To think girls shoes should be more practical.

[Idontknowwhoiam]

My daughter is far from a girly girl.
She likes running about, climbing trees jumping in puddles and mud and generally having messy fun.
I cannot find any school shoes that don't have open tops.
They're all the typical little girl style of shoe with a strap across the top and an open part across the top of the foot.
It's so useless for just walking to school even if she doesn't jump in puddles.
By the time we walk to school in the rain her feet would be wet and she'd need a change of socks or tights.
My son does not have this problem, all boys school shoes are closed.
Do shoe manufacturers not realise that girls need shoes to keep their feet dry too?
It's so bloody annoying and if anyone has found any please let me know.
I did see some in m&s last year (a while after buying others, obviously!) But they don't have them this year :(

[RufusTheReindeer]

Try startrite

Thats where dd gets hers

They look like brogues with a massive thick sole

[Dixiechickonhols]

kickers good too

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Why can't she wear "boys" shoes?

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Angry angels-lovely chunky brogues

Kickers are Google too.

Hate the Mary Jane's here too

[Dixiechickonhols]

clarks do the brogue type too, even in smaller sizes

www.clarks.co.uk/p/26109876

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Good.

Ffs autocorrect

[TheFallenMadonna]

DD, and most of her year in fact, wears brogues for school. DD's are Ricosta. Also in Clark's and Startrite though.

[ElsaAintAsColdAsMe]

I buy one of my dd's shoes from the boys section as she is very rough and tumble and needs something hard wearing.

[DrinkFeckArseGirls]

I havent been able to find brogues for younger girls only for older!

[candykane25]

Buy boys shoes.
My DD is nearly 3 and has a mix of boys and girls shoes. Marks and Spencer's boys shoes are pretty neutral whereas the girls are too girly. Boys shoes can be cheaper too.

[Idontknowwhoiam]

Thanks for your replies, I'm glad it's not just me.
I'll have a look at the links and brands you've suggested and hopefully get some luck.
If I can't get them in her size yet I think I'll skip the whole 'school shoe' purchase and go straight for ankle boots this year!

[Dixiechickonhols]

www.charlesclinkard.co.uk/girls-c23/school-shoes-c71/eleanor-girls-school-shoes-p24302/s344131?utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=VS+-+%28SC%29+Startrite&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=s1NOKDvwy|pcrid|112634262800|pkw||pmt||pdv|c|&gclid=Cj0KEQjwztG8BRCJgseTvZLctr8BEiQAA_kBD00Pjw563jZQT1QHhhhMKModd7QchqHL0QaEbHIanHoaAuTN8P8HAQ

These start at 11, recall my DD was an 11 when she started school in reception

[Idontknowwhoiam]

She does like the patterns that are on girls shoes so not sure how she would take having boys shoes... I think I'm going to have to face a trip out shoe hunting with her gid help me

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

I thought exactly the same when shopping for DD's first pair of school shoes this time last year.

I did end up buying the type you describe though - DD just wears her wellies to walk to school in if it's raining!

[imwithspud]

YANBU, it annoys me too. Like you said if they're walking to school and it's raining then their feet get wet. Dd1 is starting nursery school in September and I've already looked st shoes for her and nearly all of them are the same style, it's infuriating.

Will check out some of the links posted in this thread though.

[SueGeneris]

My DD has these closed shoes from Marks:

www.marksandspencer.com/kids-freshfeet-coated-leather-sporty-school-trainers-with-silver-technology-and-scuff-resistant/p/p22449798?image=SD_04_T72_8625B_Y0_X_EC_0&color=BLACK&prevPage=plp

She is a size 12. I had the same problem as you trying to avoid Mary Janes. These are good - like the standard boys shoes but with a couple of details.

[tootsietoo]

It's ridiculous. They are so flimsy compared to boys shoes. And of course my DDs won't wear boys shoes that are marketed at boys, they want the girls shoes marketed at girls.

DH did splash out on some DM lace up shoes for DD1 a couple of years ago and they were great. She refused to have a second pair though because she wanted the same shoes as everyone else.

[SueGeneris]

The picture actually makes them look like they are open but the shoes have a tongue.

[SueGeneris]

My other problem was that DD could not do laces so couldn't wear the lace up styles.

[RueDeWakening]

We compromised and got Kickers tbar style for DD. She's going into year 5 and still wears them, she grows out of them rather than destroys them like she did every Clarkes pair we ever bought

Her school don't allow laces for kids who can't tie their own, but black trainers were allowed in reception so most wore those.

[megletthesecond]

Yanbu. I emailed Clarkes to complain about the Mary Jane shoes for school. They didn't care, obviously.

7yo DD wears 'boys' school shoes now. And start rite tend to make a more sturdy girls shoe which she wore last year.

[BackforGood]

My dds have chosen brogues, for years.
Very practical.

[BikeRunSki]

DD starts school in Sept. She demolishes shoes as it is, and can't do laces yet either. Those M&S shoes look hopeful, but every single pair of shoes I have had from M&S has been terrible quality and has worn out very quickly (DD had some ankle boots (boys) where the stiching unraveled in a few weeks; got money back. DS had some school shoes which lasted hand a term; didn't get money back. I've got some adult brogues which are the thinnest leather and flimsiest soles ever).

[redexpat]

May i recommend that you have a look at the let clothes be clothes campaign? You shouldnt have to put her in "boys" shoes. Girls shoes should be fit for purpose.