What's happening in 2016 in Kid's Fashion

WHAT WILL BE HAPPENING IN 2016...

Chooze "Spark" in Paint Pink

According to Earnshaws, the ultimate publication in need to know fashion trends for kids, the sky is sort of the limit right now...

Fashion trends for this year seem to be following our brainwaves as a culture- they are all over the map. Both literally and figuratively.

WeConnectFashion, a leading b2b fashion industry network even illustrates this with their forecast of the fashion trend "Traveler's Notebook", an adventurous virtual tour in patterns reflecting maps and postage stamps..

And back to Earnshaws, as we continue to turn our hearts towards exploration, we follow up the star gazing celestial trends of Fall 2015 with "Grey Matter", or shades of grey, silver and metallics, reflecting the unknown and outer limits of our World- 

Sperry Voyager

Mixing and matching patterns is also on high gear, (and as well should be when we are talking about Children, who really know how to rock that eclectic look!), Polka dots, with stripes, with zigs and with zags. There's no rules, just as there are none in the World around us when it comes to color play. 

Animal prints always factor well when it comes to mixing patterns and that brings me back to more of Earnshaws predictions. The "Wild Side" is completely on trend in 2016, and available in multiple shades. 

Acorn Moc Tex Pink Ocelot

Animal prints have long been a mainstay for kids who seem to be naturals at tapping into their inner cat, giraffe, panda and whatnot. Well it's time to wear those bold prints on their sleeves, literally, in all their glory!

He/she is your little wild cat, or monkey, right?

Robeez Monkey Miles

So what is the main takeaway for 2016? Expression, exploration, mingling and mashup. we are living in in many ways tumultuous times sometimes, but it's a great big universe, with plenty more out there to see. Let's be a part of it, and let's encourage our children to get to know it, express themselves in it, and learn from it... And with that, hope to see you in 2016!

-Little Feet Children's Shoes

Kids at Little Feet

So you may have already read my post about how I got here; there were a lot of life events that led up to this current role. Us shoe people don't end up the way we do by mistake you know ;). It's sort of a calling. If you've ever talked to any other "Shoe Dog", as we are often called, you would probably agree that we are a special "Breed" :). But let me just add that this is the most fulfilling experience I've ever had in all my involvement within the retail footwear industry. Working with children and their parents as clients is deeply gratifying in more ways than I am guessing you might know, unless I explain a little...

First off, don't get me wrong, I loved being a part of the women's shoe universe. I could tell too many stories about the raptures of smelling a great aromatic (Nerd Alert!) leather boot or admiring the gentle slope of a really well sculpted wedge heel. I would bore some I'm sure but I trust there are several out there who can appreciate those sentiments regarding the world women's shoes ;).
But children add something to the experience that has reached into my gut, bearing witness that I have arrived at something more internally fulfilling, for lack of a better term. I'd like to share because it never hurts to be reminded of just how important little ones are in the lives of the people in a community.
What do I mean? Well consider this: there are so many events, emotions and people tugging at all of our senses on a daily basis, and that can be overwhelming, managing it all. Our various worlds are all interfacing day after day, and we are sometimes lucky to come away from it  at the end of the day, without being drained and exhausted. We're bogged down with bills and shopping lists. Maybe some are dealing with a broken down car,  perhaps others are feeling drained from managing a relationship with a co-worker or a relative. Students may be concerned about tests, Bosses may be concerned about numbers. There's always something.  But you know...kids keep things light in a manner of speaking. Really. That fresh perspective can really help take the edge off. Kids offer that nugget of perspective that's so simple, so pure, so true and often big smile inducing. They can be quite entertaining and insightful! They don't  mean to be, but they have a knack for illustrating the nuances of human behavior at its simplest, which can be a gentle reminder of how ridiculously complicated us adults make things! I'm glad to have the opportunity to catch some of the humor in my moments with children.
Recently there was this one little guy Cade, about 4 years old, who came in. He's always with his big (6,7 years?)brother. He just wants to BE that big brother. He watches everything his older sibling does, and copies it, word for word, action for action, as if no one will notice that this wasn't the first time we saw that. I'll tell you what I found so funny about it. Lets be honest, that's what grown people do too, but we  try to be subtle with our antics. We "copy" and "borrow" ideas and mannerisms if we think they are interesting or they might round out our social repertoire. We buy our magazines and products hoping to emulate whatever will make us more interesting, attractive or hip. The difference being that we adopt those ideas quietly and then try them out subtly with our friends and colleagues. With kids, what you see is what you get. If they are "trying to impress", you know it! 
 Kids aren't bogged down like you and me. They just say what they mean and mean what they say and that's all there is to it. I guess I just appreciate how that really serves to keep things light. It makes for a really nice break from all the complexity us adults are contending with on a regular basis, that sometimes puts a furrow in our brow.
This same little guy, I remember the last time I measured his foot. He held on to every word that came out of my mouth. He wanted to be sure he got his part right. He grabbed onto my shoulder while standing and I could hear him breathing really loud, concentrating with all his might on being the best little guy to get his foot measured ever.  I laughed out loud because his eagerness was so sweet. His mom had a chuckle too; he was trying so hard.  In addition to the obvious humor of it all, that kind of interaction makes me feel good, as it made him feel important and mom got a moment's relief from her constant role of  being the "leader/guru". Those kinds of events just reach in and touch my heart so I feel lucky to experience them on a daily basis.
Kids can just generously and shamelessly make our days. I always get a kick out of it when a child calls me "teacher" which I consider a high compliment! Teachers are important leaders to our children, so for me to get in on that title, I consider myself lucky!
Another example of a little one bringing a great big smile to my face was this one time when after having a successful fitting with a very captive "student", a boy of about 2 1/2 years, I  wrapped up and sent Mother and Son on their way, returning to the task I was working on before they had arrived. I had been working near the front door and  was setting some items on a small low display table while I re-merchandised an adjacent wall. I had opened the front door, as it was a light breezy day and it felt good to get some fresh air. I could see Mom, out of the corner of my eye, who was meandering a bit, looking at a menu posted on the window at the deli right next door. Well the little guy was sort of slowly shuffling back in the direction of our Shoe Store, so I kept an eye out, in case a second set of eyes was needed. It wasn't long before he had scooted his way back inside the door. Mom had noticed too, saw me there, and took a moment to wrap up taking in the menu items figuring her guy was adequately corralled for the moment. I said "well howdy again" to the toddler and smiled. From there I noted he suddenly planted  his little diaper bum on the low table I was working off of. It was then that he slowly, methodically scoot scoot scooted his little bottom closer and closer and closer, in small increments mind you, towards me where I was working. At last I felt a slight bump. A little bit of heavily padded contact, if you will. And there he was just sidling up, shyly smiling. It was sweet. The fact that this little guy had mapped out his target and then proceeded to orchestrate his version of a "covert" attack, just to say in his own way "Hey, I like you", well that just tickled me :). Yes, this is the stuff that makes my day!
Sometimes it's something as silly as the little girl Sophie who after donning new sneakers, suddenly took off running, and excited, called back, "WOW! These are FAST!" Mama chimed in laughing, pointing out, "Well Sophie, that's you! YOU'RE fast!" Little Sophie then "realized" her mistake, at first surprised but then, impressed with herself :).
Yes it's fun for me. I know I know! You are probably not always feeling the same Mom, Dad, Grandma, and I get it. You have so many responsibilities with caring for that child, and here I am, saying its easy and fun. I just ask that you forgive me for having the luxury to just enjoy all these precious children. Of course then I just go home.  No Naps, No crying, No Diapers for me... How lucky am I?
But seriously, I do want to thank you for letting me be a part of your lives, because I learn a little more everyday from these kids about life, about what is really important, and mostly, just how to smile :).

Passing down shoes. Is it a "Yes"? Or a "No go!"...

Who remembers hearing that study a few years back about the cost of raising a kid these days? It was a staggering number. The facts stated in 2004 gave a cost range of anywhere between $184,123 to $269,520 per child. And those stats have only increased considerably since then. I've heard recent estimates of $435,430 to 1.6 Million per child. Of course various factors play into those numbers, like, whether you are saving for college tuition, the cost of Insurance premiums, and even whether your family purchases bottled water and Satellite television. But we get the drift, and suffice it to say, even in lower income households we can expect to pay at least a QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS per child these days. Wow! That's a chunk of change, no kidding, so it's with that in mind that we parents consider how best to allocate that money.
The economic downturn we have all been experiencing in one way or another the last few years has really determined a redirect in the trajectory of our family expenses. We have all had to cut back and make adjustments in order to adapt to the times. And of course that recalibration of outgoing expenses includes how to reduce that aforementioned great big number attached to the raising of children. One way has been to recycle and reuse clothing within the household. The question is then, in regards to footwear, is this always a good thing?
Lets start with the idea of recycling; I love it! I've been reusing bags, making slaw out of left over broccoli stalks, and passing on used clothing for as long as I remember. As a teenager I considered it a badge of honor to shop secondhand, finding treasures which I would use to express the affinity I had for retro kitsch, for a few bucks at a time. This was before Thrift Store shopping was cool mind you. I've always washed and reused plastic utensils, embellished jeans with the stray beads from broken necklaces, you name it. So I get it, believe in it, and will always support that message of being responsible with resources.
Kids clothes are an item I absolutely can get behind passing on. There is no shortage of virtually unused secondhand kids clothes out there, and I say "Go for it!" when it comes to giving them a longer life. Between family members, the sharing of clothes can also illicit sentimental feelings, triggering memories from the first child that wore the item. But when it comes to shoes, there are a few things that must be considered:

Your child's feet are growing and developing. She/He needs shoes that fit their specific feet properly.  They need growing room for all toes. It's not just the big toe to consider either. Some kids longest toe may be their middle toe! Their shoes should fit properly not only in length but also width. Hand-me-down shoes that are too large or just shaped by another foot can cause problems. Those passed on shoes may even fit most of the foot, but not all of it. I have seen this firsthand, where a young girl I was fitting was quietly suffering because her outer toe did not have the room it required. She was compensating by curling her toe under in order to bear with the circumstances. She never questioned what that constant curling of the toe was doing. Why would she? She's a kid, and to be honest, she was pretty attached to her big sister's hand me downs and therefore, the slight discomfort was a non issue for her. Just because a shoe has the same number size as the earlier child, that doesn't mean the shape is suited for the specifics of the new wearer.

Something else to consider is even some lightly worn shoe uppers don't always tell the story of what is going on inside. Our feet make imprints in the inner soles of our shoes. When shoes are passed down to another child, their feet will not have the same support that they need to start with. No two children have feet that are alike. So, by being worn even a little, the shoes are broken in, or molded, to only fit the original owner. Body weight, gait, and habits are all now recorded in the insides of that pair.

It is also imperative that shoes bend appropriately at the point where the ball of the foot bends at the toes. If this bending occurs at the wrong  place  in the shoe, the shoe will cause severe problems, pain or foot malfunction. Remember, size is just a number, and styles vary in fit. If you take into account the entire bio mechanics of the body, you will observe how everything radiates upward. Foot malfunction leads to knee malfunction, which then causes hip malfunction, and then the spine has to respond, and so on. So it is especially important to start at the ground up. Bear in mind too that we often don't start shopping for shoes for our kids until they say something like "Ouch, these are tight!" And we are lucky if they do have the wherewithal to even express this sentiment. In the case of the young girl I mentioned, our little subject wasn't about to say a word about her compromised situation, so it is vital that parents take on this responsibility.

To avoid these problems, make sure that every foot gets properly measured with a Brannock device that takes into account the heel to ball length, the width and the overall length of the foot. All feet are different and all shoes fit all feet differently.
An additional health consideration is this:

Feet inside of a shoe are creating warmth and moisture to the environment. This can be a perfect storm for certain bacteria and fungus to thrive within the materials and lining. Many of these organisms especially the fungus can survive within the shoe for as long as a year, and then pass along to the next foot to wear that shoe. I hate to say it, but sharing shoes, is a little like sharing dirty towels. In particular when it comes to children who, ahem, break all the rules when it comes to proper hygiene, and I say that lovingly :).

Should you NEVER pass on shoes? I would say the answer to that is definitely "No!" Take heart because there are certainly times when passing on shoes is appropriate, and the first one that comes to mind is infant shoes! Baby shoes and young children's shoes are usually worn very little. Littlest one's feet grow so darn fast, that these types of shoes usually have escaped excessive wear and so are usually perfectly acceptable to pass down. Some tips for passing down shoes are:

1. Make sure they fit properly and aren't too big, or too small

2. Inspect the inside. If they show much wear there, toss them, especially if there is an imprint

3. Check the outsides of the shoes. Are there worn down parts on the soles? Check the inside portion of the foot as well as the outside. Some kids roll in or out. If there is more wear on either parts, get rid of them.

4. Make sure your younger child is not only getting a pair of shoes when the older sibling has grown out of a pair. Children grow at different rates. To be sure, have children professionally sized at regular intervals, by a fitting professional.

Kids are costly, to be sure, but when you consider the overall development of a child's body, and the impact feet will take in a lifetime, I can assure you, you will be doing everyone a favor financially in the long run by giving kids a chance to own a healthy body their entire lives! As for opportunities to save money, I think we are on the right track there as a society. We are learning new ways to be resourceful every single day, and who can argue with that?!

About us:
Little Feet Children's Shoes is a family owned quality Children's Shoe Store. We are located at 24 North Bartlett Street in Downtown Medford Oregon. You can also visit our website at littlefeetshoes.com

Who is Little Feet Children's Shoes?

Ahhhh here goes... Little Feet's brand new blog! And on that note I would first love to give a little background on who we are, and how we came to be, specifically how it is I the owner came into the Children's Shoe business and why I think that helps to set us apart as a unique Children's Shoe store.
Maybe some have found us through our website; they might have already seen the "About us" section and read a little, or maybe just browsed the selection and have seen the styles we carry for kids and somehow ended up here.  Others may have discovered us via one of our social sites, and in following us have experienced snapshots of the Little Feet Shoes store, it's products and our day to day happenings. That's wonderful! Allow me to round out the picture a little and hopefully assure you that you can feel confident trusting our store as one of the many qualified resources for your growing child
Little Feet is a small "mom and pop" store, operated by myself, Darcie Maassen and my Family here in Medford Oregon. I consider this little operation to be mostly my baby, if you'll pardon the pun, so I'll tell you a bit about me.
I grew up in the shoe business. My preschool years were spent goofing around at "ABC Junior Bootery" in San Bruno California. This was a Children's shoe store that my father operated, one very much like Little Feet I feel, in many ways. Those were good times. Highlights for me included playing in the wooden playhouse inside the store that was filled with toys and books. My father had also obtained a little movie booth that played cartoon films of Woody Woodpecker and Friends for a quarter. When I wasn't entertaining myself there I was just observing the actions that my father performed on a daily basis which I quickly tied into the world of Kids shoes. There was that little stool he sat on, where he'd set the child's foot while he took shoes on or off. An instrument that looked like a funny ruler was always near by to take some measurements. When measuring both feet was completed he'd disappear and return with several boxes that  he would set out in front of clients, spread on the floor like freshly opened presents. Some goofing and playing by my father always happened too, to ease little ones who were unsure; the infamous, "where's your nose? There's your nose!" trick, and that sort of thing. All those memories stick with me.
My family actually operated various shoe related stores in both Northern and Central California throughout my childhood. We moved to Central California when I was in my early school years. There we shared a business with my Mother's Sister and her family. It was a Sporting Goods store and that's where I first became more familiar with the nuts and bolts of retail in general. I can recall earning quarters unpacking and hanging swimwear, and checking in boxes of Wilson and Spalding Baseball mitts. My favorite part was always stocking the shoe shelves. I became intimate with all manner of athletic swooshes from Nike to Puma, and that's also where I first traced with my finger the outline of a star on the Converse All Stars. We didn't have enough room for all the stock in the store so some items were stored in our garage at home. I recall having to weave around shelves full of "Old School"(only they were new back then) Vans, with checkerboard patterns, and color blocking schemes. My parents put their all into this business, and were known in the small town we lived in as THE place to find anything and everything athletic. You could also count on my parents and Aunt and Uncle delivering the best service around and that was a big part of our store's reputation. It seemed like wherever we would go, people would stop and say hello, chat, and inevitably talk Sports and Sportswear. I always loved being a big part of the community. There was always a friend, whether at the Bank, the Donut Shop, or the Grocery store.
Later we moved back North to San Jose and it was there that my father returned to the trusted name of Stride Rite, opening a couple of stores with a partner. That meant more days, earning more quarters, stocking, listening, and learning the business. The store was thriving and it was a time when many parents were really interested in making sure they had the best shoes for their children in their early development years. We had several distinguished clients at the time that I can recall, including a couple of players from the nearby 49ers football team, including Bubba Paris, and Ronnie Lott.
When I was old enough to work for an actual real wage, I tried out many different jobs, but you can be sure that one of those early experiences was working at a Stride Rite store in the mall a bit closer to our home, under the direction of my fathers Associate.
Fast forward to my adult life and I can tell you I never got away from retail. In my early adult years I had moved to Southern Oregon and I got a job at the local department store in, you guessed it, the shoe department. This time it was Women's shoes though. As a woman, I thoroughly enjoyed being around stacks and stacks of glorious shoes. My closet has never lacked in the footwear department, I will tell you that much. Eventually I became a buyer and spent my full days combing over and learning all about shoes. I wanted to know what it was about each collection that made it special and where those company dollars would be best spent. Over time I have certainly learned the difference between shoddy craftsmanship, and quality. I've realized too that some brands have no depth, while others are built on a reputation of research and development adopting all the features that further enhance the bio-mechanics of the human body. To put it bluntly I have become a shoe Geek, or as I was lovingly called by my peers at the time, "The Shoe Queen". Not a bad title at all!
Eventually the opportunity came about for me to delve into my own enterprise. I have been thrilled to step into a new venture and am even more excited about coming full circle, back into the children's shoe business.
So it is that background that I bring to the table now. Years of experience have shown me many things, not the least of which is this: a child's footwear is the foundation to establishing the walking patterns they will set for life. There is nothing more important than understanding how those small, initially soft and maleable 26 bones, 33 joints and over 100 muscles and tendons contained in the human foot affect the body that they will be supporting for a lifetime. I take my job here very seriously. And I love it. I love Kids. They are so special and trusting of you and me. They are funnier than any comedian and more endearing and heart wrenching than even the best movie. I may not always have every single style out there in stock at any given time, but I always stock what I know to be items I can stand behind, and feel good about sending out the door.
I'm hoping to use this blog as an opportunity to answer questions, enhance your own knowledge, and simply entertain. I can tell you I have TONS of stories. Kids crack me up! And I am grateful to have such a wonderful place to come to every day.
Thank you for listening to my "introduction", and I truly look forward to sharing in the future!