I'm Obsessed With These Slip-On Sneakers... And So Is Everyone Else

Update: Cyber Weekend is starting early! Starting November 19, M.Gemi is offering a 25 percent discount sitewide, including their beloved slip-on sneakers. Discount will be automatically applied at checkout. Click here to shop the sale. 

Original story continues below...

Earlier this year I bought a pair of slip-on sneakers on a whim. During one of my many deep-dive Internet shopping “research” missions, I stumbled upon M. Gemi’s site, loved the look and design of The Cerchio, and thought “Why not?” Best. Decision. Ever.

First off, slip-on sneaks are never a bad idea. Whether you’re running errands or want a sleeker look for brunch (that doesn’t involve pinched toes or aching arches), this shoe checks all my boxes. Comfortable? Yep. Versatile? Oh, yeah. Trendy? You betcha. And on top of that, The Cerchio is also superbly made. Constructed of soft-as-butter, handwoven nubuck and a rubber sole, the sneaker is made in Italy and is the brainchild of Maria Gangemi (whom the company is named after) and a 63-year-old sneaker specialist named Paolo, who lives in Tuscany. Let’s say it together people: “Awwww!”

Given the quality and craftsmanship of the shoes, its price of $228 — not cheap, but um, not Italian-hand-crafted-expensive, either — was surprising to me, but makes sense given the company’s direct-to-consumer online platform. So, when I recently discovered that The Cerchio has developed something of a cult following, it made a whole lot of sense. That’s right, the shoe was sold out in all colors this spring (I opted for natural, naturally!), and at one point had a waitlist of more than 1,000 people. I talked to Gangemi, who is the co-founder and CMO for M.Gemi, about why the shoe is resonating so strongly with consumers. “The Cerchio is the perfect transitional shoe,” she explained. “The style works across many seasons and climates and the sleek white rubber soles pair equally well with ripped denim cut-offs or a flirty sundress. It is stylish, easy to wear and comfortable; it's basically a homerun.” Homerun, indeed.

The good news is that a restocking has occurred — and there are a bunch of new colors, including chic metallics. If you're the type of girl who appreciates variety, I hear you — scroll down to check out all ten colorways and see how hard it is not to get multiple pairs.