Want to save time and money shopping for your minis' shoes, sandals or boots? Here are 5 mistakes to avoid!
1- Take a size too big
“I didn’t understand why my daughter was always falling! It was believed she had a hip problem. We even consulted a doctor. Only to realize that we had been poorly advised in a store and that we were always buying shoes that were too big for her! », confided to us a mother, very happy to discover us.
Of course, we want our child's shoe to last as long as possible. This is a regular and understandable request from our customers. But at Piétine, we prefer to explain the maximum amount of play that is preferable to have, rather than simply giving the impression of satisfying the parent by telling them: “get even bigger, the shoe will last longer”.
Because by taking too big, the child risks getting stuck, falling and injuring himself. And it won't be comfortable. The shoe must therefore be the right size for the present moment and for the few months to come.
Without forgetting that you have to know how to adjust according to the brands: some are made small, others larger. At Piétine, we know all the differences from one brand to another to advise you well and we carefully measure children's feet.
2- “My child doesn’t complain, so I don’t need to change shoes”
From 1 year to 5 years, a child can change sizes 2 to 3 times during a year. This is normal, since they are in the middle of a growth spurt! Children's feet are so flexible that if the shoes are too small, their toes will bend. However, for children, this is not a sensitive point: it does not bother them and generally, they will not complain about it. But do you really want your child walking around with crooked toes in their shoes?
At Piétine, we can easily tell you if it's time to change your shoes or not. Many parents come to us for this: sometimes we will say that the child can still keep their shoe for a few weeks, and other times we will advise opting for a new pair. Our goal: to make you spend less but better!
3- Buy without your children
We know very well that it's not easy to shop with children, without forgetting nap time. True, times are not always right. But it’s better to find a short 20 minutes than to have to make several exchanges.
Even if the size is correct, the child may not be comfortable in the shoe, which we can see in a few seconds in store. We can then easily suggest another product that will suit your foot. Personalized service is a top priority for us! And we always take the time to serve our mini customers well. We love it!
Are you afraid your child will have a tantrum in the store? Don't worry, we've seen others and we're used to serving our happy little ones! Our little customers also feel very comfortable in our store and that is essential to us! Psttt! We have plenty of toys at their disposal!
4- Buy in advance because it’s on sale
Who hasn't already fallen in love with a product on sale or a favorite product? At Piétine, we do not recommend buying a child's shoe in advance, quite simply because it is difficult to know what their size will be from one season to the next, since we cannot predict their growth spurt. .
We recommend purchasing the shoe, boot or sandal for your little one's current needs, up to the age of approximately 5 years.
5- Believing that the shoe will do well…eventually
“It's normal for the child to have difficulty inserting his foot into the shoe, but once inside, he's fine! Yes, yes, it's normal that it's stiff at first, it will relax over time . This is what we heard in a big box store, while a mother was shopping with her son and the saleswoman/cashier was answering her questions. The mother finally bought these shoes. But we can already predict that the child will not want to wear them or will not be comfortable in them….
If the child cannot insert his foot into the shoe, which requires force to put them on, don't waste your time and switch to another pair! And if the shoe is rigid, it will not magically transform into a soft shoe!
And you ? What is shoe shopping like with your children?
Nadielle