The difference between shoe shopping for ourselves and our little ones is that we are looking for the wow factor for ourselves, but the cute factor for our kids.

Life & Soles, a new-Vancouver based online shoe store has a huge amount of the cute factor, starting with these Native Fitzsimmons baby hiking boots. They are lightweight, waterproof, odor resistant, and absolutely adorable. The site also stocks Converse, Havaianas, and Salt Water, in mini sizes.

Now we can rest assured they are wearing something comfortable and stylish while accompanying us on our marathon shoe shopping trips.
—Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Native Fitzsimmons hiking boots, $59.99 at www.lifeandsoles.myshopify.com

Don't miss our Editors' Diary for some tips on post-pregnancy dressing

For a shoe that dates back to the 13th century, the espadrille has done a remarkable job at staying in vogue summer after summer.

It may have been popularized by Spanish peasants, but this shoe is undeniably the chicest summer flat. The simpler, the better: the espadrille is at its best when it remains true to its classic shape. Enter Soludos, the ultimate classic. Whether exploring the markets of Barcelona, lounging in the French Riviera, or simply strolling about Vancouver, we’ve found our summer essential. —Anya Georgijevic

From US$25.91 at Shopbop.com.

We’ve always thought of shoes as works of art (anything to justify our “collection”).

But in this case, there’s some legitimacy to our claim. Vancouver-based Cocopunkz hand-paints shoes in custom designs. So the black pumps sitting in the back of our closet? They can now be reinvented with a new paint job. And yes, the graphics are treated to survive a rainy Vancouver day. We handed over a pair of old heels, which were transformed with a pretty flower pattern inspired by the look of VitaminDaily.com. Starting at $300 per pair, these original works of art are not cheap. But neither is that Masik hanging on our wall.

And these go so much better with our sheer maxi skirt. —KD

http://cocopunkz.com/shoes

After years of being at the style helm, the ballerina flat is being challenged by its masculine counterpart: the gentleman slipper.

Not your grandpa’s velvet slipper with an embroidered crest, the lady version is often candy-coloured patent goodness! Its androgenous shape allows us to play feminine or masculine, depending on our mood.

While several designers like Phillip Lim and Dieppa Restrepo have embraced it this season, our heart belong to Repetto, the inventor of the ballet slipper. Plus, Kate Moss has a pair and that’s always a good thing in our books.

Slip it on. — AG

$305 at Gravity Pope, 2205 W. Fourth Ave, Vancouver, www.gravitypope.com

It’s time for the little piggies to be free.

The adorable Salt Water Sandals, seen on stylish celeb kids including Suri Cruise and Matilda Ledger, are now available in Canada—and so cute we can hardly stand it.

Quality crafted in a rainbow of 14 colours from bright lime to shiny champagne, the four styles (Original, Sea Wee, Surfer and Sweetheart) range from infant to tween sizes and have a classic, European look that never goes out of style.

Even if she wants to wear them with a tutu and Dora tee. —MT

From $41 at ChloeinStyle.com and select retailers.

Canadian retailers are finally jumping on the designer collaboration train. Rejoice!

First up is an outstanding collaboration between Aldo and one-to-watch New York-based designer Julian Louie. These sky-high wedges are right on trend, with an ikat textile inspired by photographs of Nigerian street wear. The result is a marriage of a modern silhouette and tribal chic. —AG

$125 at Aldo.

With the promise of warm weather around the corner, it is time to start thinking spring and summer wardrobes. And as the shoes always make the outfit, what better place to start than your spring footwear?

Vancouver’s local shoe hero, John Fluevog, has got us sorted. His latest collection features pretty pastel colours, cute cut-outs, and handsome heels that will get us through every picnic, garden party, and al-fresco meal our friends can dish out.

Now all we need is the sunshine. —ASI

John Fluevog, 837 Granville St., Vancouver, 604-688-2828 and 65 Water St., Vancouver, 604-688-6228, www.fluevog.com

Grown-up Goldilocks stumbles into a shoe shop:
“This heel is too high.”
“This toe is too round.”
“This pump isn’t Isabel Marant enough.”

Milk & Honey has the just right pair. The L.A.-based company lets you custom design your own. Using their online shoe builder, choose a heel or flat and take your pick of 16 toe types, 3 backs, 11 straps, platforms, piping and bows. Nearly every fabric and colour is possible, from nude patent to red glitter (á la Dorothy) to vegan black snakeskin.

We played around and created a near copy of the much-coveted Isabel Marant suede Poppy pump for half the price.

And that’s no fairytale.

www.milkandhoneyshoes.com

The "put your shoes on" tango just got a whole lot easier.

Modeled after its hip adult line, the kids Fall 2010 line of Native Shoes are super comfortable, casual and colourful (Hollywood Pink, Pencil Orange, and Gossip Purple are just a few of the punchy hues). Laceless and ultra light, we love that these too-cute sneakers are easy to slip on and off.

Well, as easy as it can be to get a 4-year-old to put his shoes on.

Kids shoes $35, Junior shoes $39; available at Young and Fabulous, 200-1700 Sprucewood Ave., Lasalle, Ontario, 519-962-8530, www.youngfabulous.com and Antisocial, 2337 Main St., Vancouver, 604-708-5678, www.antisocialshop.com

How is killing three birds with one stone considered compassionate?

When the birds are summer trends (nautical stripes, espadrilles, wedges) and the stone is a shoe by TOMS.

Their new wedge with its jute rope accents and striped canvas upper fulfills all the requirements of a cute summer shoe. And the very fact that it's TOMS means buying a pair also puts shoes on a child in need of some.

It’s a win-win-win.

Red/white stripe and black styles ($85) at Twigg & Hottie, 3671 Main St., Vancouver, 604-879-8595, www.twiggandhottie.com or all styles online at www.tomsshoes.com