Christian Louboutin Kate 85 review: worth it or skip?

What the Christian Louboutin Kate 85 does well

The headline: the So Kate silhouette with a lower 85 mm heel. The details: Material: Calfskin; Sole: Red lacquered leather; Fit: Narrow, size up half; Made in: Italy. In our list it is the pick for: wearable Louboutin. It usually sells for $750–$850 in the US.

Add a red rubber protector sole from a cobbler.

The trade-offs

Good: wearable height, iconic red sole, classic shape. Not so good: narrow toe box, red sole scuffs. Read the skip-if line before you spend: skip it if you have wide feet.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Aquazzura Linda 85 ($750–$850): pointed slingback with an elastic strap. Better if you want a comfortable slingback.

Instead, consider the Sergio Rossi Godiva 90 ($750–$850): classic pump with crystal option. Better if you want heritage at a fair price.

Instead, consider the Manolo Blahnik BB Pump 90 ($795–$895): classic pointed pump on a famously well-balanced last. Better if you want one perfect black pump for work and evenings.

Before you buy

Heel height: 100 mm and above are for short wear; 70 to 85 mm is where most people can walk and stand for hours. Last and toe shape: pointed lasts from Louboutin and Manolo run narrow; brands such as Gianvito Rossi and Aquazzura are kinder to wider feet. Sizing: Italian sizes run about half a size small for many people; check the brand’s size chart and the return policy.

Buyer tip

Add rubber half-soles from a cobbler before the first wear: it protects the leather sole, adds grip and costs little compared with the shoes.

Buying in Europe: Italian and French sizes are used on most designer shoes, and they differ from US sizes by brand. Check the house’s own size chart, and remember that many Italian brands run about half a size small.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.

Buy from the fashion house, an authorized retailer or a reseller that authenticates and guarantees every piece, and keep the receipt, the dust bag, the box and any warranty card: they matter for repairs and for resale. Swiss watches carry a 2- to 5-year international warranty when bought from an authorized dealer, and buyers in the EU and UK also have a legal guarantee of at least two years on new goods.