High heels on a 5 yr old - Am I being unreasonable?

[Spagblog]

DD is going to be 5 soon so my mum took her on a shopping trip.
They came back with a gorgeous pair of boots and some party shoes. The shoes were from Next and have a 5cm heel.
I told DD that she was too young for heels before the trip. However she convinced my mum they were what she wanted.

It isn't Mum's fault though. I should have warned her what not to buy, but I thought she would have helped her pick flat shoes. She was very strict on my shoes when I was growing up!

I don't like seeing small children clumping around in heels and I want to take them back.

Am I being precious about it?
I'll try and find a link to the shoes. They're not hideous by all means, but I just think she's too young for heels!

LOL

I took the shoes back and had a rant at the totally bemused and unconcerned assistant.
We now have flat sparkly ones.

Will definitely sign petition

God I find the sight of very young girls in adult style clothing extremely disturbing. What the hell sort of message does it give out to dress a child in mini skirts and high heels. I am so mad and old that I can't even bear spagetti straps on my DD. I am up for signing a petition/sticking stickers etc.

Ooh, I love them (for me) having small feet can be an advantage as I find adult shoes too high but those would be just right.

For a 5 year old, no way.

Luckily dd also aged 5 has small feet so shoes like that don't come in her size yet. To be honest I am against compk,aining to Next as I guess that these shoes are meant for 10-14 year olds, they seem to start at size 9 and go up to 6's which is about right. Don't penalise those of us with small feet (my mum is a size 2's)

Hula, I'm guessing your dd's ballroom shoes are more of a low block or cuban heel. Totally different to these ones.

I think they are really tarty. Take them back.

What about if Next pay for treatment when the 5 year olds of today have feet and back problems?

julietnetmum my 5yo is a size 10.5 and his feet are on the small side. My friend's 2 yo DD is in size 7.5 so I think they are aimed at younger children as well. Not many 10 yos still in a size 9.

I have to admit being a size 5 I have been known to buy the odd item of footwear from the girls dept.

Blinking heck Bozza, dd is aged 5 and is a size 7 and a half to an 8.

Ds is almost 3 and is a size 5.

I do have huge problems getting shoes for them. When she started nursery at age 3 dd was a size 6 and none of the school shoes started until size 7's, in the summer months they only started at size 9.

DD is 2.6 and has size 7.5 feet ... DS is 5.9 and size 12

Ooh what big feet they have twig. DD is only a 6. juliet it sounds as though your children have inherited you small feet. And also that these shoes are definitely aimed at infant school aged children.

all the better to kick you in the shin withs

It's absolutely outrageous that these sandals are being sold. I've emailed Next (thanks for the link, mammaduck) and told them I won't be buying any more clothes from them for me or for my baby daughter (currently on the way) until I hear that they've dropped them from the range.

Have you seen these silver ones?! The heels on them are even narrower!
here

i went looking for boots for my little girl and all i could find were boots with heels some of them up to 3cm- wouldnt be too much of a prob if she was a few years older but she is only 21 months and been walking 4 months. wouldnt dream of putting them on her. the only boots i could fond without a heel were baseball boots which no good for winter as they're canvas.

I was in Next today and saw the silver shoes from Vesela's link in size 9. The heel is narrow and they look almost like stilettoes. My dd1 had some size 9 trainers from Next soon after she turned 3.

I have emailed Next to complain.

Has anyone heard back from Next yet?

Yes! I received this email on Friday:

Customer Service Department
[email protected]

Our Ref: 3339551

Thank you for your recent e mail, and I am sorry you are unhappy with some of the girls shoes which we currently sell, and especially the Pink Diamante sandal.

You have raised some valid concerns, and I have therefore spoken with one of our Children's Shoe Technologists.

She has confirmed that all our shoes are wearer trialled before being approved for production, and the general feedback from customers has been positive on these shoes, which have been available for some time.

They are also intended to be partywear, and not for everyday use, but I can see why your daughters may be pressing you to have a pair.

They have remained in production because of customer demand for these styles of shoe, and also because we do follow current fashion trends and what other retailers are doing. For example, the supplier we use also supplies shoes to Marks and Spencer, and Barratts, although our aim is always to give the widest possible choice of products.

However, we are also very aware that shoe design is very important at a time when Children's feet are growing, so we do not buy in heeled shoes in every size. Also, smaller sizes are fitted with smaller heels.

In view of your concerns, I will ensure that your valued comments are passed on to our Childrenswear Product Director, for further reference when final buying decisions are made.

I must therefore thank you for taking the time and trouble to contact us.

With kind regards,

Tim Barnacle
Customer Service Department

You can also contact the Customer Service Department at Desford Road, Enderby, Leicester, LE19 4AT. Telephone: 0845 071 2911. Fax: 0116 284 2318.

As expected really - diplomatic response but obviously thinks I'm some mad old bat with nothing better to do with my time...

"Wearer trialled" ffs - that really reassures me , and I'm sure that the only place my "valued comments" will be passed is straight into the bin.

Oh well.

Tim Barnacle

My LO isn't going to have high heeled shoes for a while yet, but come on I'm sure we all nagged on at our mums for them! Don't really see the problem in small heels for say 10 yrs ish for parties.

However, I don't like buying shoes from places other than the "proper" shoe shops for LO as most places don't do the range of widths or half sizes that they offer. Have seen lots & lots of flatter shoes for LOs.

Don't really see how a shoe is sexy - surely it's what they are worn with that determines how sexy they are?

Spagblog - ugh! defo take them back. I can see the appeal for your 5 yr old though. She must have thought that all her christmases had come at once! . It's kind of cute that she thought she could get away with it with grandma.. - especially since they are BLACK!!! Whatever happened to little girls liking pink ballet pumps??? btw I showed the pic to my dd (age 8) and she loooovvvvess them What is the world coming to?????

Ok, so I've just had an email from Tim Barnacle at Next, and it's different from the one BonyM had, so I appreciate the individual replies.

Still, I wasn't impressed by its content.

Thank you for your recent e mail,

I write in response to your recent email regarding your views on the Satin Heeled Sandals we are currently selling for children.

I would like to thank you for bringing to our attention your dissatisfaction with these shoes. Can I confirm how concerned we are to read such comments, and also reassure you we do take all complaints of this nature seriously. This matter has been brought to the attention of our Children's Wear Technology and Buying Managers.

The sandals in question have been designed for occasional wear only, as party shoes and certainly not for everyday use. Our range has included a heeled party sandal for many years and whilst the style of the shoe each season will try to reflect the current trends and demands, each shoe must meet our stringent safety standards, which are of utmost importance and every item in the range passes through an approval process.

In addition, each shoe prototype is fitted on girls, who attend fitting sessions with a parent or guardian and whose feedback is listened to carefully to ensure both the fit and actual style is suitable. With regard to the heel I can advise that it is graded, with the heel reducing in height as the sizes get smaller.

There is no currently no British or European standard which recommends a maximum heel height for children's shoes, but our inclusion of these styles in the party range reflects the guidelines from the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists which recommends such styles are reserved for occasional wear.

We should reiterate that we do offer alternative party shoes without a heel and leave the style selection to individual parents. Over one third of sales of this style of shoe this season have been on sizes 9 to 12 at the lower end of the range, for younger children, which suggests that there is a real demand for this type of product.

Nevertheless, we were extremely interested to read your opinions on this matter, and your comments and concerns will be taken into consideration when future ranges are designed and manufactured.

Finally, I would like to thank you once again for taking the time and trouble to contact us regarding this matter and please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can be of any further assistance.

Yours sincerely

Tim Barnacle
Customer Service Department

Don't even get me started....I almost had a fit when I saw these (high heeled Bratz wellies) in Woolies.

Who is buying this junk?

heeled wellies!!!!! they are gross too.

Perfect for falling over, getting leg-ache and sore toes on muddy walks. Very practical white fur too

BellaLasagne, they are hideous...wouldn't buy even if they weren't healed!!

YUK!!