How to Buy and Care for Your Beautiful Christian Louboutin Shoes

Your Guide to Christian Louboutin Shoes

The lure is undeniable : we women love our shoes, especially those coveted signature red soles (i.e., Christian Louboutin shoes). However, buying a pair of designer shoes isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. When investing in designer shoes, particularly Louboutins, you want to do your research before you buy. Plus, you want to care for them so they last a lifetime.

So, having said that, here is our guide to buying and caring for your Christian Louboutin shoes, those beloved red soled beauties…

5 Tips for Buying Christian Louboutin Shoes

Whether you are a Louboutin shoe virgin or whether you already have a handful, check out these tips to make your next purchase a successful one.

1. Begin with the Classics

My personal favorites are the So Kate and Pigalle styles. They are classic, timeless, sexy pumps that are comfortable, too – given that you order the right size (see tip #4).  If you’re in the market for your first pair of Christian Louboutin heels, it’s safe to go the classic route. They’ll go with everything, and you’ll never tire of wearing them.

2. Don’t Hesitate if You Fall in Love

If you see a style you love, especially if it’s one of the classics mentioned above, and you find your size, snatch it up before it’s gone! Beware that Louboutins sale out quickly, especially the two styles mentioned above. So, don’t take too long to mull over the decision.

3. Browse Our Online Favorites

If shopping online for a pair, my favorite spots to look are Net-a-Porter, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue. They each have great assortments to choose from, plus each of these retailers offers quick and free (or inexpensive) shipping and easy returns. Plus, each offers detailed style descriptions that prove quite helpful in regards to tips 4 and 5.

4. Take Note : Sizing Varies

Make sure you read the fit notes on the website. Louboutin sizing varies widely, but in general they run small. For instance, I find I need to size up half a size or even a full size most of the time. Of course, you can always browse in the store and try on so you know your size, and then purchase online. Often times you’ll find more styles online than you see available in store.

5. Beware of the Heel Height

Make sure you check for the heel height before purchasing. Sometimes pictures can be deceiving so read the description for all the detailed information.

Louboutins often come in heel heights up to 120 mm. However, I prefer to stick with the 85 or 100 mm variety, as I find them much more wearable.

6 Tips for Taking Care of Your Christian Louboutin Shoes

While these designer shoes are of the best and highest quality, it doesn’t mean they’re indestructible. After all, shoes are meant to be worn, and over time, the ‘wear and tear’ can show. However, you can ensure your Louboutins look as good as new for as long as you own them.

1. Protect the Soles

One reason for buying Louboutins is for the famous red soles. So, you want to make sure they stay in good condition. The secret to doing so is these red rubber replacement soles and have a cobber put them on. You can attempt to put them on your yourself, but it might be wise to have a professional do so to make sure it’s done properly. In fact, most cobblers may even have these red rubber soles in stock.

2. Protect the Heels

The heels of the shoe are also, of course, of utmost importance, so when you start seeing the heels looking a bit worn, you can have your cobbler put on new heel tips. Of course, you want the new heel tips to be the same color as the previous ones.

Note: never wear your heels down to the internal metal. You risk damaging the heel permanently! Plus, it’s super annoying when that metal clicks on the ground as you walk.

3. Consider the Weather

It might go without saying, but we will say it anyway… Try not to trek through snow or puddles in your beautiful shoes! But if you cant avoid it, try to plan ahead and have them sprayed with a protectant.

However, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Let’s just agree to save our Louboutins for good weather days, shall we?

4. Keep them Polished

If you have a pair of leather Louboutinss, after a while, the leather can really start to look worn and dull. Have them polished every now and then, though, and they’ll look as good as new.

It’s best to find a great cobbler who can advise on how to clean the different fabrics, such as suede, patent leather, etc. If it’s worth investing in the shoes, it’s worth investing in the cobbler, as well! For my fellow Houstonians, I highly recommend the Houston Shoe Hospital.

5. Don’t Forget About the Footbed

You might not think about the footbed of the shoe since no one really sees that part except you. But don’t neglect it, or you’ll regret it. Again, if you’re spending your money on a pair of Christian Louboutin heels, you want them to last, and taking care of every part of the shoe is important.

So, clean the footbed with baby wipes. And if they’re too dirty where a baby wipe won’t work, again, take them to a cobbler for them to clean them up.

6. Take Care Even When Not in Use

Even when you’re not wearing your shoes, you need to store them properly. When traveling with them, make sure you do so with them in the dust bag they originally came in. It’s good to keep them in this bag in your closet as well, but we do understand why one would want to keep their pretty shoes out for show.

If you plan on keeping them out on a shelf, make sure they are standing upright, not in direct sunlight, and in a space that is not humid. Furthermore, for closed toe shoes or boots, you can put stuffing (i.e. colorless tissue paper) in the front of the shoes, so that they always keep their original shape.

In Closing

Do you own any Christian Louboutin shoes? If you own a pair of our favorite red-soled shoes, we’d love to hear any other tips and tricks you might have for keeping them looking their best. Share in the comments! And finally, browse some of our favorite currently available styles below…