Shoes complete the outfit for kids, but wait until your child begins walking--usually at 10 to 14 months--before buying her first official pair of shoes. That’s when a child really needs them. Jane Andersen, D.P.M., a spokeswoman for the American Podiatric Medical Association, recommends picking a first shoe with flexibility, which helps the foot develop its arch. “Try to bend the shoe in half,” she says. “If it bends easily, it’s a good shoe.” The best shoes also have traction on the bottom so your baby won’t slip easily. A shoe doesn’t have to be expensive to be flexible, but in Anderson’s shopping experience, the most flexible shoes are higher-ticket brands. In our opinion, that might include Merrell (available at www.shoes.com), Nina Kids (available at leading e-tailers such as www.zappos.com), Pediped (www.pediped.com), Stride Rite (www.striderite.com), and Umi (www.umishoes.com). And, adds Andersen, stores that sell higher-ticket brands generally have experienced sales help to make sure you buy the right size. You’ll want some room at the toe, but not so much that your child will trip. Also, keep in mind that toddlers kick off anything and everything, so look for flexible shoes that lace. They’re harder to take off than shoes with Velcro closures.

To keep your prewalker’s feet warm outside on cool days, look for soft, elasticized baby socks or booties that cling to the feet so your baby can’t kick them off. You don’t have to buy the leather baby shoes you’ll see everywhere, which can easily run you $25 per pair or more, and which your baby will outgrow quickly.