Girls' sandals- need some forward planning

[tethersend]

Last year I foolishly let 3yo DD choose her own sandals to make up for the fact that she'd just got a baby sister.

She chose these.

I CANNOT LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN.

I need to plan ahead, like a military operation, and take her only to shops selling sandals which aren't so ugly they'd make baby Jesus cry.

Can anybody help? She's a size 9/10

Extra points if they light up.

[libertychick]

Bumping to see if anyone else can help you!
Your post made me laugh but I am clearly not able to help as I think what she chose last year is absolutely fine

[MirandaWest]

I can't see the problem either - can you link to some you do like?

[Cherrypie32]

Sorry, I'd like these for my 3year old DD, they look practical and comfy for leaping about in the sunshine however we also like Crocs & Birkenstocks here. Next will do loads as it gets into the right season but alit if them are a bit 'fashioney' for little girls IMO.

[tethersend]

Really? They don't make your eyes want to shrivel up and retreat back into your head?

They do me.

Practical is good, so must stay on the foot- comfy is good, so must not be too flimsy (which rules out most of next's offerings; I have to agree with you there, Cherrypie). Velcro straps would be good. Any colour as long as it's not black. Lighting up soles would inexplicably mean the world to DD (she's 4 now).

Anything which doesn't look like it was designed by a hillwalker on a cupcake high would be great.

[GobblersKnob]

arf at baby jesus crying at a sandal.

Birkenstocks all the way here, comfy, practical, go with everything.

[poorbuthappy]

Haven't you just described the sandals in the link? Without the lights?
Mind you I'm on my phone so actually should just be grateful the link took me to shoes.

[tethersend]

Oooh, ok I could live with those. They wouldn't get anywhere near my feet, mind.

Are they comfy? Not too wide?

[tethersend]

poorbuthappy, err... yes. I did didn't I?

Bollocks.

[lurkingaround]

Hilarious!! A great read after a shit day.

But, y'know, having been there and done that and still doing it, DCs still manage to find completely shite stuff. And wear it. They must sneak to the shops in the dead of night and buy. Or they must be emailing companies with designs that get made and delivered to homes (in the dead of night, again). Or they wheedle it out of indulgent Aunts/grans/friends. Ooh, been there indeed!

Forget the trying to control. It ain't gonna happen!!

[accessorizequeen]

They are vile IMO urgh. My 4yo would lurve them. No independent European-only brands shops around? Jones the Bootmaker do startrite, their sandals are way less hideous than Clarks. John Lewis? You could order several pairs online that you like in the right size, I did this in October for my 4dc as I couldn't cope with boot shopping. Amazon, Zalando etc. Free delivery, free returns.

[Minshu]

My DD had some very much like those last year in pink and I thought they looked really cute, with those toddler toes wiggling around.

[janji]

Always Birkenstocks. They do Luvly glittery/patterned little girly ones!

[GobblersKnob]

Birkenstocks come in two widths, for example here those that just give a size are pretty wide, if you scroll down there is the size plus N, these are more of a 'normal' rather than a 'narrow' width. They wear really well too.

[Startail]

Those are really nice and practical.
Absolutely nothing wrong with them.

You can run, jump, climb and be 3 in them, what on earth is there not to like.

They are mostly white, they go with everything. I expected some high heeled sparkly, thin strapped rubbish.

DD obviously has more sense than her mum.

Also we some free worn once brickstocks, the shaped foot beds don't fit everyone.

[shrimponastick]

I also think the clarks sandals look perfect for a small girl.

Comfortable, will protect her feet a little. I don't like to see children in fashion shoes which could damage their perfect little feet.

P.s. if they are really only £10 I would snap up a pair in each size for subsequent summers..

[Startail]

But three year olds do treat their sandals like a hill walker and worse.

At that age DD1 climbed everything, especially if it was designed for children five years older.

Grippy trainer style sandals are perfect.

I can only assume DD is your first child, truly, those are a million times better than fighting trainers on and of and all the grief you get with wet trainers and socks.

This summer your DD will be able to get those on and off her self, buckles she won't.

Putting little girls in twee impractical clothes or shoes, is sexist and wrong.

[Startail]

Sorry, that's a bit of an AIBU not a SB reply.

I have one very fashion conscious almost 12yo and one, likes to look nice, but practical 15 yo DD.

You can guess which one I find easier to cope with and which I've had to buy new shoes for in the middle of Birmingham because hers rubbed.

There are no decent, affordable kids shoes in central Brum. There really aren't. Jones said their nearest children's dept was Solihull

[tethersend]

Startail. You are clearly passionate about these shoes.

Would you like me to send you them? I have a pair knocking about the house I am desperate to get rid of

Did you read my list of requirements for sandals? You do know that there are more options than these sandals or stilettos, don't you? Please don't assume that because these sandals make my eyes bleed that I want to put DD in something 'twee and impractical'.

Look. I was prepared for the Barbie tights, the sparkly stuff, the impractical summer dress in the middle of winter. I steeled myself for it.

I was not prepared for the mind-numbing horror of these sandals. She sideswiped me. Caught me off-guard when I was all hormonal. NEVER AGAIN.

This year I will outwit her. She will think she's chosen them. I will know better.

So, although the Birkenstocks are coming close, if you can link me up to some sandals which fit my list of requirements and aren't the crime against humanity in my OP, I'm all eyes.

[tethersend]

"DD obviously has more sense than her mum."

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I think DD has put it better than I ever could; a bit harsh, perhaps, but some salient points nonetheless.

[Jessepinkman]

I like these www.ricosta.co.uk/girls-sandals/ricosta-netty-pink-girls-sandal

[Jessepinkman]

www.ricosta.co.uk/girls-sandals/ricosta-netty-pink-girls-sandal

[tethersend]

Not mad about those, but they don't make me want to smoke crack... bit pricy though!

Thanks jesse- will look at that site.

[BathTangle]

Javari do these - a little like the ones your DD chose, but less "clumpy"?

[Startail]

Sadly my DDs feet are bigger than mine, so our days of little girls sandals cute or practical are long gone.