To think clarks and start rite are sexist when it comes to school shoes

[Balcanoona]

Buying school shoes for DD 9 and 11 yesterday - both walk to school, one along the canal, the eldest has narrow feet. But the only girls shoes on offer from these two companies has very thin soles which would be worn through within a month. The boys shoes had thick soles and far more robust. The extremely helpful shop assistant told me they were "fashion shoes" and companies don't really think about practicalities. We found another brand more suitable, but really, for 9 year old to think they don't run about - AIBU?

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

I've stopped using Clarks for DD's shoes as not impressed by choice or quality of their 'girls' shoes. We go to an independent short shop, much more choice.

[MephistoMarley]

It's grim isn't it? I hate seeing little girls in flimsy Mary Janes when the boys have sturdy, foot covering, thick soled shoes. Can you get her some kickers or doctor martens or something? Kickers used to be fashionable with girls when I was young

[MephistoMarley]

www.kickers.co.uk/kick-t-bar-classic-junior-p5450

[slightlyglitterbrained]

Disposable "fashion shoes" are such a cynical con for adults. For a 9 year old it's taking the piss.
Clarks deserve to lose custom if they choose not to stock any practical shoes for girls. Their stock range is their choice.

[Tuiles]

My girl wears boys shoes

[angeldiver]

My girls wears boys shoes and always has.

[Dozer]

Really bad. One to raise if they have a social media page?

[beluga425]

I started a thread about this many moons ago. I think the differences have huge implications for the development of boys v girls. Try climbing and running about in girls' shoes. Try winning a race. Girls are immediately put at a disadvantage.

I was shopping for shoes with my 5yo yesterday and we found a pair of child size 10 high heels in TK Maxx which she decided she had to have. Obviously I did not buy them!! The children's shoe world has gone mad.

[EarthboundMisfit]

I said exactly this to my DH yesterday!

[Ratley]

My DD is 7 and we haven't had a problem with startrite shoes, she has Mary Jane style or T-bar style. She runs, plays football,climbs trees, uses her foot as her scooter break on the way home from school exactly the same as her brother. Her shoes always last a year, polished every week.
If it is wet they both work to school in wellies because no matter how sturdy and foot covering they are nobody wants to have wet shoes all day.

[Inthebathprobably]

Had same conversation yesterday too, the fact hat most for girls are also mainly open so you can just get wet feet too if it rains.

[liz70]

Meh. DD3 (seven) wears Toughees Mary Janes along with school uniform of cardie and either gingham dress or pinafore, blouse and tie. It doesn't stop her playing just like all the other girls and boys, climbing trees, racing up and down the hill etc. Little girls are just as active as boys whatever they're wearing IME (three DDs).

[Ratley]

Also, I could climb trees in heels when I was a teenager, my mum's obsession with me looking ladylike never stopped me.

[Dogcatred]

Yes the more open styles for girls mean rain gets in too. Not for school but a lot of girls wear trainers which at least are fairly gender neutral and practical.

[ladyvimes]

If you don't like them don't buy them. Lots of other options. Personally I find their shoes very sturdy sand hard wearing but perhaps I have just been lucky.

[MeMySonandl]

Well, if IT helos, DS gets his schoolnshoes from Clarks, the soles often split, and are looking very worn before Christmas all the time. His choice of boys shoes is ridiculously small when compared to girls. Yet, I continue going there because cheaper shoes die on his feet within weeks and more expensive shoes are too expensive for us.

[MeMySonandl]

If it helps ...

[TheLastRoseOfSummer]

My daughter wears DM school shoes. Still patent Mary Janes, but they are really cool, far harder wearing and far longer lasting.

[phillipp]

I wonder why some shops stock different ones. Dd (12) got some Clarks girls shoes this week. Thick sole and come all the way up her foot.

I was really impressed she picked them. Very sensible school shoes. I hate Mark Jane types, their feet get soaked.

But I don't think you can blame Clarks entirely. There were loads of pairs of the sensible shoes left and even the girl on the till commented that hardly anyone was buying them. Clarks are going to make what sells.

[megletthesecond]

Yanbu. I've emailed them and complained about girls shoes and was palmed off with a flimsy reply.

7yo dd and some of her friends now wear boys shoes instead. Much more waterproof and better for running and climbing.

[VioletBam]

Both mine wear Docs. And trainers. They have never worn those flimsy slip on ballet things and don't want them either.

[MrsJayy]

Hated that when mine were at school flimsy feeble shoes once bought a pair in M&S that fell to bits they actually told me they are not meant for walking Op dd2 wore sketchers shoes (not trainer like) for 4/5 years they are really sturdy and comfy i used to buy them on line

[CodyKing]

Id agree - they need to keep up with the fashion for lace ups for the girls!

All the high schools hear the girls wear converse or Vans - same as the boys.

Clarks have nothing similar in smaller sizes.

I stopped shopping there when I asked for lilac wedding shoes and they brought out pink boots - of coarse DD wanted the boots which didn't match her dress - or the weather - previously they tried to sell DS a pair of shoes a size smaller than he had on!

[MrsJayy]

Dd 1 wore lace ups and then black trainers at secondary but Dd2 has a development delay so struggled with laces the feeble shoes were a nightmare

[loosechange]

Agree. My child does everything she wants in " girls shoes" but why are they such little things, wen the boys shoes are trainer style.

And for that matter, I haven't seen many pre walkers demanding pink shoes, but that is the majority of the colour choice.