By the Avantelle Authentication Team | Last updated: July 2026
Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo are both Italian-made luxury, but they're built for different feet and different moments. The Parisian house is the architectural extreme: narrow lasts, the trademark lacquered sole, and flagship heel heights from 100mm to 120mm. Choo goes broader, with more forgiving fits and the "naked shoe" aesthetic that lets the foot do the talking. Both hold up well secondhand. The former is significantly easier to authenticate thanks to its signature underside, and you'll find authenticated pairs at Avantelle from £79.99.
How Do Louboutin and Jimmy Choo Heels Differ?
These are two houses that share a category, not a philosophy. Christian Louboutin, founded in Paris in 1991, builds around the extreme: a narrow last, a sharply pointed toe, and the lacquered scarlet sole that became one of the most recognisable signatures in luxury footwear. The house's flagships, the So Kate at 120mm and the Kate at 70mm to 100mm, are designed first as silhouettes. They create a line.
Jimmy Choo, co-founded in London in 1996 by the Malaysian shoemaker Jimmy Choo and British Vogue accessories editor Tamara Mellon, took a different route. The brand built its reputation on what the industry calls the "naked shoe": barely-there straps, nude patent, minimal construction that flatters the foot rather than sculpting it. Core models like the Love 100 and the Romy use a rounder toe box and a gentler heel pitch than their Parisian equivalents.
The practical upshot: a 100mm heel from each house doesn't feel the same on the foot. The steeper pitch from the Paris house pushes more weight onto the ball, which is partly why sizing advice differs so much between the two brands.
Who Offers Stronger Craftsmanship, Louboutin or Jimmy Choo?
Both brands manufacture their core lines in Italian factories using premium calf, patent and nappa leathers. On a flagship pump from the house (a So Kate or a Pigalle, a Kate), the construction is consistently excellent: precise lasting, clean sole attachment, supple leather that moulds to the foot over time.
Choo's core heels are well-made too. The Love 100 and the Azia are solid shoes built to a high standard. Where a gap shows is breadth: Choo's wider product catalogue (trainers, flat sandals, bags, licensed fragrance) means quality can vary more across the range than the Parisian house's relatively focused line of heels and boots.
In the secondhand pairs that come through us, we can tell a Louboutin from the construction alone: the way the leather wraps the last, the weight of the heel, the precision of the sole edge. That consistency is part of what makes the brand rewarding to buy secondhand.
| Christian Louboutin | Jimmy Choo | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1991, Paris | 1996, London |
| Signature | Red lacquered sole | "Naked shoe" aesthetic |
| Flagship pump | So Kate 120 (120mm) | Love 100 (100mm) |
| Typical UK fit | Narrow; size up 0.5 to 1 | Generally true to size |
| Secondhand at Avantelle | From £79.99 | N/A (specialist) |
| Authentication ease | High (sole colour + stamps) | Moderate (insole details) |
Does Jimmy Choo Make Red Sole Shoes?
No. The scarlet lacquered sole is an exclusive trademark of Christian Louboutin, registered in most major markets including the UK and EU. Jimmy Choo produces shoes in red colourways (a red suede pump, a red patent peep-toe) but the sole is always a standard colour.
If you're searching for "Jimmy Choo red sole shoes", you're almost certainly thinking of the Parisian house. It's one of the most common mix-ups in luxury footwear, and it matters enormously when buying secondhand: the lacquered sole is a built-in authentication marker. Flip the shoe over and you know immediately what you're looking at. For the full breakdown, see our authentication guide.
Choo authentication relies on subtler cues: the font consistency on the insole stamp, the quality of the metal logo hardware, and the finishing of the sole edge. It's doable, but it isn't as instantly visual, which is why specialist verification matters more for Choo purchases on the secondhand market.
How Does Sizing Compare Between the Two Brands?
The Parisian house's pointed-toe pumps run narrow and short. In our experience, most buyers go half a size up in the Kate and a full size up in the So Kate 120. The Iriza (a d'Orsay cut) is slightly more forgiving because the open side gives the foot room to breathe. We've written a full breakdown in our sizing guide.
Jimmy Choo generally fits closer to standard UK sizing. The Love 100 and the Romy are among the more generous fits in their range. Strappy styles like the Azia can feel tighter across the front because the construction has less give, so a half-size up is worth considering.
One practical note for secondhand buyers: insoles from the Paris house compress with wear, which effectively opens up half a size. A used pair with moderate wear may fit slightly roomier than a brand-new pair in the same marked size. Choo insoles tend to be firmer and compress less. For a model-by-model breakdown, see our heel heights guide.
Are Louboutins More Comfortable Than Jimmy Choo?
If you're asking which brand you'll want to walk further in, honestly, it's probably Choo. The house designs with a more ergonomic pitch, and models like the Romy 85 and the Love 100 distribute weight more evenly than the steeper equivalents from the Parisian maison.
That said, treating every pump from the house as equally demanding is one of the biggest misconceptions out there. A Kate 85 is a perfectly wearable evening shoe. A So Kate 120 is a statement piece you'll feel after a long dinner. They're built for different occasions, and the brand has always been clear about that. For a model-by-model guide to comfort, our beginners' guide is the best place to start.
In the secondhand pairs that come through us, we can tell a Louboutin from the construction alone.
Which Should You Buy Secondhand in the UK?
Both brands work well on the secondhand market, and we'd encourage buying either if you find the right pair. We specialise in the Parisian house for three reasons that matter to secondhand buyers specifically.
First, authentication. The lacquered sole, the gold "Christian Louboutin Paris" insole stamp, and the laser-etched serial on the inner sole make verification more reliable than for almost any other luxury shoe brand. Our authentication guide walks through exactly what to check.
Second, condition resilience. The construction holds its shape well over time. The main wear point is the sole (it scuffs, as all lacquered soles do), but the upper and heel typically stay clean on a well-kept pair.
Third, the savings. A So Kate 120 in patent is currently available at Avantelle from £249.99, against a boutique price of around £720. Our full authenticated range begins at £79.99. For a deeper look at whether buying secondhand is worth it, we've covered that separately.
For Jimmy Choo, the secondhand market is large, but authentication requires more specialist knowledge without the signature sole as a quick visual anchor. If you're buying Choo secondhand, we'd recommend a seller who authenticates, or getting a third-party opinion. Our guide to buying pre-owned in the UK covers the wider landscape.
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Authenticated Christian Louboutin from our current collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Christian Louboutin better quality than Jimmy Choo?
Both manufacture core lines in Italy using premium leathers. The Parisian house's flagship pumps are consistently high-specification, while Choo spans a wider quality range across a broader product catalogue. Neither is categorically better; they serve different tastes and priorities.
Does Jimmy Choo make red sole shoes?
No. The lacquered scarlet sole is an exclusive trademark of Christian Louboutin. Choo makes shoes in red colourways (red suede, red patent) but uses standard-coloured soles.
Are Louboutins or Jimmy Choos more comfortable?
Choo is generally considered more comfortable at comparable heel heights. Comfort from the Paris house varies significantly by model: a Kate 85 is far more manageable than a So Kate 120.
What is the Jimmy Choo Love 100?
The Love 100 is one of Choo's most popular pumps: a pointed-toe style with a 100mm heel and a signature asymmetric strap. It's often compared to the Kate 100 from the Paris house, though the fit is generally more forgiving.
Is it safe to buy luxury heels secondhand?
Both brands are worth buying secondhand. The Parisian house is easier to authenticate thanks to the sole and insole stamps. For either brand, buying from a specialist who authenticates is the safest approach.
Where can I buy authenticated Christian Louboutin in the UK?
Avantelle specialises in authenticated Christian Louboutin, with stock starting from £79.99. Every pair is verified and photographed before listing. Browse the collection.
The choice between these two houses doesn't have a universal answer. It has yours, depending on what you want from the shoe and how you plan to wear it. Both are genuine luxury, both reward smart buying. We happen to specialise in one of them, and we'd love to help you find the right pair.
