No reason one can't shop online from the UK. I usually buy from the US because the exchange rate means I get better value for money. The differance in seasons means that I can get the stuff that is on special because it was made for the previous season so even with postage I end up getting great quality stuff for the same price as dodgy quality here. Gymboree has great sales and overstock and sierra trading often have great bargains too.

I'm a bit of a fan of velcro too - saves me from tying laces lol.
My children don't wear shoes a minute more than I can help it I think it's better for their feet to be barefoot so long as they aren't running about anywhere that they might injure their feet.

ETA - I also buy lots of clothes second hand on ebay and after reading about CO2 emissions caused by manufacturing clothing yesterday I'm planning to buy more second hand from ebay and op-shops (the article was in an inflight magazine - I wonder if they appreciated the irony lol)