*Image above of mini on Palm Sunday two (!) years ago (!!) wearing these adorable Namoo linen shoes (05.). Get the look for less with these or these!
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My top recommendation for warm weather shoes for toddler girls are Cientas in either the t-strap (09.) or Mary Jane style. They work with dresses or shorts, wear like sneakers, can be worn with or without socks — and I like the timeless, slightly dressy look. Mini already has a few pairs in solids and ginghams as we ease into warmer weather. Navy and pink are always good starting points for our wardrobes in the summertime! You can get this look for less with this $13 pair (20.)!
I also liked Cientas in navy and white for micro last summer, but am debating whether the t-strap might be a little too baby-ish for him this year. I think I will probably go for the plimsoll style (15.) in blue or try the Keds Graham style in khaki or red (11.), which I know a lot of you LOVE for your little men. (I learned from Bridget that you can keep them looking spiffy by putting a tiny scoop of powdered Tide in hot water and then scrubbing them with an old toothbrush! I tested this recently on some marked-up rain boots and scuffed-up Cientas and it really did work well!). I also love velcro Supergas, so will buy him a pair of those, too. They are a little sportier than the Cienta/Keds look — somewhere between Cientas and a New Balance.
And every little boy needs a pair of Sperry boat shoes (16.)! This particular style runs a tad big and is genius because the entire upper part velcros (no lacing/tying necessary). I bought them for micro to wear on Easter and he’ll be wearing them all summer long!
For sandals, historically, I have bought mini and micro Sun Sans (I love the sweetheart style in white or pink for mini and the Sea Wees (14.) in brown for micro). They’re fantastic because they are waterproof and they have a nice thick rubber sole for padding around the splash pad / beach / puddles / city streets. I do have to say they take a bit of wearing in — the leather can be rather stiff and mini did get a blister or two from wearing them the first few days of the season; plus, you have to buckle them, which is very difficult for small children to do on their own. This year, I am going to try Footmates’ variation on the same theme (01.), which people tend to prefer because of the velcro versus buckle closure. I love the mint and lavender colors but debating whether white is a safer bet…
For athletic shoes, I have been buying mini Vejas (08.). They are incredibly sturdy and well-made, and I like the style. I will probably buy some for micro, too, but he’s been rocking these New Balances (13.) at the moment.
For dressy shoes, I am going to go with a pair of these gorgeous La Coquetas (06.) for mini. We have been Elephantito wearers in this house forever, but I like the colors and slenderness of the strap that La Coqueta has at the moment. These under-$20 scalloped styles are also beyond adorable and come in fantastic colors. For boys, I like these Elephantito loafers (12.)!
As we head towards summer, Natives (02.) are a go-to of ours for making our way through New York City’s splash pads! I like the milk pink for mini and the red for micro. I’m sure everyone’s already tried these, but they are amazing because you can literally wash them in the sink/hose them down.
A couple of other spring shoes I love for this season…
THESE MINI MELISSAS — I KNOW PEOPLE RAVE ABOUT THIS BRAND!
SOME OF THESE UNDER-$20 SNEAKERS COME IN ADORABLE PRINTS (07. & 17.)
TINY GINGHAM RUFFLE SANDALS FOR AN ITTY BITTY GIRL
THE AFOREMENTIONED $13 CANVAS SNEAKERS — CUTE IN BOTH COLORS!
FOR SLIGHTLY OLDER GIRLS, THESE CANVAS BALLERINAS (04.) ARE ADORABLE, REASONABLY-PRICED, AND COME IN GREAT COLORS
CHUS ARE PRECIOUS AND COME IN GREAT COLORS — THOUGH I PERSONALLY THINK THE QUALITY IS INFERIOR TO CIENTA
ITTY BITTY JACK ROGERS (MEEP)
BIRK-LIKE SHOES FOR A TINY FOOT
CLASSIC CHUCK TAYLORS IN WHITE (19.)
THESE SANDALS LINED IN A STRAWBERRY PRINT ARE DARLING
FLORAL SNEAKERS WITH A BOW! (03.)
POOL SLIDES FOR BIGGER KIDS AND LITTLE KIDS (18.) IN GREAT COLORS ($10/POP!)
CUTE CANVAS SNEAKERS WITH FLORAL LACES
P.S. All the best shorts for your little ones.
P.P.S. Great activities to preoccupy children when indoors/at restaurants/in car.
P.P.P.S. Quiet thoughts on parenting followed by some auspiciousness in the same department.