Options for Italian loafers?

[RingTail]

I'm looking for a pair of sleek low profile loafers that would work well with jeans.
I like an elongated toe but feel a chiseled one would be a little much for denim.
Based on this criteria I seem to be limited to Italian offerings, this is what I like so far, any thing else I should consider?

Santoni Paine


Tod's New Cuoio


Construction on Gucci and Prada that I saw seemed lacking, I couldn't see any stiches on the sole so it looked bonded as opposed to blake.

 

[mr monty]

Some of the world's best made shoes don't show stiches on the soles.

 

[RingTail]

At my price point of up to 600 MSRP (~300 on sale) would there be any blake or good year shoes with hidden stiches?
When I don't see them, I suspect the shoe is bonded.

 

[BlueHorseShoe]

You say that the construction on the Gucci and Prada loafers you saw seemed lacking. I would be hesitant to assume that the Tod's were of any greater quality. I'm not very familiar with Santoni, but don't they make a lot of down-market shoes as well (for Gilt, others)?

What exactly do you mean by Italian loafers? Country of origin or a more sleek style?

Venetian loafers? Modern penny loafer? Horse bit?

 

[RingTail]

I'm not concerned about country of origin, simply looking for a sleeker last and open to penny, horse bit or venetian. It just seems Italians do that more often. However I'm not looking for the more aggressive chiseled toe, as I already have oxfords with such a toe.

To my untrained eye, the main area of distinction is suppleness of the leather and stiches on the sole (Santoni & Tod's had both) , any other thing I should be looking out for?

 

[chogall]

At my price point of up to 600 MSRP (~300 on sale) would there be any blake or good year shoes with hidden stiches?
When I don't see them, I suspect the shoe is bonded.

Meermin.