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9/12/19 UPDATE: Unfortunately, Amazon has removed Kaitlyn Pan from their website. If there is an update, I will be sure to post it here.
To buy Kaitlyn Pan’s Valentino-inspired Rockstud kitten heel for $115, click here.
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If you follow my blog, chances are you’ve probably read my last review on this incredibly perfect pair of shoes similar to Valentino’s Rockstud high heel by Kaitlyn Pan. I’ve gotten a lot of questions about how it fares when compared to the 2.5-inch kitten heel version, so I was able to get my hands on a pair to review.
Let me say first: I love my 4-inch Kaitlyn Pans. Although a lot of women who are new to stiletto heels might be a bit hesitant to try out the 4-inch version, it’s surprisingly comfortable. But if you’re looking for something that isn’t as towering and still shares the iconic Rockstud design, then the kitten heel might just be your champion shoe.
New to the world of designer-inspired handbags? Check out my blog post on The Difference Between Legal Designer-Inspired Handbags and Fake Designer Goods to learn more about why I recommend designer-inspired handbags over the real deal.
A quick recap on KP’s shoe: when compared to the Valentino original, it’s the highest-quality shoe I’ve ever found when compared to the real one. Although I don’t own a real pair, I have gone to Saks Fifth Avenue to try them on, so I’d say that Kaitlyn Pan’s are pretty accurate for practically 1/10th of the $995 price tag. You’ll also find numerous reviews on Amazon featuring photos from customers with the real Valentinos next to Kaitlyn Pan’s.
Fun fact: did you know that the $995 Rockstud is more expensive than the highly coveted Louboutin So Kate ($725)? Just some food for thought when thinking about investing in a pair of Valentinos.
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Although there are many shoes inspired by the Valentino Rockstud floating around, I have to say that Kaitlyn Pan’s shoe is the most accurate to the real one. Most cheaper shoes are made of synthetic materials or the silhouette isn’t quite right, but spend about $115 on these and you’ll get what is exactly the same to the original, sans designer label on the insole. And let’s be real: who is ever going to look at the insole while you’re wearing the shoes? No one.
Quality
Although I love dead-cheap shoes $50 and under, the $115 price tag on these babies is well worth it. These shoes are patent leather (matte leather also available) and have a lambskin insole, which makes it buttery soft and so comfortable to walk in.
The shoes are also handmade, which may explain very minor cosmetic blemishes like glue or uneven cuts, but honestly, they are so unnoticeable that you may not notice it at all.
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The studs are not plastic, but they are much lighter in weight when compared to the original Rockstud. Every pair also comes with extra studs and heel tips, although I’ve owned my 4-inch pair for almost 2 years now and not a single stud has loosened, let alone fallen off. But it’s good to know that you have extra hardware in case it ever does happen – no need to buy a brand new pair just for a missing stud or two.
Comfort
I love the 4-inch heel version: they’re extremely comfortable to walk in despite the steeper height and stiletto heel, but the straps aren’t too tight to cause blisters and the lambskin insole makes the shoe very cushioned. However, I do understand that some people might have orthopedic issues that limit them to higher heels. That said, the kitten heel version is extremely comfortable! It comes in at just 2.5 inches and combined with the comfortable fit and insole, you could literally walk in these all day without feeling like your feet are on fire.
Sole
Just like Valentino’s Rockstud, Louboutins and many other designer shoes, the sole has no grip or traction. You might not experience any slip when walking on pavement or gravel, but you may have some difficulty walking indoors on tile or wood. I highly recommend bringing these shoes to your local cobbler and getting a rubber sole added to the bottom. Not only do you get traction, but it also adds some extra cushion and also preserves the sole from wear. It’s a worthwhile $40-$50 investment to make your shoes last significantly longer! Trust me, it’s worth it.
If you’re crafty and have the patience, tools and steady hands, you can also purchase the necessary materials and do this at home. Jun did this for my 4-inch Kaitlyn Pans (see photo below) and it’s really perfected the experience of wearing them for me because now I can walk on tile and wooden floors without slipping around.
Rubber soles added on vs. the original sole.
I recommend getting these Vibram Pro Tania soles as they’re used by most cobblers for designer shoes (they’re actually used for Christian Louboutins because they match the signature red sole the best). We also used Dap Weldwood Contact Cement which you can get either on Amazon or at your local Home Depot, Lowe’s or hardware store for around $3-$4. Don’t forget to sand the sole down with some high-grit sandpaper and work down to a fine grit to remove the paint and smooth down the sole so the glue adheres better.
You can see how the process is done on this Youtube video. I highly recommend against clear plastic sole guards as they’re too thin to prevent against tiny pebbles embedding themselves onto the surface and they won’t provide the traction that rubber soles offer. Again, if you’re afraid you might damage your shoes, it might be best to bring them to a cobbler and have them professionally soled.
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Fit and Sizing
I normally wear a size 7 / 7.5 in US sizes for most high heels, but opted for 7.5 US/37.5 EU/38 CN to account for any possible heel overflow in the back since it’s an open heel. The fit was perfect, so I would say that the shoe is true to size.
Comparing the 4-Inch Stiletto to the 2.5-Inch Kitten Heel
Just like the original Valentino, the kitten heel does have one significant difference in design aside from heel height. The 4-inch version has a single ankle strap, whereas the kitten heel has 3 straps. I think the kitten heel has a much more “badass” feel to it since the multiple straps combined with the studs give it much more personality – they pair perfectly with cuffed distressed boyfriend jeans and a T-shirt!
The Brand
Kaitlyn Pan is a China-based company whose products are available on Amazon. Each pair of shoes are actually made to order and also completely handmade, something I took notice of when I closely inspected the shoe. I’m quite impressed with this brand’s wide variety of designer-inspired shoes from the Chanel Slingback to Stuart Weitzman’s Highland Boot – in fact, I actually reviewed both the slingback and boot and love both!
You’ll find more styles aside from their Amazon store on their official website. My personal favorites are the ones similar to the Hermés Oran sandal, Gucci Princetown Mule and Christian Louboutin Spiked Pigalle (with pink soles for a unique twist). You also have the option for customized shoes on orders of $30 or more!
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Overall, I’m incredibly impressed with both the shoe and its price tag. At $115, it’s a high quality shoe inspired by Valentino’s Rockstud, priced at $995.
Kaitlyn Pan’s Studded Slingback Heel is available on Amazon for $115 in both patent and matte leather as well as a variety of colors.
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