Welcome to The Shoe Snob Unboxing!
One-take wonder time! Today, we’re featuring a brand I’ve never showcased on the blog before: Aurelien. They recently came onto my radar, and I’ve been genuinely impressed by their style and range. They were kind enough to send me a pair for an unboxing — so let’s take a look.
First, a Quick Note on Audio
Some of you mentioned the sound quality in my last video wasn’t great, so I picked up a mic. Admittedly, it’s not Bluetooth (those were too pricey), so we’ve got a cord on the table — please forgive the setup!
Introducing Aurelien
The brand is called Aurelien — I might be mispronouncing it due to the accent — but in any case, they position themselves as “smart luxury”: high-quality products without designer-brand pricing. Their website looks sharp, and their product line is equally impressive.
Previously, I featured one of their loafer/chukka hybrid models — something that reminded me of Brunello Cucinelli’s high-end styles that go for £1,000+. It’s that upscale casual look with dressy sensibilities.
But for this video, they sent me one of their driving loafers, which they said is their core product and top seller.
The Shoes: First Impressions
I opted for a pair in black suede. I’ve been loving black suede lately and, since I already own plenty of brown suede, it was time to balance things out.
Here they are — hopefully you can see them well in the video. The bottom features the traditional driving shoe studs.
Now, let’s be honest — driving loafers are tricky to differentiate. What I look for is a good cut, a sharp pattern, and a quality last. This pair has a soft chisel toe, not quite round, not quite square — a nice in-between that looks classy. I also appreciate the medium-to-short vamp, which is great for either tanning the ankles or styling them sockless.
Quality & Sizing
They’re made in Italy, as noted on the insole — and they feel solid. Comparable to other Italian driving shoes in terms of quality.
Driving loafers often skip half sizes. I’m typically a UK 6.5 (US 7.5 / EU 40.5), but went with a 40. Judging by eye (haven’t tried them on yet — saving that for you!), I think I made the right choice. A 41 would likely have been too large.
Sole Considerations
This pair features the stud-style sole, not a full rubber sole. Here’s the thing: while the studded version looks elegant and luxurious, it’s not the most durable if you walk a lot — especially on city streets.
If you’re mainly driving or moving from car to café, they’re perfect. But if you’re navigating New York, London, or cobblestone streets of Florence on foot, the full-sole version might suit you better. I tend to prefer full soles for urban use — they simply last longer.
Final Thoughts
These are priced at €165 (about $185–190 USD, depending on currency rates). For Italian-made quality, that’s a very fair price. Comparable models from other luxury brands can easily run double.
If you’re after a refined yet casual driving loafer, especially in black suede, this is a strong contender. Aurelien also makes other loafers that might be more robust if you want all-day wear. I might even pick up another pair myself.
Beyond shoes, they offer some genuinely stylish apparel. Aurelien surprised me — in a good way — and I’ve been consistently impressed.
Thanks for tuning in! I hope the improved sound quality helped. If you’re in the market for versatile, high-quality driving loafers, definitely check out Aurelien.
Take care, and have a great weekend!
See more at: https://aurelien-online.com/
—Justin FitzPatrick, The Shoe Snob
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