Many parents agonise over making the right choice for their baby’s first pair of shoes, but as your child grows older, their own sense of style will become clear.
Older children and teens can have strong opinions about fashion - opinions that extend all the way to their toes and buying shoes that are stylish yet practical is imperative.
You can find yourself torn between letting them express their inner fashionista, or being the voice of reason and sensibility. Whichever you choose, comfort and fit should always be at the forefront of any footwear choices made and there are a few key things to take into consideration:
Shoe size is a priority and they need to fit properly.
Consider the activity, make sure they’re suitable for their intended purpose.
Check for support, the best shoes support the foot, both front and back. Prolonged wear of unsupportive footwear can alter the way you walk and can cause injuries or discomfort that could be prevented with adequate support.
As well as looking at these key areas when it comes to choosing the correct shoes, we’re also going to check out what’s hot and what’s not when it comes to teen footwear fashion.
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Right now, there are so many different must have styles to choose from so we thought we’d have a quick run through what shoes are in style and wardrobe staples for your child:
Often referred to as ballerina shoes, they’re a go to style for both casual and formal looks. Comfy, stylish and simple they can be teamed with pretty much anything. However, there is a downside to wearing ballerina shoes especially when it comes to growing feet: due to their generally unstructured nature and lack of supportive instep, they can cause problems such as fallen arches and heel spurs. This is especially true if worn regularly, so keep them occasional or introduce a structured insole for more support.
Traditionally associated with male fashion, brogues have become a serious fashion statement in recent years and continue to grow in popularity.
Quintessentially British, brogues are classy and work well with formal tailored trousers, they’re also well-structured and supportive, with a good instep and all round support, making them a suitable dress shoe for school. As the trend develops, so too have the number of styles available. Whether it’s boots, T-bar or lace up brogues that’d you’d prefer, there is definitely something to suit.
When it comes to partying, there’s nothing like a bit of sparkle to get into the swing of things! Party shoes come in all sorts of styles and colours, which isn’t always a good thing when the time comes to choose a pair!
As party shoes are designed to be worn occasionally, they aren’t suitable for long term wear. Many styles are heeled and though wearing heels for a couple of hours shouldn’t cause an issue, wearing them long term or for prolonged periods of time can cause long lasting issues for growing feet such as bunions or ankle problems.
During the winter months, a funky pair of ankle boots is an essential for any mini footwear lover. When buying ankle boots for older children, it’s important to take into consideration what they’re most likely to be used for. If they’re to be worn on a casual basis, ankle boots with a heel should be avoided and comfy fur lined ankle boots might be a better option. There are plenty of options available to suit the needs of your child, whether it’s bows, buckles or a good old fashioned pair of rugged biker boots, each style is designed to offer support and protection against the elements.
Whether it’s for fashion or sport, there’s nothing more comfortable than a good pair of trainers. In recent years, trendy trainers have become a major player in the fashion stakes thanks to celebrity endorsements. With jazzy colours and funky patterns, you really can make a statement.
Picking the right trainers for their intended purpose can be tricky, if they’re going to be used for sport, a good cushioned sole and sturdy instep is needed to absorb any shock, a thick padded collar will also help to support the ankle and prevent any rubbing when moving. It’s important to remember that fashion trainers aren’t suitable for use in high impact sports like running. They don’t have the right amount of shock absorption as trainers designed specifically for that purpose. If however your teen just wants to step out in style with her friends, a snazzy pair of hi tops or light weight lace ups should do the trick.
When the warmer weather moves in, setting your feet free in a cute pair of sandals seems like the only logical thing to do. When buying girls sandals, there are a few things to consider before committing. As with most seasonal shoes, sandals are occasion footwear and shouldn’t be worn for prolonged periods of time due to the lack of all-round foot support. Sandals can also change the way we walk so taking note of this could prevent injury. Consider the occasion, if for general wear opt for a flat foot bed which will offer the most structured support and comfort throughout the day. If shopping for a dressier sandal, a style that incorporates an ankle strap would be recommended to prevent the foot from moving around.
KIDS LOVE SHOES. It’s a fact. Teenagers are especially in touch with what’s hot and what’s not when it comes to footwear. Whether it’s ankle boots or brogues, ballet shoes or trainers that they're into right now, it’s all about the passion for fashion!
Now you've had the lowdown on teens' shoe styles, it's time to kit them out in the latest looks!