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Tell Brantano your top tips on shopping for school shoes and you could win a £100 Brantano voucher NOW CLOSED

89 replies

AngelieMumsnet · 02/07/2015 09:37

The team at Brantano would love to know about Mumsnetters’ tips and experiences of the back to school shop for shoes.

Here’s what Brantano say, “To help make this shopping experience easier for you and your little ones, our friendly staff are all expertly trained and can provide a free shoe fitting service across all the brands we stock. Brantano stores are also conveniently located in retail parks, with most open until 8pm so you don’t have to go too far for those back to school essentials.”

So, how does your back to school shoe shopping usually go? Who has the final say on your DCs shoes? Have you got any tips and hints to share about how to make the back to school shop a little easier?

Whatever your experiences are, Brantano would love to hear about it!
Everyone who posts their comment on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £100 Brantano voucher.

Please note: your comments may be used anonymously elsewhere on Mumsnet and by Brantano on their website, marketing materials and possible elsewhere, so please only comment if you are happy with this.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

OP posts:
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CMOTDibbler · 02/07/2015 09:44

Its usually hell as ds has very wide feet with high insteps. If we are really lucky, there will be one style available that fits him, but more usually it takes a couple of shops or having to order them in.
Bribery is the only way none of us melt down during this.

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SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 02/07/2015 11:30

As my youngest left school this summer, we are past having to do this - but casting my mind back, what would have helped most is having a good range of shoes in the different sizes and width fittings.

My dses all had very narrow feet - they take after dh - and like CMOT, we usually found that this meant our choice of shoes was very limited - not quite as limited as her ds's choice, but pretty poor.

Plenty of seating - for the frazzled parents who are waiting for their turn with the assistant - that makes a difference, as does something to entertain the child/children whilst you wait.

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ShatnersBassoon · 02/07/2015 11:34

Go to a shop that sells several brands of quality shoes; Charles Clinkard and John Lewis are my first choices. Go as early as you can so the queue hasn't yet built and the children aren't already beyond breaking point from other boring chores, and have something fun lined up to do after.

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TheyGotTheMustardOut · 02/07/2015 14:57

Don't go when the children are hungry or tired! Just after breakfast is the best bet for us.

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purplepandas · 02/07/2015 22:46

It's usually fine. A visit to Clarks sorts ot out. DD loves getting measured and getting new shoes. As long as they have something she likes in her size we are good. I do bribe with lunch out too!

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janekirk · 02/07/2015 23:35

Build it in to a day of leisure, only do it first before whatever the kids are looking forward to. Usually let the kids choose a pair of casual trainers/casual shoes themselves too, within reason!

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GloGirl · 02/07/2015 23:47

I've been shopping with my nephew for school shoes - I would agree with the advice to do it before they get hungry/bored. So first thing followed by a nice day out. Obviously going somewhere with a huge collection so you are not trudging around different shops.

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suzie2812 · 03/07/2015 06:46

I normally go a few weeks before school starts to avoid the craziness. Visit early in the day after eating :)

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RhinosAreFatUnicorns · 03/07/2015 07:43

Shoe shopping is normally fun in our house as DD loves shoes. The only issue with buying nursery/school shoes is that she normally finds another 10 pairs of completely inappropriate shoes that she 'needs'.

We try and go when it's not too busy. The decision to buy the shoes is a mutual one. I will offer her a choice of any that I think are suitable and she gets the final say.

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Ausflug · 03/07/2015 09:53

Fortunately my daughter's school doesn't have a uniform, which means we aren't shopping for shoes when everyone else is too.

We still struggle though, because she has narrow feet, with high insteps. We usually have to try on multiple pairs of shoes, across several different shops, and if we're lucky there'll be one pair that fits. I now know which brands to definitely avoid, and which have worked in the past, but we still need to try on lots.

I prefer shops where you can try on both shoes from a pair by yourself, rather than have to ask for the second to be fetched from the stock room (I think Brantano may be like this, not sure). I also like places where you can use the foot gauges yourself, rather than have to wait for a busy member of staff to do it for you. I am quite adept at checking the fit myself now, so it is easier than waiting for an assistant.

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EatSleepWorkRepeat · 03/07/2015 10:18

Go early or late in the day, Brantanos is good as can grab a selection and try on without waiting an age for staff to retrieve from stockroom, and if necessary bribe with food! Also for us I've found it easiest if I take DS on my own... for some reason shoe shopping is guaranteed to descend into a fight if me and DH go together!

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AlwaysDancing1234 · 03/07/2015 10:33

Many shops simply don't stock enough of a range in different width fittings and sizes. Of my two DC one has narrow long feet with skinny ankles and the other has little chubby feet so usually only a choice of one pair in a shop. Also children are terrible at waiting so lots of staff at busy times with a proper queueing system such as numbered tickets is useful.

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CopperPan · 03/07/2015 10:38

I try to go early on a weekday, usually a Monday is pretty quiet. And I make sure I have something nice for lunch planned afterwards as it's a reward for both of us for surviving the experience.

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asuwere · 03/07/2015 11:21

I get school shoes quite regularly and don't always have to do a back to school shop for shoes - depends if their feet have grown or not. I always get them to try their shoes on the week before they go back after the holidays to check. I find it pretty straight forward though - go in, check what's in their size, let them try on shoes they like, check they fit and done. Worst bit is finding decent shoes for DD - I really wish there was a choice for girls school shoes and not having them all open at the top, a proper full-coverage shoe would be nice!

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MakeTeaNotWar · 03/07/2015 12:39

Go early, go with one child at a time, iphone if left waiting (my DC are little), bribe with a treat afterwards

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FeelingSmurfy · 03/07/2015 12:43

I generally pick out a few pairs I am happy with and then let the kids choose from those, they end up with suitable shoes but no arguments because they feel like it was all their own choice. If they get their heart set on a pair they see that aren't suitable then they usually don't have their size Wink

Back to school time is busy so it would be good if you could be given a time and go to do other shopping until nearer your time so that the shop isn't heaving with people (putting potential customers off and making everyone hot and bothered) and the kids don't get bored and start whining

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WowOoo · 03/07/2015 13:52

Go as early as possible after a full breakfast.

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SayThisOnlyOnce · 03/07/2015 14:10
  1. Make sure they are wearing the same socks that they will wear to school.
  2. Look at 'boy' and 'girl' shoes as I have discovered possession of genitals does not alter the fit Wink
  3. Make sure DC actually really DO like the shoes and are not just being polite in front of the sales assistant.
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BrieAndChilli · 03/07/2015 14:25

Go as early as possible.
Go in the middle of the holidays , anytime near the ends is Manic
Bribery
Wish there was a computer you could check which shoes are available in your size as you spend ages looking, dd gets heart set on a certain shoe only to find when it's finally your turn they don't have any in her size.

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MooseyMoo · 03/07/2015 14:26

Shopping for shoes: if going into a shop go as early as possible after breakfast. DD has slow growing feet so I order online to make use of discounts and free delivery codes. Just make sure they have free returns.

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LowCarbHeaven · 03/07/2015 15:30

Brantano is the only proper shoe shop in our town. The fact you can try on shoes without waiting for a sales assistant is a major plus when shoe shopping for me as my son gets impatient waiting for sales assistant to get one pair and another etc..

We always go in the morning and not after shopping elsewhere and try on several pairs. Even if you find a pair that you think fit, let them try on a couple more because sometimes they might find something better.

My son wears school shoes for nursery school along with his school jumper etc and the main thing we look for is shoes which are comfortable, wearing and he can get them off and on without too much hassle as he changes shoes there.

It's also worth checking Brantano for branded shoes. We got my sons shoes on sale in there and it just so happened we nearly bought them 2 days before for £4 dearer in another shop. Every little helps!

Also sensible socks, similar to the thickness they will wear at school.

Don't be afraid to ask for help or to get their feet measured. My sons feet go up sizes regularly and correct fitting shoes are so important Smile

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chairmeoh · 03/07/2015 15:59

Go early in the day, wearing socks/tights that are likely to be same thickness as those that will be worn with the shoes.
Promise a milkshake afterwards.
My DD has very wide feet, so generally only one or two styles are suitable.

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Maiyakat · 03/07/2015 19:08

Do not leave it until the last week of the school holidays!! Make sure DCs are fully aware of what shoes fit in with the uniform policy before you go, to reduce the chance of a melt down when the pink sparkly shoes are not allowed...

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ButterflyOfFreedom · 03/07/2015 20:06

We go first thing in the morning - well as soon as the shops are open! My DC are generally at their best then; not tired and fed & watered!
We usually incorporate it into a fun day in town - shoe shopping first followed by a trip to a toy shop, lunch out, then maybe a visit to the library or museum.
Just make a day of it really.

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emmaokane · 03/07/2015 20:49

We always browse the web first so we have a clear idea of what type of shoes we are aiming for, my oldest daughter normally try's to push the boundaries and try's to get an adventurous pair but I explain as these are for school they have to be sensible and within school regulations and explain to her that next time we go to purchase shoes that are for outside of school that she can have a free reign to choose the style/ colour etc doing this normally stops the shoe shop tantrums also another good tip is a lot of shops have started to offer appointment times for fittings around busy times which is an absolute godsend in my eyes especially when I have 5 that need shoes, so I simply ring and book in no waiting around and get to choose a time that's convenient for us and no rushing it's really relaxed hope brantanos offer this service come back to school this year Wink

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