Simple or Swank: Mary Janes

December 26, 2007

Nothing reminds me more of classic childhood attire than patent-leather mary janes. The sturdy and stylish shoes have put a skip in many a lil girl's step once she's been decked out in fancy duds. While black and white are Winter and Spring staples, red remains the classy way to go sassy.

Simple: Azale Red-Patent Mary Jane by Primigi ($66) has a patent-leather upper, removable and washable, soft insole and hook-and-loop closure.

Swank: Prada Linea Rossa Toddler's Patent Mary Jane ($175) in red has a patent upper, rubber sole, and Velcro closure.

15 Comments

Saturn9 5 years 21 weeks

Thanks for the laugh, lilsugar! Even if I won the lottery, there's no way I'd buy $66 special occasion shoes for a child. Just out of curiosity, I checked The Children's Place & found not one, but two cute pairs of red patent leather shoes, regularly priced at under $25. cbgmick, I'd be surprised if Primigi & Prada shoes aren't made in China as well.

Saturn9 5 years 21 weeks

cbgmick 5 years 21 weeks

This focus on making sure the "simple" option is under $20 is getting ridiculous. Are folks looking for a category, "Simple" "Swank" or "Made by Child Laborers"?? Just kidding Primigis are well made shoes and frankly, you have to pay for good shoes!! My little ones growing and developing feet are worth it (although I am always looking for a sale or outlet that carries good children's shoes as I hate paying a ton for something that gets outgrown so quickly) Very cute!! I really like the simple option better in this case

cbgmick 5 years 21 weeks

This focus on making sure the "simple" option is under $20 is getting ridiculous. Are folks looking for a category, "Simple" "Swank" or "Made by Child Laborers"?? Just kiddingPrimigis are well made shoes and frankly, you have to pay for good shoes!! My little ones growing and developing feet are worth it (although I am always looking for a sale or outlet that carries good children's shoes as I hate paying a ton for something that gets outgrown so quickly)Very cute!! I really like the simple option better in this case

jennifer76 5 years 21 weeks

This is silly. Sometimes the "simple" things are under $10! Obviously, the $66 pair are "simple" by comparison. And if you have your heart set on high end red patent mary janes, the simple pair are a great deal compared to the swank.

redsugar 5 years 21 weeks

whoa. I'm glad I have a boy. I'd never spend 66 on a pair of shoes. I already cringe at paying 40 for my son's wide-footed shoe that we buy. Maybe living in San Fransisco has changed your view of what's simple?

redsugar 5 years 21 weeks

whoa. I'm glad I have a boy. I'd never spend 66 on a pair of shoes. I already cringe at paying 40 for my son's wide-footed shoe that we buy.Maybe living in San Fransisco has changed your view of what's simple?

Greggie 5 years 21 weeks

I think calling them simple by comparison is logical. But simple overall, not so much. My parents took great care of my feet (and I of my children's) without spending nearly that much. I'm impressed by those who manage to get a year's wear out of shoes, I rarely get more than a few months before my children require updated sizes and support.

Greggie 5 years 21 weeks

I think calling them simple by comparison is logical. But simple overall, not so much.My parents took great care of my feet (and I of my children's) without spending nearly that much. I'm impressed by those who manage to get a year's wear out of shoes, I rarely get more than a few months before my children require updated sizes and support.

sfbutterfly24 5 years 21 weeks

I have to say thank you very much to my mother, grandmother & aunt's because of them I have the best looking feet of anyone I know. I know that this has to do with all of them making sure I had the proper shoes and keeping me well informed of why the spent so much on something as small as shoes. (Please note that they didn't buy me every single cute but well made for small new step taking feet. They just made very wise & stylish choices when needed but never went crazy with buying 5 pairs at once because that is plain dumb)

SugarKat 5 years 21 weeks

They are super cute, but I just couldn't spend $66 OR $175 on a pair of shoes that won't get worn that much. It's just me. However, sometimes they go on sale at the higher end stores around here so that's where I get my daughter's really cute shoes! I'm not against quality, but for what I consider specialty shoes, I probably wouldn't buy either pair!

Rally RE 5 years 21 weeks

if the high end shoe is $175.00 then i think $66.00 (for a comparable shoe) is pretty good. no one is saying you have to buy them - payless shoes are always an option. however, there are some of us who would buy them. nicely made shoes do make a difference (my nordstrom shoes are much more comfortable than my payless ones). if i can get a nicely made pair of children's shoes at a better price then that's great.

POPSUGAR Moms 5 years 21 weeks

The $66 Primigis are well made and almost identical to the $175 Prada shoes so I don't think it's absurd to call them simple when comparing them a pair of shoes nearly three times the price.