Gucci Princetown Mule Review | Price, Fit, Styling and More!
I’ve been meaning to review this shoe for some time, but obviously haven’t gotten around to it. My all time favorite shoe: Gucci Princetown Mule.
The fact that Gucci still uses exotic animal skins and hair sends the brand lower on the scale of sustainability, giving it a 3/5 rating.
The brand is owned by Kering, a French luxury group out of Paris, France. Kering has multiple strategies in place to improve overall sustainability, but these courses of action take time.
Gucci does have some wins. It’s environment rating is 'good', and the brand uses some eco-friendly materials including recycled materials in its products.The brand has set a science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated from its own operations and supply chain and it is on track to meet its target (based on the Good On You rating).
Gucci’s labor rating has received a 3/5. Some of its supply chain is certified by Social Accountability International - SA8000 including all of the final stage of production. It received a score of 41-50% in the Fashion Transparency Index. Gucci has implemented practices to encourage diversity and inclusion in its direct operations but not its supply chain, but there is no evidence that the brand ensures payment of a living wage in most of its supply chain. It discloses policies to protect suppliers and workers in its supply chain from the impacts of COVID-19.
Finally, Gucci’s animal rating is a 2/5. It has a formal animal welfare policy aligned with Five Domains. It uses leather, exotic animal hair and exotic animal skin. Gucci states that it sources wool from non-mulesed sheep and uses down certified by the Responsible Down Standard. It does not use fur, angora or exotic animal skin. It traces most animal products to the first stage of production (Sourced: Good On You).
Sustainability: 3/5
I love the way these shoes fit. At first, I felt like the leather was stiff around the front of my foot, but it didn’t take much time at all for the leather to loosen. I purchased my usual size, 37.5. I purchased them in New York while I was on a business trip [the other shoes I had packed conveniently surpassed their life span during the first night’s drinks & dinner]. I wore these shoes for the rest of my trip as well as almost every day after.
You know the feeling when you purchase something that you just absolutely love wearing and love the look of? For me, the Princetown Mule is exactly that.
The body of the Princetown Mule is soft enough ton provide all-day comfort, but snug enough so you don’t move in and out of the shoe. The length of the shoe is true to size, so if you are more narrow, I would recommend a toe petal or insert for a snugger fit.
Purchasing from a store like Nordstrom may help you feel better about your purchase because they do not have a time restriction on returns. Designer shoes cannot show wear in order to make a return at Nordstrom, but you can keep them for longer than the normal 30, 45 or 90 day return policy other stores have in place.
Fit: 5/5
(Shown above) I can wear these shoes with anything. I love the shoe because I never feel like the shoe is ‘heavy’, or takes away from an outfit. I love its minimal silhouette and chic french style.
Generally I talk about the products physical style, but these I think speak for themselves. The minimal silhouette truly can be paired with any outfit.
Style: 5/5
The Gucci Princetown mule runs $920. I feel like it’s popularity has really increased its price point in the last few years. Though the price point is consistent with other designer mules that are currently available, and yes, I would purchase this shoe again, I do feel like it’s slightly higher than I would imagine the shoe itself to cost.
You can find other mules from brands like Bottega Veneta, Lowe, Hermes and Manolo Blahnik, but price point will still be in the same range. Otherwise, the Gucci Princetown mule is at the lower end price-wise for a designer leather sandal.
$920 for a luxury shoe is still steep, don’t get me wrong, but in terms of consistency within the market, the price for the sandal is reasonable.
Price: 4/5
Quality is incredible. The sole is leather and does not wear down easily. The leather that is used to make the shoe is strong and soft. The gold horse-bit is secure on the leather and I don’t for-see it detaching throughout the life of the shoe.
I have owned my Princetown mule for 6 years and the only visible wear is on the sole and a few scuff marks along the toe and sides from normal wear. As I mentioned before, I wear this shoe more than most in my wardrobe (withe the exception of my Veja sneaker). I use a polishing foam pad to clean up my Gucci Princetown and it actually cleans up very well.
Quality: 5/5
4.5/5
Maybe I’m biased; I love this shoe so much! It fits perfectly with [almost] every outfit, it’s comfortable, made well and simple yet stylish. Anyone at any age can wear this mule and look put together.
