Click clack, click clack, click clack
Who the hell is wearing heels?
… and also, what kinda heels are those?
The New York Times says a pair of Christian Louboutin heels are “shorthand for luxury, fabulosity and sex appeal, a kind of synecdoche of success.”
… but, are these red bottomed shoes really worth it?
… and if so, how do they fit?
Christian Louboutin Shoe Sizing
In general, Christian Louboutin shoes run a half size smaller than most FR shoes. They’re usually marked as IT/EU sizing.
For comparison’s sake, my shoe sizes run like this:
-Adidas Stan Smiths, US 8
–Chanel Shoes, FR 39
–Christian Louboutin, IT/EU 39.5
–Golden Goose, IT/EU 39
–Hermès, FR 39
–Isabel Marant, FR 39-40
-Nikes, US 8.5
–Repetto, FR 39.5-40
If it helps, the tip of my big toe to my heel measures 23.5 cm or 9.25 inches.
Louboutin Kate Sizing
My Christian Louboutin Kate heels, with a pitch of 85mm, are a 39.5.
There’s the tiniest inkling of space to spare, but I can walk in them just fine.
In emerald green suede, they’re my newest pair and immediately caught my eye… and are surprisingly super wearable and comfortable.
Comfort Level: 9/10
Louboutin Pigalle Sizing
My studded Christian Louboutin Pigalle heels, with a pitch of 120mm, are a size 39.5.
Studded Louboutins, like these, run a little large.
It was 2010 and the Madison ave boutique only had a 39.5 left.
I’m not even sure why I’m including my Pigalles in this review, other than to publicly humiliate myself because they probably aren’t the right size and…
… I just CANNOT walk in them.
Even if I put in a Dr. Scholl’s insole, try a heel liner, or stuff the toe with a bit of tissue to get a tighter fit, I cannot walk in them.
5 inch heels just aren’t for me.
Comfort Level: 0.5/10
Louboutin Simple Pump Sizing
My Christian Louboutin Simple Pumps, with a pitch of 100mm, are a 39.5.
The Simple Pumps simply fit perfectly.
Tip: Don’t walk on the Highline in NYC or stumble on the cobble stoned street outside of Pastis if you want to preserve your pumps — mine are a mess because of that.
… but the black patent leather still shines like a fresh coat of Chanel’s Black Satin nail polish.
Comfort Level: 9.25/10
The “Pumppie” pumps are super similar since they don’t make the Simple Pumps anymore…
Louboutin Boot Sizing
My Christian Louboutin Boots (the “Vickys”), with a pitch of 120mm, are a 39.5.
Online shopping was just getting started and I was reticent to order Louboutins online…
… but they ended up fitting perfectly.
Comfort Level: 9.5/10
Louboutin Knee Boot Review
My Christian Louboutin Pumppie boots are a size 39.5.
Louboutin knee-high boots still run true to size.
… however, if you have slightly wider legs, it might be tight trying to zip the boots over your jeans.
At the time of writing and standing, my calves’ circumference, when my leg is flat on the ground, measures 13.25“ (or 33.65 cm) and with the added material of a pair of jeans (these ones, fwiw), they’re 13.5” (or 34.29 cm).
With a pair of tights, Louboutin’s boots are totally easy to zip up and I can still add a pair of thinner socks to keep my toes warm.
These are A+ luxury boots, especially when compared to, say, Loeffler Randall’s Goldy Boots.
They have a high-quality feel (and smell!).
They are incredibly stylish.
… and they resemble a pair of Christian Louboutin boots that Kate Moss wore in the mid-2000s that I’ve been trying to find ever since.
Comfort Level: 8.75/10 (Minus 1.25 points for the smaller shaft/jean dilemma)
… oh, also, our girl Taylor Swift recently wore them as well.
Christian Louboutin Over The Knee Boot Review
My Louboutin Stretchadoxa Alta boots are also a size 39.5.
These boots. are. sick.
… like beyond sick.
Not only are they so sick, they’re also so easy to walk in.
… and they’re surprisingly (relatively) easy to get on/off thanks to the side zip.
… AND they somehow actually stretch due to the suede
The suede is a little worn, but that’s from the box and something that you can’t really avoid it.
They’re also a little narrow (deliberated sizing up, but don’t want the boot part to fall down), but I’ll just wear a super thin sockette.
None of that takes away from just how insane these boots are.
Comfort Level: 10/10, obsessed.
Louboutin Follies Strass Review & Sizing
My Christian Louboutin Follies Strass 85 pumps are also a size 39.5.
I’ve never been one to dream of my wedding day, or whatever, but ever since I was in high school, it was always my dream to wear sparkly Louboutins with my wedding dress…
For my wedding day, I wore these for some photos, then swapped them for a pair of Prada platform sandals because as it turns out, the crystals on Louboutin’s Follies Strass pumps really hurt your feet.
However, when I did wear them, they looked like a sparkling stunning vision…
Comfort Level: 3.5/10
Louboutin Mary Janes/2” Heel Review & Sizing
My Christian Louboutin Vernica Mary Janes are a size 39 (super similar pair in Psychic red here!).
… yes a half size down than all my other Louboutin shoes and they fit perfectly.
This surprised me too.
After Taylor Swift’s iconic “I Bet You Still Think About Me” music video, directed none other than Blake Lively (also a good personal friend of Monsieur Louboutin), I needed these shoes.
There is something so unapologetically ruthless about this song and, while happily married, I wanted in on that spirit.
So, when these miraculously were in stock on Neiman Marcus in a 39, I jumped even though they were not my usual Louboutin size.
The straps easily buckle into place (they all have elastics on them so your foot & ankle can move more naturally) and the 5 mm/2.1” heel makes them so easy to walk in.
The only downside is the patent leather easily creases at the toes (and shows when you take them off), but they are still so much better than any “organic shoe.”
Comfort Level: 10/10
Christian Louboutin Cassandrissima PVC Shoe Sizing
Like the magpie that I am, the rhinestones and silver were just too shiny to resist…
My Cassandrissima PVC shoes are a size 40.
The toe area looked a little too narrow for my can-retain-water-and-swell-up feet, so I decided to size half a size up.
It’s a perfect fit with just enough space to accommodate any late night ramen feasts.
Unlike other PVC shoes, the PVC on these Louboutins does not dig into the tops of my feet.
Comfort Level: 9.25/10 (minus .75 points because I’m scared of knocking the crystals off)
IMPRESSIONS & ADVICE
If you’re someone who’s like “Louboutins are too early 2010’s for my taste,” I get it.
After all, I fell for a pair of beige spiked Pigalles in 2010 — they’re like 5 inches, how could I not fall?
… but at the same time, I’m like have you seen their more understated pumps? Especially the suede ones.
The suede is sooo sumptuous.
Jewel toned suede turns me into a magpie — dazzle a swatch of emerald suede in front of me and my wings start flapping.
If the shoe gets your wings flapping and fits… ignore your “are these too dated” fears and wear them.
ADVICE
1- Use a baby wipe to keep the inner sole clean
It’ll help them stay fresh and not look worn longer.
2- Get them re-soled & keep the extra included heel nubbin
Luxury shoe makers have red soles which they can adhere to the bottom of your shoe.
Get them resoled right away by a trusted luxury cobbler or wait until you’ve worn them once or twice, then get them resoled to preserve them.
Note: Research & read reviews on Yelp to make sure the cobbler can do them perfectly — also ask to see the red sole and compare it to your Louboutins before to make sure it’s exactly what you want.
3- Actually use the dust bags
You don’t want another pair of shoes on your shelf to scuff them, so use the dust bags!
4- Keep the tissue paper that the shoe is stuffed with
Generally Louboutins have a bit of tissue paper in the toe. It’s handy to keep it on hand in case your shoes are a pinch too big — then you can just cut the tissue paper and get the fit you want.
6- Avoid cobbled streets or wooden decks
More likely than not, your heel will get caught or your ankle could twist.
Pros & Cons
Pros
–Sole protector included: There is a clear film included to put on the bottom of your Louboutins, but it’d be better to just get them resoled by a professional who can match the red.
–Iconic: You have heard all the Billboard top songs about red bottomed shoes, I mean…
–Relatively easy to walk in: If there’s a platform, it’ll make it easier and if the pitch is lower, it’ll also be easier.
Cons
–Tips Can Wear Easily: For whatever reason, my Louboutin tips are the first bit to show wear.
–Sizing: Tricky to get right at first, but once you do that’s basically your size.
If we’re talking about the skyscraper high Clou Bow swathed in sharp studs worn (or, uh, my studded Pigalles), then sure, stigmatize Christian Louboutin shoes all you want.
… but if you get a slightly more timeless pair, who could really judge you?
If it’s Kate Moss, who just wore a pair of gold Louboutins to Annabel’s, then sure, be our judge.
Christian Louboutin heels are available at a wide variety of retailers, like Matches Fashion, MyTheresa, Net-A-Porter, Neiman Marcus, Saks, and other retailers.
Here are a few more styles that have caught my eye…
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