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?

I think they're fine, but they'll be very different from the shoes most of the girls will be wearing, so if your DD likes to conform and fit in, that might be an issue.
Most girls' shoes are unpractical, as are girls' clothes. You'll have to get used to that.

They look a bit clunky and heav which might make playing harder.
I'd go for a black "walking shoe/trainer" as it'll be a but lighter and better for running around in at break time.

Our school requests all children wear plain black trainers with velcro at that age as they just cant play outside/run around as easily in anything else. Personally I think those look a bit stiff/uncomfy but if they ARE comfy and your DD likes them then they're fine!

My 6 year old dd has strong views on this kind of thing and she says they are girls’ shoes 👍

I don't like them but lots of people would wear them. Personal taste

Sorry. Just read that you're not allowed trainer style. Sorry!

They're fine for a girl imo. They're just shoes.

But totally agree something softer and more trainer in style or even a pair of boots would be less clumpy and heavy.

The good ones linked to above are great and my ds alway wore that brand and they lasted!

my dd had similar shoes and loved them.

school stipulated closed shoes anyway as they were using the playground in all weathers.

My DD would NOT have worn those under any circumstances now or in reception! I’d happily buy them for her if she wanted them but I can’t imagine her even countenancing trying them on. And I really really don’t push gender stereotypes - she’s just always been very particular and wouldn’t wear anything that she thought were for boys. Her own choice. She does like a clumpy Mary Jane though - she enjoys a heavy soled shoe, it just has to be patent leather or definitely a “girl’s” shoe. I’m sure she’s not the only one!

I think they look like 'boys shoes' based on what I've seen children at my kids' primary school wear, so it depends if she's happy to make a statement (good for her if she does) because she may be the only one wearing them. I would think they'd look odd with a pinafore dress though (worn by girls or boys) so would look better with trousers?

I think they look hideous and not something I would have bought for my daughter but equally you might not have liked what I bought for my daughter!

As long as she likes them and will wear them and they fit properly and not rub then buy them/keep them.

Might have to invest in a Startrite one too

Startrite come up slightly larger than Clarks.

They look heavy and uncomfortable. I wouldn't be bothered about whether they are boys' or girls' shoes. Kids often have to sit on the floor. I am not sure they would be comfy.

I’ve just shown my dd10 The photo and she Said they are girls shoes, although she doesn’t want a pair as she’s happy with her brogues. She won’t have Mary Janes as if it rains on the way to or from school she gets wet feet. She learnt how to tie laces when she was 6 so she was able to have brogues.

I actually think one of the girls I childmind had a very similar pair of shoes as these a couple of years ago, I don’t remember her being teased for her shoes (and that’s something I’d have known about).

Having spent years saying that shoes and clothes for children should be more unisex and we should have more options for our girls than open shoes, tiny shorts and short tshirts, I honesty think these shoes are a good thing!

Something like this seems like a good idea? Not too girly but not too clunky...

I showed to dds 8 and 11. They think they are horrible.

I would have cried when I was little.

They just look so old fashioned I wouldn't buy them for a boy or a girl. My daughter who is 4 would reject them as she likes the ones with a little jewel in them that a lot of girls have from Clark's.

www.kickers.co.uk/tovni-lacer-junior/13164725.html

I like these for young girls.

Sturdy soft and practical.

Ds had kickers boots for out of school and they always wore well.

They're fine, as long as she's comfortable, that's the main thing. No 5 year old is even going to notice what shoes she's got on so there'll be no teasing.

Fwiw, my children's primary school have said every child is to wear trainers when they go back, so no 'girly' shoes at all.

I wouldn’t have a problem buying them but agree that it depends how important confirming with peers is. My 6yo wouldn’t be prepared to wear them.

Have you looked at the chelsea boot style Doc Martins? My daughter is after another pair for this school year.
They survived all winter even while sledging her feet were dry.
Totally recommend them

The dds say the patent start rite are the least nasty.

On another matter I insist on patent because it's so much easier to clean

I use these as they are local but they do a good online service as well. Sell both Clarks and Start rite.

www.charlesclinkard.co.uk

I also used these last year in lockdown (we were after a specific school shoe) and they were very good as well.

www.meeksshoes.co.uk/

(Just so if wanted you could try different brands at the same time.)

I'm torn. I think they look great and are practical for the job they're designed to do.

However, I know that my 4.5 yo Niece would take one look at them and call them boys shoes. She would say "why are you wearing boys shoes?" This seems to be the age where they are very rigid with gender bias. No matter how much you teach them about equality, they pick things up from how boys and girls are portrayed in the media. My niece would not have it that boys can do ballet as well and that her boy cousin used to do ballet.

So, you may need to give your dd a quip to answer back to comments like that if she gets them. I know that might be confusing for her age and due to her ASD.

Wet feet haters here too! I think they look absolutely fine and will look smart with her dress. Mine are also very funny about how their shoes feel on their feet so I guess it depends if she likes them.