How to Tell the Difference Between a Real and Fake Pair of Christian Louboutin Shoes

The red bottom soles are instantly recognizable. Christian Louboutin is one of the most sought-after luxury shoe brands in the world and one of the most counterfeited designer brands.

Spotting a fake pair of Christian Louboutin shoes is like finding a counterfeit Louis Vuitton bag – they’re everywhere online.

Buying your Louboutin shoes pre-loved can save you a little cash and give you access to iconic vintage styles. The danger of buying Christian Louboutin shoes on the second-hand market is the number of counterfeits. It’s also possible to rent Louboutin shoes.

One of the most popular and often imitated designer shoes in the world is Christian Louboutin

We live in an era of super-fakes where not even Cartier will authenticate their own Love bracelets anymore. Everything from dust bags to receipts and serial numbers can be faked to look just like the real deal.

THE BOX

Although not every pair listed online comes with a shoebox, the box is often the first place to spot several of the tell-tale signs of a fake. Christian Louboutin shoes come in a sturdy brown box that features the Christian Louboutin logo in crisp white text along with the text ‘Paris’ below on the bottom right corner. Remember to inspect that the typography is correct. Additionally, the placement and font of the logo are also two very important aspects of the packaging. Authentic boxes will have a sticker with the style name, European size, barcode and Christian Louboutin Logo whereas fake products often don’t feature these details. Authentic designer products only use the best quality materials from the actual Louboutin shoe down to the packaging. Copycats often use cheaper materials and do not pay close attention to the details. Loose cardboard paper that is not stuck down properly is a definite red flag! Don’t forget that a real box can still hold fake shoes, so always look at each element of the packaging and product.

THE DUST BAG

Inside the box should contain a cherry red dust cover, one large or two smaller bags, depending on the style of shoe you purchased. The dust bag should be high-quality felt or in soft cotton, fake dust bags are often made out of thinner and cheaper materials with raw edges and uneven stitching. This cover should also contain the crisp black logo with the text ‘Paris’ on the bottom right. Please note that the logo doesn’t necessarily have to be centred. As with the box, it is important to note the spacing, font and placement of the logo on the dust cover. In addition, fake dust bags tend to come in a variety of shades of red hues rather than the signature Louboutin cherry red. The opening of the dust bag will also have overlocked stitches and a black drawstring closure.

THE LOUBOUTIN SHOE SOLE

A genuine Christian Louboutin red sole is always a bright red hue with a classy gloss finish. This signature red is very specific, so if you find Louboutin shoes with a different hue, then run! Fake red soles tend to come in different reds and have a matte looking finish rather than a glossy one. We all know, there’s nothing better than the signature Louboutin red but if you’re unsure there are many images of authentic Louboutin shoes online, don’t be afraid to use your resources! There is also the Christian Louboutin lettering inscribing on the red insole, so look out for the correct logo and lettering. Authentic Louboutin shoes will clearly have “Christian Louboutin,” “Made in Italy,” and the European size located on it. Be careful as fake shoes will often have “MadeInItaly” written as one word with no spaces. Another thing to note is that authentic Louboutin shoes have red-painted leather rather than plastic, this means that the soles may scuff quicker. So, if you intend to buy a preowned pair then scuff marks are in fact an indicator that the shoes are the real deal!

DID YOU KNOW? Christian Louboutin once sold baby blue bottoms. This was intended to provide the ‘something blue’ for brides-to-be. However, this is now discontinued! See more interesting facts about Louboutins.

QUALITY QUALITY QUALITY

The quality of the shoe is a dead giveaway. Louboutin shoes are manufactured in Italy and are extremely high quality. From the leather to the stitching, the placement of the embellishments – everything should be perfect! If the studs, glitter, sequins, or other details are less than perfect, it’s a very good chance that it’s a fake! The leather should be of high quality and shaped perfectly. A tell-tale sign of a fake is low-quality leather where the uppers look rippled. A popular replica style is to have a small black tip at the bottom of the heel. However, some authentic models have a black tip too. So, before purchasing, look up the brand and shoe model as a reference – usually a thicker tip is a sign of the real deal.

THE STITCHING

Authentic Louboutin shoes should have perfect and consistent stitching. These should be tight and uniform throughout the shoe. Many fake pairs have double stitching or wide and uneven stitches. The authentic stitching is evenly spaced, accurate, tight, straight and with a tidy finish. The insole of the shoes should align with the side of the shoes and be sealed properly. As seen on the fake ones, the insole is cut unevenly. Additionally, some replicas have a tab that overlaps on the top of the seam on the back. Authentic Louboutin shoes like Pigalle, Daffodile and So Kate don’t feature this. Look out for lines that are refined, sexy and feminine, as many fakes have bulky lines that do not feature in the always elegant Louboutin finish.

THE PRICE TAG

Brand new and authentic Christian Louboutin heels generally retail between R 8 776 – R 23 403. If someone is selling brand new Louboutin shoes for R500, best believe it’s fake! Even if you want to buy a pair of pre-owned Christian Louboutins, prepare to pay a pretty penny for a genuine pair. Yes, beauty does come at a hefty price sometimes, see the price of Christian Louboutins Heels, but we’re sure you’ll agree that it is well worth it! Between the high quality of genuine Louboutin shoes and the shoe envy from everyone else, these beauties practically pay for themselves! Wondering where to find an authentic pair of Louboutin shoes? At Luxity, duh! We guarantee 100% authentic Christian Louboutin handbags, shoes and so much more. We don’t do fakes, neither should you!

Does the red on Louboutins wear off?

The red soles of Christian Louboutin shoes are made using a secret lacquering process that gives them their signature color and shine. The soles are first painted with a layer of red lacquer, which is then protected by a transparent film. This film is removed when the shoes are boxed up, and the red soles are revealed.

The lacquer used to create the red soles is a proprietary formula developed and manufactured by Christian Louboutin. The formula is a blend of different chemicals that give the soles their unique color and durability. The lacquer is applied to the soles by hand, and each shoe is inspected to ensure the finish is perfect.

The red can start to chip or fade after repeated wear, especially if the shoes are exposed to rough surfaces or harsh chemicals.

There are a few things you can do to help prevent the red from wearing off, such as:

Avoid wearing your Louboutins on rough surfaces, such as concrete or gravel.
Avoid using harsh chemicals on your Louboutins, such as bleach or ammonia.
Apply a clear coat of sealant to the soles of your Louboutins. This will help to protect the red from chipping or fading.

Here are some of the options you have if the red on your Louboutins starts to wear off:

Resole the shoes: This is the most expensive option, but it will give you a brand new sole with the iconic red color.
Have the soles repainted: This is a less expensive option but will not be as durable as a resoled sole.
Leave the soles as is: This is the least expensive option, but it will mean that the red color will continue to wear off over time.

The best option for you will depend on your budget and how much you care about the red color on the soles of your Louboutins.

Do Louboutins keep their value?

Christian Louboutins have a better resale value than most designer shoes, but the value of your shoes will depend on the condition of your shoes. Keeping your original dust bag and box will help to maintain the value of your Louboutin shoes.

Which Louboutins are most comfortable?

Louboutin shoes are notorious for not being comfortable. Christian Louboutin famously said that he doesn’t design his shoes with comfort in mind.

Christian Louboutin FAQs: Expert Insights

Before buying Christian Louboutins, you want to get familiar with the brand and the most common questions about Christian Louboutin shoes.

Does Louis Vuitton make red bottoms?

No, the iconic red sole shoes are made by Christian Louboutin and not Louis Vuitton.

French designer Christian Louboutin is the creator of the red-soled shoes (Credit: Christian Louboutin)

Are Louboutin shoes made in China?

No, Christian Louboutin’s shoes are not made in China. They are made in Europe, specifically in Italy and Spain. The company has a strict policy of not manufacturing its products in China to maintain high-quality standards.

In September 2022, in an unfair competition lawsuit, the Beijing Intellectual Property Court (BIPC) issued a verdict in favor of Christian Louboutin, the renowned French footwear brand.

Christian Louboutin had accused Guangdong Wanlima Industrial Co. Ltd. of selling high-heeled shoes that imitated the distinctive red sole design associated with Louboutin’s footwear. These counterfeit shoes were sold on Tmall, an online marketplace, and in a Beijing department store.

Luxury fashion designer Christian Louboutin manufactures his footwear in Italy and Spain

Louboutin further alleged that Wanlima utilized the term “red sole shoes” in its promotional activities, deliberately creating confusion among consumers and leading them to mistakenly associate the products with Louboutin.

The court acknowledged that since Christian Louboutin entered the Chinese market in 2011, its red sole trademark and design had gained significant recognition and had become closely associated with the public.

Therefore, the court found Wanlima guilty of violating China’s Anti-Unfair Competition Law. As a result, Wanlima was ordered to compensate Louboutin with $721,855 (5 million RMB) in damages and $64,245 (445,000 RMB) to cover legal expenses.

Is it cheaper to buy Louboutins in Italy?

It’s not always necessarily cheaper to buy Louboutin shoes in Italy. While you may find a great deal on Louboutin shoes at outlet stores in Italy, it’s worth considering the exchange rate and VAT.

Italy has a 22% value-added tax on footwear, but travelers can only reimburse a certain amount in tax when leaving the country.

While you’ll almost always save money by buying Louboutins in Italy, it’s worth checking the exchange rate and considering if the UK is a better option for your purchase.