Valentino Sneakers for Women: Studs, Low-Tops and Chunkier Soles Sorted

Valentino Sneakers for Women: Studs, Low-Tops and Chunkier Soles Sorted

A guide to the Valentino sneakers women can wear every day, from Rockstud and Stud Up pairs to Upvillage and Open low-tops and the chunkier Amphibia, Demivee and platform styles. It covers how each family wears and how to look after them.

Maison Valentino was formally founded in 1960 by Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti, and the first atelier was in Rome, on Via Condotti. That is a long way from a sneaker, but the story matters, because the studs on the shoes below are a Roman idea. Harper's Bazaar UK says the Rockstud was inspired by the bugnato studs that are an architectural signature of Rome. The Rockstud debuted in 2010 in the autumn/winter collection, created by co-creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, and ELLE reports that the metal stud spread from the first shoes onto sneakers, sandals and bags.

So when I look at the Valentino sneakers women actually wear, I start here, with the studs. My honest point of view: the stud is the whole personality, and the rest of the shoe should be calm. That is why I like the plain ones best. Rockstud Untitled Low Top Sneakers, the Rockstud Untitled sneaker in calfskin leather with tonal studs, and the Rockstud Untitled sneakers in calfskin with suede band all keep the stud quiet, and they look good with straight jeans and a white shirt. The Rockstud suede-trimmed leather sneakers in white and the Stud Up leather sneakers in white are the cleanest pairs of the group.

If you want more going on, the Rockstud embroidered suede-trimmed sneakers and the Stud Up embroidered suede-trimmed sneakers come in multicoloured, and the Stud Up trainers and sneakers in split leather and nylon with butterfly embroidery are the playful ones. Wear those with a plain slip dress or a gray trench and let the embroidery do the talking. The Open Rockstud sneakers and the Rockstud leather sneakers round out the grid.

A fitting-room test: lace them up, then walk across the room and look down. You want the studs to catch the light a little, not to feel like a costume. If you already wear a lot of metal on your bag and jewelry, pick the tonal studs.

Collage of Valentino Garavani Rockstud and Stud Up sneakers, Upvillage and Open low-top sneakers, and chunky Amphibia, Demivee and platform sneakers, and a mood photo of white leather sneakers with a pale pink stripe worn with pink trousers on stone steps.
Rockstud and Stud Up sneakers, Upvillage and Open low-tops, and chunkier Amphibia and Demivee soles.

Rockstud sneakers, studs and all

Upvillage, Open and the quieter low-tops

The second group is the quieter side of Valentino Garavani, and I reach for it most on weekdays. The Open sneaker is known for a thick contrast band across the middle of the upper. It debuted in 2014 and has been worn by both women and men since, which tells you how easy it is to wear. The Open sneakers in calfskin leather and the Open leather sneakers are the plain versions, and a band across the middle sits well under a cropped trouser or a long skirt.

Upvillage is the family that fills most of this grid, and it comes in more materials than people think, so read the names. The Upvillage Crosta Low Top Sneakers, the two Upvillage Crosta sneakers and the Pink Upvillage Crosta Sneakers are one thread. The Upvillage suede sneakers are the soft, matte pair. The Upvillage trainer in pony-effect calfskin leather has a textured finish, and the Upvillage metallic leather sneakers in pink and the Gold Upvillage Sneakers are the shiny ones. Not everything here is leather, and I like that.

For summer, the Off-white and Beige Upvillage Woven Faux-Raffia Sneakers and the Upvillage sneakers in woven raffia fabric are the lightest of the group. They look right with linen trousers and a loose poplin shirt. The plain Upvillage Sneakers go with everything, and a pair in a neutral color is the first one I would try.

The remaining pairs are the Royco sneaker in nappa calfskin with Cherryfic pattern, the Bay By Bay sneakers and the Panelled sneakers. Those suit someone who wants a low-top that looks a little different from the rest.

My test for a low-top: check the heel. If your heel slips when you walk, go with a different pair. Then check that the sneaker looks right with the hem of your favorite jeans, because a low-top meets that hem all day.

Upvillage, Open and other low-tops

Chunkier soles for a bigger step

Now the chunkier sneakers, the ones with a little height under the heel. Amphibia is the family I would start with. The White Amphibia Sneakers and the Multicolor Amphibia Sneakers are the easiest to read, and the Amphibia sneaker in rubberized calfskin and split leather and the Amphibia sneaker in rubberized calfskin and calfskin are the two with the material spelled out. A thicker sole changes how a sneaker looks with trousers: it fills out a wide leg and keeps a hem off the floor, so check the length before you commit.

The Demivee runners are lighter on their feet. The Demivee sneakers in silver catch the light, the Demivee suede sneakers are soft and matte, and the Demivee VLogo Signature sneakers are the one with the V logo on show. The Demivee sneakers in mesh fabric are the airiest. I would wear any of them with a straight skirt and a cropped jacket, where a runner makes a tailored outfit feel more relaxed.

The platforms are for a day when you want a little more height without a heel. The Royco platform sneakers and the Royco logo-plaque platform sneakers are the two. The True Actress mesh sneakers and the VLogo Easyjog sneakers are the sportier pairs, and they sit well under track pants or a long coat.

What I would skip: a chunky sole under a very narrow ankle-length trouser. The shapes fight, and the sneaker ends up looking heavy. I would also skip a platform for a day with a lot of walking, until you have tried it around the house for an hour.

Chunkier soles: Amphibia, platforms and runners

How I would choose and care for a pair

Here is how I would choose. If you want the brand's best-known idea, start with the Rockstud, because it debuted in 2010 and the stud is still what people recognize. If you want something you will wear most days, an Open or Upvillage low-top is the easy answer. If you want height and a bit of sport, go to the Amphibia or Demivee.

Then care for them. Wirecutter advises cleaning smooth-leather sneakers by gently scrubbing with a soft-bristle brush in warm soapy water, being careful not to ruin the finish of the leather. Suede and raffia are different, so do not treat them like smooth leather. Let the pair air-dry fully, outdoors or in a ventilated room or near a fan, and skip the dryer, because heat can damage the glues, rubber and foam.

In January 2022 Valentino launched Open for a Change, redesigning the Open and Rockstud Untitled sneakers with partly recycled and bio-based materials, and WWD reports the studs on the Rockstud Untitled are made of recycled nylon. That is a good fact to know before you pick between two similar pairs. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Converse Chuck Taylor All Star for Women and Valentino Rockstud Dupe.