Breaking Down the Differences Between Christian Louboutin’s New Miss Z and the Iconic So Kate Heel
Though Christian Louboutin is already a staple of the high fashion footwear market, the brand isn’t resting on its laurels. Over the past few months, the luxury footwear brand has been enjoying acclaim on TikTok for its ballet pointe-shoe inspired Cassia heel, a lace-up style that has been selling out. And more recently they even launched the O Condora, an open-toe slingback style featuring the typical Condora beveled heel. But, the new style that’s gotten the most buzz is the new Miss Z series.
Louboutin introduced its Miss Z series in September at the brand’s presentation in Paris. For that outing, they dressed synchronized swimmers in the heel and had them perform wearing the new design. The shoe immediately became a topic of speculation as many wondered if it was named for Zendaya. The actress has not worked with the brand in any official capacity but in 2024 routinely made headlines for wearing the brand’s So Kate heel. According to a statement sent to Footwear News though, the Miss Z is inspired by Gen Z.
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But as Louboutin’s newest pointed-toe pump, how does the new Miss Z compare to the So Kate?
The So Kate is less expensive than the Miss Z.
If you’re buying them as-is, the Christian Louboutin So Kate is $795. The new Miss Z style is $895. In addition, at this moment, there is no 120mm version of the Miss Z.
The toe box of the Miss Z is wider than the So Kate
Though there is a mule sandal in the Miss Z series, most of the focus is on the pump silhouette. In comparison with the So Kate, the Miss Z sports a wider toe box. This design change not only will likely make the shoe more comfortable for So Kate fanatics but also those who haven’t worn the style because it is too narrow.
It’s important to note that the So Kate and Kate pumps are modified versions of the first iconic Louboutin pump, the Pigalle. The modifications were done according to the foot of the namesake Kate Moss which included a tweaked toe box. The new Miss Z measurements offer a more egalitarian option.
The Miss Z offers Louboutin’s first padded insole.
For years, the So Kate has been renowned for its uncompromising nature. Zendaya’s stylist, Law Roach, has called it “one of the most painful” shoes on the market. Tracee Ellis Ross, another noted fan, has said it is “a torture device; that’s not a shoe.” This is due to the heel’s design which is a single sole heel with no padding balanced on a 120mm heel — some choose to opt for the Kate which provides shorter heights. The sole of the Miss Z addresses this, featuring full padding as a reprieve of sorts.
The Miss Z heel is curvier and appears taller than it is.
The Miss Z stiletto heel has two significant differences from the So Kate. Its largest difference includes the red at the top, which makes the heel appear both taller and thinner than it actually is. In addition, the curve of the stiletto is much more pronounced than that of the So Kate.
As of now, the Miss Z heel starts at 60mm and only goes up to 100mm, though a 120mm option is expected.
The Miss Z has a rubberized, no-scuff sole.
A few months ago, users on TikTok went viral after discovering that the famous lacquered soles of their Christian Louboutin heels scuffed and peeled if they were not treated. While the company offers the service in-house, they complained that Louboutin styles should come already treated. The Miss Z introduces the company’s answer: an “everlasting sole.” The sole of the Miss Z features thermoplastic polyurethane injected into the parts of the sole that touch the ground. This not only provides durability but includes an ant-slip grip.
That said, to have the So Kate treated for its sole to have longevity, the all-in price will be almost equivalent to the price of the Miss Z.
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