Quince Shoes Review: Italian Leather Boots, Loafers, and Flats Tested by a Real Woman in Her 50s

If you've been following Wardrobe Oxygen for a while, you know I've put Quince through its paces. The leather bags are excellent. The leather outerwear is well-made and a genuine value. But shoes? That's where I've had to sit on the sidelines. I have wide feet, and Quince doesn't offer wide widths. I wasn't going to give you a half-baked review based on one uncomfortable try-on, so I did what any self-respecting blogger would do: I found someone better suited for the job.

Enter Elizabeth Fitzsimmons, who applied through the Wardrobe Oxygen Community on Facebook. I've met Elizabeth in person, I know her taste is impeccable, and she even has experience working alongside a professional personal stylist. She's also a self-described shoe snob who normally wears high-end Italian-made shoes that retail for many times the price of anything at Quince. In other words, she's not easy to impress.

For this review, Elizabeth tested five Quince shoe styles: Italian Leather Riding Boots, Italian Leather Kitten Heel Ankle Boots, Italian Leather Handwoven Square Toe Ballet Flats, Italian Leather Horsebit Loafers, and Australian Shearling Moccasin Slippers. She wore them out in the real world, compared them to designer counterparts, and gave me her honest take on quality, comfort, fit, and value. She's a size 9 medium with what she calls “boring feet” (true to size in every major brand) which makes her an ideal tester for anyone wondering whether Quince shoes run true to size.

Spoiler: she was impressed. Here's her full review.

Quince Shoes Review: Italian Leather Boots, Loafers, and Flats Tested by a Real Woman in Her 50s

I’m delighted to be the latest community reviewer on Wardrobe Oxygen.  I’ve been a devoted reader for more than a decade and love Alison’s authentic, practical, joyful take on style and life.  A former resident of the DMV, I’ve been lucky enough to meet Alison in person and let me confirm for those of you who haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting her IRL, she is just as fun, direct, stylish, and real as you imagine.

When Alison invited me to review Quince shoe offerings, I put together a line-up that represents the ideal “shoe wardrobe” for a busy woman who wants her shoes to feel great, hold up for multiple seasons, and carry her through the day without worrying that her sore feet will show up on her face.  Because we’ve all been there, wearing the cute shoes that pinch or bind or give us blisters and you know that discomfort shows in your expression no matter how much you try to hide it. 

As Alison would say, we “grown-ass women” don’t have time for shoes that hurt.

Quince’s tagline is “High Quality Essentials at Radically Low Prices” and bottom line up front:  When it comes to shoes, they deliver on that promise.  From Italian Leather Riding Boots to Australian Shearling Moccasin Slippers, Quince delivers high quality, excellent comfort, and a reasonable price. 

I’m a bit of a shoe snob and I was truly delighted with Quince’s quality especially at the price point.  I normally wear a lot of Marion Parke and Ann Mashburn shoes which are also Italian-made and come in at many times the price of similar Quince offerings.  This chance to try a number of Quince styles converted me and my shoe budget is grateful to know I don’t have to compromise on style or comfort.

I am a size 9 and am grateful for my boring feet, especially as I’m in my 50s.  I wear a 9M in every major brand.  I ordered all of the shoes featured in this collection in a size 9 and found them true to size in every case with the exception of the ankle width on the Italian Leather Kitten Heel Boots which I discuss in more detail below.

Quince Italian Leather Riding Boots Review: Are They Worth It?

Let’s start with the Italian Leather Riding Boots.  These are a great value at just under $200, with a 1.5” heel and made with leather lining as well as a leather upper. I wore them out of the box for a whole day of walking and they felt great.  They fit nicely with a warm pair of smartwool socks underneath but also work well with tights. 

If I had to quibble I’d say a little bit more of a durable lugsole would be a nice addition but the streamlined look of these boots makes them highly versatile and a superb wardrobe staple. 

I hesitate to ever say anything is a “must own” as personal style and lifestyle is so individual, but if your life calls for a leather riding boot, you won’t find a better style for the money than these Italian Leather Riding Boots from Quince.

Quince Italian Leather Kitten Heel Ankle Boot: Wide Calf Warning

Moving on to the Italian Leather Kitten Heel Ankle Boot, these are a heel height (1.4”) and color (Merlot) that I adore.  Retailing at $164, these have just enough lift to feel polished but still comfortable enough for all day wear and the merlot is an unexpected neutral that lifts an outfit without shouting. 

Merlot is having a moment and plays so well with the chocolate brown that is everywhere and will also work well with the camels, rosewoods, and sky blues of spring. 

I will note that on me the Italian Leather Kitten Heel boot is a bit snug in the upper ankle and I’ll probably have those stretched at a cobbler to be able to wear them fully zipped with socks, but I wore them all day right out of the box and left the top two inches unzipped under trousers and found them comfortable.  But since I have pretty average sized calves and ankles (I’m 5’8” and weigh 165) you should be aware that these aren’t the ideal choice if you have wider calves.

Quince Italian Leather Handwoven Square Toe Ballet Flat: The Freda Salvador Dupe?

Next up is the sleeper hit  – I wasn’t expecting to love these as much as I do.  The Italian Leather Handwoven Square Toe Ballet Flat in Merlot is such an elegant, comfortable, stylish shoe. 

These look like Freda Salvador but are $84 instead of $400.  I can’t get over how comfortable these are right out of the box.  And again, merlot is the elevated neutral you didn’t know you needed. 

I love these so much I’m going back for the cognac and I predict these will be my shoe wardrobe MVPs of the spring and summer to add a little polish and “quiet luxury” to denim or to make a ponte dress feel a little more elevated.

Quince Italian Leather Horsebit Loafer: A Gucci-Inspired Alternative

The next shoe in our lineup is the Italian Leather Horsebit Loafer which retails for $84.  These are a pretty good dupe of the iconic Gucci horsebit loafer.  It’s not an exact match by any means (I own a Gucci pair so was able to really look at them side by side) but it’s definitely an “inspired by” situation. 

We could debate all day the merits of the “dupe culture” that we inhabit, but in this case let’s just enjoy that Quince is producing a quality leather loafer with a classic shape and design that is accessible, affordable, and comfortable right out of the box. 

I think the black and the bone are the most elevated colorways.  I wanted to love the coffee bean but the color looked muddy to me on the website photography so I went with the classic black.  These are a great buy and if you need a comfortable loafer for travel that will go with virtually everything and never give you a blister, this is the right call.  

Quince Australian Shearling Moccasin Slippers vs. L.L.Bean Wicked Good

Finally, we have to pause and admire the Australian Shearling Moccasin Slippers.  This, again, is an “inspired by” choice and I was able to look at them side by side with the L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins which I’ve owned and loved for years. 

Nothing will ever replace L.L.Bean in my New England girl’s heart, but the Quince Moccasin slippers are delightfully warm and comfortable and absolutely deserve their 4.8 star rating with 450+ reviews. 

These slippers are sturdy, the shearling layer is plush, and the non-slip rubber soles mean you can run out to grab the paper (am I the only one with a physical subscription in 2026?) without changing shoes. And for less than $50 you can't beat the price.

Frequently Asked Questions About Quince Shoes

Are Quince shoes true to size? In my experience testing five styles, yes, Quince shoes run true to size across the board. I wear a size 9 medium in every major brand and ordered a 9 in each style reviewed here with consistent results. The one exception worth noting: the Italian Leather Kitten Heel Ankle Boot runs snug in the upper ankle; if you have wider calves or ankles, you should pass on these or be prepared for a cobbler visit.

Are Quince shoes comfortable right out of the box? Remarkably, yes. This was the biggest surprise for me as someone accustomed to higher-end Italian leather shoes. I wore the Riding Boots straight out of the box with no break-in period, and the Handwoven Square Toe Ballet Flat was immediately comfortable as well. For a woman in her 50s who takes foot comfort seriously, this was a genuine selling point.

How does Quince shoe quality compare to designer brands? As someone who regularly wears Marion Parke and Ann Mashburn, both Italian-made shoes that retail for many times the price, I was genuinely impressed. Quince uses Italian leather and leather lining, and the construction is solid. These aren't identical to luxury brands, but the quality-to-price ratio is exceptional. The Handwoven Square Toe Ballet Flat, for example, looks and feels remarkably similar to Freda Salvador styles that retail around $400, at a fraction of the cost.

Do Quince shoes work for wide feet? This review was conducted by a woman with average-width feet, so I can't speak to wide sizing from personal experience. Quince does not currently offer wide widths in their shoe line, which is why Alison, who has wide feet, recruited a community member to conduct this review. If you have wide-ish feet, the Riding Boots may work, but proceed with caution on the other styles.

Do Quince tall boots work for wide calves? No, I do not recommend the Quince knee-high boots for anyone with larger than 15″ calves. The Riding Boots fit my calves well, but I am not one who requires a wide calf or extended calf boot.

Which Quince shoe style is the best value? The Italian Leather Handwoven Square Toe Ballet Flat is the standout value in this lineup. At $84, it delivers the look and comfort of a designer ballet flat and is the style I'd recommend most enthusiastically to anyone building a versatile shoe wardrobe. The Riding Boots are a close second for anyone who needs a classic leather boot that will carry them through multiple seasons.

Are Quince shoes worth it? Yes. Quince delivers on its promise of high quality essentials at radically lower prices. Across five styles: riding boots, kitten heel ankle boots, ballet flats, horsebit loafers, and shearling moccasin slippers, the shoes were consistently well-constructed, comfortable, and true to size. For women who want chic, comfortable shoes without the designer price tag, Quince is worth your consideration.

So there you have it: a review of a shoe wardrobe from Quince that will take you from the airport to the boardroom to the restaurant with style and comfort and without breaking the bank.  I think Quince is really delivering for its customer base – these shoes all had dozens (and in some cases hundreds) of glowing reviews.  It’s clear that women want chic comfort and Quince provides it.

Thanks again to Alison for letting me be a contributor to the vibrant Wardrobe Oxygen community.  I’m on Instagram @DiplomaticDressing if you want to connect. I’d love to hear from you!