Kid's Shoe Fitting Guide

The shoe that fits one person, pinches another.  there is no recipe for living that suits all cases.
Carl Jung
Our incomes are like our shoes; if too small, they gall and pinch us; but if too large, they cause us to stumble and to trip.
John Locke
You cannot put the same shoe on every foot. - Publilius Syrus
  • The one thing children wear out faster than shoes is parents.  John J. Plomp
To be happy, it first takes being comfortable in your own shoes. The rest can work up from there.
Sophia Bush

A shoe is not only a design, but it's a part of your body language, the way you walk. The way you're going to move is quite dictated by your shoe."  Christian Louboutin
If Cinderella's shoe fit, then why did it fall off?
Unknown
  • Nine out of ten women wear shoes that are too small, according to a poll by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Almost half of all women have been injured by their shoes.
You've measured your child's feet, and selected shoes with quality features.  Now it's time to check the fit.  Follow this easy-to-remember 5-POINT check list and you'll fit shoes like the pros.  Consider the foot size a guide. The fit of a specific shoe on your child's feet is the final test.  Overall, a child should appear to be walking comfortably and naturally, and shoes should never require breaking in.

1. WIDTH
2. ANKLE
3. TOES
4. COMFORT
5. HEEL

WIDTH

The width of the shoe should be comfortable.  Feel the top of the shoe.  It shouldn't be too tight, or too loose.  You should be able to pinch some of the material.  While many shoe closures are adjustable, if your child measures wide or narrow, it's best to fit a shoe that is manufactured specifically to that width.  Remember, almost half of babies have wide feet.  If you can, shop later in the day when children's feet are more swollen, and at their widest.

ANKLE

A shoe should gently hug the ankle without being too tight.  You should be able to insert your pinky finger inside the shoe at the ankle area.  If there is gapping around the ankle, or you can fit more than your pinky, the ankle fit is too loose.  Shoes with padding around the ankle area are better in general -- they fit a wider variety of feet, and are also more comfortable.  First walking shoes should always have a padded collar.

TOES

There should be a 1/2" of growing room past the longest toe.  Place your thumb perpendicular to the foot at the end of the shoe.  Press down to feel for the end of the longest toe.  You should be able to press down without feeling any toes.  Growing room is built into a child's shoe.  For example, if your child measures a 5, the size 5 shoe wil have 1/2" of space at the toe area for growing.  Note:  the longest toe is not always the "big" toe.

COMFORT

Have your child walk or even run a few steps in the shoes.  The child should be moving naturally, as if the shoes are not even on the feet.   Signs of discomfort include complaints, stiffness and walking like "Frankenstein" which is an indication that the shoes aren't flexible enough or there is a point of tightness that could cause a blister.

HEEL

While your child is sitting, lift one foot and hold the ankle with one hand and grip the heel of the shoe with the other hand.  Now, pull down a few times to check if the heel is slipping out of the shoe.  The shoe should gently grip the heel.  Repeat on the other foot.

Vintage Shoe-Fitting Stools

Service-oriented shoe stores required special furniture.  The shoe sales person would tie or fasten up the shoes for  you, to make sure they fit just right. My favorites are the mid-century.  It would be fun to have one of these at home.   Just remember to double-check the fit while your child is standing.

Cinderella Stories from Around the World:
The Perfect Fit

More than 500 versions of the Cinderella story have been found -- just in Europe! The tale's origins seem to date back to a Chinese story from the ninth century,  “Yeh-Shen.”
    Almost every culture seems to have its own version, and usually includes an evil stepmother and stepsisters, some sort of party, a lost item and a successful search to return it.
Charles Perrault is believed to be the author, of our “modern” 300-year-old Cinderella, that Disney popularized.
    Check out some of the other Cinderella stories to find self-reliant characters, devoted to family and ancestors, and willing to make her or his own future.  I like that!  Yes, you'll even find male "Cinderellas."