It’s no secret that women love their high heels. Heck, Manolo Blahnik was practically the fifth friend in "Sex and the City." But those were grown women, so it was definitely an acceptable, if expensive, fashion choice.
Now designers are making heels for little girls and parents are buying them. Babble recently questioned the sense in selling 3-inch wedges to young girls -- something Michael Kors is currently doing. The brown, boho-chic, espadrille wedge with a 3-inch heel is encrusted in rhinestones and would appeal to any young Rachel Zoe fan. (Little girls with more of an edgy, urban vibe might be more drawn to the glitzy silver version.)
While the shoes are advertised as being for toddlers/youth, the sizes seem to be for girls in the 6-10 year age range. Michael Kors is certainly fashion-forward, but he’s not the first designer to market heels to young girls. Just last month, TLC Parentables wrote about the trend of kindergarten-age girls wearing espadrilles. They pointed to a pair sold by Target with a 2.25 inch heel. It was said these shoes weren’t just for special outings, but were popular school attire. And let’s not forget the brouhaha that was raised when a 5-year-old Suri Cruise donned a pair of gold, low heels – and Suri’s heels were practically flats compared to a 3-inch wedge.
Yes, girls want to look and dress like little grown-ups and yes, these shoes are cute, but should elementary-school age girls be wearing heels? They’re certainly not going to run around and play in them. Or, if they do, there’s a good chance they’ll wind up with an ankle injury.
Perhaps one little Zappos.com reviewer of the Michael Kors shoe said it best. Madison1 wrote:
“These shoes are so cute. Unfortunately my mom said that i cannot get them as I am not allowed to wear heels.”
Well, Madison1’s mom won’t allow her to wear heels – what about the rest of moms? Are heels for girls a harmless and fashionable wardrobe addition or are they a faux pas?
Dana Macario is a TODAY Moms contributor and Seattle mom to two young kids.
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