Freshly Picked Moccs: Boy Approved

When I first started using Instagram, I kept seeing these posts about “Moccs for a Year” and 1). I had no idea how to repost the image and 2). This post was everywhere! Finally it led me to Freshly Picked Moccs and I’m truly glad that though I didn’t win the “Moccs for Year,” I have been continuously inspired by the type of small business Susan Petersen and her team have built over the years. There is something to be said about a company that has transcended the culture of children’s fashion along with creating a genuinely intimate relationship with their clientele.

So when I had the opportunity to do a review on the Freshly Picked Moccs, I couldn’t pass it up (and a million thank you’s for this). I figured that for this review I would break it down from my entire experience. So I will be covering the following: Customer Service, Presentation, Item Quality (fit, durability, workmanship), Cost or “bang for your buck” and, Cons.

Customer Service: I actually contacted Freshly Picked after seeing their request for bloggers/partners to review and/or do giveaways with their product for 2014. Within about 48 hrs or so one of their staff, Stefanie, emailed me back. She was extremely friendly and personable through the entire process. Sent me the forms I needed, and extensively asked me if I needed anything to contact her. Truthfully I was probably asking too many questions, but she obliged me nonetheless. After receiving my final email for the moccs I received them right on time for this review and yes…giveaway!

Presentation: The moccs came in a manila packing envelope and the beloved muslin bag with the logo and pin. Is it okay to say I was really excited? I mean I made sure I had time to sit down and soak in the fact that I was about to unravel the drawstring and see my little chocolate moccasins? The presentation is simple, but you don’t really need a lot going on with these little sewn beauties. Plus, I like that you have something to place the moccs back in. My husband is a shoe freak and insists on daily shoe care (I’m not joking) so he was even impressed that we could put the shoes away after each use – mind you this may last this week unless my husband remembers to put them back in the bag…

Item Quality: This is my favorite part… I know that the concern undoubtedly about Freshly Picked is the fact that they are expensive. Which often is why people may opt to buy a cheaper version of them (but I will touch on this at the end). However, these shoes are 100% leather and machine stitched by a real person.

• Fit: I was afraid that my son’s long and narrow foot wouldn’t fit properly into this type of shoe. As instructed I used the foot graph provided to determine his size. When I placed the shoes on his feet, they fit exactly like his best pair of shoes he normally wears. After two days of non-stop wearing (and I mean this kid didn’t want to take the shoes off) I noticed how the shoe has begun to mold to his foot. I also noticed that they did not once come off, which has been a problem with slip on shoes for him. 
• Durability: Kai ran, skipped, jumped in these shoes for two days. I purposely had him in the grass and mud to see what these shoes were made of. Not only did they survive my little boy’s 18 month adventures, they cleaned up nicely. Mind you this is leather, so wear and scuffs may occur – however, there are leather cleaners/restorers available if you’re neurotic about keeping them a certain way. I will allow the photos to speak for themselves. Kai did not hold back at all.
• Workmanship: Before even placing them on Kai’s feet I looked at them. My grandmother was a professional seamstress and though I am not, she taught me what she knew. The lines are crisp, there are no loose threads, the cuts and seams are done to handmade perfection. There is a flap in the mid section of each shoe for the foot to breathe, which is great since the shoes are leather and I’m sure can cause stinky feet. I am being extremely truthful when I write this (I did not get paid promise). These are quality shoes…hands down. If I’ve learned anything in life, you get what you pay for whether you spend $20 or $60 (unless you’re thrifting). 

I hope that this review is helpful to you as you make your own decision at the brink of purchasing a pair of moccasins. As with any purchase, it’s an investment. These shoes I would refer to as heirloom investments, pass them on to a dear friend or your next child…they’ll last.

a Rafflecopter giveaway//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js