Shoes.... can you buy in advance???

[DribblersMum]

I'm going to america in Septmber. I have a baby who's 6 months.... I wondered - can I buy shoes for him, in advance, for when he's older - e.g. shoes for when he's 3 years old? i.e. will his feet grow into them, or is there differences in width, etc?

He's my PFB, so I have no idea how kids shoes work....

Thanks :)

[MirandaGoshawk]

No, your child ought to have his feet measured so that you buy the correctly-fitting shoes.

I'm sure you'll be able to buy them over there, when the time comes!

[plinkplonk]

No

[DribblersMum]

damn! There goes my brilliant plan. Probably won't be able to afford America again til he's 21!

Thanks!

[olibeansmummy]

Depends what sort of shoes. You could buy trainers in advance as they don't really do width fittings. In fact in America ( and most other countries) they don't do width fittings at all!

[Frawli]

You can get the shoes in advance if you want to but if I were you I would then get them fitted when you think he's the right size. Clarks stores will check the fit of shoes for you even if you haven't bought them there.

I got my little girl some sale Clarks boots on the off chance that they will fit her this winter. I am obviously taking the risk that they won't, and if they don't fit her properly then I'll just have to try and ebay them.

[BikeRunSki]

Proper shoes need to be properly fitted. My DSs feet change width as well as size, and there is no predicting when they are going to grow. Last year he went from a 5g to a 6.5 e in six weeks. This summer they have been an 8e since March. I buy him Converse shoes in advance though.

[Sirzy]

You cant predict how fast they will grow but as long as they arent width fitted then you can buy for at some point in the future. Although be warned if you DS has very wide feet then some styles may never fit him!

[BikeRunSki]

.. or very narrow feet (mother of child who has a tendency to D or E fittings)

[Morph2]

Also just because they have a certain size and width not all shoes will fit them. My boy (who is 4g) has a high instep so none of the shoes with the elastic across the front will fit

As an aside I got his clarks shoes from the factory shop in weston supermare, they were £14.

[megkat]

morph2 there's a Clarks factory shop in Blackpool too - 2 pairs of school shoes this week for £25!!

My DDs feet grow really slowly so I wouldn't be able to buy in advance - a seven and a half year old only in 11 1/2, and she'll probably stay that way til next year lol

[Meglet]

No. You'll never know what size they will be.

Also because (sods law) you will buy a size in a summer style and they won't be that size until winter.

You could do it with wellies ( I stock up on red ones when I see them), but not worth spending money on proper shoes until they need that size.