Shopping for little girl dress shoes with heels is an exciting adventure, as they are adorable and stylish at the same time. Be it a wedding, birthday party, communion, Christmas, or Easter, a pretty pair of dress shoes can elevate your princess’s ensemble and look in more ways than one. However, before you choose a pair or more, there are quite a few things to keep in consideration, so that the girl dress shoes feel as well as look good. Since your child is in that phase where proper growth and development of feet, joints, bones, and muscles is crucial, you need to take extra care. So, check out these smart tips.   

1. Get the Size Right: You already know that shoe sizes depend on the age of your little one, but also remember that different brands might have a different sizing guide in place. Hence, get your daughter’s feet measured accurately first before checking the size chart. It is best to consult a podiatrist for this as they will have the right equipment. Once you have those little tootsies measured in both cm and inches, you can check the size chart for the corresponding size. At Jack & Lily, for instance, the size charts mention parameters like age range, foot length in cm, and foot length in inches, to help you pick precisely. 

2. Make Sure the Fit Is Perfect: When it comes to girl formal shoes with heels, avoid going for too big or too small pairs. You don’t want your munchkin to trip and fall in loose shoes and neither do you want her to suffer from pain, blisters, and calluses in tight ones. So, ask her to try them on and walk around to get an idea. Check if her movements seem natural and pay attention if she complains. If she seems to drag her feet, the pair might be too big, and if she is wincing, it might be pinching her sensitive skin. There should also be a gap of 1 to 2 cm between her longest toes and the front of the shoes, so she can wiggle her toes easily. Also, shoes with rounded fronts are better than pointy or tapered versions. 

3. Check the Heel Height: In little girl dress shoes with heels, it is easy to go overboard with the height of the heel if the pair looks chic and fancy. However, you should ideally stick to a heel height of 1 to 2 cm; otherwise it can affect your daughter’s posture and exert strain on the toes. Even if the event is for a few hours, her feet will start hurting shortly in high heels. 

4. Opt for Comfy Soles: The insoles in kids’ dress shoes with heels are usually cushioned to offer maximum comfort. So, double check to make sure they are indeed designed that way. The outsoles should be flexible and in line with the natural movement of your child’s feet. They should also be skid-resistant, or else your princess might be at a risk of slipping, falling, and injuring herself during a party. This is especially a concern if the event is being held indoors or at an upscale venue with polished floors and stairs. 

5. Choose Cozy Materials: While shopping for girls’ fancy shoes with heels, it is easy to overlook the materials in all the razzle dazzle of embellishments and charming designs. However, that is a mistake. Make sure the materials used are gentle on your little one’s skin and breathable. This way, those cute feet won’t get sweaty or stinky. 

6. Go for Premium Quality: Since dress shoes for little girls are rarely cheap, it is best to go for a pair that is sure to last long and be super comfortable. For instance, if you zero in on a brand like Jack & Lily, you can rest assured that the dress shoes will endure wear and tear and multiple usage sessions. 

7. Consider Adjustable Pairs: Little girl dress shoes with heels should hug your child’s feet properly and provide enough stability and support. And that is possible when they come with suitable closures or adjustment options like Velcro straps, buckles, buttons, or laces. So, choose what suits you and your little princess the best. The shoes should be easy to take off and put on for both you and her. 

8. Keep the Occasion in Mind: Dress shoes for little girls come in a variety of beautiful colors and patterns, and this means it can be confusing to choose the perfect pair. So, factor in the nature, tone, and scale of the event before shopping. For instance, for a wedding or festive party, shoes with bows, frills, sequins, beads, or faux pearls are a wonderful option. Simple or minimalistic designs are more suited for low-key occasions, birthdays, or family get-togethers. 

9. Keep the Dress in Mind: While picking girl dress shoes, considering the color, style, and pattern of the dress is especially important. You can get a pair in a matching color or a neutral shade. For instance, black, brown, tan, white, cream, and beige are timeless hues that go with many different dresses. You can also go for soft, pastel shades of blue, pink, or green. Shoes in bold hues like red or hot pink can make a striking statement too. If the dress is simple, jazzy shoes in metallic colors or featuring embellishments can balance your little one’s look. On the other hand, if the dress is gorgeous, you can take a simpler route with the shoes.

Shop for the Best Little Girl Dress Shoes with Heels

Keeping this guide handy can help you pick up the perfect pair of girls’ fancy shoes with heels and let your little one shine on any occasion. The right fusion of comfort, functionality, and fashion can do wonders for your princess’s confidence too.

So, get ready to explore the adorable collection of girls’ dress shoes from Jack & Lily, check the size guide, and place an order online. If you need more assistance with choosing the right style, pattern, or color, you

It is an amazing moment when you catch your little one taking those first wobbly steps, their face alive with curiosity and excitement. And this happens usually when your baby is between 9 and 18 months. Their chubby feet start exploring the world around them with unbridled enthusiasm. While you are super happy about it, you also wonder should babies wear shoes when learning to walk. Well, the answer is more than a simple yes or no. This is because while your child’s tootsies need to develop, grow stronger, and become stable and coordinated, they also need protection. So, read on to know whether shoes are right for them at this stage and what you need to consider before buying a pair.

Before You Buy Baby First Walking Shoes

When your munchkin starts walking for the first time, they need to feel the surface beneath their feet and get familiar with the texture, hardness, temperature, and ups and downs. This will not only strengthen their bones and muscles, but also improve their gait and instill coordination and balancing skills. Hence, it is better for babies to move around barefoot while indoors.

However, when outdoors, they are likely to be exposed to too cold or hot surfaces, dust and dirt, sharp objects, and rough edges. And that is when your little one will need baby walking shoes. The pair you pick must be comfortable, supportive, and flexible though. The shoes should enable the natural movement of your baby’s feet and not hamper proper growth and development.  

Before buying a pair, it is also a good idea to consult a pediatrician and podiatrist to find out what kind of shoes will be best for your tiny tot.

Tips to Buy the Right Pair of Walking Shoes

Now that you know the answer to ‘should babies wear shoes when learning to walk’, go through some important tips before zeroing in on an adorable pair.

• Get the Size Right: Baby shoe sizes vary across brands, so you need to check the size chart before making a decision. At Jack & Lily for instance, boots, sneakers, and T-straps come in sizes that correspond to the age range to help you decide quickly. And in case you want canvas kicks or slip-ons, a size 4 or 5 should do the trick. However, get your baby’s feet measured accurately beforehand, ideally by a podiatrist. Remember that extra tight shoes can hurt your little one’s feet, cause chafing, redness, blisters, or calluses. And if they are too loose, your munchkin might trip and fall.
• Consider the Bigger Foot: Generally, a baby’s feet are of two slightly different sizes. So, while choosing kids’ walking shoes, make sure the pair is suitable for the bigger foot.
• Ensure Ample Space for Toes: The shoes should have a wide toe box that allows your baby to wiggle their toes freely. Ensure a gap of 1 to 1.5 cm between the front of the shoe and the longest toe. Avoid pairs with tapered or pointed fronts as they can hamper the growth of your child’s feet.
• Check the Firmness of the Heel Cup: Choose shoes that offer the right amount of support to your little one’s heels and help them develop the correct gait and posture. So, pinch the back of the shoes and if it doesn’t move at all, the heel cups are too hard. On the other hand, if it collapses, the heel cups are too weak. Ideally, the heel cups should offer some resistance but be compressible.
• Assess the Flexibility of Soles: While the answer to should babies wear shoes when learning to walk is yes when outdoors, the pair must enable natural movement of the feet at all times. So, bend the shoes to check if they fold halfway. If so, their soles are highly flexible and will support the growth and development of your munchkin’s tootsies and instill essential motor skills.
• Choose a Safe Design: The shoes you pick must have thick enough soles that don’t allow hard or sharp objects to pierce through and hurt your baby’s feet. The outer soles must be of rubber and have adequate grooves to provide traction on smooth and slippery surfaces.
• Check the Weight: Opt for lightweight shoes that don’t burden those tiny feet when your child is busy exploring their surroundings. Heavy pairs can negatively impact growth too.
• Go for Healthy Materials: Materials like cotton, canvas, and soft leather are the best for toddler walking shoes. They are gentle, can bend and stretch easily, and are highly breathable. This means your baby’s feet won’t sweat and end up encouraging bacterial growth. They will also smell fresh and be kiss-ready round the clock.
• Consider Pull Loops and Velcro Straps: Those chubby little feet will change in shape as the days go by, which means you will need an adjustable pair for your baby. So, check for loops at the back of the shoes to help fit in your child’s heels easily. Consider designs with Velcro straps to loosen or tighten the fit as and when required. Laces are great options too as long as they are safe.
• Prioritize Quality Over Looks: When it comes to baby first walking shoes, always pay more attention to quality than looks. While these shoes come in a charming array of styles, colors, and patterns, durability, comfort, and support are of paramount importance. Plus, that way, the pair you pick will last long too.

Choose the Perfect Shoes for Your Baby’s First Steps

If you were wondering should babies wear shoes when learning to walk, your doubt must be gone by now. Moreover, you know what to keep in mind when picking a pair that is comfy, supportive, and safe, from size and materials to weight, soles, and more. Last but not the least, make your munchkin try on the shoes later in the day and not in the morning as their feet tend to swell over time with activity.   

So, are you all set to start shopping? Check out the incredibly cute collection of baby walking shoes offered by Jack & Lily. Before selecting a pair, remember to check the sizing guide. If you need suggestions or advice, you can contact the professionals here too.