Aquazzura vs Jimmy Choo: Heels, Bridal, Fit and Price Compared

Aquazzura vs Jimmy Choo comes down to temperament: Jimmy Choo, launched in London in 1996, does high-shine glamour, while Aquazzura, founded in Florence in 2011 by Edgardo Osorio, does softer Italian polish with bows, suede and a pineapple on every sole. Both make serious designer heels and bridal shoes, and at Coveti Aquazzura runs from $410 to $2,800 across 287 pairs. For the wider field, see our guide to brands like Aquazzura.

Where do Aquazzura and Jimmy Choo come from?

Jimmy Choo: London, 1996

Jimmy Choo Ltd was launched in 1996 by Malaysian couture shoemaker Jimmy Choo and Tamara Mellon, then an accessories editor at British Vogue. Its first boutique was on Motcomb Street in London. Jimmy Choo himself left the company in 2001, and the house has belonged to Capri Holdings since 2017. That history matters: Jimmy Choo is a global brand with a long back catalogue, a strong red-carpet profile and a confident, glossy aesthetic.

Aquazzura: Florence, 2011

Aquazzura is younger and more personal. Founder and creative director Edgardo Osorio was born in Colombia, raised between Miami and London, studied at the London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins, and spent about ten years at other fashion houses before launching his own label in 2011. The name comes from the clear water of Capri, his favourite island, and the golden pineapple logo, a symbol of hospitality and a lucky charm, is on every sole. The company is based at Palazzo Corsini on the Arno in Florence and sells through more than 300 retailers in 58 countries.

Aquazzura vs Jimmy Choo at a glance

How do the heels compare?

Both houses name styles by heel height. At Aquazzura the number in a style name is the heel in millimetres, so the Bow Tie Pump 105 in black suede stands on a 105 mm heel and the Bow Tie Pump 85 in black suede on 85 mm. Jimmy Choo uses a similar system, with styles such as the Love 85 and the Bing 100.

The difference is in the line. Aquazzura’s pumps are pointed and slim, often with a covered stiletto and a soft finishing touch: a bow, a mesh panel, a crystal drop. Jimmy Choo’s pumps tend to be sleeker and shinier, and its mules, especially the Bing, are a strong category in their own right. If you want an evening heel with a bit of romance, Aquazzura is the more natural fit. If you want something glossier and more overtly glamorous, Jimmy Choo. Our Jimmy Choo heels guide covers the house’s shapes in detail.

Heel heights at Aquazzura

At Coveti, Aquazzura’s heel spread is wide: 82 pairs at 105 mm, 65 at 85 mm, 29 between 65 mm and 75 mm, and 30 platforms and wedges between 110 mm and 140 mm, such as the Moves Sandal Plateau 120 in black. At the other end there are flats from 5 mm, so the range covers most occasions.

What about boots?

Both houses take autumn seriously. Aquazzura has 45 boots and booties at Coveti, from the flat Sellier Boot to the Vespera OTK Boot 75 in black in kid suede at $2,800, the most expensive Aquazzura pair we stock. The Saint Honore booties, with 35 mm and 50 mm heels, are the everyday workhorses. Jimmy Choo’s boots tend toward a sharper, more polished city look; our Jimmy Choo boots edit shows the range. For winter weddings and evenings, Aquazzura’s velvet and lace booties are the more unusual choice.

Which is better for bridal shoes?

This is where the two houses differ most in spirit. Jimmy Choo’s bridal edits recast house classics such as the Azia sandal, the Saeda pump and the Bing mule in white satin and fine glitter. It is a bright, celebratory approach. See our Jimmy Choo wedding shoes edit.

Aquazzura’s bridal line is quieter. Many of its white satin bridal styles carry a light blue outsole, a built-in “something blue”. At Coveti there are 32 bridal pairs from $1,050 to $2,000, including the Purist Pump 105 in white at $1,210 and the Tequila Sandal 105 in white at $2,000. Brides who want height without a stiletto can look at the Cupid Bridal Plateau 130 in white at $1,450. The full edit is in our Aquazzura bridal shoes guide.

Do Aquazzura and Jimmy Choo fit the same?

Do not assume they do. Aquazzura uses Italian sizing, which is the same as EU sizing, so EU 38 is a UK 5 and a US 8. Most Aquazzura styles are listed true to size, but 15 in the source catalogue fit large and the house recommends going half a size down. Most of those are Bow Tie pumps, such as the Bow Tie Pump 105 in white. Coveti stocks whole EU sizes 35 to 42, so if you sit between two sizes in a large-fitting Bow Tie, take the smaller whole size.

For Jimmy Choo, read the fit note on each product page. Fit varies by style within any shoe house, so we do not generalise across the brand. Our Aquazzura size guide has the full conversion chart.

What does Aquazzura cost at Coveti?

Coveti prices are full price. For Aquazzura, these are the ranges by type across the 287 pairs we stock.

Jimmy Choo sits in the same luxury band, with crystal and embellished evening styles at the top of its range as they are at Aquazzura. For current Jimmy Choo pairs, visit the Jimmy Choo hub.

Which one should you buy?

Choose Aquazzura if

You want a romantic evening shoe with a recognisable detail, a bridal shoe with a hidden blue sole, a boot made in Italy, a heel built on lasts developed to spread body weight across the foot. The Ce Soir Sandal 105 in light copper is a good example of the house’s beaded evening work.

Choose Jimmy Choo if

You want glossier glamour, a strong mule offer and a wide glitter range. It is the more extrovert of the two, and its bridal glitter is hard to match.

Many women own both: Jimmy Choo for the party, Aquazzura for the wedding and the dinner. If comfort is your deciding factor, read are Aquazzura shoes comfortable before you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aquazzura better than Jimmy Choo?

Neither is better in absolute terms; they suit different tastes. Aquazzura is a Florence house founded in 2011 with a softer, romantic style, while Jimmy Choo, launched in London in 1996, is glossier and more overtly glamorous.

Is Aquazzura more expensive than Jimmy Choo?

They sit in a similar luxury price band. At Coveti, Aquazzura runs from $410 for a flat sandal to $2,800 for an over-the-knee boot, and both houses charge the most for crystal evening styles.

Are Aquazzura and Jimmy Choo made in Italy?

Aquazzura shoes are made mostly by hand in Tuscan workshops, and 284 of the 287 pairs at Coveti are made in Italy. For Jimmy Choo, check the country of origin on each product page.

Does Aquazzura run small compared with Jimmy Choo?

Most Aquazzura styles are listed true to size in Italian sizing, where EU 38 equals UK 5 and US 8. About 15 styles, mostly Bow Tie pumps, fit large, so take the smaller whole size if you are between sizes.

Which brand is best for a wedding?

Both have strong bridal lines. Aquazzura’s white satin bridal styles often have a light blue outsole as a built-in something blue, while Jimmy Choo recasts its classics in white satin and glitter.