Berluti vs. Louis Vuitton: Which brand is better? [2026]

Berluti is a master of artisanal men's leather goods, known for its exceptional hand-finished patina leather and bespoke footwear, embodying an understated and timeless elegance. In contrast, Louis Vuitton is a global luxury powerhouse famous for its iconic monogram canvas and versatile range of products for both men and women, blending heritage with modern trends.

Let's examine everything you need to know to choose the right luxury brand for your style and priorities.

Berluti: The Master of Artisanal Leather

Founded in Paris in 1895, Berluti has built its legacy on unparalleled craftsmanship in men's footwear and leather goods. The brand's identity is defined by its deep understanding of leather, particularly its signature Venezia leather, and the unique, rich patina it develops through meticulous hand-coloring. Berluti caters to a discerning clientele that values quiet sophistication, bespoke services, and products seen as lifelong investments rather than seasonal trends.

• Product mix: Primarily focuses on high-end men's shoes, boots, and leather goods like briefcases, wallets, and belts. They also offer ready-to-wear collections and accessories, but their soul remains in bespoke footwear and exceptional leather craft.
• Price point: Operates at an ultra-luxury level. Expect to pay around $2,000 for ready-to-wear shoes, with bespoke creations starting much higher. Leather accessories typically fall between $1,000 and $5,000.
• Quality & Materials: World-renowned for its use of Venezia leather, which is prized for its ability to take on deep, multi-layered colors. Craftsmanship involves significant handwork in Italy, with a focus on durability and a finish that ages beautifully over time.
• Style & Aesthetic: The essence of understated elegance. Designs are classic, refined, and let the quality of the material speak for itself. You'll find minimal logos and a focus on sleek silhouettes and rich, hand-applied color.
• Shopping Experience: Highly personalized and exclusive. Shopping in a Berluti boutique often involves detailed consultations, especially for custom fittings, creating a refined and intimate process.

Berluti is for the individual who seeks the highest level of craftsmanship and personalized luxury without the need for overt branding, choosing timeless artistry over fleeting trends.

Shop Berluti: berluti.com

Louis Vuitton: The Global Icon of Luxury

Louis Vuitton is one of the most recognized and influential luxury brands in the world, tracing its origins to 1854 Paris as a maker of innovative travel trunks. While its iconic Monogram and Damier canvases are visual hallmarks, the brand has grown into a fashion giant with a vast product range. It masterfully balances its rich heritage with a continuously evolving, modern sensibility, appealing to a broad and diverse audience of luxury consumers.

• Product mix: An extensive offering for both women and men, including handbags, travel luggage, small leather goods, ready-to-wear apparel, shoes, watches, fine jewelry, and fragrances. Their collections often include high-profile collaborations with artists and designers.
• Price point: Offers a wider range of prices. Small items like cardholders can start around $300, while iconic canvas handbags like the Speedy are typically $1,500-$2,500. Limited edition and exotic leather pieces can easily cost over $10,000.
• Quality & Materials: Known for its durable coated canvas as well as high-quality leathers like Epi and Vachetta. Craftsmanship is consistently excellent, with meticulous production standards in its workshops in France, Spain, and the United States.
• Style & Aesthetic: Versatile and dynamic. Louis Vuitton offers timeless pieces built on its heritage patterns as well as highly contemporary, trend-driven designs created by its artistic directors. This results in an aesthetic that can be both classic and fashion-forward, and often highly recognizable.
• Shopping Experience: A seamless and polished global retail experience. Boutiques are typically grand, immersive spaces, and the online platform is robust, offering top-tier customer service in any part of the world.

Louis Vuitton provides iconic status and incredible versatility, making it a go-to for shoppers wanting recognizable, high-quality luxury items that fit a wide range of styles and occasions.

Shop Louis Vuitton: louisvuitton.com

Berluti vs. Louis Vuitton Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a distinct difference in pricing philosophy between the two brands. Berluti firmly occupies the ultra-luxury tier. Its entry prices are significantly higher, with a pair of classic Alessandro shoes costing over $2,000. The brand justifies this with its focus on artisanal production, bespoke options, and premium materials. It is a brand with few, if any, "entry-level" products.

Louis Vuitton, while still a luxury brand, offers a more accessible entry into its world. A discerning shopper can acquire a small leather good like a key pouch or card holder for a few hundred dollars. This broader pricing structure allows a wider audience to own a piece of the brand. However, LV's exclusive items, particularly those in exotic leathers or from runway collections, command prices that are just as high as, or even higher than, Berluti's offerings.

Quality & Materials

Both brands produce goods of exceptional quality, but their material signatures are different. Berluti's fame is built on Venezia leather and its unique patina process. Each piece is treated as a canvas, with colorists applying dyes by hand to achieve a one-of-a-kind finish that evolves beautifully over time. The emphasis is on natural material and artisanal finishing.

Louis Vuitton's most recognized material isn't leather at all, but its durable and lightweight coated canvas. This material is designed for resilience and makes their bags and luggage famously hard-wearing. The brand also uses a variety of superb leathers, from the workhorse Epi leather to the delicate, untreated Vachetta leather that develops its own unique patina with use. The quality is consistent and impeccable, engineered for longevity at a global scale.

Style & Aesthetic

Berluti champions a "stealth wealth" aesthetic. Its style is refined, sophisticated, and distinctly masculine. The luxury is communicated through the perfect cut, the flawless finish, and the rich depth of color in the leather - not through a logo. It appeals to men who want their luxury to be felt and understood by those in the know, not announced to the world.

Louis Vuitton offers a more diverse style portfolio. At its core are the timeless, signature Monogram and Damier patterns which are globally recognized symbols of luxury. Alongside these classics, the brand constantly innovates with seasonal collections that are often bold, colorful, and trend-setting. This makes LV equally appealing to those who want a classic, enduring piece and those who want the latest "it" item from the runway.

Shopping Experience

The shopping experience at each brand reflects its core values. A visit to Berluti feels more like a visit to a high-end atelier. It's an intimate, quiet, and highly personalized experience. The focus is on consultation, especially if you are considering a custom pair of shoes, where staff are experts in craft and fit.

Stepping into a Louis Vuitton store is a more dynamic luxury event. The stores are large, beautifully designed public spaces buzzing with energy. The service is professional and attentive, capable of handling a high volume of clients from across the globe, offering a uniformly excellent and seamless brand experience from Paris to Tokyo.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal philosophy of luxury and what you want a piece to do for you.

Choose Berluti if:

• You prioritize artisanal craftsmanship and handmade details above all else.
• Your focus is on exceptional men's shoes or unique leather accessories.
• You prefer an understated, "if you know, you know" form of luxury.
• You see luxury goods as long-term investments in timeless style and quality.

Choose Louis Vuitton if:

• You want an iconic, instantly recognizable piece from a globally celebrated brand.
• You appreciate a wide selection of products for all occasions, from travel to daily wear.
• You enjoy a mix of timeless classics and modern, trend-driven fashion.
• Global accessibility and a seamless shopping experience are important to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Berluti or Louis Vuitton more expensive?

Generally, Berluti has a higher entry point. Their core products, like handmade leather shoes, start at a much higher price than Louis Vuitton's most accessible items, like a canvas card holder. However, for high-end limited edition or exotic items, both brands can reach similar, astronomical prices.

Which brand has better quality?

This depends on your definition of "better." Berluti's quality lies in its peerless artisanal craftsmanship, bespoke potential, and unique leather finishes. Louis Vuitton's quality is rooted in incredible consistency, durability (especially its canvas), and flawless production on a massive scale.

What is Berluti best known for?

Berluti is best known for its men's shoes crafted from its signature Venezia leather, famous for the rich, hand-applied patinas that give each pair a unique, artistic finish. Their bespoke service is also legendary.

Do Louis Vuitton bags hold their value?

Yes, many classic Louis Vuitton handbag models, particularly in Monogram or Damier canvas, have an excellent resale value and are considered strong investments in the secondary luxury market.

Is Berluti more exclusive than Louis Vuitton?

Yes, Berluti is arguably more exclusive. This is due to its narrower focus on high-end menswear, its smaller production scale, its reliance on time-consuming artisanal techniques, and its much smaller retail footprint compared to Louis Vuitton's global ubiquity.

Can Berluti shoes be repaired?

Absolutely. Berluti prides itself on the longevity of its products. They offer extensive repair and restoration services, including re-soling and refreshing the unique patina, which is considered a core part of owning their shoes.

Are both brands owned by the same company?

Yes, both Berluti and Louis Vuitton are part of the luxury conglomerate Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), which owns a large portfolio of a number of the world's most prestigious luxury brands.

Does Berluti only make things for men?

While Berluti's heritage and primary focus are on menswear, they have occasionally offered products that could be considered unisex, especially in accessories. However, their brand identity and main collections are overwhelmingly masculine. Louis Vuitton, in contrast, offers extensive collections for both men and women.