Pre-owned Christian Louboutin heels are worth it if you buy from a source that authenticates every pair. We stock authenticated pairs from £79.99, typically 50 to 75 per cent below new retail. A Pigalle 100 in nude patent sits at £184.99 on our shelves right now; a new pair of the same style retails for around £625. The savings are real, but they only count if the pair is genuine and honestly graded, because the brand is among the most counterfeited in luxury footwear.
How Much Do Christian Louboutin Heels Cost New?
New heels from the house currently range from around £625 for a classic patent pump to well over £1,200 for crystal-embellished or knee-high boot styles. The exact price depends on the model, the material, and whether it's a seasonal limited edition.
For the styles people search for most, here's what you'll typically pay at a boutique or authorised UK stockist:
- Kate 85 or Kate 100 (patent or nappa leather): around £695
- So Kate 120 (the 120 mm stiletto): around £725
- Pigalle and Iriza 100 (classic pumps and d'Orsay cuts): from around £625
- Very Prive 120 (peep-toe platform): from around £695
- Hot Chick 100 to 130: around £725 to £795
Boots start closer to £995 and climb from there. Anything with Strass crystal work can push past £1,500. These prices have risen steadily over the past five years, and that trajectory is part of what makes the second-hand market so active.
What Do Pre-Owned Louboutins Actually Cost?
Second-hand heels from the house typically cost 50 to 75 per cent less than new retail, depending on the model and condition. At Avantelle, we stock authenticated pairs from £79.99.
Here's what that looks like in practice. These are pairs in our shop right now, each one authenticated and photographed in the condition you'll receive it:
| Model | New Retail (approx.) | At Avantelle | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Prive 120 Patent (Black) | from ~£695 | £149.99 | ~78% |
| Pigalle 100 Patent (Nude) | from ~£625 | £184.99 | ~70% |
| Iriza 100 Patent (Nude) | from ~£625 | £249.99 | ~60% |
| Kate 85 Leather (Silver) | ~£695 | £324.99 | ~53% |
Boots show even steeper savings. Our YSA 100 suede knee-highs are £399.99; a comparable new pair typically retails above £1,000. And the Flannel Loubout 150 cotton ankle boots, a style that left boutique shelves seasons ago, sit at £79.99.
Condition affects where a pair sits in the range. A pair graded excellent with minimal sole wear will cost more; one with visibly worn heel tips and lacquer loss will cost less. We photograph and grade every pair honestly, so you know exactly what you're buying before you commit.
Are Pre-Owned Louboutins Worth the Savings?
For most people who love these shoes, yes. You're getting the same Italian-made construction whether you buy new or second-hand: the same leather, the same sole, the same silhouette. What changes is the price and, depending on condition, some cosmetic wear that a cobbler can address.
There are three reasons we'd genuinely recommend buying used:
The shoes are built to last. These heels are handmade in Italy from quality leather. The red lacquer sole will wear with use, that's inevitable, but the structure (the arch, the heel column, the upper) holds up well. A resoled pair has years of life in it. We've written a full guide to red sole care if you want the detail on protecting and maintaining them.
You get styles that have left the boutique. The house rotates colourways and sometimes entire silhouettes each season. A nude Pigalle or a particular suede in your size may simply not exist new any more. Second-hand is often the only route to the exact pair you want, and that's worth something real to a collector.
The savings change what you can own. At 50 to 75 per cent below new retail, you could own two or three authenticated pairs for the price of one new. Or try a bolder style (a metallic, a Strass crystal heel, a coloured suede) without the full-price commitment. That flexibility matters, especially if you're buying your first pair.
The one caveat: none of this holds if the pair isn't genuine. A "bargain" that turns out to be counterfeit is no saving at all. We'd always recommend buying from a specialist who authenticates every pair rather than relying on an unverified marketplace listing.
What Should You Check Before Buying Pre-Owned Louboutins?
Three things matter most: authentication, the condition of the wear points, and sizing for the specific model you're buying.
Authentication comes first. The brand is among the most counterfeited in luxury footwear, precisely because the red sole is so instantly recognisable. A convincing fake can look right at a glance. The checks that actually matter (sole lacquer depth, the insole stamp with "Paris" in gold, the heel profile, the stitching at the toe box) require handling the shoe or, at minimum, detailed close-up photographs. We authenticate every pair at Avantelle; our authentication guide walks you through the five checks we run.
Know the wear points. On these heels, wear shows first at two spots: the heel tip (the small rubber or plastic cap at the base of the stiletto) and the red sole lacquer. Both are cosmetic and fixable. A cobbler can replace a heel tip and apply a protective sole cover for a modest cost. What you really want to assess is the structural condition: the upper leather, the arch, and the heel column. In the pairs that come through us, those are the things we check most closely.
Sizing varies by model. Most models from the house run small compared to UK high-street sizing, but how much depends on the specific style. The Kate and the So Kate are both on the narrow side; we'd suggest trying half a size up. The Pigalle is a little more accommodating across the toe box. The Iriza, being a d'Orsay cut with an open side, tends to feel more generous. Getting the size right up front is what matters most when buying second-hand, because you're buying the exact pair in the photographs. Our model-by-model sizing guide covers every major style.
Where Can You Buy Authenticated Pre-Owned Louboutins in the UK?
The safest route is a specialist that authenticates every pair before listing it. That's what we do at Avantelle: every pair is checked, photographed in its actual condition, and priced fairly. You can browse our full collection any time.
The alternatives each come with trade-offs:
- Vinted and eBay offer the widest selection but no mandatory authentication. You're relying on the seller's word and your own eye. We've written a Vinted buying guide covering the two-day rule and what to watch for.
- Vestiaire Collective provides authentication on higher-priced items, but turnaround varies and the process isn't always transparent.
- Consignment boutiques let you handle the shoes in person, which is a genuine advantage, but stock is limited and prices tend to be higher than online specialists.
If you're weighing up your options, our honest guide to where to buy compares every major UK channel side by side. And if you're still deciding whether the brand is the right fit for you, we've also covered whether Louboutins are worth it more broadly, beyond the second-hand question.
Shop the Edit
Authenticated pre-owned Louboutin, in stock now and priced from £79.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Louboutins cost?
New heels from the house range from around £625 for a classic pump to over £1,200 for boots and crystal-embellished styles. Second-hand, authenticated pairs typically cost 50 to 75 per cent less. At Avantelle, we stock them from £79.99.
How much do So Kates cost?
A new So Kate 120 currently retails at around £725 in patent leather. Second-hand, they typically sell at a significant discount through authenticated resellers, though the exact price depends on condition, colourway, and size. If you prefer a lower heel in the same silhouette, the Kate 85 or Kate 100 offers the same clean line at a more walkable height.
Are pre-owned Louboutins real?
They can be, but not automatically. The brand is among the most counterfeited in luxury footwear, so authentication is essential. Buy from a source that physically inspects every pair. At Avantelle, we authenticate every pair before listing it, and our authentication guide explains what to look for.
Do pre-owned Louboutins last?
Yes. The Italian construction and quality leather mean a well-maintained pair has years of wear ahead of it. The red sole lacquer wears over time, but a protective sole and a heel-tip replacement from a cobbler extend the life significantly. We cover the detail in our red sole care guide.
What size should I buy in pre-owned Louboutins?
Most models run small compared to UK high-street sizing. The So Kate and Hot Chick are among the tightest; we'd suggest going half a size up. The Pigalle and Kate are a little more accommodating. Our sizing guide covers every major model.
Looking for your first pair? Browse our full collection of authenticated pre-owned Louboutin.
