Every brand has a story. I like to share those stories with my clients because knowing the details behind a piece can make it more personal. For Berluti, one of those details is Scritto—the flowing handwriting on its leather shoes and accessories that has become a signature of the house.
A lot of my clients ask me, “What does Scritto actually mean, and what makes it special?” It’s a good place to start when talking about Berluti. The writing, the leather, and the color each have a part in the story.
When I’m helping a client choose a pair, I also think about how they dress, where they’ll wear it, and what they already own. The history is interesting, but the shoes still need to work for that person.
If you’re unsure which pair to choose, get in touch with TrendSense Agency. We’ll help you find shoes that suit your style, your wardrobe, and where you plan to wear them.
A shoemaking story that began in 1895
Berluti’s story began in Paris in 1895 with Italian shoemaker Alessandro Berluti. The Alessandro Oxford remains a reference for the house: a clean lace-up silhouette made from a single piece of leather.
I like that simplicity. It gives the leather room to be noticed. A beautiful shade of brown, the line of the toe, or a small engraved detail can change the feeling of the whole shoe.
What does the writing mean?
Scritto draws on an eighteenth-century legal document that Olga Berluti bought at auction. The attraction was the handwriting itself: the flowing lines, flourishes, and rhythm of the script.
According to Berluti, the words are not the point. The writing becomes a design on the leather. That is what I find interesting about it: a practical object carries a little of the character of an old handwritten page.
The color is part of the story
The script and the patina do different things. Scritto adds the lettering; the patina gives the leather its depth of color. Olga Berluti helped develop the house’s distinctive approach to patina, making color a central part of its identity.
For styling, I would start with that color. Tobacco brown looks beautiful with navy, gray, and cream. A cooler graphite shade works with charcoal or dark denim. If the shoes have a stronger color or contrast, I would keep the rest of the outfit quieter.
From a classic Oxford to a weekend sneaker
The Galet Scritto Oxford is a lovely example of restraint. It has three-eyelet lacing and an asymmetrical detail: the right shoe carries the engraving, while the left stays plain. For a client who prefers tailoring, I would pair it with tailored trousers and keep the hem neatly above the shoe.
The two sporty styles shown above offer a more relaxed direction. For a client who wants a relaxed look, I would style the graphite slip-on with dark trousers and a fine knit. For someone who enjoys color, I would use the blue-green sneaker with a simple weekend outfit.
For the client who loves tailoring
I paired this navy ISAIA suit with a light blue Kiton shirt, a Stefano Ricci patterned tie, and Berluti loafers. The Scritto briefcase adds interest while keeping the look polished. For a client who wears suits often, this is a way to bring personality into a familiar outfit.
For a more relaxed day
Here, I combined a Kiton suede jacket, burgundy polo, and gray trousers with Berluti sneakers and a Scritto backpack. I like the warmth of the suede against the burgundy. It feels relaxed, but still put together—the kind of combination I would build for a client who wants an easy alternative to a suit.
Beyond shoes
Scritto also appears on Berluti bags and smaller leather pieces. A bag gives the lettering more room; a wallet or card holder offers a smaller way to enjoy the detail.
I would choose one piece to lead. If the shoes already have a pronounced script and patina, a simpler bag can give them space. If you prefer understated footwear, a Scritto leather accessory can be the detail that brings personality to the outfit.
Choose for the way you actually dress
Before recommending a pair, I ask my client where he plans to wear it. Do you spend most days in tailoring, or in jeans and knitwear? Will the color work with the trousers and jackets you already reach for? And does the shoe fit comfortably?
Care belongs in that decision too. Care needs vary by leather and shoe style. Follow the advice for your particular pair rather than treating suede, polished leather, and sneakers in the same way.
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