Umi Shoes- Fall 2011

Each year we go out and buy shoes for the new school year. Be it preschool or elementary school our needs are the same. They have to last, they need to be durable and oh yes, cute. I have girls after all. Umi Shoes never fails to hit the mark and that is why year after year we return to them. 2011 is no different.

This year Umi is offering up some adorable styles that are great for pre-walkers, walkers and school age kids. Boys and girls alike can stay active, comfortable and stylish in Umi's. I love how long these shoes last. I have a pair of boots that both my girls wore all winter. That is winter 2008 and 2010. Those boots still look good and could be worn by kid number three. That's how great these shoes are for kids. When I say durable, I mean it.

We love the Cassie's ($59), the Umi mary jane. It is great for dressy times and school days too. My three year old looks great in her new Bluet ($57) shoes for her first year of preschool. She is super excited to wear them and asks often.

MPR Rating: Four Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only.

Image from shoes.com

Umi Shoes- Spring 2011

I am a huge fan of Umi Shoes for kids.  They are durable, adorable, stylish and wear well.  I don't normally get shoes for my oldest that end up still looking nice enough for my middle child to wear as well.  Umi Shoes are that way each and every time.  I love them!

Spring 2011 is no different.  We have a pair of Aspire sandals ($50) in white and a pair of Mina's ($55) in white as well.  However, both pairs have colorful little touches to them that make them sweet on my kids feet.  All Umi shoes have cute accent colors that play up the gorgeous style of the shoes. 

The Aspire style has an embellished with ribbon that laces through them and heart detailing with scalloped hook and loop closure.  The hook and loop works well with toddlers and preschool age kids. They can easily put these shoes on and latch them.   The Mina sandals are available in pink and offer a colored cushioned heel.  Our white ones have a purple heel that my daughter loves.  Also with a hook and loop closure they go on and off with ease. These big girl sandals are girly and possess a sweet ribbon detail and universally stylish shape that your kid will adore.

Umi makes shoes for babies, toddlers and big girls and boys.  The ability to print off a shoe size chart to measure your kids feet before ordering is genius!  It works every time too.  While they seem pricey, you get what you pay for with Umi.  They last, look great and have found a real place in our home for a long time.

Available for purchase on the Umi website and speciality shoe stores for kids nationwide. 

MPR Rating: Five Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  All items received are for review and test purposes only.  Opinions are MPR's only. 

Umi Shoes- Fall 2010

Back to school shopping has come and gone but sometimes you find the little ones still need things.  My kids seem to grow out of shoes faster than anything else.  As always Umi Shoes came to the rescue offering up cute, quirky and classic styles that I love (they last forever!) and my kids do too (lots of colors and styles for finicky preschoolers.). 

We tried the Orchid ($61.00) style in black this year. My daughter loves the purple metallic accents on the shoes.  They are built solid and cute!  The black suede is smart looking and easy to clean too.  These shoes work well for school and can be dressed up or down.  The only issue I have found with this style from Umi is that if the child has a high arch the shoe might be uncomfortable.  They run narrow, which works for us but not for everyone.  Umi shoes might seem expensive but I have bought look-alikes that were cheaper and my kids have complained they were not as comfortable and they didn't last.  Threads unraveled, fabric tore and that never happens with Umi shoes. 

For past Umi reviews read here and here.  Visit Umi's Facebook page too!

Get a Laurie Berkner CD FREE with your Umi Shoe purchase now!  Just enter code LBCD1 at checkout.

MPR Rating:  Four Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  Products received are for review and testing purposes only.  Opinions are MPR's only.

Umi Shoes- Fall Review

Umi Shoes are back! I've reviewed Umi Shoes for kids before but in boot and pram form. This time we are in full-on little girl mode. Now that my daughter has gotten older and developed a sense of style on her own she chose the Flora pair ($69) in Fuchsia/Pink.

Styled in the classic European sense this pair of Umi's fits true to size just like all the others. There is always a little room to grow, which is how they are designed and that works so well with kids. The Flora style is an open-vamp shoe with an adjustable strap and a cute flower design that comes in a variety of colors. Having tried many types of kids shoes in the past few years I have really come to love Umi for their style and quality. These shoes last! They are so durable and comfortable for my daughter to wear. Umi is the only shoe company that she consistently wears again and again. Not only that but she wants to wear her Umi shoes. All the time. No matter what the style or season. I have even had to pry the boots off her in the hot summer months.

Needless to say she loved the Flora pair at first sight. She just scooped them up out of the box and took them to her room to try on. From there she wanted to wear them over and over again. While you may balk at the price tag of a pair of Umi's you really shouldn't. I have yet to find another brand of kid's shoes that is as long-lasting, kid-tough, comfortable as well as stylish that my kid genuinely adores. The selection is large and colorful for both girls, boys and infants too.

Umi shoes can be purchased at online at their website or via Piperlime too.

MPR Rating: Five Stars.