This is a very cute sneaker.  The light area is sliver, disguising dirt a little better than a white shoe.  It does run big.  We always get stride rite sneakers for my daughter, and they have always fit true to their sizing chart.  On their sizing chart she is a 7.5, and we were buying this to replace her size 7 stride rite sneaker.  The 7.5 was way too big, and the 7 fits perfectly.  We've had these for about 2 months now, and after daily wear (including running around and playing outside twice a day) they still look great.