I am ready to admit that I am a Valentino-a-holic – you can see this from my About Me page where it is ALL about Valentino shoes!. Ever since I saw the classic and very beautiful heeled caged pumps in black with those iconic flashy studs, I knew I had to have them. With their exquisite craftsmanship and unparalleled design, Valentino Rockstud shoes and accessories have become the epitome of high-end fashion. I have A LOT of Valentino shoes, I’ve got ballet flats, sandals, heeled pumps plus I’ve even got a pair of cowboy boots and a red Rockstud handbag.

Top Valentino Buying Tips

1. Keep an eye out on the sales – I have bought most of my Valentino pieces at full price, a couple of pairs in the sale and received two pairs as gifts (thanks Santa!). I like to buy them from the Valentino website (although returns go back to Italy so be careful), Valentino stores (Bond Street is my favourite) but department stores also have a great selection, and can have wonderful sales too. Keep an eye out on online sales – Net-A-Porter are always easy to shop when the sale is on.
2. True to size – I’ve always found Valentino to be very true to size. I wear a UK size 4 (37) and I was once told I have ‘perfect size 4 feet’. I do have quite narrow feet though so I enjoy Italian footwear.
3. Look after them – I always take care of my luxury footwear and store them in boxes. I have leather tips added to pointed, heeled Valentino Rockstud shoes. For the flats and the sandals, I have rubber soles added after I have worn them a few times. Keep on top of re-heeling too to keep them in great shape. I use Classic Shoe Repairs on Brecknock Road.
4. Rockstud repair – If anything happens to the studs on your Rockstuds, Valentino actually repair them – it has one happened to me once, but good to know!

Here’s my review of all of the Valentino Heels

Review of Valentino Garavani Rockstud 65 calfskin leather pumps in classic black / powder (noir / poudre)

My very first pair were a classic black leather leather pump with a mid 65mm heel which I bought from Galeries Lafayette in Paris in May 2014. They have the classic nude trim and straps around the ankles which make them super secure and comfortable. I prefer the soft leather with studs to the patent as I find them more comfortable. They have lasted remarkably well, they have been worn so much and I’ve had them re-heeled and the toe tips added. They go with everything from jeans to elegant dresses. The heel height is also perfect, I adore the 65mm as you can run around all day or dance all night in these shoes. The original and the best! These shoes were used in all my photos when I launched my blog, including my moment on a rock in Brighton.

Shop Valentino Rockstud Pumps (aff link)

Review of Valentino Garavani Rockstud 65 calfskin leather pumps in blush

A few years later in November 2018, I purchased the same style in a blush and lilac combination after falling in love with them on the Harvey Nichols website. I think I got these in a mid-season 30% off sale and I knew they were a riskier colour as they were so pale. These heels were perfect with all my evening wear and I immediately slipped them on with a pink tulle skirt and lace white top for a Christmas ball. I’ve since worn them with beautiful evening dresses with hints of lilac and with jeans and a t-shirt. Leather toe tips have been added to preserve the pointed toes, and I am more careful with these shoes due to the colour, but they’re still looking pretty perfect.

Overall – Out of all of my Valentino Rockstud’s, these have to be the sexiest pairs, that pointed toe and ankle details are just so hot. I really fancy getting the higher heels (the 100mm) but these 65mm were a more wearable choice for now.

Shop Valentino Rockstud Pumps (aff link)

Review of Valentino Garavani Rockstud sandal in calfskin leather 60mm in black

My second pair of Valentino shoes were these black sandals I had been coveting. I had a bit of an over-excited moment when I went into Harrods Shoe Heaven about five years ago. Shopping on my own one summer, I tried them on and just went, ‘I’ll take them!’ They have been a really solid shoe choice with a chunky 60mm heel and single strap around the ankle plus a second adjustable strap across the foot. These Valentino Rockstuds have platinum finish studs which add a lot of bling to these strappy sandals. I wear them with practically anything, including jeans or mid length dresses (they can toughen up a pretty dress and make it more fashionable – think Carrie Bradshaw style). These are very, very very comfortable, I could wear these all day and night. To last a little longer, add rubber soles and keep on top of the re-heeling.

Shop Valentino Rockstud Sandals in Black (aff link)

Review of Valentino Garavani Rockstud sandal in calfskin leather 60mm in white

Since I knew these were such a good buy, I ordered a pair of white strappy Valentino Rockstud Sandals in White in the sale via the main Valentino website. I absolutely love them, the white leather is like a neutral and works so well in my wardrobe, especially for holidays. To safeguard them for as long as possible, I added rubber beige soles straight away which is handy for hot, slippy cobbled coastal streets.

 

Overall – Once again, this 60mm seems to be my sweet spot, but one say I’d like a higher pair for my collection.

Shop Valentino Rockstud Sandals in White here (aff link)

Review of Valentino Garavani Rockstud calfskin flat leather sandal

The flat version of Valentino’s gorgeous gladiator style sandal have been on my radar forever. I first spotted them in the Valentino boutique in Capri and in my head, I imagine myself swinging out of the store with my chic red bag. Alas it was not meant to be, and my head overruled my heart on that occasion. I finally picked up my black pair of Valentino Garavani Rockstud calfskin leather flat sandal in black with platinum-finish studs from Harrods in London. They are exactly what I wanted in that they are super casual, being flat but they are smarter with the studs. In terms of comfort, they have been easy to wear from the start but they do seem a little stiffer than the heeled versions. I wear these on one day and then have a little break until I wear again. Again I had rubber soles added to these to make sure they last as long as possible. The look of them overrules any stiffness though, I will continue to persevere!

Shop now (aff link).

Review of Valentino Garavani Rockstud ballerina in patent leather blush

As far as ballerinas go, these are the cutest flats and the colour is just such a perfect neutral. I am so lucky that I was given this pair for Christmas 2020 with their platinum finish studs and shiny patent leather. Patent leather is always a more hardwearing material so they are a firmer shoe than normal leather. What is great about them, is that they’re almost indestructible, and to make sure I added the usual rubber soles so I can wear them everyday. It has taken me an incredibly long time to wear them in as they would be very tough on the heels. The good news is, you do get there and they are comfortable after wearing them in. I team these with skinny jeans, tulle skirts or chic dresses.

Shop now (aff link)

 

Valentino Garavani Rockstud Leather Handbag in Red

As an aside I also have the sweetest cherry red Valentino Rockstud Leather Shoulder Bag which is a small evening bag. It is covered in rockstuds plus has a chain strap and a leather handle. It is pretty small, think iPhone, lipstick, keys kind of vibe but it is a total showstopper. I got this little bag in May 2019 from Harrods and I remember falling in love with it online and then dashing to the store before it closed. Ah memories.

Shop Rockstud Spike Bag (aff link) here.

If you have any Valentino related questions, pop me a comment below, email me on the contact form or DM me on Instagram. I’m more than happy to help in my role of Valentino’s best customer (approx hee hee).

Shop my edit of all Valentino Rockstud pieces here (aff link).