How to Spot Real vs Fake Christian Louboutin Red Bottom Pumps

 

If you're a lover of the infamous Red Bottoms but you can't afford the retail price (classics are usually $795.00 a pair), then your best option is to buy them second-hand. However, on websites such as eBay, Mercari, and Poshmark, it's probable that you'll run into a pair of high quality fakes.

And when I say "fakes", I'm not referring to the fakes circa 2015. The factories overseas have improved their Christian Louboutin replica shoes. Around 2015, you could only find fakes with thick heels, pitches that weren't high enough, and toe boxes that weren't pointy enough. But times have changed and though it's incredibly difficult to find a super copy Louboutin pump, some of the high quality designs still can fool the eye.

Use this guide to find out how to spot high quality replica Christian Louboutin pumps...

Topics in this guide:

1. For pointed shoes, is the toe box pointy enough?
2. Is the gold logo stamp on the insole prominent?
3. The stiletto heel should be thin.
4. Are the bottoms a true blood red or slightly orange?
5. Does the shoe box have pronounced stripes or subtle stripes?
6. Is the dust bag made of thick, felt-like material?

Let's compare a pair of Kate 100 Pumps in black suede and look into each authentication method in full detail (on the fake CLs pictured below, there are a pair of back-of-heel cushions in the shoe in case you're wondering what those beige things are against the backs of the heels)...

1. For pointed shoes, is the toe box pointy enough?

You're probably considering a pointed toe pair of Red Bottoms. When checking the shoe, make sure the toe box is pointy enough. On fake Kate 100s above, the toe is slightly too rounded. The genuine Loubs come to more of a point. This is a very common detail on fake Christian Louboutin styles that have pointed toes - the toe boxes are too rounded!

2. Is the gold logo stamp on the insole prominent?

The insole stamp is usually made cheaply on the Christian Louboutin replica insoles. So cheaply that it rubs off easily with enough wear (from foot moisture). Notice that on the fake Kate 100s above, the "Christian Louboutin" in what should be the "Christian Louboutin Paris" logo is wiped out completely. The stamp is should be imprinted properly to withstand moisture and friction from your feet.

3. The stiletto heel should be thin.

Now, this isn't the case for most Christian Louboutin styles but the majority of the them have truly skinny stiletto heels. It's a little difficult to see but the heel on the fakes above aren't as skinny as the authentic heels.

4. Are the bottoms a true blood red or slightly orange?

The reason we buy Christian Louboutins: for the red bottoms! But what most factories get wrong when producing red bottoms is making the glossy, beautiful, red outsole the correct color. Genuine Red Bottoms have the signature blood red color. But on the fakes, the color is off. Notice that the red on the fake CLs have a tinge of orange.

This will be a hard one to figure out unless you already have an authentic pair of Louboutins handy. But if you're unsure, look up a pair of authentic CLs on a high-end second-hand website such as The Real Real or Fashion Phile. If they uploaded a photo of the bottoms of the shoes, compare them to the CLs in question. Do the CLs in question have that same blood red color?

5. Does the shoe box have pronounced stripes or subtle stripes?

If you happen to find a questionable pair of Louboutins and the seller uploaded a photo of the shoe box then you're in luck because the box is usually a dead giveaway. The real shoe box has a very subtle pinstripe print on it. The fake factories tried to mimic that print but unsuccessfully. The pinstripe on the replica boxes are usually much more pronounced.

Additionally, unless you're in China, look for any stickers with Chinese characters on them. Lastly, notice that the genuine Louboutin box is more of a kraft brown color while the brown color of the replica box skews toward yellow.

6. Is the dust bag made of a thick, felt-like material?

If you're authenticating a pair of Louboutins, immediately check a photo of the dust bag, if the seller included it. The replica dust bag above is made of a very cheap material. Additionally, it's the wrong color (the color of the genuine CL dust bag is that same blood red we spoke of before). Once again, we're encountering that orange-y red color on the fakes.

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