Baby shoes: They’re so damn cute, but can also be so damn hard to convince your tot to wear. At least, that’s been the case with some of our children. Which is why we’ve been relieved to find a handful of styles that appease our picky little babes, are easy to wrestle our kids into, and are also pleasing to the eye.

First up is the “slipper” sock-shoe hybrid by Israeli label Nununu. It’s simply the perfect “shoe” to transition your babe out of a socks-only life. It’s basically a thickish sock with a rubber-y, breathable, non-slip, phthalate-free sole. Bonus: There are three cool graphic patterns to pick from—alphabet, stars, and skulls.
Collegien + Nununu Stars Slippers, $25.90, Nununu.

Then there are the slip-on moccasin-like styles, made famous by Freshly Picked, a much-Instagrammed brand that makes the most gorgeous pairs in every color under the sun. Our other favorite, albeit less boho rendition, is by New Zealand brand Bobux, which has a huge selection of “soft soles” embellished with rockets, bunnies, foxes, you name it. They stretch open nice and wide so they’re painless to put on wiggling, kicking feet.
Freshly Picked Moccasins, $60, Freshly Picked.
Bobux Navy Rocket Soft-Sole Shoes, $28.95, Bobux.

Once your tot is ready to transition to something with straps and buckles, it’s important to find non-scratchy options, and preferably something that sits below the ankle, for maximum non-iritation. Umi produces a wide array of sturdy, comfy styles, and we’ve had great success with this sandal as a starter shoe.
Umi Noel Sandal, $41.90, Umi Shoes.

Okay, these are our favorites, now we’d love to hear yours in the comments below. Any mothers of picky babies who’d care to share?