BobHH Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 See the video comparing pumps from Christian Louboutin at $600 vs. Payless at $20. http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7486828 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dingpat Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 I saw this on tv earlier! I almost cried when they sliced into the Louboutins! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwhite44 Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 I don't do much for fashion as a guy, but I'm sure one of the reasons for buying designer items (clothes or shoes) is image. Part of that is recognition of the image, which typically people in our same social circles tend to have. I've never seen a pair of Louboutin's in person (and no one I hang out with wears them), so like the 40% of people 'on the street', I'm not a good person to pick out the real ones. However, I'm sure there are people here (some of which who do own them) who could pick them out in a second. It reminds me of the commercial from the 70's/80's, where they showed select car pictures (hood, back seat, wheels) for the purpose of convincing people "you can't distinguish a Mercedes from a Ford" Had to be a complete insult to actual Mercedes owners. In terms of the walking test, I'm not sure that's a valid test. Walking 1 mile in ANY 4" heels could have been uncomfortable. Plus, if the twins weren't regular high heel wearers, it could be that much worse. I thought they said the Payless shoes dug into the back of the wearer's foot. It's possible that for more typical wear (sitting, standing, light walking) the Louboutin's could be more comfortable, but after the 1m walk, lose all comfort. Lastly, the 'all' ($600) or 'nothing ($20) test I'd consider to be incomplete. If the more general question is, "Are there options other than the $600 Louboutins?", then I'd also add in an intential Louboutin knockoff (which goes for the look without the price), and an in-between pair of black pumps (say Nine West, or a higher brand), which might be made of leather, to provide a better feel than the vinyl and cardboard Payless shoes. An interesting segment though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Just my thoughts from buying shoes and things in general. There is the bottom, mid range, top end. Very often the is a BIG difference between bottom, and mid range. There is less difference between mid-range and top end, you are paying more for product name than improvement in product. In shoes I find a very large difference in quaility between $20 shoes and $150 shoes. I do not have any $600 shoes as I have found none worth it for me. I might pay $600 for a pair of shoes that are customise for my foot problems and the shoes also help fix my leg length differences. I would then be in less day-to-day pain and THAT would be worth it. $600 just to say I have Louboutin no. -- Brandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoverfly Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Can people tell difference between $20 vs. $600 shoes? An ABC News Report! Hello,  my name is Hoverfly. I’m a high heel addict…. Weeeeeeeeeee!  👠1998 to 2022! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoeiee Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Interesting story but seriously flawed comparison... Identical twins, yes...Identical feelings and sensation - Probably not... What I feel they should have done was have each of them wear one of each manufacturer's items for a real-world, direct comparison. Expensive on one foot and cheap on the other. Side by side. THAT would have been a valid research project in my mind... "Heels aren't just for women anymore!!" Happy Heeling! Shoeiee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoeiee Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Interesting story but seriously flawed comparison... Identical twins, yes...Identical feelings and sensation - Probably not... What I feel they should have done was have each of them wear one of each manufacturer's items for a real-world, direct comparison. Expensive on one foot and cheap on the other. Side by side. THAT would have been a valid research project in my mind... "Heels aren't just for women anymore!!" Happy Heeling! Shoeiee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Shoe Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 ...or made them swap over. Graduate footwear designer able to advise and assist on modification and shoe making projects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwhite44 Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I was thinking at the half-way point, they'd switch shoes, but I realized that wouldn't have done much, since at that point if their feet were in pain from the first pair, switching to the other pair wouldn't have made much difference. If the heel heights were practically identically, then wearing a shoe from each pair would have been a much better test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olounda Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I think i'm gonna go buy those payless shoes now... and maybe paint the sole red Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy N. Heels Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Interesting story but seriously flawed comparison... Identical twins, yes...Identical feelings and sensation - Probably not... What I feel they should have done was have each of them wear one of each manufacturer's items for a real-world, direct comparison. Expensive on one foot and cheap on the other. Side by side. THAT would have been a valid research project in my mind... I totally agree, the "test" was a bust because there never really was a comparison of the shoes. It would have been just as meaningful to have 2 different guys drive, say, a Cadillac and a Neon around, but never put the same guy in both cars. Unless each of the girls tried wearing each pair of shoes for some specified distance, there's no comparison at all. Then too, there's the old adage that something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. I found the tear-down of the shoes interesting, and I'll admit that the more expensive shoes seemed to have a better quality of construction, but that still doesn't make them worth $600. That only happens when someone actually forks over the $600 for 'em. Keep on stepping, Guy N. Heels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benno Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 There's another thread about this already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximilian Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Whats matters is the price it took to make the shoes, not the sales prices. A shoe that costs 5 dollars to make will in no way match the quality of a shoe that took 100 dollars to make (taking into account that the shoes were made in the same country). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heelma Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Interesting study that definitely has something to it ... but at the same time, it has very obvious flaws, as many here mentioned already. Problem with the newsmedia is that they first come up with a message they want to convey and then fit the "scientific study" so that it matches their message. The opposite should be the case, of course. I am surprised nobody here said anything about the "1 mile" thing: when I go out heeling with 4" minimum heel height, I often go to a website afterwards to measure how many miles I actually walked. I honestly think that 1 mile is nothing! I often walk 2-3 miles, sometimes more, and maybe when hitting the 3 mile marker, my feet start to hurt a bit. That being said, I really don't wear heels very often, but only very occasionally. So, for a girl who probably wears heels much more, this should be a very easy task to complete without any problem. Then of course, I totally agree with the point that the study doesn't say anything about how heel-experienced these twin girls are and if they have at least the same heeling background/experience. With respect to cheap Payless heels vs designer heels, I always try to buy the cheapest possible heels for myself but much better ones for my wife. However, "better" means leather sole and material, etc, not a specific name. I don't think there is a big quality difference between Via Spiga or Stewart Weitzman heels and Louboutins. At that level, it only comes down to the name and the status. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmc Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 There's another thread about this already. Not anymore. The threads have been merged. Have a happy time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLFanatic Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 There are a few other things this study did not take into account. Besides the fact that walking in any 4-inch heels for a mile would be uncomfortable, a lot of brand new shoes are uncomfortable period. The difference is that with the Louboutins (as with other high-end shoes), the high-quality leather is made so that over time it molds to your foot, so after an initial break-in period, they are super comfortable. I doubt the same could be said of the vinyl Payless shoes. Also, the Payless shoes hold pretty much no resale value. I am sure that I'd have a much easier time selling a used pair of CLs over 20 used pairs of Payless shoes. The CLs are a better investment in that way, especially if you can find them on sale! That said, although it is my personal preference to buy one pair of Loubs over 20 pairs of Payless, I don't look down on those who would choose the latter. To each his own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba136 Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 I must agree with you CLFanatic, I have been coveting a pair of CL's Clichy style pumps for a couple of years. However, as a man, I just can't justify paying the high price of a pair for me to wear. Besides, if I bought a pair, my wife would have to have several pair to make things "even." Being mentally comfortable in your own mind is the key to wearing heels in public. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegrassptp Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Bubba136 you said it . It is hard to justify spending $600.00 for a pair of shoes that will not be worn on a daily basis. As my wife goes she would be a bit miffed over $600.00 wasted .Maybe one day I will win the lotto til then it's Payless and Zappo's outlet store.Besides that lets face it most men in here are just happy to find a high heel that fits and if the cost is $20.00 what a bonus. I have been Banned for emailing abuse to tech when he tried to help me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary0618 Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Now If Payless would come out with a pair of Boots Like these, And in Larger sizes of couse, They would sell a Lot of Boots! CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, "BABEL PLATO 140" TALL LEATHER BOOTS FLAT SHOES, LIKE FLAT DRINKS, ARE FOR FLAT PEOPLE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pussyinboots Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I bought a pair of Manolo Blahnik mules - once. They were a limited edition, plain white mule, 5" stiletto - but they had a clear PVC thong and a single clear assymetric strap...a little like a 'stripper' heel. It was an exquisite design idea that made you look as if you only had a stiletto heel on your foot - not a whole shoe. As a limited edition piece they cost me $560.00.... Within 4 weeks the PVC strap had split. A broken, useless shoe - is a broken useless shoe - whether it costs $56.00 or $560.00...!! "Good Girls keep diaries....Bad Girls just don't have the time...!:icon_twisted:" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
partyshoes Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Now If Payless would come out with a pair of Boots Like these, And in Larger sizes of couse, They would sell a Lot of Boots! Amen ! I for one would be in the door quicker than you can say flash Gingers Rogers did everything Fred Astair did .. but backwards and in heels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tech Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 I bought a pair of Manolo Blahnik mules - once. They were a limited edition, plain white mule, 5" stiletto - but they had a clear PVC thong and a single clear assymetric strap...a little like a 'stripper' heel. It was an exquisite design idea that made you look as if you only had a stiletto heel on your foot - not a whole shoe. As a limited edition piece they cost me $560.00.... Within 4 weeks the PVC strap had split. A broken, useless shoe - is a broken useless shoe - whether it costs $56.00 or $560.00...!! Bloody heel I hope you took them back? Heels for Men // Legwear Fashion // HHPlace Guidelines If something doesn't look right, please report the content ASAP! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Histiletto Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 So you bought a pair of shoes. Does the price matter if they fit, look good, and satisfies the wearer? Of course, there will be some shoes that are just the eye candy you wanted, then you put them on and found the quality to be, well lets say, disappointing. Whether you put them back on the shelf, return them in the mail for an exchange or refund, or keep them to remind you to beware of that brand; shopping for shoes can be fun when you find the right ones or depressing when you don't. Happy Heeling! P.S.: Everyone needs to clean their closet to make room for their latest find or just clear the clutter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawn HH Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 With Spring coming soon all thoughts naturally turn to cleaning out all closets and deciding which shoes and boots stay and which will grace the thrift shop shelves. Cheers--- Dawn HH High Heeled Boots Forever! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMindy Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 how about the gals walking with one shoe of each.. so they can compare! really!!!! lol.. sensational journalism anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roniheels Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 So you bought a pair of shoes. Does the price matter if they fit, look good, and satisfies the wearer? Of course, there will be some shoes that are just the eye candy you wanted, then you put them on and found the quality to be, well lets say, disappointing. Whether you put them back on the shelf, return them in the mail for an exchange or refund, or keep them to remind you to beware of that brand; shopping for shoes can be fun when you find the right ones or depressing when you don't. Happy Heeling! P.S.: Everyone needs to clean their closet to make room for their latest find or just clear the clutter. This is so true. It comes down to if you really like the shoe and it fits good and you can afford it, go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary0618 Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 Christian Louboutin ALTI 140 Ankle Boots On eBay This Week. Listed as a US Size 12. Could That be true? http://cgi.ebay.com/Christian-Louboutin-ALTI-140-Ankle-Boots-Shoes-41-5-42_W0QQitemZ370331790109QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Women_s_Shoes?var=&hash=item9503123b7d Damn, they are nice looking boots. FLAT SHOES, LIKE FLAT DRINKS, ARE FOR FLAT PEOPLE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwhite44 Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 The ad I'm reading says 41.5 and 42, which from conversion sites I found, equates to a womens US ~10 - 10.5 Am I missing where it says US 12? Even if it did, I didn't think L's went past 11. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pussyinboots Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 The ad I'm reading says 41.5 and 42, which from conversion sites I found, equates to a womens US ~10 - 10.5 Am I missing where it says US 12? Even if it did, I didn't think L's went past 11. The US Size is in the 'drop-down' menu where you select your size before purchase. In this case it's a choice of US 11.5 or 12. As far as I can make out from looking at the Sites selling Louboutin boots - a lot of them go up to US 12.5 - like this lovely 'Feticha' boot here: http://www.christianlouboutinshoesdirect.com/christian-louboutin-feticha-ankle-boots-black-p-190.html One thing is for certain. Louboutin boots and shoes are no longer exclusive. There's literally dozens of places selling genuine Louboutins at knock-down prices all over the World. "Good Girls keep diaries....Bad Girls just don't have the time...!:icon_twisted:" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jo Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 One thing is for certain. Louboutin boots and shoes are no longer exclusive. There's literally dozens of places selling genuine Louboutins at knock-down prices all over the World. But for the most part they will be fakes, as are those. Note too, the www.christianlouboutinshoesdirect.com website has since been taken down by legal action. If the company/site isn't in this list, it's fake: http://www.christianlouboutin.com/#/our_boutiques Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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