In just 25 years, Jimmy Choo has achieved cult status. Glamorous, sophisticated, and exquisitely crafted, his shoes are some of the most sought-after luxury items of all time. So who is Jimmy Choo, and are Jimmy Choos comfortable?
“The right shoe can make everything different.” – Jimmy Choo
Who is Jimmy Choo?
Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat, simply known as Jimmy Choo, was born in 1948 in Malaysia, into a family of cobblers. He grew up learning the art of shoemaking from his father, and crafted his first pair of shoes at the age of 11. In the early 1980s, Choo moved to England, where he attended Cordwainer’s Technical College, today part of the London College of Fashion.
In 1986, Choo opened his first shop, renting an old hospital building in Hackney. His designs quickly gained a reputation in London for their superior quality and sophistication—in 1988, Vogue dedicated an eight-page spread to Choo and his shoes. So, Choo’s popularity grew. Among other celebrities, Diana, Princess of Wales, became a regular client, and Choo was invited to Kensington Palace on several occasions.
In 1996, Choo partnered with British Vogue accessories editor Tamara Mellon to found Jimmy Choo Ltd. The label quickly expanded, opening stores in the United States, and dominating the footwear market worldwide. Remember the moment Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw lost her “Choo” in Sex and the City? Truly iconic.
In 2001, Choo ended his partnership with Mellon and sold 50% of his stake to Equinox Holdings, for $10 million. He is now focusing exclusively on the label’s couture line. The designer’s niece, Sandra Choi, continues to work with Mellon as Creative Director of the brand. In 2017, Jimmy Choo Ltd. was acquired by Michael Kors Holdings, now Capri Holdings.
How do Jimmy Choo shoes fit?
We all know, luxury comes with a price. The designer’s shoes range from £250 for the FITZ slides to $5500 for the JC X TIMBERLAND/F boots—so, before you invest in a pair, you will want to make sure they fit you just right.
Jimmy Choo (like most made in Italy footwear brands) uses Italian sizing. The shoes are available in women’s IT 34 to 45, and men’s IT 39 to 46.
Generally, Jimmy Choo shoes fit true to size. Keep in mind a pointed toe will fit narrower than a rounded toe—we recommend going half a size or even a whole size up, depending on how wide your feet are. For all styles, we recommend comparing measurements with a similar shoe you already own.
Are Jimmy Choos comfortable? The designer’s shoes are known to be surprisingly comfortable. You won’t need to break them in, and you’ll be able to wear them all day without getting a single blister—yes, even the stilettos!
Jimmy Choo Size Chart
3 must-have Jimmy Choo shoes
From pumps to sneakers, from boots to sandals, Jimmy Choo offers an array of coveted styles. Here are the 3 shoe models every fashion connoisseur needs in their wardrobe!
Romy pumps
The Romy pumps are perhaps the brand’s most iconic design. Part of the 24:7 capsule collection, these pointy pumps are available in a wide range of colors, prints, and three different heights: 100, 85, and 60mm. Romy is the classy shoe every woman needs. Wear it for brunch or on a red carpet—this shoe is so versatile, it looks good with any outfit.
Love pumps
The iconic Love pumps are synonymous with timeless elegance and glamour. Featuring a sleek stiletto heel (available in 100, 85, and 65 mm) and a pointy toe, Love comes in a number of colors and materials. We absolutely love (pun intended!) the glitter iteration of this shoe—if you want to stand out from the crowd, this is the style for you.
Hawaii sneakers
Prefer comfort over style? With Jimmy Choo, you can have both. Crafted from premium calf leather, the Hawaii sneakers feature a clean, understated silhouette and a variety of glamorous details: glitter, pearls, glossy rainbow elaphe, star perforated crosta… Choose your style, and dress up your casual outfits.
Discover our wide selection of Jimmy Choo shoes for women and save up to 40% off retail! Understand more about italist pricing.
About the Author
Alex English is the Head of Content Marketing at italist.com, building on a lifelong passion for fashion and luxury. After publishing a lifestyle blog for nearly ten years and obtaining an MBA in Milan at SDA Bocconi, one of Europe’s top business schools, he joined the italist team in 2019. His work since then has focused on upper-funnel messaging, brand storytelling, establishing italist as a thought leader in the space, and enriching the customer experience on the platform. Find him on LinkedIn.