From Maternity Chic to Teen Rebel: Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner Clash in Balmain’s Guipure Boots

Back in May 2013, a then-15-year-old Kylie Jenner made an impression on the red carpet at the New York premiere of After Earth, which starred Will Smith and his son Jaden. She stepped out in Balmain’s striking “Guipure” boots, giving the intricately laced design a youthful, edgy spin with her cropped top and high-waist mini skirt.

It wasn’t the first time we’d seen these statement booties, though. Kylie’s older half-sister, Kim Kardashian, had also worn them just weeks earlier during her pregnancy. Many fans debated the look at the time, noting that the boots looked tight on Kim’s swollen feet. By contrast, Kylie’s take felt daring and experimental, underscoring how versatile Balmain’s lace-cut design could be across very different stages of life and style.

From Kim’s maternity chic to Kylie’s red-carpet rebellion, the Balmain “Guipure” boots have proven to be a bold choice for sisters unafraid of a fashion statement. The real question: who wore them best?

Kylie Jenner’s Edgy Red Carpet Take on Balmain’s Guipure Boots

Kylie Jenner brings an edgy twist to the red carpet in a black crop top and asymmetrical Mugler mini skirt, paired with Balmain’s intricate Guipure lace boots

Kylie Jenner at the New York premiere of ‘After Earth’ held at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City on May 29, 2013 (Credit: Pop / Joel Ginsburg / HRC / WENN)

The Guipure lace boots showcase Balmain’s signature craftsmanship with a striking cutout design and sleek stiletto heel

A closer look at the peep-toe booties reveals the bold lacework and sculptural silhouette that made the Balmain heels a standout choice

Both Kylie and Kim styled the boots with black dresses, but their approaches couldn’t have been more different.

Kylie’s look leaned into a youthful edge, pairing the lace-up booties with a cropped zip-front top and a high-waist skirt featuring an asymmetrical hemline that showcased plenty of leg.

Kim Kardashian’s Maternity Spin on the Statement Lace Boots

Kim, on the other hand, opted for a more gentle approach. During her pregnancy, she wore the Balmain boots with a shorter yet looser-fitting dress, letting the intricate lace design stand out without competing with a body-conscious silhouette.

Kim Kardashian keeps her maternity style chic in a black Azzedine Alaïa dress, styled with Balmain’s Guipure lace boots for a mix of comfort and edge in Manhattan, New York City, on April 24, 2013

Balmain’s intricate Guipure lace boots bring a bold, high-fashion finish to Kim’s understated dress, elevating the look with texture and height

Intricately embroidered lace with a cutout effect and peep toes make the Balmain ‘Guipure’ a standout. Aside from lace, these booties feature patent leather that trims the zipper fastening at the back and covers the 4.3-inch heels.

Balmain’s “Guipure” Lace Open-Toe Boots ($1,885) feature intricate cutout lacework, sleek patent trim, and a towering stiletto heel for a statement-making finish

So, who do you think wore these booties better?

Kim Kardashian opts for a looser black dress that highlights comfort and ease, while Kylie Jenner goes bold in a cropped top and asymmetrical mini skirt — two very different takes on Balmain’s Guipure lace boots

More Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner Shoe & Fashion Moments

From red-carpet statements to casual sneaker swaps, both Kim and Kylie have consistently delivered unforgettable footwear moments in recent years.

While Kim’s height is believed to be around 5ft 2 (157.5 cm) with a US shoe size 7, Kylie towers over her older sister at 5ft 6 (167.6 cm) with a US shoe size 8—a difference that often plays into how each styles bold designer heels. Explore more of their standout shoe choices in our latest coverage below: