I worked at Stride Rite for almost 10 years--always size down for girls' dress shoes. Sneakers have padding dress shoes don't, they're cut differently with very little adjustment, girls wear tights/thinner socks with them, etc.

So, order a half and a whole size smaller, and return what doesn't fit, and absolutely do not feel silly about "getting it wrong." When wedding time rolls around, you do NOT want her stumbling down the aisle, or having her walk right out of her shoes.

No, buy shoes that fit her. Return, don't worry. A child whoae shoes are to big is a child who will trip, stumble, or walk out of them. Or say "mommy, my shoes are too big" in loud ringing tones as she walks down the aisle. Nobody wants afall, etc. Get smaller shows. And it's not embarrassing, you don't buy dressy wedding shoes all the time, but why would you? They fit differently than her sneakers or whatever she usually wears.

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why you won't return them. Do you think her feet will grow in a month and a half?

OP here - thanks everyone for the suggestions!

To answer the above question, I'm reluctant to return them a second time because they were a gift from the mother of the bride and I'm worried about things getting complicated because of all the exchanges. It would probably be fine, but I'm feeling like...ugh...here we go again. Plus, I'm a little embarrassed that I was a whole size off on my daughters shoe size! I know I'm being a little silly about that.

Seems like if I can buy some insoles that aren't too expensive, or the lambs wool, etc., that might be a quick, easy fix.

Return them!

I go to the little kids' consignment shop next to my house.

I don't understand why you won't return them. Do you think her feet will grow in a month and a half?

Here's an idea I didn't believe until I tried it. Mostly I was too snobby. Return the Zappos shoes and go to Payless. They have dress shoes, dance shoes, patent leather- a whole section, all the time! Just buy a pair of cheapos there.

Just return them!

Lamb's wool in toes. Take up extra room.

You need insoles - the pads for the front end of the insert that peel and stick on. Keeps foot from sliding around.

Buy multiple pair off the site and return what you don't need. We don't do this on a normal basis but for a wedding, uh yeah.

I'm assuming you tried the "stuff Kleenex in toe of shoe" method?

Put insoles in the shoes. It will help to take up the extra space.

I'd buy the smaller size and return whichever you don't end up using - zappos has a great return policy.0

I measured her feet and ordered from Zappos according to their size chart. Mistake. The first pair we got was way too big, and going down half a size still didn't get us to where we need to be. The shoes are basic leather flats with a ballet shoe style elastic strap, which I though would help keep her feet in the shoe, but DD is still flip-flopping out when she walks a little.

I'm hesitant to go down yet another half size because the wedding is a month and a half away. Does anyone have any tips to help keep those too-big shoes on her feet? Any suggestions would be much appreciated!