Sandals for DD 18 months

[TheWiseOldElf]

The recent warm weather has inspired me to get DD a pair of summer sandals. I've previously bought her shoes from Clarks but their sandals are hideous not to my taste.

I would prefer to get shoes properly fitted but is this really necessary with sandals which are open toed anyway? I quite like these from Next which have a velcro fastening. In an ideal world I would get her some saltwater sandals but they don't come in width fittings either and seem to only realistically available online.

Any thoughts/recommendations?

I'm not sure having them properly fitted is necessary, as it is easy to see for yourself what fits with sandals.

I think you need to try them on though. My DC have high insteps, and lots of styles dig in. I find styles which have two seperate bits, like the ones you linked, never fit my DC. I can never buy shoes online for them unless I order multiple styles and send all the others back.

But if your dd has more sensibly shaped feet, Vertbaudet do lovely sandals

Please please don't get open toed sandals for an 18 month old.

Been a CM/nanny for 35 years and had so many children trip on the open front part and really smash their poor faces on hard pavements.

Doodles type are best at that age.

I would also probably avoid open toe at 18 months but I think the SeaWee sandals are more suitable than the ones you linked to, I don't think all those straps would be comfy on little toddler feet.

Something like this?
happylittlesoles.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_16&products_id=1266

Elf I am getting Saltwaters for my DD because nothing else fits her - such narrow feet. I have a pair and they are so comfortable, and the littlest ones (SeaWees) are adjustable both front and ankle. DD's father is sending them from the US because they are so much cheaper ($25 vs £38 ) but I am happy to report on width when they get here. Fwiw Clarks and Startrite sandals don't come in varied width fittings either, irritatingly, they just assume the variable ankle strap will do the work. But the sole is too unwieldy for DD . Will report back on the Sea Wees if you're still looking.

Really glad I started this thread as I hadn't even thought about danger of open toed sandals. Really like the ones you linked to Lucked and would like a report back on the seawees thanks rootypig.

For us the adjustability of the open toes and ankle strap might still be better than the alternative, which is shoes falling off her feet - I'm hoping the baby saltwaters are as light as mine. will report back

I just got my toddler these sandals from Ecco. They aren't as stylish as some of the open toe ones but they are cool without being open toed and properly support her feet. The older silver and lilac version are nicer and available on Amazon in some sizes.

I think I'll get my dd boys sandals like this from clarks because the girls ones are horrid/open toed. We don't really have much choice of where to buy shoes locally!

Start-rite have some closed-toe/fisherman style ones here - though I prefer the navy ones in the boys' section. Amazon and Javari are often good for sandals and like a PP, I prefer sandals with a closed toe for little ones as I'm always worried about tripping over and scraping those tiny feet . Failing that, most shoe shops stock those Doodle type canvas sandals at a fraction of the price of real ones (M&S had lovely ones last summer for £8 I think).

Hijack! Exactly the same as OP, the warm weather inspired me to look for sandals for my DD who is 16mnth and has been walking since Christmas in Clarks leather Mary Janes..

She has very small narrow feet size 3 and all the sandals I tried today are way to wide. We tried Clarks, mothercare, m&s and tesco.

Are any of the high street shops narrower?

I was looking at open toes so I am grateful for the mashed toes warning -will avoid them then!

adagio I have a 17mo who is 4D. none of the sandals we tried, closed toe or otherwise, have fit. The sole is simple too wide and gathering the adjustable strap is inadequate - there's just way much shoe to foot! let me know if you find anything... I'm going to report back on Sea Wees when I get them (open toe though)

Update: I found a stockist of Saltwater Sandals fairly local to me (no website but this is their FB page) and have bought the sea wees. DD measured a UK 4.5 (they didn't measure width but was previously measured as an F in Clarks) and I have bought a size 4 which is plenty big enough. Going by the advice on SunSan here I would probably have gone for a 6 so I'm really glad we went to try them.

Re the issue with the open toe, she walks well in them but I'm mindful of the advice and I think I'll get to a pair of Doodles for her to wear for trips out where there's a risk of more uneven ground.

I have just got these for DS almost 3. I love pedipeds and the lovely lady at Little soles sent out other sizes for us to try with no upfront cost.

I had a similar pair for him last year from clarks and would have got some again this year but they had none like this as they were all open toed. I worried about stubbing toes and hadn't even thought about trip hazards.

here . They come in a range of colours.

Interesting Elf. DD measures a 4, just about, and her dad is sending a 4. Sounds like they'll be too big. och well, she'll have to carry on in her t bars til she puts on a spurt!

It hasn't been warm enough for sandals where we live so far, but I would also question getting open toed sandals for an 18 month old. A lot of primary schools have good reason for banning them because it is much easier to trip in sandals than closed toe shoes.

I would get some canvas shoes instead.