Your Guide to Buying Used Shoes for Girls

The love affair many women have with shoes starts at a young age. There are so many cute and adorable shoes for girls that it is impossible to choose just one pair and many girls like to have different pairs of shoes for festive occasions or fancy outfits. However, many parents despair of paying premium prices for these shoes at a local retail store. This is why smart shoppers often choose to buy used girls shoes from second hand stores or online websites like Macys.. Purchasing a used pair of shoes costs far less than buying a new pair and oftentimes even parents on a strict budget can keep their children looking fashionable by buying gently used items. Use the same care when buying used shoes that you would when selecting new shoes. While children might fall in love with the flashiest shoes they can find, the most important features of buying used shoes for girls are the size, comfort, and condition.

Sizing Girls Shoes
Children grow quickest during their first three years of life, as any parent can attest to when they find themselves buying new shoes every other month. However, around age four or five these rapid growth spurts start to slow down, but they will periodically reappear over the years until the girl becomes an adult. This means that while girls' shoes will last longer than toddler shoes,, there is no guarantee that the shoe that fit yesterday will fit tomorrow.

Growth and Shoe Sizes
Girls are still growing and by the time they become adults they will have passed through 14 different shoe sizes. Finding the right size can be an adventure and it is recommended that parents should get an accurate measurement of their child's feet every six months or so. Visit a local shoe store and have the clerk measure the child's foot. Try on several pairs of shoes in the store to make sure the size is correct. The shoe should fit snugly around the foot while leaving a half-inch gap between the big toe and the front of the shoe. While parents can certainly purchase new shoes at the store, the best money saving strategy is to leave the store, get on the Internet and search for used girls' shoes in the correct size on eBay.. This simple strategy can easily save parents hundreds of dollars a year.

Size Chart
Sizes are measured by length, and in some cases such as with the Stride Rite brand, by width. The smallest size for girls is a size 11 girl's shoe,, which is 6.83 inches long. Sizes will increase in number up to size 13, at which point they will recycle back down again. This means that a size 1 girl's shoe is bigger than a size 13 girl's shoe.. The largest is the size 5 girl's shoe,, at which point girls can start wearing women's shoe sizes. Keep in mind, however, that the bigger children shoe sizes are actually slightly larger than their adult counterparts. For example, a size 6 girl's shoe is the same length as a size 8 womens' shoe, and a 6.5 mens' shoe.

Styles
Girl's shoe styles come in an overwhelming variety, but there are four essentials that every girl needs to have in her closet. Girls' sneakers are used for playing outdoors or wearing to school. More formal occasions require a pair of girls' dress shoes that look bright and polished. Summertime calls for girls' sandals to help beat the heat, while cold winter days are the perfect time to wear a pair of warm girls' boots.. When buying used shoes, there are certain conditional issues to look out for with each style. Furthermore, each style will fit differently, so a girl who is comfortable in a size 3 sneaker may need a size 3.5 boot.

Sneakers
Girls' sneakers come in the exact same brands as adult shoes. There are the athletic Nike and Reebok sneakers, and the flashy Sketchers shoes which often include lights along the sole. For girls, the sneakers are often brightly colored in all different hues, though the primary color is still pink. When buying used girl sneakers, there are a couple of things for which to watch. If the sneaker is using laces instead of Velcro straps, make sure the laces are still attached to the shoe and are not frayed at the ends. The sole of the sneaker also needs to be extremely thick with the bottom grip still in place. Do not buy used sneakers with soles are utterly worn out.

Dress Shoes
Girls' dress shoes, often called Mary Janes,, look like slippers with a hard top and a single strap on top of the foot. Pump dress shoes may have a slight heel, usually around an inch high or so. Older girls usually have no problems wearing shoes with a small heel, but younger children often find them uncomfortable. It is also not a good idea to purchase dress shoes with a heel higher than 2 inches for girls because doctors believe this can interfere with posture and muscle development. Popular dress shoe brands include Gymboree,, Candies,, and Hannah Andersson.. When checking out the condition of used girls' dress shoes, make sure the surface is clear and free of scratches or scuffs. If there are glitter or sequins on the shoe, make sure these items are still attached. The sole also needs to be in satisfactory condition, and if the shoe has a high heel then it needs to be thick and sturdy.

Sandals
Girls' sandals are worn on hot summer days for trips visiting friends or playing around the pool. Most sandals have an entirely flat heel and one or two straps. Be careful about buying a pair of sandals with a lot of straps for young children, since they often get confused when trying to take the shoe on and off. Crocs,, highly comfortable shoes, come in a sandal style that helps protect the toes, while other brands offer the open toe design. When purchasing used girls' sandals, make sure the straps are still in decent condition and not cracked in any way. Likewise, the sole should also be free of cracks, tears, or scuff marks.

Boots
Many girls want to wear a pair of big, fluffy boots just like mom during the winter, and so many adult brands like Ugg makes girl boot sizes. Boots can come up to the ankle, calf, or the knee. For extremely high boots, make sure the child's leg will fit comfortably inside the shoe before purchasing the item. When buying used girls' boots, there are a couple of issues for which to watch. Make sure the boot doesn't show a lot of wear where the ankle meets the foot, since this is the area that supports the boot. As with sneakers, the sole of the boot needs to still be strong and thick with a good grip along the bottom. The tops and sides of the boot should be free from scuff marks or other damage.