Purchasing Resources for Childrens Shoes

Childrens Shoes Key Terms

Learn important styles and terms for selling children's shoes
By Laurie Edwards Retailers and wholesalers who sell children's shoes need to be aware of style and trends in the industry. Fashion is important to not only children, but also their parents. But fashion should never take priority over the fit and function of shoes. Shoes need to be appropriate for the child's age and stage of development.

Children’s shoes should provide proper arch and heel support. They also need to absorb shock to joints when children run and play. Shoes must be refitted frequently because children's feet grow quickly. Improperly fitted shoes can cause foot problems later in life, so encourage parents to have their children's feet measured often.

Oxford shoes

Oxford shoes are shoes with laces. Originally designed for men, these shoes are also worn by women and children. Throughout recent history, variations of the oxford shoe, such as saddle shoes, have been popular purchases for children.
Try:  wiseGEEK describes the history as well as the physical characteristics of Oxford shoes.

Mary Janes

Mary Janes have been a popular shoe choice for girls for decades. One of the distinguishing features is the strap across the instep. Mary Janes usually have short, rounded toes and flat heels, although some are made also made with heels. Often seen in patent leather, Mary Janes are dressy shoes for special occasions.
Try:  The Dyeable Shoe Store displays several classic styles of Mary Janes and discusses the shoe's history.

Children's orthopedic and therapeutic shoes

Children's orthopedic and therapeutic shoes are specially fitted to provide proper support and alleviate stress to certain areas of the foot. Not as many children need orthopedic or therapeutic shoes as adults do, but those who do have conditions requiring special shoes. For example, children who wear orthopedic braces need shoes that accommodate the braces. Some of orthopedic shoes require prescriptions.
Try:  HealthyFeetStore.com describes children's orthopedic & therapeutic shoes and explains why they are important.

Calibrated foot beds

Calibrated foot beds ensure that children's growing feet are accomodated for approximately three months. Even more importantly, they enable shoe stores to fit children who have different-sized left and right feet.
Try:  Bounty describes the purpose of calibrated foot beds and the process used.

Pre-walkers

Pre-walkers are soft, flexible shoes for babies or young children who are not yet walking regularly. Manufacturers developed these shoes with the needs of crawlers and toddlers in mind. They fit a baby's flatter foot, and the soft sides give when toddlers ankles wobble or crawlers use their feet to push off.
Try:  Babyology discusses the advantages of pre-walkers for toddlers.

Proper fitting

Nowhere is proper fitting more important than in children's shoes. Because a child's feet are still growing, improperly fitted footwear can cause major problems in later development. To prevent future difficulties, sellers of children's shoes must have specialized knowledge in proper fitting.
Try:  Footwear Today explains what sellers need to know about proper shoe fitting for children.

---