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Original poster

Would you allow your 14 year old these (platform Doc Martens) for school?

61 replies

MsFogi · 15/05/2022 12:08

So, DD3 who is 14 is desperate for these shoes Doc Marten platforms - she would wear them both in and out of school (and it seems they would fall in the school uniform policy). Part of me thinks 'okay, she's at the age where she wants to be a bit edgy/have her own style and, whilst the platform is a bit high, they are probably a lot better for her feet than some of the shoes I wore to school in the 80s'. The other part of me thinks 'This surely can't be good for her posture/feet'. Also, I'm worried that I will undermine myself given that originally I had said she could have the similar style that has a smaller platform - but it seems they just won't cut it (and she will continue to wear her DM boots to school all summer rather than have the 'real' platforms), so getting them would mean me backing down.
WWYD wise MNers?

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Lessofallthisunpleasantness · 16/05/2022 23:53

Yes. My daughter is short and has these, she is 15. They are virtually indestructable.

Wallywobbles · 16/05/2022 22:48

If she paid for them.

Puffalicious · 16/05/2022 22:25

Definitely buy them. I bought similar for DS1 (not such a platform, mind) last summer. He's worn them all year and they look brand new. He'll use them for Uni and beyond, I reckon. Think his were £120 but it's price per wear. His feet have stopped growing, though, I'd perhaps make sure hers have too!

Magicfeet11 · 16/05/2022 22:16

God I love these, takes me back to my youth when DMs were a thing 😂
You absolutely can't black out the stitching though, that's a crime against fashion!

RagzRebooted · 16/05/2022 22:11

dizzydizzydizzy · 15/05/2022 17:28

Far too expensive. I thought £50 Clark's were bad enough. It is just school.

Most DCs spend more time in their school shoes than any other footwear.
Mike wear them out so quickly that I'm considering spending more so they last more than 6 months.

WhatsThatNoisee · 16/05/2022 10:34

AbsolutelyNebulous · 15/05/2022 12:25

I was expecting some monstrosity tbh but those look fine to me. Oh and it’s not “undermining” yourself! It’s showing that you’re capable of taking her opinions on board and reconsidering a decision rather than irrationally digging your heels in over something that isn’t a big deal.

This exactly. She's her own person, she's allowed her own taste, and that's barely a platform. What, an extra half an inch? I think they look very trendy. Why control for the sake of controlling? No need to power trip on our kiddo's.

TheFutureIs · 15/05/2022 17:30

The Audrick sole are much lighter, and they have a really comfy insole in too

dizzydizzydizzy · 15/05/2022 17:28

Far too expensive. I thought £50 Clark's were bad enough. It is just school.

HannahDefoesTrenchcoat · 15/05/2022 17:26

My DS wears these with black stitching. They are heavy though. But his feet are bigger than size 5

LadyMacnet · 15/05/2022 17:26

Yes, I would let her have them if the uniform policy allows it and I had checked by showing a picture of the shoes to the person in charge of uniform at the school and getting the thumbs up from them first.

They are expensive but value per wear I suppose makes them a more reasonable cost over time.

notagamer · 15/05/2022 17:25

Therunecaster · 15/05/2022 14:10

If you are anywhere near Newcastle I have this in a size 6 practicality brand new. You can have them.

Telling someone wants to off load them!

notagamer · 15/05/2022 17:25

I’d be interested to know why @Therunecaster doesn’t want them anymore?!

notagamer · 15/05/2022 17:23

I would drop a photo to school to ensure within policy
i would hope or wasnt
it if it was - and she was otherwise working hard at school and being pleasant enough (she is a teen so a bit of grumpiness permitted!) at home, and wasn’t usually one for fads - then yes I would buy

Bumpsadaisie · 15/05/2022 17:21

If the school allow it then I would. But £££!

BonjourCrisette · 15/05/2022 17:18

DD has some v similar except boots. She wears them to school and they are actually very practical and comfortable apart from on a really hot day. I say go for it. They will last years and have a fair bit of resale value if she decides she doesn't get on with them.

SeemsSoUnfair · 15/05/2022 17:11

They are very heavy (one reviewer says 1kg each) and will take a lot of breaking in.

Also, our very lax school would not allow due to the heel height (doesn't matter if it is a platform) so I would check first before spending so much.

3peassuit · 15/05/2022 17:10

If the school are okay with the yellow stitching, I’d let her. It’s a lot of money but DMs are well made and last well.

Verite1 · 15/05/2022 17:09

They seem fine to me. I remember trend was either for super chunky platforms or super pointy goth shoes when I was at school. Funny how trends come round again.

CorsicaDreaming · 15/05/2022 17:06

I think they are great and 20 years ago I had a similar pair as a Mary Jane chunky DM sandal. Wore them all the time and loved them ( very heavy though).

But the price! What if she has them stolen during PE? I'm sure they were about 40 quid in my young day...

SisterAgatha · 15/05/2022 16:59

The only reason I’d say no is that normal docs can be heavy on the legs and school wear is heavy use esp if walking to and from school, and she’s a child. The platforms add weight, I’d worry about that even though it’s probably overkill.

Fashion wise, nothing wrong at all with wearing them to school.

LoveSpringDaffs · 15/05/2022 16:44

I'd check the school uniform policy very carefully (should be online) IF you'd only buy them if she's allowed to wear them to school.

IF she grows out of them you can sell them on eBay (or wherever).

But the style, no problems at all. on the understanding they might take some breaking in & might be heavy.

DC (17) got some shoes from her Aunty (she'd bought them, but never really worn them as she found them 'too heavy' she paid loads for them, £350-£400 I think) I forget the brand? Dark green soles...? ) Anyway DC loved them, I wasn't sure school would be ok with the green soles & told her if she got told off it was on her! School have never said a word & she's in her 4th or 5th year of them now & they're still comfortable. (They'd look better with a polish, but...)

Original poster
MsFogi · 15/05/2022 16:31

Therunecaster · 15/05/2022 14:10

If you are anywhere near Newcastle I have this in a size 6 practicality brand new. You can have them.

That's lovely of you @Therunecaster but unfortunately dd is a 5 (and we're nowhere near you).

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Therunecaster · 15/05/2022 14:10

If you are anywhere near Newcastle I have this in a size 6 practicality brand new. You can have them.

astoundedgoat · 15/05/2022 13:47

I think they're great, and they'd be allowed at my DC's school, BUT my 13yo's feet are growing at an alarming rate. Will these fit your 14yo for more than 6 months? £150 for a pair of school shoes of that quality and a particularly timeless style, which could easily last 10 years, isn't as concerning as them being too tight in September. Could you make her wait til then, at least?

(They were £60 in my day in the early/mid 90's too, but in real terms £150 is probably a DROP in price since then!)

Original poster
MsFogi · 15/05/2022 13:42

Thanks for all the replies - seems fairly unanimous that they are not crazy (apart from the price - which she will be contributing to and her feet seem to have stopped growing which is why I am willing to spend much more than usual). MN (for once!) will have made one girl very happy Grin

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