Help! Fashion idiot needs to dress DD

[SparklingTwilight]

She's 7, wearing this dress and dark blue leggings (she refuses to wear tights,, so what do I do about socks??). MIL wants to take her out to the theatre and she only has her brothers old scruffy snow boots or bright green trainers.

I would like to get her some "pretty" shoes to wear with it. She's never had any before and I really don't know what I should be looking for. Style, colour? Does it matter on a young child as long as they don't look like trainers?

Patent DM style boots- gets rid if the visible sock issue. But I wouldn't send a child out in new shoes - hope it's not tonight. Although plenty of children go to theatre in trainers, so she won't stand out, although MIL might not like it.

No, it's not tonight, but I am taking her to the show shop this afternoon. I was hoping to get her something she could wear through the summer. Why wouldn't you send a child out in new shoes?

What about a little pair of boots like these:
www.next.co.uk/g52548s13#868227

Or a pair of jazzy ballet flats like these:
www.next.co.uk/g524510s7#158456

These are her trainers, and yes, it's because I don't think MIL would want her in them. I've had to bribe DD to agree to wear a dress MIL was expecting a doll-loving, quiet, dressy-uppy little granddaughter and she got a tree climbing, sword fighting, dress hating tornado instead!

Yes ankle boots are best with leggings, I tend to get ‘party’ boots and shoes from next or the supermarket rather than proper shoe shops. Next have loads of styles and colours. Pink might be nice with that outfit.

Crosspost. Maybe not pink boots then but tan, navy or even black would work.

Ok, thanks will have a look.

I thought that ballerina type shoes are bad for your feet?

If she is only wearing them occasionally but has school shoes and trainers most of the time I don’t see the problem

Can't you work on making your MIL accept your dd as she is, rather than making dd conform?

I think those trainers would be absolutely fine with that dress and leggings! As long as DD is happy and comfortable, MIL can go whistle!

I'd just put her in the trainers or her school shoes if you want her to be smarter! My kids are a bit older and I've bought 'party shoes' that have never been worn in the past because the kids so rarely go to suitable events. So now I don't bother, I spend enough on school shoes and trainers and wellies and football boots and weekend trainers that do all get worn. I'm not buying party shoes that rarely get worn as well!

Those are her school shoes

The issue here is how you deal with your MIL and not your DD shoes.

DD has her own wishes and desires when it comes to her clothes and your MIL is just going to have to get used to it without you having to feel guilty for your DD choices.

Just learn to to smile and shrug your shoulders and say well that's DD for you, turn and walk away.

Yes, I know. But DD has never been in a situation before where she has to look smart! MIL asked me to get her a dress, I said she should take DD shopping so DD could chose, which shocked her. I always let DD choose her own clothes. MIL has finally decided to take DD out alone as a treat so I think she should make the effort, especially as it will mean a lot to MiL and she will be certainly be dressed smartly herself. DD also has to learn that there are times when you have to dress in something other than leggings and a t-shirt. If it were DS going, I'd put him in a proper shirt.

Maybe it's just me ,and my sensitive feet genes , but I wouldn't send a child out ( or go out myself) in new shoes in case they rub/ hurt. And I'd be extra careful with shoes for someone who's used to wearing only soft trainers. Whatever you get, if the shoes are harder than what she's used, let her wear them in at home first.

You need to let her pick shoes or she'll never ever wear them again!

Don't get ballet flats - they fall off when they run or dance at parties - get Mary Janes from a supermarket or similar place, pref with a rubber sole.

You can put the socks on first and then the leggings over the top. As long as leggings same colour as socks it's ok

Party boots (sparkly) are about a tenner in prmark. My dd8 would love your dds trainers and dress btw.