I just bought my daughter a pair of white shoes for the summer that are made out of fabric. I usually buy my daughter patent leather shoes but the woman who worked at the shoe store said that fabric would clean easier and not tear whereas patent leather shoes get dirty easier and crack more easily. Is this true?
I toss fabric shoes in the washer all the time. I sit them on top of the dryer to dry though.
I think you should get whatever you want. Shoes don't last forever and kids grow so quickly. Girls gotta have shoes! If the patent leather ones are cute get them, if the fabric ones are cute get them. Get both if you want.
White shoes made out of fabric are going to get very dirty.
I think of patent leather shoes as dress shoes for winter.
Why not buy your daughter colored sneakers that won't show dirt as easily?
What activities are the shoes for?
Dress, athletic/sport, hiking, water(beach/pool), casual?
When I was growing up, I had some patent leather shoes - they were for Sunday best (wearing to church) - we never got them dirty so I don't know how well they clean.
For running around outside, I had Keds canvas sneakers - they were easy to wash in the wash machine and then air dry.
What are they for? If they are for play or casual wear I would certainly go for canvas shoes. Canvas shoes can be washed and are definitely more comfortable and breathable for every day wear. If it is for dressing up for church once a week then patent leather might be more appropriate. I can't really compare the two because it is like apples and oranges. It's sort of like asking "should I buy high heels or track shoes?" If you are going to a wedding you might want high heels, but if you are going to the gym then you want track shoes.
Most of what people refer to as patent leather is just vinyl or pretty much plastic and cheap at that. No, it doesn't last very long.
I agree that fabric shoes are easier to clean. If they are of good quality you can wash them in the washer with other clothes. I wash mine with dark colored clothes.
"Patent leather" scratches easily, showing the under layer that is not colored. Also, it's impossible to remove black marks on "patent leather." Also plasitic shoes do not allow feet to breathe which causes feet to stay sweaty. if the shoes are won for lon periods of time, the shoes become a breeding ground for such things as athlete's foot and skin scald.
Today shiny shoes for kids' shoes is nearly always plasitic. Actual patented leather would be too expensive.
Honestly, I wouldn't choose either option for kids. I'd go with a traditional lightweight sneaker with a reinforced toe from a reliable brand like Nike. Those will hold up much better than fabric or patent leather. Supplement with a good, sturdy pair of sandals (Lands' End action sandals rock) for summer.
I find patent leather do get scuffed up easily. For my daughter--who is extremely rough on her clothes and shoes do not last--gym shoes with a rubber cover over or at least to the toe area are best. The last pair I got her were Vans and they lasted 4 months. Before that we had Nike, Payless Champion, and something else without rubber to the toe and she tore them pretty quickly.
