Monday, August 2, 2010

Shoe Size Discrimination... at 18 months?!

Hello! I hope you had a lovely and relaxing weekend... the blue sky and sunshine combo yesterday was such a novelty I forgot I was pregnant for a while and was outside weeding the garden and cropping the jungle that has developed over Winter... my back is paying for it this morning, but it was worth it!

Now, for my rant of the week. It's early to start, I know! I generally love Cotton On Kids. Doesn't every mother? Fun-tastic, colourful, and best of all inexpensive clothing, shoes and accessories for your babushka.

Cotton On has had a few misses though. Those controversial Onesies last year, for example. You know, the ones that said things like "the condom broke" and "I'm living proof my mum is easy" Not very cool, guys. But it sure as heck got them a lot of publicity, and I have to wonder whether that wasn't the point all along...


Anyway. Yesterday, Fern and I ventured inside the store to scout some sparkly silver (or maybe red? or what about those gold ones!) ballet slippers. At $9.95 a pair they were pretty irresistible, and although they probably weren't built for comfort, the price of beauty is a little sacrifice right? At least that's what my mother told me.

Fern is moving toward a size 5, and I was disappointed when I couldn't find that size in any colour or style of shoe in the store. Bugger. Had there been a sudden stampede on Size 5 shoes?

I enquired at the counter. "No", the sales-child assured me, "they aren't sold out... we just don't actually carry Size 5."

What?

She continued. "I'm not sure why, but we don't carry size 5. Or 7. Or 9, for that matter."

The girl looked like she should probably still be in (primary) school, so I didn't want to push her too far. But really, no odd numbered shoes? What the??? Sure enough, re-examining the shoe wall (I didn't quite believe her yet) I saw 4, and 6 and 8 but no odd numbers.

In truth I was so shocked, I left it at that, and left the store. One lost customer. I couldn't help but wonder how many customers do they lose each day because of this? Or am I the only mother on the face of the planet that won't buy shoes 2 sizes too big just for the hell of it? So, back on the hunt for silver sparkly ballet slippers. In the right size, please!

What are your thoughts, peeps? Have you encountered this situation before, at Cotton On or anywhere else?

11 comments:

  1. What the? That's odd - I've never tried buying shoes from there so haven't encountered this problem yet. Grace is a Size 3 moving into a 4 so I better rush in and see what they have before she progresses to Size 5 :) Hope you find some cute silver shoes around - will keep my eyes peeled and let you know if I spot any. Have a great start to your week and hope you aren't too sore today after all that gardening xx

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  2. That is soooo stupid...and that's all I have to say about that!

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  3. What the....? That's very weird. Are they superstitious or something? :)
    I hope you can find some sparkly ballet flats for little Fern (that will be soooo cute) I saw some the other day but I can't remember if it was on a child, at Cotton On kids or where, if I remember I'll let you know. Have a lovely day Nicole.
    Jxx

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  4. Yep, I have experienced the exact same thing at Cotton On Kids. We actually found though that some of the evens were more like odds- does that make sense- it depended on the style. So it is worth trying a few different pairs. Admittedly Jemima would "lose her shoes" every so often- they were a little big at first.

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  5. Oh I am with you on this one, it is just crazy!
    And to complicate it even more their sizing is very inconsistent. My littlest is in size 4, but most of their fours were a little on the tight side except of course the one pair I wanted which was completely falling off her!

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  6. I haven't encountered this before...so bizarre?!?!

    have you checked Payless Shoes? I purchased some cute little ballet slipper for Miss T a few years back from there...I think about $15.

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  7. I had the same problem with the new gum boots...thank goodness for thick socks!!! have a good evening and good luck shoe shopping.

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  8. Yep! Had the same problem with Cotton On. Alyssa was in a 4 last year, but has very slow growing feet, she was 2 in June but not ready for a 6 yet, so no size 5's for us! Which is annoying, as I like their ballet flats for her to wear with a cute funky little outfit, but no luck! Just have to stick to her Airflex from Betts, but they have gorgeous designs and I always manage to pick them up on sale and the quality is awesome, as they are leather too, her feet never get stinky!!! Also if you jump on the Gymboree website to order from the US you can get the most gorgeous shoes from there and they have a great range of sizes in the baby girl section. Size 5 fits her perfectly from there at the moment, have some 6's stashed away for summer!

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  9. oh goody, im not the only one then! thanks for the tips LJ and Kate, I'll have to check those stores out! xo

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  10. I can't think of even one logical reason why they wouldn't carry odd numbered shoe sizes? Weiiiiird!

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  11. Yes Iv'e experienced the same! I agree with the other comments, just try them on to see as the sizing doesn't appear to be standard.

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