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Original poster

Are these shoes acceptable for high school?

203 replies

NewDirectionNeeded · 31/08/2018 16:33

Hi,

Dd starts high school next week and I really don't have a clue what shoes to get her!

She doesn't have friends yet (struggles socially) so can't compare.

We were in Clarks earlier and I was asking the assistant who looked very young, what she thought of these shoes she'd picked out and she said that some girls would wear them, but most will still try and get away with trainers and Vans. The way she said it suggested that "some girls wear them" actually meant 'the girls who get teased wear them'.

My DD already stands out as being quite different, so just want to make sure I'm not making her stand out more. I know that sounds awful, but I'm sure some of you will understand.

TIA

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
JellySlice · 31/08/2018 17:01

My dd has worn shoes from the boys' range throughout secondary (and earlier). Usually laceups, occasionally the less chunky velcros. She wears them with tights and skirt or socks and trousers. Dd finds girls' styles very limiting, especially as she walks to school in all weathers. Many of tthe girls wear similar shoes to the oxfords you showed. They appear to be an acceptable unisex style.

sunyousaw · 31/08/2018 17:10

Well it depends on your specific school. But our KS3 girls wear brogues (most of them), loafers (20%), Velcro strap fastening 'primary school ' shoes (5%). We do not allow trainers or anything like that.

starkid · 31/08/2018 17:10

People who wore those when I went to school were laughed at (sorry! Teenage girls can be horrid)
I wore black ballet/dolly shoes in the late 2000's, but then maybe I'm behind with the times and brogues are back in?

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Cliveybaby · 31/08/2018 17:11

awful sorry - I had "unisex" shoes one year (year 4/5 maybe?), and I will never forget the mortification of seeing a boy with the same ones!

LatinForTelly · 31/08/2018 17:11

They're exactly the ones my daughter (just starting s2) wears. She says 'everyone' wears them. Ballet flats would not be practical for our very wet weather.

NapQueen · 31/08/2018 17:11

What does the uniform policy say on shoes?

starkid · 31/08/2018 17:13

Or for something more waterproof maybe something like [https://www.schuh.co.uk/womens/schuh-compass-black-flat-shoes/1339057040/ these?]]

starkid · 31/08/2018 17:14

(fancy link fail...)

Plutonium · 31/08/2018 17:15

Love the shoes OP posted.

Land0r · 31/08/2018 17:16

NewDirectionNeeded My DD1, who is just going into yr8, also chose those shoes (not the patent ones, the black leather ones on the top of the box in the photo). They're waterproof (Geox?) and she's very pleased with them. At her school (girls' grammar), they're not allowed to wear canvas shoes or trainers, just 'proper' black shoes. She thinks lots of girls will have the same ones as her.

billybagpuss · 31/08/2018 17:17

I teach in a secondary school and those are pretty similar to what most girls there will be wearing in year 7. Trainers and Vans will get uniform demerits and ballet style will be off her feet before September is out.

theliverpoolone · 31/08/2018 17:17

I'm a bit Shock at all the replies saying they're awful, as my dd will be starting high school next week in the M&S patent version of them. I certainly won't be buying a different pair!

DoinItForTheKids · 31/08/2018 17:17

What the uniform policy says doesn't always relate to what the kids actually wear though!

It was 'leather shoes' only rule at my DDs school but a good 80% wore all black Vans or similar. The rest wore dolly shoes, loafers, flats. Kickers were possible - any shoe though with a white sole or a what label or white laces even if the main body of the shoe was all back, won't cut it.

Why not just get some ballet flats to start with and let DD do some observation of what they're all wearing, let the school settle down from any uniform enforcing activities and just see what shakes loose as to the shoes that they can get away with wearing and those that will never get through - the policy is only ever as meaningful as how rigorously it is applied.

SassitudeandSparkle · 31/08/2018 17:19

Trainers and vans are specifically mentioned as being unsuitable in the uniform list for my DD's school, black leather-type shoes only.

DD hates lace ups though, so is not wearing brogues!

chchchnamechanges · 31/08/2018 17:19

I wear them but I’m old. The shuh ones have a better grip (I have the clarks ones and slip in them)

Original poster
NewDirectionNeeded · 31/08/2018 17:20

Ah ok, so a mixed bag of opinions.

My DD really likes them. I've asked them to hold them, whilst I do a bit of mumset research.

The school footwear policy just says smart, black shoes- no trainers or vans.

OP posts:
chchchnamechanges · 31/08/2018 17:21

If she likes them that’s what matters

Parker231 · 31/08/2018 17:21

My DT’s school specified a particular shoe. Uniform policy was incredibly strict.

For those saying the shoes are awful, what would you suggest?

BusySittingDown · 31/08/2018 17:21

My DD chose the patent ones. She also starts high school next week and it’s what everybody else seems to wear.

She also liked the ballet shoe style but I said no because she has quite a way to walk and her feet will get piss wet through!

SassitudeandSparkle · 31/08/2018 17:22

I'd say brogues were popular, some of the Yr 6 had them last year.

dementedpixie · 31/08/2018 17:23

My dd is in S4 (4th year at high school) and has worn brogues for the last 3 years. Much better for walking in

Fireba11 · 31/08/2018 17:24

Definitely depends on the school's uniform policy as PPs have said. At my school we're quite strict with shoes so Vans etc while "cool" would result in being sent straight to head of year equivalent. Our students are allowed to wear Kickers but have to have the leather tag bits taken off.

The ones you posted, OP, look fine to me. Nothing she will get in trouble for and they shouldn't draw attention from other kids!

pontiouspilates · 31/08/2018 17:24

They are exactly what my DD (just starting Yr8) and most of her friends wear. They are fine!

Fairylea · 31/08/2018 17:25

My dd wears Clarks hamble oak brogues. She’s worn then ever since she started - she’s now going into year 11 and has had a new pair every year. They aren’t allowed vans or anything like that at her school.

Land0r · 31/08/2018 17:26

Sorry, I was wrong, DD1 has these:

www.humphriesshoes.co.uk/sami-fudge-gore-tex-bl/p2812?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv6KcuNmX3QIVx-d3Ch3Ocw61EAQYAiABEgIgffD_BwE

But they are very similar! Just asked her and she said nearly all the girls have brogues, just a handful have Velcro fastenings still.

And I meant Goretex not Geox!