Berluti vs. Hermès: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Berluti is a master of men's footwear, known for its unique, hand-applied patina on Venezia leather, offering a contemporary and artistic take on luxury. In contrast, Hermès is the pinnacle of timeless heritage, celebrated for its iconic and exclusive handbags like the Birkin and Kelly, which function as status symbols and long-term investments.

Let's compare these two titans of luxury to help you decide which brand best fits your style and priorities.

Berluti: The Master of Patina & Bespoke Footwear

Founded in 1895, Berluti has built its entire reputation on exceptional men's footwear and leather craftsmanship. The brand is celebrated for its signature patina - a hand-coloring technique that gives each piece of Venezia leather a unique depth and character. This makes Berluti the go-to for men who appreciate artisanal work, personalization, and a style that is sophisticated with a modern, artistic edge.

• Product mix: Primarily focuses on men's shoes, boots, and leather goods. They have expanded to offer ready-to-wear clothing, bags, and wallets, all maintaining the brand's core leather-centric aesthetic.
• Price point: High luxury, with shoes typically starting around $1,200. Leather accessories and small goods range from $500 to over $3,000, while bespoke services command a significant premium.
• Quality: World-class. Their use of exclusive Venezia leather and methodical, hand-finished patinas ensure that each piece is not only durable but also a work of art that can be maintained and re-patinated over time.
• Fit & Sizing: Footwear generally runs true to size. As a shoemaker at its core, the brand offers an excellent fit and provides bespoke services for a completely customized experience.

Berluti offers a highly personal and artistic approach to men's luxury leather goods, driven by its unparalleled expertise in bespoke shoemaking and hand-finished patinas.

Shop Berluti: berluti.com

Hermès: The Epitome of Timeless Luxury & Exclusivity

Established in 1837, Hermès represents the ultimate in heritage, quality, and prestige. While starting as a harness workshop, the brand evolved into the definitive name in luxury leather goods, famed for its iconic handbags like the Birkin and Kelly. Hermès appeals to a clientele that values timeless design, meticulous craftsmanship that lasts for generations, and the subtle status that comes with owning one of the world's most desired luxury items.

• Product mix: A wide range of luxury goods including women's and men's ready-to-wear, iconic silk scarves, jewelry, watches, fragrances, and home goods. Their leather goods, particularly handbags, remain the brand's foundation.
• Price point: The highest end of the luxury market. While accessories can start around $300, signature handbags start at approximately $10,000 and regularly climb into the six-figure range, often appreciating in value on the resale market.
• Quality: The industry standard for excellence. Hermès artisans train for years, using only the finest leathers like Togo and Epsom and employing techniques like saddle-stitching to ensure unparalleled durability.
• Sizing/Fit: Handbags and accessories come in standardized sizes (e.g., Birkin 25, 30). This sizing is consistent but does not pertain to fit in the traditional sense.

Hermès maintains its position as a top-tier luxury house through unwavering quality, classic design, and a carefully managed sense of scarcity and exclusivity.

Shop Hermès: hermes.com

Berluti vs. Hermès Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a significant price difference between the two brands. Berluti sits firmly in the high-luxury category, with footwear priced from $1,200 and bags often in the $2,000 to $5,000 range. While expensive, these prices reflect the detailed craftsmanship and bespoke options available.

Hermès operates at an entirely different price level, often considered an investment class. Entry-level small leather goods start around $300-$500, but the products a person thinks of - the Birkin and Kelly - start at $10,000 and routinely require a long purchase history to even be offered one. Hermès is substantially more expensive across almost every comparable category.

Quality & Materials

Both brands offer exceptional quality. Berluti’s specialty is its signature Venezia leather, which is prized for its ability to take on a rich, layered patina. The focus is artistic and allows for personalization and refinishing, making each piece uniquely yours. Their commitment to bootmaking craft ensures construction is flawless.

Hermès’ quality is legendary, built on using the absolute best materials available, from Togo and Clemence leathers to exotic skins. Every item is handmade by a single artisan who executes the brand's famous saddle stitch. This ensures incredible durability and contributes to the items’ longevity and high resale value. While Berluti makes works of art, Hermès makes heirlooms.

Style & Aesthetic

Berluti embodies a modern, somewhat dandyish elegance. Its use of vibrant, deep patinas gives classic designs - like Oxford shoes or briefcases - a contemporary and individualistic flair. It is luxury for the man who wants his excellent taste to be seen and appreciated.

Hermès, in contrast, is the essence of understated, timeless sophistication. Its designs are classic, clean, and often minimalist, allowing the perfect materials and construction to speak for themselves. The branding is subtle. The style is classic and is meant to be relevant for decades, appealing to those who prefer quiet confidence over overt styling.

Shopping Experience

Shopping at Berluti is a personal and service-oriented experience. Boutiques encourage clients to explore bespoke options, discuss patina choices, and receive expert fittings. It’s an engaging process designed for enthusiasts of the craft.

The Hermès shopping experience is defined by exclusivity. While service is impeccable, acquiring high-demand items is a serious challenge. Securing a Birkin or Kelly bag is not as simple as walking in to buy one, it often requires a significant spending history with the brand and a relationship with a sales associate. This strategy enhances the allure and value of their most prized products.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal style, what you value in a luxury product, and your budget.

Choose Berluti if:

• You are primarily looking for exceptional men's dress shoes or leather boots.
• You appreciate an artistic, hand-finished look that feels unique and personalized.
• You admire expert craftsmanship but want it with a more modern and expressive aesthetic.
• Your budget is in the high luxury range, but not the ultra-premium investment tier of Hermès.

Choose Hermès if:

• You view luxury purchases as long-term investments that hold or increase in value.
• You are seeking an iconic, globally recognized status piece like a handbag or silk scarf.
• Your personal style is classic, timeless, and understated.
• Exclusivity and heritage are the most important qualities you look for in a brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Berluti or Hermès more expensive?

Hermès is significantly more expensive than Berluti, especially for their most famous items. A flagship Berluti pair of shoes may cost between $1,500 and $2,500, whereas an iconic Hermès handbag starts around $10,000 and can easily reach prices multiple times higher.

Which brand holds its value better?

Hermès holds its value better and often appreciates over time, particularly its Birkin and Kelly bags. They are considered investment pieces in the luxury market. While well-maintained Berluti items have good resale value, they generally do not appreciate in the same way.

What is Berluti best known for?

Berluti is best known for its men's shoes made from Venezia leather, which are famous for their unique, hand-applied patinas that create rich, deep colorations.

Is Berluti owned by the same company as Dior and Louis Vuitton?

Yes, Berluti is part of the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton luxury conglomerate, alongside other brands like Dior, Fendi, and Louis Vuitton.

Which has better quality leather?

Both brands use leather of the highest caliber, but for different purposes. Berluti's Venezia leather is celebrated for its supple feel and its ability to be patinated beautifully. Hermès uses a wider range of world-renowned leathers like Togo and Clemence, which are chosen for their durability, grain, and timeless appeal. The quality is a tie, the choice depends on the aesthetic you prefer.

Does Berluti only make products for men?

Berluti is predominantly a menswear brand, specializing in men's footwear, accessories, and clothing. Many of their smaller leather goods and bags can be considered unisex, but their design and heritage are rooted in menswear.

What makes an Hermès bag so hard to buy?

Hermès intentionally limits the production of its most sought-after bags, like the Birkin and Kelly, to maintain exclusivity and high demand. Customers typically need to establish a purchase history at a boutique even to be considered for an offer to buy one.

Do both brands offer customization?

Yes, but in different ways. Berluti is known for its bespoke shoemaking and its patina service, which allows customers to choose custom colors for their leather goods. Hermès offers a highly exclusive "Horseshoe Stamp" (HSS) special order service for top clients to design their own handbag, but this is extremely difficult to access.