In this day and age, it’s quite difficult to look at photos from the latest award shows or movie premieres (or just a typical night out in Dubai!) and not see a Christian Louboutin on the feet of at least several fashionistas in attendance.
A name synonymous with bold fashion statements, the trademarked red soles seem to be everywhere- street markets and websites selling fakes included. To ensure you don’t fall victim to one of these scammers, here’s a guide to help you easily spot fake Christian Louboutin shoes.
1. The Box
Fake Boxes Authentic Boxes
Let’s start with the box. Although not every pair listed online comes with a box, there are several tell-tale signs of a fake that are easily spotted on the packaging. Normally the the box should have the name ‘Christian Louboutin’ with ‘Paris’ printed below it. The placement and font of the logo are two very important aspects of the box. The authentic box will have the Christian Louboutin name and ‘Paris’ written in the correct font and centered on the lid. Authentic boxes will have a sticker with the style name, European size, barcode and Christian Louboutin Logo whereas the fake box does not have any of these details as seen in the image. As seen in the images, the fake box is dented and the cardboard paper is loose, whereas the authentic box is of good quality and the paper is stuck perfectly.
2. Dustbag
Fake Dustbags
Real Dustbags
Next, authentic Christian Louboutin shoes should come complete with a cherry red dustbag. It should have the Christian Louboutin name and Paris printed on it in a straight line as seen on the authentic dustbag image. Fake dustbags most often come in a variety of shades of red save for the trademarked cherry hue. As with the box, it is important to note the spacing, font and placement of the logo on the dustbag. Additionally, the type of fabric and stitching are also imperative to determine the authenticity. Authentic dustbags should be soft, high denier cotton with overlocked stitches and a drawstring closure. Fake dustbags most often are made of thinner, cheaper material and have raw edges with uneven stitches.
3. Quality of the Shoes
Fake shoes
Authentic Shoes
Christian Louboutin shoes are manufactured in Italy and should therefore be of the highest quality. All aspects of the design- from the types of leather, to the stitching to the placement of the embellishments- should be perfect. The stitches should be tight and uniform throughout the shoes. On fake shoes, there may be double stitching or large, uneven stitches. The leather should be of the best quality and shaped perfectly. A telltale sign of fake ones is low quality leather where the uppers look rippled as they do in the fake ones above.
The insole of the shoes should be aligned with the side of the shoes, and sealed properly. As seen on the fake ones, the insole is cut unevenly. Another giveaway is that the sequins are not stuck properly.
The logo on the insole should be defined and clear. As seen on the fake one, the logo is thicker, it is smudged and is chipping off. Here too, it is important to pay attention to the font, spacing and placement of the logo.
4. The Red Sole
Fake and Authentic Soles
If you are wondering: ‘Do all Louboutin shoes have red bottoms?’ YES! The signature accent of all shoes from the label is their iconic red soles.
One of the most important aspects to check for a Louboutin shoe is the red sole.
An authentic Christian Louboutin sole is made of leather and is smooth in texture. It’s painted a unique shade of red which makes it very difficult to copy.
As seen on the fake images, the red shade is completely different and can sometimes have a pattern on it. Many fakes have plastic soles even though it says it is made of leather.
The logo on the sole should be deeply embossed and not printed. The details that need to be included on the sole the Christian Louboutin logo, ‘MADE IN ITALY’ and the European size ex. 38.
Before 2007 After 2007
Older versions (before 2007) of some Louboutins will have ‘Vero Cuoio’ stamped on the sole and the red color will appear brighter. Shoes produced after 2007 will have the details listed above along with a deeper red-colored bottom.
We hope this guide was able to assist you in spotting fake Christian Louboutin shoes. When in doubt, you should most often pass on the offer- if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Want to find the real deal for a steal? Head on over to our selection of shoes for women at The Luxury Closet!
–
Aiman Rafia Hashim
Assistant Buyer For Shoes & Accessories
TheLuxuryCloset.com
Catherine Travers
Handbags & Shoes Category Manager
TheLuxuryCloset.com
Also, check other women’s accessories from the brand and Christian Louboutin handbags.
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