Livie & Luca barefoot shoes - have you heard of this brand?

[Sportswearclaire]

A friend of mine pointed me in the direction of a new shoe brand in the UK called Livie & Luca. Their shoes are "barefoot", which I really like the sound of, I read something recently about how important it is to let your kids go barefoot wherever possible. They look adorable, I'm thinking about buying a yellow pair for my daughter - has anyone tried them out yet (livieandluca.co.uk)?

Interesting breaking a 13 month silence to come on to MN & let us know..

Can I suggest that this would be better posted in small business ads? (here)

Hmm, not really the response I expected! The last time I came on here my daughter had a very serious problem that, thanks to the chat room, and consequent knowledge I went armed to the doctor with, has now been sorted. I was just wondering whether anyone had any opinions on barefoot shoes/walking, and had heard of this new shoe brand (it's not English) before I fork out any cash.

Sounds a bit Emperor's New Clothes- can't you just give your daughter more opportunities to be barefoot?

God whatever,they are the most gorgeous girls shoes I've ever seen.Those yellow ones are beautiful. I want!!!!!!!

my dd has skinny feet

Yes, totally, gorgeous, I'm in love too! :) But I was interested in the barefoot aspect too, flexible soles etc. My daughter likes wearing Crocs most of the time when the weather's warm, which I'm not convinced are good for little feet. I have Googled it and there's quite a buzz about barefoot shoes for kids, sounds like a no-brainer really (she is barefoot whenever she's at home or in the garden).

My DTs had a pair each that we got in the States. I loved them and they got a lot of compliments. Wasn't aware of the barefoot nature of them, they just looked cute!

they look lovely! not sure if they're really any more "barefoot" than other thin-soled shoes, but they certainly are nice.

I ordered some this eve and will report back. Crocs just do not look good with pretty summer dresses, although my daughter would beg to differ. She already has a lovely pair of sandals that I bought from Zara recently but refuses to wear them because the laces keep coming undone, no such excuse with these, they're fastened with velcro!

I can't see anywhere on their website where they say they are 'barefoot' shoes, they just say 'flexible' sole, but thats nothing new or unique.

In fact, the only bit that mentions barefoot that I found was where on the 'about us' section they say they facilitate the donation of gently-worn shoes to children in Honduras. Children living in poverty are given possibly their first pair of shoes for school and protection from soil-borne infections caused by walking barefoot.

If you are fussed about the care of your DCs feet you are probably better going to a local independent shoe shop and get some shoes that fit well to their feet (and give them a chance to run about barefoot), rather than buying something online because they are branded as 'barefoot' or whatever and hoping they fit well when you get them.

If you're concerned about her feet, then why the hell are you letting her wear crocs and unfitted shoes all the time? Go to an independent shoe shop, get her fitted properly, find something lightweight and supportive that you can easily bend in the palms of your hands. There are lots of brands that do that, you don't need to have them imported.

Try www.happylittlesoles.co.uk I know the lady who runs it, and she's really helpful when it comes to barefoot shoes.

Thanks Cosmic Mouse, my Livie & Lucas turned up this morning and they're just grand, the leather is really soft and they scrunch up easily in your hand (good tip 300DisneyDollars). Really pretty toor. I had a look on Happy Little Soles and am convinced that flexible soled shoes are the way forward, so thanks again Cosmic Mouse.

painsnail, shoes should not be supportive, they should allow the foot and ankle to develop naturally- by not supporting bits that need to develop strength naturally.

Sports are they quite wide,dd is an F[hopeful emoticon]???

Yes they should fit an F no problem. I got a pair about a week ago for my 23 month old and I love them. Only downside is that they don't do half sizes. She's currently a 5.5 F and the 6 is just a bit too big. Still wearable and she's comfy in them but she does need to grow a bit for a perfect fit.

So pleased to have an alternative to baby pink shoes. I had to visit 3 kids shoe shops the previous time I bought her shoes in order to find a pair of navy blue mary janes.

I've been looking for shoes that are flexible sole type things but in bigger sizes, because i have a late walking big footed child and not sure about put him into rigid walking shoes, but ordering online without trying on etc seems a bit of a gamble, would be a pain to have to send things back.. anyone know of some like this that are stocked in shops, in central kinda areas of london? (i saw a couple of places listed as stockist on the site but too far away)

MilaMae, they're a great fit, wide but not too wide - my daughter is an F too. The leather is super soft, which means no socks and sandals, hurrah! Firawla, mine came next day so v quick delivery but can understand your concerns about sending them back, that's the downside to online shopping. I love them though - maybe worth the hassle?