Buying shoes in advance for LO

Mrs.Ram · March 2011

I just got a coupon for Stride Rite, which was a good reminder for me that I should probably get some spring/summer shoes for DD. How do you anticipate how much their feet will grow? Should I just buy the same size that she's in now? Half a size bigger? I feel like I can guess with clothes, but am baffled by shoes.

Thanks!

vtkgirl77 · March 2011

DD was a late walker and our physical therapist encouraged us to have her fitted for her first few pairs of shoes so that we know they fit properly. So, I've been reluctant to try to buy anything ahead and I just take her to the store, have her fitted and pay full price. However, growing up my mom always bought stuff on sale for us ahead of season and I turned out fine :-)

If you want to try ordering ahead, you could try this show sizer at home. Just make sure to follow the print instructions and measure the side of the paper once you print it out to make sure it printed at the right dimensions.

https://www.landsend.com/pdfs/FitChart_kids.pdf?cm_spSize_Chart_Squish_A_Bug-_-Product

QueSrah · March 2011

I'm hesitant to buy ahead because DD hasn't been in real shoes very long so I don't have a good guess as to how fast she'll grow. The store we took her to in Jan./Feb. said kids generally need new shoes every 3 months or so at this age. I bought a pair of sandals yesterday a half size up from where she measured in Jan./Feb. They're for a wedding in June, so I hope she's average in her growth and they fit.

vtmezzo · March 2011

I may be a complete idiot, but I recommend going to a store and having your LO properly fitted at least once. My "mother of the year" story:

I was buying DS shoes at Nordstrom Rack because I love getting Stride Rite for $10! However, I was putting his foot in a 5.5 because it seemed to fit. He kept taking his shoes off all the time, so after a few weeks I gave up and went to the Stride Rite outlet to have him fitted. Yeah, he wears a 7.5 Wide. I'm an asshat.

Mrs.Ram · March 2011

To clarify, DD has been in shoes for 6 months, and has been fitted twice (probably about 3 months apart).

I might just be neurotic about shoes in general; I won't even buy shoes for myself without trying them on.

ghostgirl · March 2011

Can I ask where you got the coupon? I am on their mailing list but have not received anything lately via snail mail or email. I've been waiting for a coupon b/c DS needs some new XW shoes for his fat little feet and they are one of the only places to get them.

Artslvr · March 2011

I don't buy shoes in advance - it's too hard for me to predict what size they'll be.

AgrippaRidesAgain · March 2011

I wouldn't buy early unless you get shoes that would work in another season too. Ds's shoe size isn't really predictable. He can go 5 months without needing a new pair and then go up two sizes within the span of a month. (Just did this in December actually. Nothing like buying shoes and then going back 4 weeks later to do it again!)

rubride · March 2011

I have not had luck buying shoes in advance. DD has always had slow growth. She's been in a size 4 shoe for the past 6 months! I think we're finally going to be moving into the 4.5 shoe size! When she was an infant I got all excited to get pedipeds on sale and she ended up never wearing them (soft sole) as she never grew into them before she started walking. While I love a good deal, I've wasted a lot of money on buying shoes and clothes in advance only to not use them. Hopefully #2 will be a girl and I'll have a second shot.

smacb · March 2011

I wouldn't do it. DS grew a size a month for 6 months, then his feet didn't grow for 4 months. He skipped a couple sizes too. I don't think there's any rhyme or reason to feet.

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