"Girl Color" Shoes for a Boy

[GaPeach_in_Ca]

My soon to be 5 year old son picked out a pair of Keens Newports online. He choose this pair:

They are the Hot Coral color.

They look burnt orange online, which would have been perfect. They came today and are salmon colored, salmon pink, definitely not orange. He says that they are still his choice, even if not what he expected, but I am worried he will change his mind after he wears them.

I'm leaning towards keeping them, but curious what others would do.

[fedoragirl]

I'd keep them if he still likes them.

[Green_Tea]

I'd keep them if he still likes them.

Pink is quite a popular footwear color (shoes, socks, shoelaces) for boys in my 5th grade class!

[Simon]

I would let him keep them if I felt confident he wouldn't stop wearing them just because someone says something negative.

Ds2 has been wearing bright purple shoes for nearly a year. No one has said anything. He is also in a liking pink phase.

When Ds1 was younger he had a pair of red crocs that faded a bit from the sun, and we got rude comments about a boy in pink shoes. But only from adults! He did also get called her or she a few times and didn't have long hair or anything. I'm not sure it registered with him at his age, but we sure heard them.

[wellyes]

I like them. I don't think they'd be a big deal at all in DD's preschool where a lot of boys are on the 4/5 line.

If you have a husband, I'd ask him his opinion, and if he objects, I'd respect that. Nifty looking shoes but not worth a fight, and men have strong feelings on this topic sometimes...... not saying that fathers should set gender normative rules for sons in general, but, I do think his vote counts for a pair of shoes that you're considering returning anyway.

[janine]

Hmm, if the actual salmon pink color was his choice I'd say let him wear them but since you both chose the color based on this photo (which is great color) and not what you received, I'd return and let him choose another. Unless he now really loves this pair rather than just going along with it since he figured he chose them.

[Mommy_Mea]

I like them too, and would let ds wear them if they are still his choice. I think the salmon color can just be called preppy :-)

[JBaxter]

I think they are fin. Its summer. Bright colors are in < and I have 4 boys one of which loves all things in the shade of orange>

[nfowife]

I'd exchange them unless you are sure he will like and wear them all summer. Because Keens are not cheap! I would be upset if my kids changed their mind after wearing a few times and I couldn't return at that point. If he insists he loves the color and will wear them all summer then keep.

[Beth24]

Keep them says the mom whose DS just outgrew his pink and purple crocs...