Where to get your own pair of the Robredos' favorite flats—plus some budget and luxury dupes to check out
We all have that one pair of shoes that's been with us forever.
For Vice President Leni Robredo, it's that unmistakable cream flats that she's been seen wearing during her presidential campaign trail, some addresses, and now, during her daughter's NYU graduation. But what's the story behind the shoes?
In a Facebook Live, Robredo shared that the shoes were actually a gift from her youngest daughter, Jillian, back in 2020.
"Talaga pong nag-iisa siya," Robredo said. "Ang daming nagtatanong kasi hindi talaga ako nagpapalit ng sapatos pero ganyan po talaga ugali ko sa buhay: talagang suot ko siya."
"Hanggang hindi pa siya sira, nakakaawa na itsura niya pero ito parin suot ko. Palaban na to."
Further proving their family's penchant for the sturdy flats, eagle-eyed supporters spotted that the Robredo family was even wearing the same matching shoes while walking around in New York.
So, what is the preferred brand of the Robredos? The Vice President shared it herself:
Everlane's The Italian Leather Day Glove
Dubbed as "a shoe that fits like a glove—and hustles all damn day," the American brand offers the sturdy closed-toe shoes in a variety of colors such as Caramel, Toasted Almond, Pickled Pepper, and more.
It is made of 100% Italian leather and features a back pull tab for easy removal, side vents, and rubber sole—thus making it the preferred comfort shoe of the VP while campaigning and attending sorties.
In their NY photo, the Robredo sisters, sans Tricia, can be seen following in their mother's fashion choice and wearing the Cream variant. You can get your own pair on the Everlane website for P6,210 + shipping.
If you're down for similar types of gloved flats, here are some local dupes and splurge-worthy pieces that are sure to make your walks as comfortable as possible — whether or not you're in New York or on a campaign trail.
Renegade Folk OMW Half-flats - P3,190
Local independent brand Renegade Folk also offers a similar piece with "OMW", half-flats made out of genuine supple leather that they promise "feel like second skin."
It features a rubber outsole and soft insoles that hold the brand's logo. They also offer a cream color that is currently out of stock, although their tan variant would look amazing with casual jeans.
You can get your pair via their website.
Rô Off-white Gloves - P4,995
Local brand Rô has always taken pride in their locally-made handcrafted leather sandals, and their glove shoes are no different. They offer the soft shoes in tan and off-white colors.
You can inquire for a pair via their Instagram page.
Martiniano Glove in Camel - $490 (P25,667)
Don't just think of them as just shoes, think of them as investments. Martiniano's glove shoes are handmade in Buenos Aires, Argentina and offer a variety of colors for every mood you have. Though with its P25,000 price tag, you might want to try on their neutral-colored "Makeup" beige for now, as it's also the nearest color to Robredo's Cream Everlanes.
Martiniano's quality shoes are all made from kid leather and dyed using anilines, an organic compound that ensures the leather doesn't break or turn rough in the long run.
Other colors include Coco, Light Blue, Olive, Cobalt, and more. You can grab a pair through their website here.
Mansur Gavriel Square Toe Babouche in Crema - P29,000
Again, think of them as investments—especially if you're someone who wants a quality leather shoe for long-term use. Mansur Gavriel's Square Toe Babouche shoe is made in Portugal and made out of soft lambskin leather. Italian lambskin is often used in the finest leather garments around the world.
It also has a foldable heel that can be worn up or down depending on the occasion. So, it's like buying two shoes in the long run if you think about it.
The Square Toe Babouche comes in red (Flamma), blue (Sky), and its signature Crema color. You can check out the luxury pair at mansurgavriel.com.
