Baby on a flower swing wearing white L'Amour leather Mary Janes and knee socks

Baby–Kids

L'Amour Shoes Review: The Three-Tier Sizing System, Decoded

EasyTot Team · August 24, 2026

Last updated: August 2026

L'Amour is a heritage American children's shoe label founded in 1987, best known for stitch-down leather Mary Janes with a scalloped edge, and EasyTot currently stocks 202 active L'Amour shoe styles from $25 to $74 (plus two EVA flip-flops at $10 and $18, and 28 socks and hair accessories). The shoes are genuinely good: real leather uppers, leather linings, padded collars and rubber soles, at roughly half what a British or Spanish heritage label charges for the same construction.

There is one thing you have to get right before you order, and no size chart on any retailer's site will tell you: L'Amour splits its catalogue into three separate size tiers, and the only place it tells you which tier a shoe belongs to is a lower-case suffix in the product title. A style ending in (infant) runs Infant 0–5. A style ending in (baby) runs Baby 1–3 then Toddler 4–7. A style with no suffix at all starts at Toddler 4 or 5 and runs to Kid 4. Order a "size 5" without checking the suffix and you have a coin flip between a soft crib shoe for a newborn and a hard-soled school shoe for a four-year-old.

The 10-second version

Read the end of the product title first. (infant) = soft-soled crib shoes, Infant 0–5, roughly 0–12 months. (baby) = the Angel line, Baby 1–3 then Toddler 4–7, roughly 0–2.5 years, built on a smaller last. No suffix = the main L'Amour line, Toddler 4–13 then Kid 1–4, roughly 12 months to 8 years. Then measure the foot and buy by length, not by age.

L'Amour sizing decoded: what (infant), (baby) and no suffix mean

We pulled every one of the 202 active L'Amour and Angel shoe listings in the EasyTot catalogue and read the size options on each one. The suffix pattern is not a rule of thumb — it holds on essentially every style in the range, and the three tiers do not use the same numbers.

All 12 (infant) styles run Infant 0 to Infant 5, and every one of them is a soft crib shoe. All 39 (baby) styles run the identical seven-size ladder: Baby 1, Baby 2, Baby 3, Toddler 4, Toddler 5, Toddler 6, Toddler 7 — no exceptions. The 151 shoe styles with no suffix start at Toddler 4, 5 or 7 and run up through Toddler 13 into Kid 1–4, with the single most common range being Toddler 5 to Kid 2 (61 styles).

Title ends in	Sizes you will actually see	Rough age	What it is	Styles in stock
`(infant)` Rosalie Heart Crib Mary Jane, $50	Infant 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5	0–12 months (pre-walker)	Soft leather crib shoes with a flexible non-skid sole	12
`(baby)` Dottie Scalloped T-strap, $46	Baby 1, 2, 3 then Toddler 4, 5, 6, 7	0–2.5 years (cruiser to early walker)	The Angel line — a smaller, narrower last than the main range	39
No suffix Selina Scalloped T-strap, $64–66	Toddler 4/5/7 up to Toddler 13, then Kid 1–4	12 months–8 years (confident walker)	The main L'Amour line — stitch-down leather, firmer sole	151

Toddler sitting on a woven basket about to put on a pair of cream L'Amour Selina leather Mary Janes — The main line is a proper stitch-down shoe — which is why the size tier, not the age on the box, is what you have to get right.

The overlap that causes the returns

Toddler 4, 5, 6 and 7 exist in both the (baby) tier and the no-suffix tier, and they are not the same shoe. At Toddler 7, 39 Angel (baby) styles and 145 main-line styles both offer that size. But Toddler 7 is the largest size on a last built for babies, and roughly the third size on a last built for four-year-olds. Two shoes labelled Toddler 7 from the same collection page can differ noticeably in width and depth. If your child is already in the main line and you buy an Angel style in the same number, expect it to feel snugger.

Our rule: if your child is walking confidently and outdoors every day, take the no-suffix style even when a (baby) version of the same size exists. If they are cruising, in the house, and you want the softer shoe, take the (baby) one.

The five styles that break the pattern

Being honest about the exceptions matters more than the rule. Five active listings have no suffix but are built on the baby ladder anyway: Birdie Nubuck Leather T-strap Mary Jane (Baby 1–Toddler 7), Nicoline Suede Flower Bow Cut Out Sporty Mary Jane, Leo Star Sneaker, Arlen Fisherman Sandal and Astrid T-strap Mary Jane (all Baby 3–Toddler 7 or 9). The tell is the same in every case: if the size dropdown opens with "Baby 1" or "Baby 3", you are in the small tier no matter what the title says. Open the dropdown before you add to cart — it is a two-second check and it is more reliable than the suffix.

One more numbering trap worth naming: because L'Amour uses four prefixes, the same numeral appears in up to four places. There is an Infant 1, a Baby 1, a Kid 1 and (on the Emma range) a Youth 1, and they are nowhere near each other in length. Never shop L'Amour by number alone. Measure the foot in millimetres and match it on our baby and kids shoe size chart, then find the tier that contains that length. The brand's own size guide page does not publish a master chart — it tells you to check the chart on each individual product page — which is precisely why this decoder is worth bookmarking. Our full baby shoe size guide covers measuring technique in more detail.

L'Amour crib shoes for infants: sizes Infant 0–5

The (infant) tier is 12 crib shoes priced $25–$50, all six sizes deep from Infant 0 to Infant 5, and all built with a soft leather sole rather than a walking sole. This is the christening-and-photographs tier: hearts, scalloped edges, tiny buckles that are actually hook-and-loop straps with a faux buckle on top so you can get them on a kicking baby one-handed.

The Elodie Girls Scalloped T-strap Mary Jane Crib Shoe ($50) is the deepest-stocked of the twelve and the closest in look to the main-line Selina, which makes it the natural first pair if you want the family photos to match. The Lisette T-strap Mary Jane Crib Shoe at $25 is the cheapest way into the range and the one to buy if you accept that a newborn will wear it four times. For boys there are exactly three: Bentley Leather Saddle ($40), Bailey Leather Derby ($40) and Benny Leather Brogue Oxford ($48).

The honest caveat is developmental, not commercial. The American Academy of Pediatrics is clear that babies' feet develop best unconfined before they walk, and socks are enough indoors. Crib shoes are for warmth, protection and occasions — not for support. Buy this tier for the photographs and the pram, not because a pre-walker needs structure.

A baby's foot in a white L'Amour infant crib Mary Jane with a ruffled sock — Infant-tier crib shoes fasten with a hook-and-loop strap hidden under a decorative buckle — the only sane design for a baby who kicks.

Angel baby shoes: what the (baby) suffix really means

Thirty-eight of the 39 (baby) styles in this collection are branded Angel, not L'Amour — and 39 of the 40 Angel products in the collection sit on the Baby 1–Toddler 7 ladder. If you have searched "angel baby shoes" or "l'amour angel" and landed on a page that mixes both names, that is why: EasyTot's L'Amour collection is built on a rule that includes both vendors, because the brand's own site files Angel Baby Shoes as a line inside its BABY section rather than as a separate label. The one L'Amour-branded style on the baby ladder is the Hattie Double Buckle Leather Mary Jane (baby), and the one Angel style that is not is the Eloise Fine Glitter Flat.

Practically, the Angel tier is where the value sits. The (baby) styles run $34–$48 against $56–$70 for the main line's leather flagships, for the same leather upper, leather lining, padded collar and rubber sole — you are paying less because there is less shoe. The description on the Dottie Scalloped T-strap Mary Jane (baby) ($46, our deepest-stocked baby style, in 11 colourways) calls the line "a smaller, daintier line by the same brand," which matches what the size ladder shows.

Best of the tier by stock depth: the Dottie for dressing up, the Birdie Leather T-strap Mary Jane (baby) ($44) for everyday, the Minnie Bow Leather Mary Jane (baby) ($44) if you want the bow, and for boys the James Boy's Leather Lace Up Shoe (baby) ($42) and the Austin Leather Saddle Oxford Shoe (baby) ($44). Sandals in this tier — Jolie Bow ($46), Amelie Scalloped ($46), Mack Leather Fisherman ($44) — are the caged, closed-toe kind, which is the right call for a new walker.

Baby standing on a jute rug in gold Angel Dottie Mary Janes and cream knee socks — The Angel tier is the one to buy while a child is still cruising — softer, narrower, and about $20 cheaper per pair than the main line.

L'Amour toddler and kid shoes: sizes Toddler 4–13 and Kid 1–4

The unsuffixed main line is 151 of the 202 shoe styles, and its flagship leather Mary Janes, flats and sneakers sit at $56–$70 — where L'Amour's stitch-down construction actually earns its keep. Stitch-down means the upper is folded outward and sewn to the sole rather than cemented, which is why these shoes survive a school year and hand down. Twenty listings say "stitch-down" explicitly; 135 confirm a leather upper and 118 a rubber sole.

Sizes here run in the standard US kids sequence — 4 through 13, then restarting at Kid 1 through Kid 4 — so a Toddler 13 and a Kid 1 are adjacent, about 8.5" and 8.7" of foot length respectively. The AAP's guidance on shoes for active toddlers is worth reading alongside this: a closed-toe, flexible, non-skid shoe with room to grow is all a walking child needs, and arch supports and reinforced heels have no proven benefit. Most styles stop at Kid 2; the deepest ranges (Selina, Caroline, Rebecca, Phoebe, Joy) go to Kid 4, and the Emma range alone uses a "Youth" prefix for its top two sizes.

Ranked by how deep we actually stock them, these are the main-line styles to look at first. Every price and size range below is pulled live from the product records.

Style	Price	Sizes	Best for
Selina Scalloped T-strap Mary Jane	$64–66	Toddler 5 – Kid 4	The everyday flagship — 8 colourways and one of the widest size runs in the range, 13 sizes deep
Phoebe Slip On Sneaker	$64–66	Toddler 5 – Kid 4	Self-dressing — no laces, no straps, 8 colourways including two metallics
Emma Classic Bow T-strap Mary Jane	$64	Toddler 4 – Youth 2	The only range that starts at Toddler 4 and runs into Youth sizes — 8 colourways
Chloe Classic Scalloped Leather Mary Jane	$60	Toddler 4 – Kid 2	School uniform — navy and black among its 7 colourways, closed toe, low shine
Rebecca Special Occasion Flat	$64–68	Toddler 5 – Kid 4	Weddings and holidays — the red and gold are the two that sell out first
Eleanor T-bar Flat	$60	Toddler 5 – Kid 2	The plainest silhouette in the range, and the easiest to pair with tights
Tyler Leather Lace Up Shoe	$56	Toddler 5 – Kid 2	The boys' workhorse — 4 colourways, stitch-down, the cheapest leather in the main line
Georgie Scalloped Lace Up Boot	$70	Toddler 5 – Kid 2	The deepest-stocked boot in the range, and the only one with the scalloped edge
Ella Scalloped Sandal	$60	Toddler 5 – Kid 2	Summer — closed heel and closed toe, so it survives a playground

Child in white tights wearing navy L'Amour Emma bow T-strap Mary Janes on a wood floor — The main-line last is broader and deeper than the Angel one — the same numeral in the two tiers is not the same shoe.

Same name, six leathers: the L'Amour style-name decoder

The second thing that confuses people on this brand is that a style name is not a product. "Joy" is six separate listings — Classic Leather, Classic Red, Waxed, Nubuck, Metallic and Vintage Inspired — all the same $60 T-strap Mary Jane in the same Toddler 5–Kid 4 range, across 16 colourways between them. If you search "Joy Mary Jane" and pick the first result, you may simply be looking at the material you like least.

Here is what each recurring name actually covers. Choose the name first, then the material listing.

Name	Listings	Colourways	Price	Tier & sizes	Materials it comes in
Joy	6	16	$60–62	No suffix · Toddler 5 – Kid 4	Classic, Classic Red, Waxed, Nubuck, Metallic, Vintage Inspired
Emma	5	14	$64	No suffix · Toddler 4 – Youth 2	Classic, Classic White, Patent, Shimmer, plain Bow
Birdie	5	15	$44	Angel · Baby 1 – Toddler 7	Leather, Pink, Navy, Patent, Nubuck (only 4 of the 5 carry the suffix)
Selina	3	13	$64–66	No suffix · Toddler 5 – Kid 4	Leather, Patent, Pastel
James	4	9	$42–44	Angel · Baby 1 – Toddler 7	Leather, White, Nubuck, Waxed
Austin	3	5	$44	Angel · Baby 1 – Toddler 7	Leather, Beige Leather, Patent
Tyler	3	6	$56	No suffix · Toddler 5 – Kid 2	Leather, White, Brown

A cluster of L'Amour crib Mary Janes in pale blue, white, pink and cream showing one style in several leathers — One silhouette, several leathers — which is exactly why the name alone does not identify the product you are buying.

Sandals, sneakers and boots: the rest of the range

Mary Janes and dress flats are 103 of the 202 styles, but the range is broader than its reputation. There are 41 sandals ($10–$64), 25 boots ($40–$74) and 20 sneakers ($56–$68) in stock, and unlike the dress shoes these are where the price band actually varies. The two most expensive shoes in the whole range are boots — the Nicola Scalloped Chelsea Boot and the Josephine Scallop Boot, both $72–74.

Sandals ($10–$64)

The leather sandals are almost all closed-toe and closed-heel "caged" or fisherman designs, which is the right shape for a toddler who runs. Ella Scalloped ($60, Toddler 5–Kid 2, six colourways) is the deepest-stocked; Leigh Knotted Bow and Athena Braided follow. The two EVA flip-flops — Kimberly Eva Glitter ($10) and Joyce Flower Eva ($18) — are pool shoes and nothing more; do not buy them as a walking sandal.

Child standing on a woven stool wearing white L'Amour leather sandals with an orange dress — The leather sandals are closed at the heel and the toe — the detail that separates a summer shoe from a slipper.

Sneakers ($56–$68)

Caroline Scalloped Sneaker ($64–68, Toddler 5–Kid 4, seven colourways) is the one that made the range: a leather trainer with the same scalloped edge as the dress shoes, so it passes at a party and survives a park. Phoebe Slip On ($64–66) is the no-fastening option for a child learning to dress themselves — and if you are at that stage, our guide on teaching kids to tie shoes is the natural next step. For boys, Kyle Double Velcro and Kenzie Double Velcro are the two deepest-stocked.

Close-up of a child's foot in a white L'Amour Caroline scalloped leather sneaker with a ruffled sock — The scalloped sneaker is the range's cleverest idea — dress-shoe detailing on a rubber-soled trainer.

Boots ($40–$74)

Twenty-five boots, mostly ankle height, mostly side-zip or lace. Georgie Scalloped Lace Up ($70) is the deepest-stocked; Hilary Bow Boot ($56) and Josephine Scallop Boot ($72–74) are the next two. Note that the boots skew later in the size run — several start at Toddler 7 rather than 4 or 5, so the youngest walkers are better served by the Angel Finch Boy's Buckled Leather Boot (baby) ($44) or the Bella Scalloped Bootie (baby) ($44).

Toddler in a plaid coat and jeans wearing red L'Amour Georgie scalloped lace-up boots — Several boots start at Toddler 7 — check the bottom of the size list before you assume your two-year-old is covered.

What parents love about L'Amour

The construction is genuinely a tier above the price

Stitch-down construction, a full leather lining and a rubber outsole at $56–$70 is unusual — the European heritage labels that build shoes the same way sit at $90–$140. Of the 202 listings, 135 specify a leather upper, 112 a leather lining and sock, 135 a padded collar and 64 explicit arch support. That is why these hand down: a cemented shoe delaminates, a stitched one wears out its sole and can be worn through anyway.

Velcro that looks like a buckle

One hundred and twenty-three of the 202 listings specify a Velcro or hook-and-loop closure, and on the dress Mary Janes it is hidden beneath a decorative buckle. It is a small thing that matters enormously at 8am: the shoe looks formal enough for a wedding and goes on in two seconds on a child who will not sit still.

Colour ranges deep enough to actually match an outfit

The Dottie comes in 11 colourways, the Selina in eight, Emma in eight, Chloe in seven. If you are buying for a specific dress or a school uniform, the odds of finding the exact shade are much better here than with a brand that ships three colours a season.

Girl sitting in a pink armchair reading a book, wearing pink L'Amour leather Mary Janes and ruffled socks — The dress shoes are the reason the brand has a following — but the everyday sneakers are where the range is quietly strongest.

The honest complaints

The sizing system is the complaint

Everything above this section exists because the brand publishes no master size chart. The official size guide points you to a per-product chart instead, which means you cannot compare two styles without opening both. Combined with three tiers that reuse the same numerals, this is a system that manufactures returns. Until it changes, open the size dropdown on every listing before you buy.

Leather needs breaking in, and podiatrists say it shouldn't

Stitch-down leather is stiff out of the box. The American Podiatric Medical Association's children's footwear guidance is blunt that a child's shoe should be comfortable immediately and should not need a break-in period. That is a real tension with any traditional leather shoe, and it is worth knowing before you buy a pair the night before a wedding. Practically: buy two weeks ahead and let them be worn around the house first.

The last is narrow

There are no width fittings anywhere in the range — every listing offers one width. Children with wide or high-volume feet are frequently better served elsewhere, and the Angel (baby) tier is narrower still. The APMA's own guidance is that the toe box should be at least as wide as the widest part of the foot; if your child measures wide, size up or look at a brand that publishes widths.

The dress shoes dominate the catalogue

Ninety-four of the 202 styles have "Mary Jane" or "flat" in the name, and only five listings in the entire range carry "Boy's" in the title — all five of them in the Angel (baby) tier. The main line does have boys' shoes (the Tyler and Luke lace-ups, the Rowan saddle shoe, the Tuck mid-top, the Emmett desert boot), and there are exactly three infant crib shoes for boys. But the ratio is unmistakable, and if you are shopping for a boy the choice narrows fast.

Toddler standing in navy L'Amour Tyler leather lace-up shoes with yellow trousers, showing the stiff leather upper — Traditional leather construction is the reason these last — and the reason they need a fortnight of wearing in.

How L'Amour compares to Childrenchic, Elephantito, Young Soles and Freshly Picked

L'Amour's position is simple: it is the cheapest way to get real stitched leather in a classic silhouette, and the price gap to the European labels is roughly $30–$50 per pair. What you give up is width fittings, a published size chart, and — against the soft-sole specialists — a genuinely flexible pre-walker sole.

Brand	Entry price	Strongest at	Choose it over L'Amour if…
L'Amour	$25 (leather)	Classic leather Mary Janes at scale — 202 shoe styles, deep colourways	—
Childrenchic	$57	Occasion shoes in velvet and shimmer finishes	You want a dressier finish than leather for one specific event
Elephantito	$39.50	Boys' loafers, drivers and espadrilles	You are shopping for a boy — the range is far deeper than L'Amour's
Young Soles London	$94	British burnished leather, heavier build, bigger kid sizes	You want the shoe to outlast two children and price is secondary
Freshly Picked	$50	Soft-sole moccasins for pre-walkers, elasticated opening	Your baby is not walking yet — a soft sole beats a crib shoe here

Pair of L'Amour Selina patent scalloped T-strap Mary Janes in burgundy — Patent finishes and stitched soles at $64 are the reason the brand competes above its price band.

For a wider view of the category — including the soft-sole brands we did not cover here — see our best kids' shoes guide.

Who should buy L'Amour — and who should skip it

Buy L'Amour if you want a proper leather shoe in a classic silhouette and you are prepared to check the size tier before every order. It is the best value in the classic category at EasyTot, the colour depth is unmatched, and the stitch-down construction means the shoes genuinely hand down. The sweet spot is a walking toddler between Toddler 5 and Kid 2 — that is where the great majority of the 151 main-line styles are available to you at once.

Buy the Angel (baby) tier instead if your child is between about 9 months and 2.5 years. It is $20 cheaper per pair, softer, and covers the ages where feet change size every eight weeks and an expensive shoe is wasted.

Skip L'Amour if your child has wide or high-volume feet (there are no width fittings), if you need a genuinely flexible sole for a brand-new walker (a soft-sole moccasin is the better shoe), or if you are shopping for a boy and want real choice — 94 of the 202 styles are Mary Janes or flats, and only five listings anywhere in the range are titled as a boy's shoe. And if your baby is not walking at all, the honest answer is that they need time on bare feet more than they need shoes.

Baby sitting on a flower-covered swing outdoors wearing white L'Amour Minnie bow Mary Janes and knee socks — For the occasion photographs, the Angel tier does everything the main line does — for about twenty dollars less.

Shop all L'Amour shoes at EasyTot →

Frequently Asked Questions

What do (infant) and (baby) mean in L'Amour shoe names?

They are size-tier markers. A title ending in (infant) means the shoe is a soft crib shoe sold in Infant 0 to Infant 5. A title ending in (baby) means it runs Baby 1, 2, 3 and then Toddler 4, 5, 6, 7. A title with no suffix is the main line, starting at Toddler 4 or 5 and running through Toddler 13 into Kid 1 to Kid 4.

Is Angel the same brand as L'Amour?

Angel Baby Shoes is a line within L'Amour's own catalogue rather than a separate company — the brand files it under its BABY section. In EasyTot's L'Amour collection, 38 of the 39 styles carrying the (baby) suffix are branded Angel, and 39 of the 40 Angel products use the Baby 1 to Toddler 7 size ladder.

Is Toddler 7 in a (baby) style the same as Toddler 7 in a regular L'Amour style?

No. Toddler 7 is the largest size on the Angel last, which is built for babies, and roughly the third size on the main-line last, which is built for older children. The two shoes differ in width and depth even though the label matches. If your child already wears the main line, expect the Angel version of the same number to feel snugger.

What size L'Amour shoe should I order for a 1-year-old?

Most 12-month-olds measure around 140 mm, which is a Toddler 5. That size exists in both the Angel (baby) tier and the main line, so pick the tier by how your child moves: cruising and mostly indoors, take the (baby) style; walking outdoors every day, take the unsuffixed one. Always measure the foot rather than ordering by age.

Do L'Amour shoes run big or small?

The main line runs true to the standard US kids scale, but narrow — there are no width fittings anywhere in the range. Children with wide or high-volume feet usually need to size up half a size, and the Angel (baby) tier is narrower still.

Are L'Amour shoes real leather?

Most of them are. Of the 202 active shoe styles in EasyTot's collection, 135 specify a leather upper and 112 specify a leather lining and sock. The exceptions are the canvas styles, two EVA flip-flops at $10 and $18, and a handful of glitter and tweed finishes.

How much do L'Amour shoes cost?

Shoes run $25 to $74, plus two EVA flip-flops at $10 and $18. The Angel (baby) tier sits at $34 to $48, infant crib shoes at $25 to $50, and the main toddler and kid line tops out with the Nicola Scalloped Chelsea Boot and Josephine Scallop Boot at $72 to $74. Socks and hair accessories are $10 to $18.

Can a baby who isn't walking yet wear L'Amour crib shoes?

Yes, but for warmth and occasions rather than support. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that babies' feet develop best unconfined before they walk, and that socks are enough indoors. If you want something on their feet for photographs or the pram, the Infant 0 to 5 crib shoes are designed for exactly that.