Shoes | African Fashion Accessories
28 items
Fashion Accessories
Kunle Leather Tassel Loafers
Kunle Leather Tassel Loafers, handmade for men in premium tan top-grain leather. Refined, timeless, and effortlessly sophisticated: the Snugfeet 'KUNLE' Tassel Loafers for Men are handcrafted from premium top grain leather, designed for the modern man who values quality, comfort, and understated luxury. The rich tan leather upper is complemented by contrasting dark brown hand-finished edges, creating a distinctive two-tone detail that elevates the overall look. Finished with classic leather tassels, these loafers deliver a perfect balance between traditional craftsmanship and modern elegance. Whether paired with tailored trousers, chinos, or denim, these loafers add instant polish to any outfit.
£70.00Sold by SNUGFEET INTERNATIONAL • Lagos
Fashion Accessories
African Beaded Maasai Sandals
Handmade African beaded sandals crafted from genuine leather and finished with colourful beadwork for a bold, artisan look. These Maasai-inspired sandals are designed for comfort, everyday wear and standout styling, with secure lace-up support and a lightweight feel. A versatile choice for shoppers searching for handmade leather sandals, African-inspired footwear and unique statement shoes.
£45.00£50.00Sold by GLOBAL HANDMADE • Kenya
Fashion
Handmade Leather Mules for Men - Brown Hair On Hide Backless Loafers
The Owen T mule is a backless leather slip on for men, handmade in Nigeria from hair on goat hide. The upper keeps the natural brown and white markings of the hide, so no two pairs carry the same pattern, and a single leather strap runs across the vamp with a small keeper. It is built on a closed round toe with an open back, which is the shape that makes a mule work: it goes on in one motion but still holds the foot properly, unlike a slide. The black sole has a low stacked edge, so it reads as a proper shoe rather than a house slipper. Wear them for the things a loafer is too formal for and a trainer is too casual for: dinner, a weekend, an evening at home that still has people in the room. They sit well with tailored trousers, dark denim, and with a kaftan or agbada. Available in men's EU 40 to 46, with UK, US and foot length equivalents in the size guide below. Mules are held across the strap rather than at the heel, so message us if you fall between two sizes. Because the upper is a natural hair on hide, the brown and white markings, the direction of the hair and the depth of colour differ from pair to pair and from the photographs. That is the material, not a fault. Care: brush gently along the direction of the hair with a soft brush, spot clean with a barely damp cloth and let dry away from heat. Do not soak or machine wash. Store in the box away from direct sunlight.
£81.52Sold by Owen. T • Enugu/Nigeria
Fashion Accessories
Handmade Maasai Leather Sandals
These Maasai sandals are handmade from genuine leather and detailed with colourful beads for an authentic African-inspired finish. Designed as comfortable, everyday statement footwear, this pair blends artisan craftsmanship with easy wearability. Perfect for shoppers looking for handmade leather sandals, African beaded sandals and unique fashion-forward footwear with cultural character.
£45.00£50.00Sold by GLOBAL HANDMADE • Kenya
Fashion Accessories
Dunni Navy Driving Loafers
Dunni Navy Driving Loafers, handmade for men in premium navy genuine leather. Step out in style with these premium navy blue leather loafers, designed for comfort, durability, and timeless elegance. Crafted from high-quality genuine leather, these men’s slip-on loafers feature a smooth finish with detailed contrast stitching that adds a refined touch to the classic design. These handmade leather loafers are built for everyday versatility. The easy slip-on design makes them practical for daily wear, while the soft inner lining and flexible sole provide long-lasting comfort. Perfect for work, travel, weekends, or smart casual occasions, these men’s leather driving shoes pair effortlessly with jeans, chinos, or tailored trousers. Designed for modern style and practicality, these luxury leather loafers combine minimalist design with premium craftsmanship, making them an excellent addition to any wardrobe.
£70.00Sold by SNUGFEET INTERNATIONAL • Lagos
Fashion Accessories
Women's Beaded Maasai Sandals
African Beaded Sandals are handmade leather shoes finished with colourful beadwork and designed for a comfortable women's fit. The multicoloured strap and artisanal construction give the pair a distinctive statement look that works for casual wear, travel and gift shopping. This listing is a strong match for shoppers searching for handmade African sandals, beaded leather shoes and Maasai-inspired women's footwear with personality.
£45.00£50.00Sold by GLOBAL HANDMADE • Kenya
Fashion Accessories
Cowrie Shell T Strap Sandals, Yellow, Green and Black
Handmade black leather T strap sandals, beaded in yellow, green, white and black, with cream cowrie shells set along the toe post and across the instep. The beadwork is worked in tight arcs that follow the shape of the strap, with cowrie shells running up the toe post and a second group set across the front of the foot. The footbed is stitched right around its edge rather than glued, which is what holds a flat sandal like this together through a summer. They fasten with long flat ties at the ankle, so you can leave them loose or lace them snug for walking. Flat and open, they suit hot weather, a holiday, or a long dress where you want the detail at the foot rather than at the heel. Cowrie shells were used as currency across much of Africa, including the East African coast, so on a Kenyan made sandal they are shells from home waters rather than a borrowed motif. Each pair is beaded by hand, so bead placement and the exact position of the shells vary slightly from pair to pair. Care: keep them dry, wipe the leather with a soft cloth, and store them flat so the beadwork is not crushed.
£40.00£45.00Sold by GLOBAL HANDMADE • Kenya
Fashion
Handmade Green Leather Sneakers for Men - Cyrene Low Top Trainers
The Cyrene is a low top leather sneaker for men in deep forest green and cream, handmade in Nigeria by Owen T. The upper is cut from smooth leather in contrast panels, laced with flat cotton laces, and carries the Owen T roundel on the side quarter. It sits on a chunky white rubber cupsole with a soft mint tint running through the midsole, so the shoe reads clean and modern from across a room and shows its handwork up close. Green and cream is easier to wear than all white and less severe than all black, which makes this a rare thing: one sneaker that works with tailored trousers on a Friday and with jeans on a Saturday. Available in men's EU 40 to 46, with UK, US and foot length equivalents in the size guide below. If you fall between two sizes, message us before ordering and we will advise. Wear it with cropped chinos, dark denim, a linen suit or under a kaftan. The green does the work, so keep the rest of the outfit quiet. Every pair is cut, stitched and finished by hand in Nigeria, so small variations in grain, colour depth and stitch line are normal and are the mark of a handmade shoe rather than a fault. Care: wipe with a soft dry cloth after wear, treat with a neutral leather conditioner every few weeks, keep away from direct heat, and store with shoe trees or stuffed with paper so the shape holds.
£108.70Sold by Owen. T • Enugu/Nigeria
Fashion Accessories
Maasai Beaded Gladiator Sandals, White and Brown Leather
Handmade brown leather flat sandals with a wide white Maasai beaded ankle cuff and three round beaded medallions running down the toe strap. White is the quiet one in a beaded range. The cuff is broad and unmistakably Maasai, but a white ground with small flecks of red, blue and yellow sits against linen, denim and a summer dress in a way a fully multicoloured pair does not. This is the pair to pack if you only have room for one. The footbed is tan leather with a stitched border running right around the edge. A brown leather strap runs behind the beaded cuff and fastens at the ankle, so these hold to the foot rather than slipping on and off like a plain thong. The toe post is leather, and the three medallions are beaded in concentric rings and stitched to the strap. Wipe the leather with a dry cloth. Keep the beadwork away from perfume, and store the pair flat so the cuff keeps its shape.
£40.00£45.00Sold by GLOBAL HANDMADE • Kenya
Fashion Accessories
Maasai Beaded Leather Sandals
These handmade Maasai beaded sandals combine genuine leather, colourful beadwork and a short gladiator-inspired shape for standout everyday wear. Designed for women who want comfortable African-inspired footwear with personality, this pair works well for casual outfits, travel and statement styling. The artisan finish, multicoloured details and lightweight build make them a strong choice for shoppers searching for handmade leather sandals, beaded women’s sandals and African fashion footwear.
£45.00£50.00Sold by GLOBAL HANDMADE • Kenya
Fashion Accessories
Foot Candy Beaded Crochet Toe Post Sandals, EU 36 to 44
Handmade crochet toe post sandals with small black glass beads worked along the straps, on a leather footbed. EU 36 to 44 in five colours, made to order. The strap is the whole design. Two fine cords of crocheted twine cross into a V over the foot, with clusters of small round glass beads worked in along both edges and the toe post beaded to match. It is a slim strap rather than a broad one, so most of the foot is on show and the beading reads as a line rather than a panel. This is the everyday pair of the three, and the toe post is why. They sit light on the foot, they take nothing to put on, and they are the pair you wear to the market or to lunch rather than saving for an occasion. Worth knowing before you order: the post does go between the toes. If a thong strap rubs you, the It-Girl slides from the same workshop have a wide single band and no post, and they are the better buy for you. The footbed is leather and it is stitched right around the edge to the sole rather than glued, which is what keeps a hand made sandal together once it has been worn in the sun a few times. Five colours: black, white, red, brown, or custom. Custom means you name the shade and the twine is crocheted in it, so a pair can be matched to one outfit. The pair photographed is the black. Acrylic twine crocheted by hand with glass beads worked in, on a leather footbed. Made to order in EU 36 to 44 by a team of artisans led by Temiloluwa Paul, the founder of Somethin' Nice. Dispatch runs two to four weeks because every pair is crocheted from scratch once you order. Care: keep the crochet dry and spot clean with a damp cloth rather than washing them. Store them flat so the strap holds its shape, and if they do get wet, let them dry naturally away from direct heat.
£20.00Sold by Somethin' Nice • Nigeria
Crafts
Men's Black Leather Slides, Woven Embossed Strap, Handmade
Men's black leather slides with one wide strap embossed in a woven basket pattern and finished with a small black buckle, handmade in Lagos, Nigeria. Everything is black, the strap, the buckle, the footbed and the sole, so there is nothing shiny to date them and they sit as easily with dark trousers as with native wear. The embossed weave gives a plain slide some texture without adding any colour. Available in sizes 40 to 44. If you prefer something softer and more casual, the same maker's brown crossover strap slides are the other way to go.
£22.00£23.00Sold by Mary_N Footies • Lagos
Fashion Accessories
It-Girl Crystal Beaded Crochet Slides, EU 36 to 44
Crochet slides with a wide band covered in glass crystal and seed beads, on a leather insole. EU 36 to 44 in five colours, made to order. Somethin' Nice's best seller. Where the Garland pair is quiet, this one is not. The band is a solid panel of glass crystal and seed beads worked over the crochet, packed close enough that no yarn shows through, so the whole strap moves and catches light as you walk. This is the pair they sell most of, and the reason is the wide single band. No toe post and nothing between the toes, so they go on in one motion, and they suit a foot that a thong strap rubs. Evening rather than daytime. Beaded black against a plain dress does the work of a heel without the walk home afterwards. They carry a reception, a dinner, an owambe, or any long night where the shoes have to last as long as you do. Five colours: black, white, red, brown, or custom. Custom means you name the shade and the pair is crocheted in it, which is how these end up matched to one specific outfit or to a whole wedding party. Acrylic yarn crocheted by hand, glass crystal and glass seed beads sewn on by hand, leather insole. They are made deliberately snug and ease into shape with wear, so expect them to feel firm on the first day rather than loose. Made to order in EU 36 to 44 by a team of artisans led by Temiloluwa Paul, founder of Somethin' Nice. Dispatch runs two to four weeks because every pair is crocheted and beaded from scratch once you order. Care: the beads are sewn rather than glued, but they will snag on rough fabric, so keep them clear of knitwear and store them flat. Spot clean with a damp cloth rather than washing, and let them dry naturally away from direct heat.
£30.00Sold by Somethin' Nice • Nigeria
Crafts
Swahili Butterfly Beaded Leather Sandals, Handmade
Flat leather sandals from Nairobi with a beaded butterfly worked across the toe strap in copper, white and multicoloured glass beads. The butterfly is the reason to buy these. It is built up bead by bead and sewn onto the strap, not printed and not glued on, so the wings catch the light as you walk and no two pairs are spaced quite the same. The body is worked in rows of copper toned beads and the wings in mixed colours, and the whole piece sits proud of the leather. Underneath it is a plain, well made sandal. A stitched leather footbed with a tooled border, a toe post and a slim strap across the instep, and a leather sole. Nothing on the foot but leather and beads. The photographs show the brown colourway. Black is also available from the colour options. Choose your usual UK size. Wipe the leather with a dry cloth and keep the beadwork out of water.
£46.85Sold by Alpha Threads Fashions • NAIROBI
Fashion Accessories
Buchi Leather Penny Loafers
Buchi Leather Penny Loafers, handmade for men in premium top-grain pebble leather. Timeless, versatile, and expertly crafted: the Snugfeet Classic Penny Loafers for Men are designed for effortless sophistication. Handcrafted from premium top-grain leather with a refined pebble grain texture, these loafers offer the perfect balance of durability, comfort, and classic style. The rich pebble leather finish enhances the character of the shoe. Featuring the iconic penny strap across the vamp, this classic design delivers a polished appearance suitable for both professional and casual settings. Built with comfort in mind, the soft leather upper gradually moulds to your feet, while the slip-on construction ensures convenience and ease throughout your day. Whether worn to the office, formal events, or styled casually, these loafers are a dependable wardrobe essential for the modern gentleman.
£70.00Sold by SNUGFEET INTERNATIONAL • Lagos
Fashion Accessories
Beaded T Strap Sandals, Pink and Yellow, Handmade Leather
Handmade flat thong sandals with a tall beaded ankle cuff and toe strap worked in bands of magenta, yellow and gold glass seed beads on a black sole. This is the loud pair, and that is the point. Where a white or black beaded sandal disappears into an outfit, the pink and yellow banding is meant to be the thing people notice, so wear it with plain linen or denim and let the feet do the talking. The ankle cuff is many parallel strands of fine seed beads that curve up the back of the heel, gathered into a beaded spine at each side. The toe post and sole are leather backed for a flat, flip flop style fit. Every bead is threaded and stitched down by hand. Wipe the sole with a dry cloth, keep the beadwork away from perfume, and store the pair flat so the strands keep their shape.
£40.00£45.00Sold by GLOBAL HANDMADE • Kenya
Fashion Accessories
Bohemian Maasai Leather Sandals
Bohemian Maasai Sandals are handmade leather shoes finished with colourful beads, a low-profile silhouette and a relaxed artisan feel. The multicoloured design makes them ideal for shoppers looking for handmade African sandals with a boho edge, comfortable everyday wear and a giftable statement look. With their handcrafted beads, leather base and easy style, these sandals fit naturally into searches for beaded footwear, bohemian sandals and African-inspired shoes.
£45.00£50.00Sold by GLOBAL HANDMADE • Kenya
Fashion Accessories
Beaded Gladiator Sandals, Green and Yellow, Handmade Leather
Handmade flat sandals with a wide beaded ankle cuff and a toe strap of round medallions, worked in green, yellow, purple and white glass seed beads on a black sole. If your summer wardrobe is mostly plain, this is the pair that adds the colour for you. The four bead colours mean it picks up almost anything, so one pair earns its place next to several outfits rather than waiting for the one it matches. The ankle cuff is a broad panel of fine seed beads in curved rows, and the toe strap steps down in three beaded medallions to the post. The sole and straps are leather. All of it is threaded and stitched by hand, row by row. Wipe the leather with a dry cloth, keep the beads away from perfume, and store the pair flat so the cuff holds its shape.
£40.00£45.00Sold by GLOBAL HANDMADE • Kenya
Fashion Accessories
Beaded Gladiator Sandals, Black and White, Handmade Leather
Handmade tan leather flat sandals with a wide black and white beaded ankle cuff and a toe strap of beaded medallions in the same monochrome pattern. Black and white is the beaded sandal that behaves like a neutral. It carries the handmade detail and the pattern without committing to a colour, so it sits with everything in the way a bright pair cannot, which makes it the sensible first beaded pair to own. The ankle cuff is a broad panel of fine seed beads in a bold geometric black and white pattern, and the toe strap steps down in beaded medallions to a leather post. The footbed is tan leather with a stitched edge. Every bead is threaded and stitched by hand. Wipe the leather with a dry cloth, keep the beads away from perfume, and store the pair flat so the cuff holds its shape.
£40.00£45.00Sold by GLOBAL HANDMADE • Kenya
Fashion Accessories
Garland Crochet Slides - Beaded Flower Slippers
Handmade crochet slides with a strap of small flowers, each one centred with a faux pearl, set on a leather footbed. EU 36 to 44, made to order. The strap is a garland, which is where the name comes from. A row of crochet petals worked flower by flower, every one finished with a pearl at its centre, and a single smaller flower sitting on the toe ring. It is quiet work rather than loud, which is the whole point of them. Five colours: black, white, red, brown, or custom. Custom means what it says. Tell us the colour you want the twine crocheted in and the pair is made in that colour, which is how these end up matching a wedding party or an outfit nobody else is wearing. The white pair with pearls is a bridal shoe, and it solves a real problem. Something to change into at the reception that still looks like it belongs at the wedding, and what the bridesmaids ask for once it becomes clear the heels are not going to survive the day. Acrylic twine crocheted by hand over a leather footbed. They are made deliberately snug and they ease into shape with wear, so expect them to feel firm on the first day rather than loose. Made to order in EU 36 to 44 by a team of artisans led by Temiloluwa Paul, the founder of Somethin' Nice. Dispatch runs two to four weeks because every pair is crocheted from scratch once you order, not pulled off a shelf. Care: keep the crochet dry and spot clean with a damp cloth rather than washing them. Store them flat so the strap holds its shape, and if they do get wet, let them dry naturally away from direct heat.
£25.00Sold by Somethin' Nice • Nigeria
Crafts
Men's Crossover Strap Slides, Brown and Tan, Handmade
Men's slides with two dark brown ribbed straps crossed over the foot, on a tan footbed with a raised rim and a black sole, handmade in Lagos, Nigeria. Crossing the straps means the hold sits across the top of the foot rather than on one band, and the rim of the footbed cups the edge of the foot. The ribbed strap gives the pair a softer, more casual look than a plain leather slide. This pair is offered in size 44 only. If you want something smarter in black, the same maker also makes a black leather slide with a woven embossed strap.
£20.00Sold by Mary_N Footies • Lagos
Crafts
Brown Leather Cross Strap Slides, Handmade in Nigeria
Dark brown leather slides with two wide straps crossing over the foot, a moulded tan leather footbed and a black sole, handmade in Enugu, Nigeria. The footbed is what separates these from a flat slide. It is shaped rather than level, with a raised arch and a shallow heel cup that stops the foot sliding forward, and the maker's name is blind embossed into the insole. Each strap is cut from a single piece of leather and set into the side of the sole unit, so there is no stitching across the top of the foot to rub. A small dark metal stud sits on the outer strap. They go with trousers as easily as with shorts, which is the point of a leather slide over a rubber one: smart enough to wear out, open enough for hot weather. Sizes run EU 40 to 46. The maker lists sizes in EU only, so measure against a pair you already own if you are between sizes. The sole is listed by the maker as Marco and rubber. Wipe the leather with a dry cloth, and if they get wet let them dry away from direct heat.
£22.00£25.00Sold by Bubee luxewalkers • Nigeria
Fashion Accessories
Rasta Beaded Maasai Sandals
African Beaded Maasai Sandals bring together genuine leather, colourful beadwork and a long, comfortable women's fit. The rasta-inspired yellow, red and green palette gives the pair a bold statement look, while the handmade finish keeps it grounded in everyday wearability. Ideal for shoppers searching for African beaded sandals, Maasai sandals, women's handmade leather shoes and colourful artisan footwear with a distinctive cultural edge.
£45.00£50.00Sold by GLOBAL HANDMADE • Kenya
Fashion Accessories
Adedayo Tan Suede Loafers
Upgrade your footwear collection with these premium tan suede leather loafers, designed for men who appreciate comfort, quality, and timeless style. Crafted from high-quality suede leather, these men’s slip-on penny loafers feature a classic moccasin-style silhouette with hand-stitched detailing that highlights their refined craftsmanship. These luxury leather loafers for men combine elegance with everyday practicality. The soft suede upper provides a rich texture and sophisticated look, while the breathable inner lining and cushioned footbed ensure lasting comfort throughout the day. The easy slip-on design makes these men’s casual leather shoes perfect for effortless dressing. Whether you're heading to the office, travelling, or dressing for a smart-casual occasion, these tan suede loafers pair perfectly with chinos, tailored trousers, or denim. Their versatile design makes them an essential addition to any modern wardrobe. These men’s designer-style loafers deliver the perfect balance of comfort, durability, and timeless British-inspired style.
£75.00Sold by SNUGFEET INTERNATIONAL • Lagos
Crafts
Zigzag Beaded Toe Ring Sandals, Tan Leather, Handmade
Flat tan leather sandals with a beaded toe ring and a wide instep band worked in a red, black and gold zigzag of small glass beads, handmade in Kenya. The band across the instep is the work. Rows of small glass seed beads are stitched into diamonds that step across the strap in red, black and gold, and the beaded edge is cut into points so the band reads as a zigzag rather than a straight line. A smaller beaded tab in the same colours sits on the toe ring. This is a toe ring sandal rather than a slide. A narrow leather loop rises from the footbed and a toe passes through it, so the front of the foot is held by the loop and not by a strap across the top. If you have only ever worn slides it feels different for the first hour and then it stops being noticeable. The footbed is tan leather with cream saddle stitching all the way round, flat with no heel. Sizes run UK 3 to UK 7. Black and white are made in the same beaded pattern. Wipe with a dry cloth, keep them out of standing water, and dry them away from direct heat.
£46.85Sold by Alpha Threads Fashions • NAIROBI
Crafts
Tiger's Eye Leather Toe Post Sandals, Handmade in Kenya
Flat leather toe post sandals with a polished tiger's eye stone set on the wide instep band and a matching stone at the toe, handmade in Kenya. The stone is the point of them. Tiger's eye is a banded quartz that shifts between gold and deep brown as the light moves across it, so a plain flat sandal picks up a glint with every step. One stone sits in a dark mount at the centre of the instep band, a second sits on the toe tab, and both band edges carry a fine punched border. The pair photographed is the red colourway and red is out of stock at the moment. Black, white and brown are the colours the maker holds, and none of them is photographed, so if the shade matters to you it is worth asking before you order. They are cut flat with no heel, which makes them a warm weather and holiday sandal rather than a walking one. Sizes run UK 3 to UK 8. Leather gives a little across the strap as you wear it, so take the smaller size if you are between two. Wipe the leather with a dry cloth, keep them out of standing water, and let them dry away from direct heat if they do get wet.
£46.85Sold by Alpha Threads Fashions • NAIROBI
Crafts
Woven Knot Leather Thong Sandals, Handmade in Kenya
Flat leather thong sandals with a toe post that threads through two wide straps crossed into a woven knot over the vamp, handmade in Kenya. The knot is the design. Two broad leather straps cross over each other above the toes and the narrow toe post passes through the loop they make, so nothing sits glued on top and the straps hold one another. Every edge, the straps and the footbed alike, is finished with cream saddle stitching that follows the full outline of the shoe. There is no beading and no metal on this pair. It is plain leather and stitching, which is why it carries further through a wardrobe than a beaded pair does, and why it is the one to pick if you want a sandal you can wear to work and then to dinner. The footbed is flat with no heel. Sizes run UK 3 to UK 8. The pair photographed is the darkest of the three colourways, and the white and the tan brown are made in the same pattern. Wipe with a dry cloth, keep them out of standing water, and dry them away from direct heat.
£46.85Sold by Alpha Threads Fashions • NAIROBI
Fashion Accessories
Cowrie Shell Beaded Sandals, Black Leather, Handmade
Handmade black leather flat sandals with a column of natural cowrie shells running down the instep and a deep cuff of black seed beads at the ankle. If most of what you own is bright, this is the pair that stays out of the argument. Black beadwork and cream shells sit quietly against denim, linen and white cotton, and they carry into the evening better than a colourful pair does. The cowries are not a borrowed motif. Cowrie shells were money across much of Africa for centuries and the East African coast has its own species, so on a Kenyan pair these are shells from home waters. The construction is worth a look. The ankle cuff is many parallel strands of fine black seed beads, gathered into leather tabs at each side and crossing behind the heel. The toe post is leather. The beading does not stop at the straps either. A fine row is stitched right around the edge of the footbed, so the work continues under the foot as well as over it. Wipe the leather with a dry cloth. Keep the shells away from perfume, and store the pair flat so the bead strands do not tangle.
£45.00£50.00Sold by GLOBAL HANDMADE • Kenya
Buying guide
Buying handmade African shoes online
Most of the footwear here is leather, cut and stitched by hand in small workshops rather than moulded on a production line. Nigerian leatherwork dominates: cross-strap slides, woven and embossed straps, penny loafers and driving loafers, usually in tan, brown or black. Because a person made each pair, small differences between one pair and the next are normal and are not a fault.
Sizing is the thing to get right. Makers work to their own lasts, so a pair can run narrower or shorter than a high-street equivalent in the same number. Check the measurements given on the product page rather than assuming your usual size, and if a listing shows a foot-length measurement, measure your own foot and compare directly.
Handmade leather also needs a short breaking-in period and rewards basic care: keep it dry, condition it occasionally, and let a wet pair dry away from direct heat. Treated that way, a handmade pair outlasts several machine-made ones.
Common questions
About buying shoes on Sokofa
Where can I buy handmade African shoes online?
Sokofa (sokofa.com) sells handmade African footwear directly from verified makers, most of them leatherworkers in Nigeria: slides, sandals and loafers. Every seller is checked before their first listing goes live, orders ship worldwide, and the delivery cost for your address is shown at checkout before you pay.
How do I choose the right size in handmade African shoes?
Use the measurements on the product page rather than your usual letter or number size, because independent makers work to their own lasts. If you are between sizes in leather slides or sandals, the larger size is usually the safer choice, since leather gives slightly with wear.
Are the shoes real leather?
Each product page states the material the maker used. Much of the footwear on Sokofa is genuine leather from Nigerian workshops; where a piece uses another material, the listing says so. If anything arrives not as described, report it within 48 hours of delivery and it will be put right.
How do I care for handmade leather sandals and loafers?
Keep them dry, wipe off dust before it works into the seams, and condition the leather occasionally so it does not crack. If a pair gets wet, let it dry at room temperature rather than near a radiator, which stiffens and shrinks leather.