Cruise Shoes Blues

regular readers of this blog will know that I have two boys so, apart from the odd occasion when they are caught clopping around in my party shoes, the issue of four-year-olds wearing kitten heels is not really a pressing one for me – thank god.

For Tom Cruise however, it is. He was speaking last week on GMTV, promoting his new movie, Knight and Day, when he was ‘politely asked’ (I can hardly say challenged as, well, he just wasn’t) about his daughter’s choice of footwear. Suri, aged 4, was first papped with her kitten heels a year ago and it caused a bit of a stir. She continues to be spotted in heels while out and about with mum and dad, which - and I am aware that I exist in a bit of a fashion wilderness - seems a little silly, even for a celebrity child.

Anyway, this, roughly, is what Tom said in response to the question about Suri's choice of footwear. “In Spain they wear the high-heeled flamenco dance shoes from birth. I believe that she can wear whatever she wants to wear. She dresses herself. Self expression is so important; my children need their own identity. I try to give them as much safety and room to find their dreams and express themselves. They’re gonna wear what they’re gonna wear.”

Hmmm. But surely she can only select things to wear from the items they have bought for her - right? So why not just fill your house with lovely pairs of girls canvas shoes like these from Start-rite. Georgeously girly, and not at all likely to ruin your feet for life.

Worryingly, the nice shoe people at Clarks have identified that 'recent trends highlight the addition of a heel as the new ‘must have’ accessory for girls under the age of ten.' Yes, you heard right. Extremely depressing really, isn't it. So, to help save Suri's teeny feet from permanent damage, Clarks have offered to 'step in' (see what I did there) and have her properly measured and fitted for a more sensible style of party shoe.

I, for one, urge the Cruises to take up the offer and get Suri kitted out in some proper shoes like these. Surely any little girl would be perfectly happy skipping around in any of these, and with a budget to buy every style, in every colour, I'm sure Tom and Katie could give her a big enough selection of footwear, without resorting to flamenco heels?

Feet are for life you know; not just for parties.

This is a partly sponsored post.

(p.s I make no apology for the tabloid headline. In fact, 'Tabloid Headline Thursday' may become a regular thing. Puns at the ready.....)

Cruise Shoes Blues