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Rockin' the Preschoolians

Published 08.16.2007 | | Comments (10) | TrackBacks (0)

char_modelling.jpgI was going to start my talking about how my family calls me Imelda Marcos because I have so many shoes, but then I realized that might be an outdated reference. So, yeah, I have lots of shoes. When I found out I was doing a review of Preschoolians, a new shoe line for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, I was giddy. My daughter, Charlotte, doesn't quite have the same passion for shoes as I have (she is 3 and a half), but I love shoes in her behalf.

My husband doesn't understand how a little kid would need more than one or two pairs of shoes. One or two?! A kid who is walking needs a pair to run around in, one for dressy occasions, one for water or sand, rubber boots for when it rains, and sandals for summer, at a minimum. My poor poor spouse, I think he thought he wouldn't have to deal with a pile of shoes for the child until she was at least 13. He also never saw the website for Preschoolians. Oh my god. You can pick from a huge selection of pre-styled shoes with a huge selection of purposes for different ages. There are shoes for crawling, new walkers, runners, Mary Janes for girls. A lot of detail and research has been put into making Preschoolian shoes. From their own website:

Pediatricians agree. Barefoot is Best for foot development. Unfortunately, keeping your baby's feet warm, clean and protected from sharp objects is equally important. With these two thoughts in mind, we have developed the most flexible, comfortable, well-fitting shoes for every stage of your child's developmental period.

preschoolian.jpgWithout the insoles, the sole of the shoe is clear, which means you can see exactly where your child's foot is inside their groovy shoes, providing a great fit. I mean Charlotte might shriek if her shoes pinch or rub, but she isn't great at verbalizing where exactly her footwear is bothering her. This is worse still for younger children who are not verbal yet. They also provide three different insoles for you little one; narrow, medium, and wide. I have never seen an innovation like that. They are also machine wash- and dry-able.

preschoolian2.jpg

Honestly though, I love the shoes, I love the website, but by far the coolest thing is designing your, I mean your child's, own shoe. You can pick the colors for all parts of the shoe; uppers, sides, tops, laces, straps, depending on the shoe style. I spent an ungodly amount of time on the site and soon as I was sent the url. This would actually be a great activity for you to do with your child as a fun new school year thing. They could help you pick the colors to match their knapsack or their favorite action figure. The sizes only go up to 10 and I would love to see them expand that. I think most kids (ok, parents too), would LOVE to pick out colors and styles to make their shoes exactly how they want them.

My other quibble, besides the sizes not going large enough was the fit at the heel of the Mary Janes we got for Charlotte. The padded area around the heel made the shoes a little difficult to get on and she was not too pleased with the fiddling and pushing required to get them on so she could jump on the couch in her underpants. We were trying them on in bare feet, and perhaps a sock would have made the process easier. The leather is very soft and will probably give, but initially they were a bit "sticky" to push on an uncooperative preschoolian.

If I could rate these shoes out of, lets say 5, they would get a 4.78 and a 4 from the Russian Judge.

Go ahead, visit Preschoolians.

You can follow JenB's shoe escapades, and much more, at JenandTonic.

Related Content:
Pediped Shoes for Babies and Toddlers
Bical Shoes


Comments (10):

mommyknows.com said:

These look so cute!

Thanks for the tip.

MK

Posted on August 17, 2007 23:55

erika said:

oooh! That is a very dangerous site!

Posted on August 20, 2007 14:46

Crabmommy said:

Lordy, I read this just after I was browsing filthy second-hand sneakers for Crabtot at our local filthy second-hand one-and-only kiddie vintage store in Crabtown. I believe I am that poor, so poor that a Preschoolian is but a distant dream. I have always found them fabulously fetching, though. But I am such a tightwad with my tot. I actually bought her the most hideous clompy orthopedic-looking sneakers last week from KMART. I hide my face in shame. But $9.99 people. And at least bloody Dora's not on them. I got the last Dora-free pair. Whoo hoo! Shopping score!

Posted on August 20, 2007 17:59

Jenn Bo said:

I'm still giggling over the rating. Love the post!

hahahahaha!

Posted on August 22, 2007 01:02

Jetsset said:

We love Preschoolians- Fell in love immediately but the first pair we received were of the first walkers variety and one trip to the park and the sole had water seeped through- yuck- especially at that price point. The second pair is doing awesome!!! We got the runners and the boy loves his shoes... He's a bit of a shoe hound anyhow.

Posted on August 23, 2007 17:56

Busy Mom said:

We LOVE Preschoolians at our house. They are the greatest shoes. I wish they made them a little bigger, too, though.

Posted on September 5, 2007 10:20

theresa said:

We just bought our first pair of Preschoolians and we LOVE them! My son is 14 months old and is so used to being barefoot, he CANNOT walk in standard baby shoes. He falls over and looks so stiff. Although, with these Preschoolians, he literally was walking around as if he was barefoot!

Unfortunately, the size I ordered just fits him perfectly now, so I will be returning for the next size up. :( I can't wait for him to be able to wear them!

Posted on September 28, 2007 05:22

Kate said:

We love these shoes! My daughter used to try everything to get shoes off,but now she keeps these on all day! The best part was I got a new pair on ebay for 11.99. Love them!

Posted on January 2, 2008 14:49

Andreea said:

Preschoolians do thank you very much for the wonderful words. Please remember, 15% off for new customer, 10%off for returning customer, 40% off for twins / triplets. Guarantee of 3 months for manufacturer's defect , Free measuring device, 3 Pair of Insoles wide/ narrow / medium with each style, Visu Fit window on each shoe sole to see exactly how they fit AND the larger size ( up to 32 ) that will be added . And of course great customer support that will always help you as BEST as they can. Andreea - andreead@preschoolians.com

Posted on February 13, 2008 14:51

katie said:

Went to StrideRite to get my daughter her first pair of shoes, only to find out that her foot is extra wide, with a high arch! The only shoes that worked looked like the kind i wore over 30 years ago. Thank god for Preschoolians. In the end the preschoolians were cheaper than the extra wide shoes at the store (and whole lot cuter ;)

Posted on January 26, 2010 18:00

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