Review
Christian Louboutin Pigalle 120mm vs. So Kate 120mm
Louboutin collectors around the world go absolutely ga-ga for Christian Louboutin’s beautiful designs. Many have referred to So Kate as an upgraded version of the Pigalle.
Both styles are without question a celebrity favorite. So Kate is part of FW13 collection while the Pigalle is part of the classic collection. Without further ado, I bring you Pigalle 120mm vs. So Kate 120mm.
| Pigalle | So Kate |
| 120mm | 120mm |
| Shorter toe box | Longer toe box |
| Slightly higher cut vamp | Slightly lower cut vamp |
| Slightly less steep arch | Steeper arch |
| Thicker stiletto heel | Thinner cigarette stiletto heel |
Read more below!
Pricing and Availability
Both pumps were priced at $625 USD and have just increased to $675 USD (August 2014). Both styles are highly sought after and sizes are ALWAYS sold out in stores. Resellers often sell for more than retail price as they are tough to get your fingers on. Sooooo if you are lucky enough to add these babies to your shoe closet tell your SA, “I’ll take em!”
Blake Lively in So Kate 120mm
So Kate Sizing
I wear 35-35.5 in most designer shoes and I sized up in the So Kate to 36. I tried on the 35.5 and it fit; except the toe box was cramming my toes. My feet were pushed against the low-cut vamp. Another 5 minutes and my foot would have a cut. I placed a thin insole inside my size 36 So Kates and they fit comfortably. Mind you, I would rather size up with an insole instead of convincing myself that the shoes will stretch while torturing my poor feet.
Rachel Bilson in Pigalle 120mm
Pigalle Sizing
My bestie picked up a pair of the classic Pigalles in Europe. She was informed that the new releases run more true to size than before. Several years ago the Pigalles ran a half size to 1 full size big. So if I happened to come across the older releases of the Pigalles I would be looking for a 34.5-35.
However, if you were to pick up a pair in the store today, they would run half size small to true to size. Keep this in mind if you are about to pull the trigger on a pair and you’re unable to try them on. (My situation a lot of the time).
LUST4LABELS TIP: Knowing your insole measurement really helps when shopping online.
Kim Kardashian in Pigalle 120mm
Breaking in So Kate
First time for So Kates was to dinner. I brought a pair of back up shoes just in case I was in too much agony (my trusty YSL tribute sandals). I walked down the block on some cement and cobblestone. When I was finally seated at the restaurant I begged my friend to grab my back up shoes from the car so I don’t look like a total mess stumbling out of the restaurant. So Kate first time wear lasted 20 minutes. Yay?
Sofia Vergara in Pigalle 120mm
Second time Comfort
The second time I wore my So Kates was to a nightclub while on vacation. I was just “dropping by” and was planning on having “one drink”. I brought my trusty roll-up flats in my purse. To my surprise, the shoes were not as painful for most of the night. I put my flats on when we were on the way home. Definitely recommend everyone have a pair of these for emergencies.
Purchase roll-up flats here: Dr. Scholl’s For Her Fast Flats
Jennifer Lopez in So Kate 120mm
I really do enjoy adoring the similarities and differences in both Louboutin designs.
If I absolutely had to choose?
So Kates please. Then Pigalles.
I will be adding Pigalles to my collection in the (hopefully near) future.
Which style do you prefer?
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29 Comments
Jacky Wust
I prefer the Pigalle’s. I kust love the shorter toe! Great blog! Looking forward to more tips and comparisons!
Lust4Labels
I love both!! I’m waiting to add some Pigalles to my shoe closet! They’re both gorgeous! I’m actually hoping the Pigalles are more forgiving with the arch and thicker heel 😉
April
I ordered my first pair of CL shoes ever and they are the pigalles 120mm in 36.5 and they are unbelievably tight. I consider myself a true size 6.5 and I have narrow feet. Should I just go with a 37 or a 37.5?
Lust4Labels
Hi hun! I would say go with the 37. 37.5 will most likely be too big on you. I did have this problem with the So Kate – The Pigalle was true to size for me.
Also: check out http://www.lust4labels.com for great deals on new and pre-owned designer goods!
Momo
I really enjoyed your article! thank you for such a great review. I own one pair of Follies Resille Multi(12CM). but unfortunately I can’t walk in them , they are so painful ! So I’m wondering if the Pigalles (12cm) or the so Kate (12cm) may be more comfortable than the Follies Resille Multi (12cm) ?? Anyway, I would definitively recommend the ANOUK from Jimmy Choo. They are the most comfortable 12 cm high heels designer shoes I own.
Lust4Labels
Hi Momo! Yes I have heard rave reviews on the Jimmy Choo Anouks…they are very similar to the Pigalle style. Not to mention majority of the Jimmy Choo arches are quite comfortable! The Follies Resille’s arch looks very similar to the So Kates…Pigalle is more forgiving for narrow feet.
Also — if you are interested in selling the Follies please check out my consignment website: http://www.lust4labels.com – You can email me for more info: lust4labels@gmail.com
Josephine
I have the pigalle and oh man they are so painful !!! I could only wear them to sit down dinners
Lust4Labels
The struggle of buying expensive shoes for a sit down dinner!!!!! ;(
Val Graham
Thank you so much for this amazing post it is spot on I have both pigalles and so kates I wear true to size in pigalles but size up by 1/2 in the so kates. Great blog.
Lust4Labels
Thanks darling! Happy to hear feedback! Will try to keep up with the posts. 🙂
http://www.lust4labels.com
http://www.lust4labels.com/blog
Chantel
Loved this page and the amazing feedback! I am currently on the hunt for a nude pair of either the SoKate or Pigalle. To be honest I love both styles but am unable to try them on anywhere because they’re sold out. I have found a pair of Pigalled on Poshmark and Tradesy for a decent price but am still hesitant to “pull the trigger” as you say, lol. I am a true size 5.5 in American sizes and keep hearing different feedback in regards to sizing for each style. Who knew such am expensive shoe could be so complicated!?
Lust4Labels
Hi Chantel! Thanks for your comment. 🙂 I was able to purchase both Pigalle 120mm in black patent and nude patent in size 35.5. The So Kate was in 36 for me and I generally have normal-narrow feet. The So Kate were a struggle for me. Now that I talk more with others sometimes the Pigalle hurts more, sometimes the So Kates hurt more! If you have generally narrow feet then I would go with a 35.5. It also helps to ask for the insole measurement and compare with your most loved pumps. Hope that helps 🙂
becky
Hey i usually wear size 5 or 5.5 and have narrow to normal wide foot wanted to get the pigalle 120mm and so kate 120mm and want them to fit snug without an insole which size do you recommend.thank you
Lust4Labels
Hi Becky! The Pigalle 120mm fits more true to size. So Kates are a more of a weird fit. My Pigalles fit pretty comfortably. If you are okay with the tightness and breaking in process then I would recommend true to size for So Kate as well. I normally wear 35.5 in most Louboutins and the So Kate was way too tight for me I could not bear to break it in. I could also suggest further if you have your insole measurement 🙂 Check your most comfortable fitting pumps. Mine is approx 8.75″ for a perfect fit. Hope that helps!
cheryl
Thanks for a very informative article! I really would like a pair of leopard So Kates but Pigalle seems the more sensible shoe of the two? Is leopard still being produced for both shoes?
Lust4Labels
Hi hun! Glad it was helpful for you. Honestly everyone is different it’s the strangest thing. I was talking to one of my girlfriends and she can only wear So Kates and not Pigalles, weird as it does seem to be more painful for most! If you read the facts it does seem Pigalle is more sensible of the two. My BFF and I both purchased So Kates at first, and ended up reselling and purchasing Pigalles.
I believe there are 2 leopard styles; leopard calf hair and leopard print. It seems to be more available for the So Kate than Pigalle at this time.
Here is the So Kate Leopard Print available on Neiman Marcus:
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/en-ca/Christian-Louboutin-So-Kate-Leopard-Print-Patent-Red-Sole-Pump/prod173370016/p.prod
Misty
Thanks for the info. I wish I had read it before i ordered my nude so Kate’s 120mm. I am a true size 9 (39). After hearing that they run small, I ordered only a 1/2 size up. I can’t even get my whole foot in the shoe without screaming from the pain lol. Realizing that I should have went a whole size up (40) because my feet are somewhat wide but not very wide. I’ve decided to switch to pigalles. What can you tell me about the sizing in pigalles if I have a wider foot and my so Kate size is 1 whole size larger than normal which would be a size 40 in so Kates?
Lust4Labels
Hi hun. I think you would also be more comfortable in a size 40. The So Kates were really SO painful for me as well. Hope that helps!! xoxo
Paula
i want to buy my first pair of CL but am also hesitant as i cannot try them on anywhere. i am a
9US with a wider foot. My heels are all size 9, flats sometimes can run 9.5.
thanks for all the great info on these shoes!
Lust4Labels
Hi – if you typically are a bit wider I would suggest a 39.5 in most styles. Pigalle & So Kate perhaps size 40. Hope that helps!! Let me know if you have particular styles in mind 🙂
Maryam
Hello
I am usually a size 5 1/2 and some shoes I have to go with a size 6 depending on the brand. I want to purchase the so Kate’s what size do you recommend? The 5 1/2 fits but it has a right fit and the 6 has a little room (about half a finger).
Lust4Labels
Hi! If you feel comfortable with the 35.5 So Kates then I would go with it! My feet were so cramped in the 35.5 so I sized up to the 36. (Mind you, both of my Pigalles are 35.5) Hope that helps!
Shaina
Hey! I’m currently having a dilemma on whether to buy the So Kate or the Pigalle. I know most heels hurt your feet, of course beauty is pain (lol) but my main concern is which is more comfortable? I have a foot that’s more wide than narrow, but I have a narrow foot. If that even makes sense. Just wondering if you have any suggestions on which to pick.
Lust4Labels
Hi! I think in your situation Pigalles are more forgiving 🙂 Hope that helps!
Lauren
Hey, I’m so stuck and undecided what to do.. I have the nude in so kates .. I’m usually a 39 in most shoes but I went half size up to 39.5 in so kate. the break in process was soooo painful but the more I wear the more they stretch. The worst pain is when your feet are warm (mine swell). I want to buy a black pair but can’t decide on Pigalle or So Kate – I’m thinking Pigalle as I think the wider toe & thicker heel would mean they are more comfortable??? But do I go for 39 or 39.5? I also have the Very Prive which I wear in 39.5 too … Help please! xx
Lust4Labels
Hi! I HEAR ya girl! The So Kates were just sooo painful. I don’t understand how anyone walks! I do believe the Pigalles are more forgiving than the So Kates. Yes I would recommend the Pigalle for you. It sounds like you are a 39.5. Hope that helps!! Do check out my website for other amazing deals. http://www.Lust4Labels.com. Happy Shopping!! <3