Innisfree Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Dd 12 needs shoes, and we're having a hard time reaching agreement here. She's assembled a lovely and inexpensive wardrobe over the last few months shopping at thrift shops. She has used her own money, dresses tastefully and classically, and I've been surprised and delighted with her choices. But, she's not wearing jeans. She's usually wearing a skirt, knit top and sweater. This is relatively new for her. For shoes she's been wearing a pair of black pumps which were purchased for her to use in a character dance class. I never intended her to use them this much once the class ended, but she needed something in a hurry last summer for a funeral and they were the most appropriate ones she had. Now, with her new wardrobe, they look great, but they're getting too small, and I think the heels are a bit too high for everyday use (about1 1/2"). I'd like to replace them with something well-made, lower, with a good arch support, but not too expensive. She's going to outgrow new ones fairly soon at this rate. Where would you go for this? She's outgrown children's sizes. When I look at good adult shoes they're just so expensive. I guess I'd consider $40 reasonable, but I can't see spending $100. We've already tried the thrift shops without success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Do you have Marshall's, TJ Maxx, etc. near you? I would start there and look for a nice pair of ballet flats. Even DSW, if you have one, would have plenty of $40 options. I would stay away from Target; we have had nothing but bad experiences with their shoes, which look cheap to me anyway (because they are). Amazon had a ton of shoes as well, in every price range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 I'm sure someone can tell you the name, but there's a huge online site where everything is, like, $39 or something. I like JCPenney, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innisfree Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 Yeah, ballet flats may be what we do. We've looked at some of those places. I just still feel that "must take good care of their feet! Must have arch support!" Compulsion, and the ballet flats have none of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawyer&Mom Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 I did a Zappos search for women's heels, 1 inch, $50 or less. http://m.zappos.com/women-heels/CK_XARC41wFqAQSqAQEDwAEB4gIFARgNFQI.zso There were lots more options if you broaden the search beyond heels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 For the past year or two we've been going to DSW. It's an out-of-town trip for us, so it's usually before or after an away soccer game and something we all look forward to. Both of my girls have been getting flats there, and I also let them get a pair of wedges last spring. It's so easy to try on lots of different brands/styles to find what suits (one dd has a wide toe area, one has skinny feet). I would say their average choice there is about a $30-$35 shoe (I would be choosing more expensive brands for my feet, but the teen/pre-teen friendly styles tend to be cheaper). Yes, more expensive than kid shoes, but rewards and coupons help. One dd also found inexpensive black flats that fit her weird feet at JC Penney--A.N.A brand I think, so that is worth checking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almondbutterandjelly Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 What about the Kadee shoes from crocs? They are sort of ballet shoe esque. They have arch support. They are available in black. They are $32. http://www.crocs.com/crocs-kadee/11215,default,pd.html?cid=060 My dd has the cap toe flat (again from crocs). They have a small heel, and the toe is shiny like patent leather. She wears them for school, on the day she has to wear the more formal uniform. http://www.crocs.com/crocs-womens-cap-top-flat/12300,default,pd.html?cid=060 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innisfree Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 Okay, thanks, I didn't know about DSW or that Crocs had that sort of style. I like the looks of those! I've been having a hard time reconciling her fashion needs with my good-foot-health concerns, but those are on the right track! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJoy Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 What about some simple Mary Jane's like this:https://m.payless.com/search/74522.html?dwvar_74522_color=black They have a bit more structure and hold up better than ballet flats IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carriede Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 I have some shiny black wedges I bought from Payless that I love. I bought them for a wedding I was in... bride required black heels and I was 7 months pregnant. Comfy and classy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 We generally do well at Marshall's. I tend toward flats, loafers etc. and often find them there. DD just found a pair of good black ballet flats there for a party for $39. And I just bought a pair of cute Jambus (like these) there for $40 too. Our local stores, at least, tend to have a good selection of just about everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 If these were going to be her primary shoes for the next number of months, I'd probably try to find nicer ones with some support that are good for walking and comfort. If you're just looking for something dressy for short term wearing, I'd get something cheaper. How much they were going to be on her feet make a big difference to me. I get my kids one higher end pair at a time with good support that they won't complain about walking distance in (hopefully at a decent price) and if we need dress shoes or whatever beyond that, I go cheapie on those. A good place to watch for nicer brand names at better prices is Sierra Trading or the REI outlet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 The choices are dominated by the width of your daughter's feet. I wear a size 8.5 length which is no problem. What is [a problem] is the width of AAAA. No such thing as an inexpensive shoe for me, sadly. As just noted, good arch support and good construction of the overall shoe are very important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Zappos has something for everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Zappos has something for everyone. Also check "Maryland Square." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 I ususally go to kohl's but we aren't big support people. My. 1 yo has boots, flats and converse all sale/couponed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bambam Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Shoebuy.com - all sizes and widths. Free shipping and free returns, so if you order the wrong size, or the shoe just doesn't feel right, you aren't out any money. There are sales regularly. Currently they have 25% off most shoes (note they never seem to allow discounts on some brands like Minnetoka). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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