Keke Palmer Gives Christian Louboutin’s “Teetiag” Pumps a Sultry Y2K Makeover

Keke Palmer brought her love of Y2K fashion to Kyle Massey’s birthday party at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood, but this time, she gave the look a distinctly Western spin.

Palmer paired a sheer halter bralette and low-rise mermaid skirt with Christian Louboutin “Teetiag” pumps—a pointed-toe T-strap style covered in cowboy-inspired detailing. It was another adventurous shoe choice from the 5’5” actress, who wears a US shoe size 9 and regularly uses statement heels to transform her looks. Stacked beaded bracelets, a body chain, and a teased high ponytail pushed the outfit even further into early-2000s territory.

Keke Palmer leans into sultry Y2K glamour in a sheer black bralette and low-rise mermaid skirt, grounding the skin-baring look with elaborate Western-inspired Christian Louboutin pumps at Laugh Factory in West Hollywood on August 26, 2026 (Credit: H2Y / INSTARimages)

Keke Palmer Gives the Classic Louboutin Pump a Cowboy Makeover

The real conversation starter was Palmer’s Christian Louboutin “Teetiag 100” pumps, a Western-inspired style from the designer’s Fall 2025 collection. Rather than reaching for a straightforward black stiletto, she chose a pair that borrowed the decorative language of a cowboy boot and reworked it into a sharply pointed T-strap pump set on a 100mm (3.9-inch) heel.

Crafted from black alligator-embossed calf leather, the shoes featured sheer mesh across the toe box, curved leather overlays, and flame-like panels rising around the ankles. An ornate silver-tone buckle and cone studs amplified the cowboy influence without turning the shoe into a literal Western boot.

Up close, the details grew even more intricate. Diamond-shaped leather panels punctuated the T-strap, while an adjustable ankle strap kept the foot framed against the open mesh.

The combination also feels very much in Palmer’s wheelhouse. She has repeatedly used Christian Louboutin heels to change the mood of an outfit, from classic black “So Kate” pumps at the ABFF Honors to metallic Louboutin “Deck 100” T-straps during her I Love Boosters press tour. That same press tour also saw her mix archival footwear with distinctly Y2K styling, making the Western-meets-nostalgia formula here feel like a natural continuation of her shoe wardrobe.

A closer look at Palmer’s Christian Louboutin “Teetiag” pumps reveals pointed toes, sheer mesh panels, sculpted leather overlays, silver-tone studs, and ornate T-straps inspired by cowboy boots (Credit: H2Y / INSTARimages)

Keke Palmer Pairs Her Western Heels With a Very Y2K Mermaid Skirt

Above the ankles, Palmer took the outfit in a decidedly more sultry direction. She wore a sheer black mesh halter bralette with a plunging scoop neckline and a low-rise black skirt that closely traced her hips before dramatically flaring outward.

The sculptural satin ruffles beginning around mid-calf created an exaggerated mermaid silhouette—a softer, more romantic counterpoint to all the studs, embossed leather, and Western hardware happening below. The exposed midriff and low-rise proportions also continued the Y2K footwear-and-fashion streak Palmer explored throughout her I Love Boosters press tour.

Palmer’s fitted black skirt dramatically flares into a sculptural satin mermaid hem, creating a softer counterpoint to the sharp, hardware-heavy Louboutin heels below (Credit: H2Y / INSTARimages)

Keke Palmer Goes All In on Y2K Beauty and Accessories

Palmer carried the early-2000s references into the smallest details. A delicate body chain traced her exposed midriff, while stacks of colorful beaded bracelets brought a playful, almost DIY quality to an otherwise sultry black look. A hand chain, ring, and statement earrings added another layer of shine without competing with the heavily embellished shoes.

Her beauty look followed the same throwback logic. Palmer wore her copper-red hair in a dramatically teased high ponytail, pairing the style with rosy cheeks and a two-tone nude lip for a finish that felt deliberately nostalgic rather than costume-like.

A delicate body chain, stacked beaded bracelets, and a voluminous copper-red ponytail give Palmer’s party look an unmistakable early-2000s finish (Credit: H2Y / INSTARimages)

Why Christian Louboutin’s Red Soles Still Rule the Red Carpet

Christian Louboutin shoes have remained a celebrity favorite because the flash of a crimson sole does something few other footwear signatures can: it identifies the designer almost instantly. The story of Christian Louboutin’s famous red bottoms began in 1993, when the designer transformed a prototype by painting its sole with red nail polish. What started as a spontaneous creative decision became one of fashion’s most recognizable signatures.

The red sole is only part of the appeal. Over the years, Louboutin has built a lineup of instantly recognizable shoe silhouettes, from the sharply pointed Pigalle and So Kate pumps to strappy sandals, towering platforms, and more experimental designs. That range helps explain why the shoes keep appearing at premieres, awards shows, and other major fashion moments: the silhouette can change completely, but that flash of red remains unmistakably Louboutin.

The celebrity looks below show just how differently stars have worn the signature in 2026—from classic pointed pumps to towering mules, illusion heels, and even studded sneakers.