major retailers, both online and in-store.
The best place to shop is Dolce Vita‘s official website, where you‘ll find the widest selection of sizes and styles, as well as free shipping on orders over $75. They also have a great sale section where you can score some of their bestsellers for up to 50% off!
If you prefer to shop in person, you can find Dolce Vita at upscale department stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale‘s, and Anthropologie, as well as specialty boutiques. The brand also has flagship stores in New York and Los Angeles.
In terms of shipping and returns, Dolce Vita offers free standard shipping on orders over $75, and flat rate shipping starting at $5 for orders under that amount. They have a 30-day return policy for unworn items, with free return shipping on domestic orders.
Because fit and comfort can vary from person to person, we always recommend trying on Dolce Vita shoes in store if you can to ensure you‘re getting the right size. But if you do order online, rest assured the brand has an easy return process should you need a different size or style.
We hope this comprehensive Dolce Vita shoes review has been helpful in deciding if the brand is right for you! With their wide range of chic styles, quality materials, and hundreds of glowing customer reviews, we think Dolce Vita is a shoe brand every fashion lover should have on their radar.
