Buying shoes ahead of time?

[manda7_23]

I have been buying clothes for next summer for my DD and i would like to buy some shoes also. Is there a way to estimate what their shoe size will be a year ahead of time or would it be a long shot? She is in a 3.5 right now and just started walking. TIA

Amanda

[trumansmom]

You'll be throwing away your money. I would wait. Better to pay full price for a pair that gets worn, than to buy some that don't fit. Trust me. I've learned the hard way. Over and over again. Doh!

Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/01 and Eleanor 4/04

[squimp]

Getting good fitting shoes is really important, so I'm inclined to say no way. It's really hard to predict shoe size, especially at that age when they grow so fast.

[lizajane]

schuyler went from a 5.5 at age 1 to an 8 at age 2. most of his friends are still wearing 7s or 8s NOW at age 3. you just never know. i would wait.

[Moneypenny]

I would wait. I have learned that DD has phenomonally slow-growing feet. At 21 months she still wears a 3.5 which makes it really hard to find shoes. Grrrr.
Susan
mama to my cutie pie, Avery
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[shishamo]

I would not buy unless you are really sure you can resell it and recoup your loss in case it does not work!

Also, your shoe needs will change a lot in a year. For example, next year, your DD and you may or may not like velcro: you never know. (some kids take off their velcro shoes all the time, some don't.... it could drive you crazy). You may still want closed toes, you may not. You might want washable shoes only, maybe not. Honestly if I were you, I would not buy any.

[manda7_23]

Thanks! I pretty much figured as much lol... My DD must have slow growing feet too b/c she is 18 mon. and still in a 3.5, and they are narrow which makes it doubly hard to find shoes! I will wait

Amanda

[writermama]

She may be slow growing now, but she might also go through a spurt. My DD wore a size 5 shoe for a year. I took her to Stride Rite to make sure they still fit her before we went on a trip where she would be doing a lot of walking. They did, with room to grow. 2 months later I took her back to get sandals for summer -- she had jumped up to a 6 1/2 in just 2 months.

I hadn't bought shoes ahead before that (mainly because I'm just not that organized), but that definitely taught me not to even attempt it. I now only buy shoes ahead of time if I know they will be worn no matter what the season (for example, I've bought a few extra pairs of sneakers) and if I find them on a really good sale price.

[trumansmom]

Feet grow weird. DD wore a 2 1/2 on her first birthday. 4 months later she was in a 6. 8 months later (now), she's in a 6 1/2. I get her feet checked often and never buy ahead. :(

Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/01 and Eleanor 4/04