Blahnik or Louboutin?

[lee60657]

Ladies, after years of coveting, I have decided to bite the bullet and invest in a pair of real classic designer heels. My question - Manoloa Blahnik or Christian Louboutin? I plan to get a pair of black heels - I would like to keep the style simple and classic. I am drawn to the Louboutin peep toes, but I am wondering if a pair of classic manolo pumps would be a better investment....I am torn. Any thoughts? TIA!

[kari]

Don't have either, but I would go for the Louboutin peeps, I love the way they look.

[zayt]

Louboutin all the way! I love my very prive - I have them in black and nude. For something a bit different you could look at the red or burgundy tip ones.

[vee05]

Love both. BUT i wanna get Louboutin :)

[pontmarie]

Louboutin all the way.

[laura]

My friend has both, but she looooooves Louboutins the most. I think she has 3 or 4 pairs. I'm off heels, but hers sure do look great.

[Aimee]

I love my Loubs but they are high maintenance in that, I'm always worried about messing up the soles. If the weather is even remotely threatening, I don't wear them; the red comes off and while I'm ok with it wearing off on the ball of the foot, I don't want the vamp or the back of the heel to get ruined because I couldn't avoid a puddle.

Comfort wise, I think Louboutins are much more comfortable (I have the Simple 100s). I've tried on the classic Manolo pump and I found it ran really narrow, and just not as comfortable as they should be for the price point.

[Anna Low]

I have several pairs of both and here is my personal opinion.

Comfort: The Louboutins feel sturdier - l think they feel like they are more durable, but the Manolos are definitely more comfortable. I could wear my highest Manolos to work functions that required me to be on my feet for hours at a time and even though the soles seem to be quite thin, my feet never hurt. Also, the Louboutins are sized oddly for my own personal pair of feet. I need something between a half and whole size - a quarter size perhaps. And this isn't limited to one style.

Look: The Manolos are quite classic looking and they have (IMO) lots more styles - high heel, low heel, flats, etc. But the Louboutins are pretty distinctive with the red sole. Not everyone is going to realize you are wearing Manolos (much like Jimmy Choo) but everyone is going to almost immediately know you are wearing CL!

Verdict: Hard to say. I personally believe the Manolos will hold their style longer, but the CL's are pretty hot now.

[lee60657]

Thanks for all the feedback - exactly what I was looking for. I plan to head to NM this weekend and try a few styles of both. I think in the end, comfort may win since I do like the look of both. I will also have to see how they look on me.

Another question, can you or would you wear either with jeans? Designer/"dressier" jeans?

[Anna Low]

Yes, I've worn them with jeans. I have no choice but to wear them with the dressier/designer jeans because my "normal" jeans aren't long enough to look right.

Not sure where you are, but in my area, Saks has the biggest CL selection and NM has the biggest Manolo selection. Like they've split the action!

[kd 9.21.02]

I have both - absolutely adore both. But if you're looking for classic, I would recommend Manolo's classic collection (the one that doesn't change season to season).

[kd 9.21.02]

Not sure where you are, but in my area, Saks has the biggest CL selection and NM has the biggest Manolo selection. Like they've split the action!

Same here. Saks in NYC doesn't seem to carry Manolo. Berodorf Goodman, of course, has the best of all designer shoe worlds.

[jesvet]

Damn you all. Now I want some Louboutins.

[lee60657]

Thanks! Looks like I need to go to both NM and Saks. I also think that Nordstrom carries both too - not sure of the selection though. Maybe I need a pair of each ;)

[taffers]

Louboutins!!! I looove mine!

And yes you can definitely wear with jeans.

Barneys also always has a good selection. Lucky girl- if I had unlimited funds I'd only have CL's in my closet! ;)

[Aimee]

Yes, I've worn them with jeans. I have no choice but to wear them with the dressier/designer jeans because my "normal" jeans aren't long enough to look right.

Not sure where you are, but in my area, Saks has the biggest CL selection and NM has the biggest Manolo selection. Like they've split the action!

I def have worn mine with jeans.

We only have Saks in NOLA, but they have to seem more CL than MB. I bought my CLs at Saks in Atlanta, and I found that Saks had a better selection of CL; it seems that NM carries only the Loubs from that season, but Saks has all of the classic styles like the Simple 80/100, etc.

[kd 9.21.02]

Sizing may decide what you go with. I will agree with the PP who commented on the funny sizing. I'm a whole size smaller in my MBs and my CLs require small inserts so they don't slip. Try on a 1/2 size up and down for whatever style you like; you may be surprised by what you end up with.

[lee60657]

Great feedback ladies! I am so excited to try them on now. I will be sure to report back on what I pick:)

Good to hear that it is ok to wear them with jeans, I would like to be able to do that.

I plan to go to Saks and NM, maybe Barney's if necessary. I don't have a Bergdorf's in my area.

[lee60657]

I wanted to report back on my purchase - after much debate I ended up with the CL very prive platform pumps in black:D I can't say that they are "classic" but I think they are classic Christian Louboutin and I LOVE them! I almost went with the simple 100's, but the little peep toe had me hooked. I sense another designer addiction coming on! Thanks again for all of the responses.

[zayt]

Fantastic choice - you will love wearing them! The VPs are so versatile, you can wear them with just about anything. I hope you enjoy your purchase.

Beware the CL addiction, it is very expensive...