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Original poster

Secondary school SHOES

37 replies

Enchilada81 · 10/03/2010 10:41

I'm struggling with DS's stuff for september. He's not a "trendy" kid so hasn't got a clue what's in and what's out. We had a drama with the school bag (in the end we settled for a Nike messanger bag wth a tiny logo) and now we're debating about shoes.

I usually buy him Macadam ones (around £15) but DD says he'll get bullied with such 'cheapo' shoes. So I found some nice Ben Sherman slip on shoes for £35 but they look too grown up for him!

There's a lot of stuff about DS that bullies will love, I don't want his clothes to be one of them.

So what do 11 year old's wear on their feet?

OP posts:
busymummy3 · 11/03/2010 11:14

BTM- Welcome to the world of 12/13 year old girls and school shoes. They will absolutely not be seen DEAD with anything to do with Clarks let alone Clarks Kids shoes. I tried to persuade my DD last time to get a pair of Ballet style pump things from Clarks Ladies which to me looked exactly the same as the ones she wanted from New Look(albeit double the price but at least they were more robust)but she absolutely refused. it again comes down to what everyone else is wearing etc
In fact a lot of them are now wearing black lace up plimsoll things where we are- not DD her school doesnt allow them. Thank Goodness although at approx £8 from NEW LOOK /MATALAN I can see a lot of money saved.

Original poster
Enchilada81 · 11/03/2010 09:35

DD is 13 and she wears the tiny ballet things. In winter her feet used to come back frozen and soaked but she wasn't prepared to wear any sensible shoes

Fashion over comfort, as always!

(She wouldn't wear clarks)

OP posts:
BigTillyMint · 11/03/2010 09:16

I'm wondering about shoes for DD too, though I don't intend to buy her any yet!

I see loads of teenagers with ballet pumps on, and they don't look substantial enough. But are Clarkes shoes too babyish?

Original poster
Enchilada81 · 11/03/2010 09:12

I'm not actually buying anything yet. I'm just 'planning' so to speak and putting the money aside each week so that it doesn't work out too expensive in September.

I worry about him fitting in because it's been a probem all through primary school. He's not actually that bothered though funnily enough, he says he doesn't care about being different to everyone else. Its just me!

I will try and relax on it though, you're right.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 11/03/2010 09:07

my ds(16) has never been picked on because of his shoes and they're definitely not designer!

just get some nice plain black leather ones.

MissAnneElk · 11/03/2010 09:05

Agree with busymummy, it's too early to be doing this. He might change his mind when he visits the school for transfer day. If you are worried about the cost, then put the money aside gradually rather than actually buying the stuff, especially shoes. I also think you are overly worried about the 'fitting in' side of things.

busymummy3 · 10/03/2010 23:32

Why are you buying things so early? Let him enjoy the rest of what is left of primary then start the uniform buying. thats what I did with DD and what I intend to do with DS. Shoes will definately be the last thing I buy . Sounds that by starting to buy so early you causing problems for yourself and worrying him about things like bullying because you dont conform.nother good idea is wait until the school has its induction day / week he will see what kids there are wearing on their feet what bags they have got etc

inkyfingers · 10/03/2010 17:45

... won't he have outgrown them by September?

Original poster
Enchilada81 · 10/03/2010 11:17

Funnily enough, I did pick some up with velcro and DD said to me "do you WANT him to get bullied???"

It's hard to get used to the fact that he's not little anymore.

I think I'll go for the ben shermans

OP posts:
mummyflood · 10/03/2010 11:14

Hi Enchilada. Those shoes look great. DS1 favours Ben Shermans and both my DS's would definitely wear the ones you are looking at. In their opinions, it's the metal bits on some of them that are a no-no, and they reckon definitely don't go for anything with velcro!

Good luck to your DS, hope he settles in & enjoys high school.

Original poster
Enchilada81 · 10/03/2010 10:55

Thanks for the reply he'll be the same, by christmas he won't care less what he wears! it's those first impressions though that count I suppose.

Here are the shoes I was looking at:

www.brantano.co.uk/Shop/brantano_uk/Kids/Children%20Senior%20Boys/Choose%20by%20Size/05/Closed%20Sho es/Slip-on/2521409411.aspx?category=030501050101

What do you reckon? do they look old fashioned?

OP posts:
GetOrfMoiLand · 10/03/2010 10:48

Oh bless him.

I carted myself around all the shoe shops in Cheltenham when dd went up to senior school. Nothing ended up being right. Bought some shoes in Jones Bootmakers for a fortune in the end.

They really do fret about secondary transition so to be honest I would get him the shoes that he really likes. Ben Sherman ones sound fine imo.

Later on he probably won't care so much - dd has crappy loafers from Asda now (thank god).