light, decorative applications

Whilst shoe-construction standards were a little better thirty years ago I still don't think many of my old school shoes were particularly intact or wearable by the time I grew out of them. The large one's most recently vacated pair might just work by the time the small one grows into them, but only because they were barely worn for most of their fit; most end up with at least one large hole in the moulded sole, which I expect the manufacturers would be glad to hear in case they were worried they were making them too durable or sturdy.