With Spring finally here and Summer clearly knocking at our door, it’s time for parents to take their kids summer shoe shopping. For kids who have to wear uniforms all year, it can be a pretty exciting undertaking. And when it happens to be Vincent Shoes, even better.

If you’ve never heard of Vincent Shoes, here’s a brief synopsis:

Vincent shoes were created by Swedish designers Patrick Österman and Thomas Elbaum, after their personal disappointment with the lack of high quality, stylish children’s shoes. The inspiration for the shoe’s designs come from what the pair’s creative eyes see on the runways of Paris, Milan, London and New York.

Parents certainly tend to gravitate to their widely distributed stand-bys when it comes to kid’s shoes. However, our parents definitely put the shoes to the test. Decide whether you should branch out and change your mind.

As far as the specific shoes went, here’s what parents had to say about their picks:

- The Steves are the perfect warm-weather shoe to take Dylan through the summer. A closed-toe sandal, these also have rubber that extends over the toe for extra protection, and an adjustable velcro strap. Both styles are very well made and offer a buttery-soft cushioned interior for comfort.

- I love both pairs of boots. They are adorable and sturdy and definitely keep my kids’ feet dry. My daughter, at least, is a huge fan of her Blommas, slipping them on at the slightest sign of precip.

- (In reference to the Bettys) Bethany loves these shoes. She calls them her “Wow-wa” shoes. That’s Bethy-speak for “flower” shoes, but they do have a “wow” factor to them: she gets complements on them everywhere she goes. All the daycare teachers have complemented her, and random people in the parks and the grocery stores have stopped to admire them.

- The second pair that we have is the Svante. Oh my! Holy Cuteness! This shoe is delightful! I so wish that I had gotten two pairs of this shoe… I adore it!

- The Emilias are fabulously sparkly, comfortable, and easy to get in and out of independently. Essentially, Laurel can feel like a princess (yes, we’re in full blown, peer-inspired princess mode) without clomping around in sure-to-break-an-ankle princess dress up heels.

Our parents commented honestly about the pricing, keeping in mind the quality, fit, and overall appeal of the shoes. “Yes, these shoes are a slightly higher price point that shoes you will find in most mass-merchandise retail outlets. Keep in mind, though, these shoes are real leather, including a leather foot bed. The leather will stretch and give with your child’s foot over the summer, unlike that cheap vinyl that digs into their precious little porcelain skin.”

Also, a few parents ordered the wrong size. Aside from suggesting the online shoe fitter, the parents mentioned the great and super fast customer service. “In fact, I did get the size wrong, which meant I got to experience Vincent’s famed customer service. Exchanging the boots for a smaller size was super-simple — I just slapped on an emailed return label and that was it. The new size fit perfectly.” Another mom added the following: “While I was on the phone, she had already e-mailed me a return authorization, and a UPS mailing label to send the big pair of shoes back. (Although, it did take some negotiating to get these shoes off my four-year-old’s feet.) The new pair of shoes arrived Tuesday (that fast!).”

Check out what the rest of our parents have to say, and make sure to snatch up a pair or two for your own kids with the special discount code: SPRING-DEAL-8 for 20% off (sale shoes not included).

Today! My Family Loves It
Wed 4/23 - This Full House
Thurs 4/24 - Slouching Mom
Fri 4/25 - Lipstick to Crayons
Mon 4/28 - Motherhood Uncensored
Tues 4/29 - FINAL ROUND UP

Photo courtesy of SusieJ