DH says I 'can't' buy these school shoes for a girl!

[dontyouworrydontyouworrynow]

Opinions please!

Are these shoes ok for a 5 year old girl (going into Y1) for school?.

They come up listed in the girls section on Clarks. My thinking is they look tidy, practical and not likely to cause wet feet when it inevitably rains this autumn. DD insists on pinafores and tights so this is more of a pain to change than socks if she gets wet feet at school (and she won't tolerate wet feet, she has diagnosed ASD with sensory issues).

DH says they are boys shoes and I can't buy them it's mean. I think they're unisex and anyway they're five years old so surely practicality wins out!

I've looked at all the girly shoes but they're nearly all very low at the front or gappy!

Anyway... thoughts? Am I condemning her to being teased?

@MistyFrequencies

As sad as it is to say, my 4 year old came home from preschool asking for Sketchers sneakers because apparently 4 year olds know about brands these days and were commenting on her supermarket brand sneakers. So, particularly given she's autistic so may need extra help interpreting what's going on with the other kids, I'd probably try and find out what the norm is for kids at her school and buy those.

I have a 7 and 6 year old and they have never mentioned anything about this! They have no idea of brands and have never said that any classmates have commented on them either.

The heel does look quite big for a 5 year old. Geox have this flat shoe which is fully enclosed and it even says girls on it for your husband: www.shoesforchildren.co.uk/geox-hadriel-gg-school.html

Dd (9) has always worn school shoes like that. Far better for playing football at break time.

I would be concerned that she would be teased - unfortunately not something you can control.
I’m all for practical shoes (DD wore lace-up brogues at primary and DMs for secondary) but are there any pairs with a little more style?

Cute! No, nothing wrong with them

@ShaunaTheSheep

I would be concerned that she would be teased - unfortunately not something you can control. I’m all for practical shoes (DD wore lace-up brogues at primary and DMs for secondary) but are there any pairs with a little more style?

In Reception?

Teased or wearing lace-ups?
Yes to both.

They're unisex, but I wouldn't choose them. Clarks probably has something a bit less 'formal' than those, something more like a polishable trainer, for little ones that are running around, kicking balls and sitting/kneeling on the floor a lot.

DS had these in Reception, they were quite clunky and he found them uncomfortable when sitting cross legged on the carpet. I'd look for something else.

Does she like them? And is she confident enough to brush off any questioning /teasing?
I think they’re fine but I don’t think the majority of 5 year old girls would be drawn to them

So long as your DD loves them.

My DD would have hated them and refused to wear them so you have to ensure your DD has chosen them from all the other choices of shoes

I wouldn't get them for a girl unless they specifically wanted them tbh. They do look quite big and heavy so would look for a different style that still meets your needs tbh.

Nothing wrong with them at all. My daughter's school actually doesnt allow anything girly at all, including bows or any other embellishments on shoes.

Usually they don't go out in the rain and keep wellies at school to wear for if they do, at least they did at my DC primary School not so long ago

They are the same shoes DS wore for years.

I don’t think they’re boys shoes, but not sure how practical they are for a 5 year old. Has she tried them? My dc tried on very similar, and they’re just too chunky/clunky. Tripped when they were walking, and couldn’t sit on the floor comfortably. We found trainer style shoes much better for dc.

Are they allowed trainers? All black Nike air max or Nike Air Force one are very popular at primary and secondary schools.

I assumed your daughter must be secondary school age because surely at primary (especially early primary) the kids wouldn't even notice each others shoes much less care if they are suitable for girls or not.

In any case I think these are fine.

My daughter, starting reception, has got a similar style that doesn’t have a gap for wet socks but slightly less chunky than these. If DD likes them & they are practical, they are fine 👍

I’m surprised at all this talk of teasing about shoes in reception aged kids. I am heavily involved professionally with children of this age and it’s not something I’ve ever encountered. They’re too busy playing to care what other kids have on their feet!

One of these pairs of shoes were for my son and the other my daughter for school.

Much more practical than the Mary Jane shoes which leave had the foot uncovered.

If your DD is happy then your DP should be.

I’m actually quite pleased to see on the Clarks site that they’ve gone much more unisex with the school shoes than in previous years. I’d definitely go for one of the flatter covered styles. Comfy, practical and keep your feet dry.

I just showed these to 5yo DD and she said they're very nice. She has to wear very clumpy orthotic boots so by comparison those are dainty. Nobody has ever mentioned DDs shoes, child or parent. I'm saddened to think 5 year olds would tease their friends because of a pair of shoes. I'd understand if she was a bit older.

My dd is about to start Y5 and off the back of this thread I asked her what sort of shoes she would like for September. She just shrugged. "Whatever"

I dont even think she notices the shoes on her classmates feet.