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 wouldn't care if they were boys or girls shoes but they are really ugly.

My ds had these shoes for 2 years in a row, though have gone for something more trainer like this year.
Though looking at them again now I actually think they would be ok for a girl too.

They are just shoes. They look like they might be a bit clumpy with the heel, I'd go for more of a trainer style in primary.

Honestly, my DDs would never have worn these. Have you seen the Doc Martens range for young girls? Very chunky and sensible, like these, but girly too. My youngest DD (8) loves hers.
However if your DD likes these, there's nothing wrong with them and look like they'll last

My daughter wore shoes similar to those throughout primary school. Absolutely fine, never teased, in fact many of the girls wore the same style.

If she likes them, and they're comfortable, then that's all that matters.

At first I thought you were asking for a boy and my first thoughts were "they look a bit girly for a little boy". So I think they are perfectly fine and look like good practical shoes for a little girl.

Clark shoes for kids are normally well made and light. My DD would not have bothered at all.

I think they look very sensible and practical. However, my 5yo would not be happy with them. I’d love to get her in a pair like that but unless there is some form of sparkle she is very much not interested. I am already dreading the back to school shop.

They’re absolutely hideous for a girl. My son wore those exact shoes when he started infant school over 15 years ago. Clarks need to update their shoe designs.

I think they look more like boys shoes than girls shoes of I had to pick a side. I do think they are a bit ugly to be honest I would go for some ankle boots if you need dry rather than these. The startrite ones were much nicer.

Solid shoes and they are fine.

What a horrible mind set.

Nope, just one set in reality.

I showed this to my DD who is going into year 2 and she said she would not wear them as people would laugh at her for wearing boys shoes. She is the least girly girl I know as well, so I would probably not buy them tbh.

They don't look very comfy. She will be sitting on the carpet lots and most schools hardly let them out if it rains. I would choose softer comfier shoes. DS2 wore black trainers all the way through primary.
If walking to school she could wear wellies and change when she arrives.

Can she sit cross legged in them ? That's very important in a school shoe.

If these are from the boys section it takes one kid saying "my brother wears those" to piss on her chips. I know she shouldn't care but most kids couldn't shrug it off

My 7 yr old dd chose some similar shoes from the “boys” section in Sainsbury’s last year. She loved them! They kept her feet warm and dry and lasted much better than previous “girl” ones. We will be having a look at the “boy” section again.

I remember my mum buying me similar because they were sensible. I still remember being teased. I was around 6 as I remember the teacher. I'm nearly 40 now. And I remember ' boys shoes boys shoes' name' wears boys shoes. '

My ten year old, proper fussy daughter says that they look nice. She’d wear them.

Personally I think they’re hideous and I’m not a Clark’s fan!

Five year old feet are not gendered!

My DD taught Y1 a few years back and told me at the end of the first day, every little girl who was in "girlie" shoes was blistered and bleeding at the heels. None of the boys had problems and not did the girls who wore the 'clumpy' styles.

Do you want DD to hobble or run freely?

@NewlyGranny

Five year old feet are not gendered!

My DD taught Y1 a few years back and told me at the end of the first day, every little girl who was in "girlie" shoes was blistered and bleeding at the heels. None of the boys had problems and not did the girls who wore the 'clumpy' styles.

Do you want DD to hobble or run freely?

This is a bit of an exaggeration.. there is huge space between the shoes posted by the OP and cheap girly shoes that will make her hobble! Seriously!!

Oh grow up the pair of you. They’re a pair of shoes. And she’s five. Stop your husband pushing his ridiculous sexist opinions on to your daughter and grow a backbone so you don’t have to validate a pair of shoes via strangers on the internet

@Livinghereinallentown why are they hideous for a girl but not a boy? Seriously, please articulate that thought.

They’re absolutely hideous for a girl. My son wore those exact shoes when he started infant school

@NewlyGranny

Five year old feet are not gendered!

My DD taught Y1 a few years back and told me at the end of the first day, every little girl who was in "girlie" shoes was blistered and bleeding at the heels. None of the boys had problems and not did the girls who wore the 'clumpy' styles.

Do you want DD to hobble or run freely?

My DD wears ‘girly’ shoes (her choice!) but they’re from Clarks so definitely no blisters or bleeding. We get them fitted to make sure they won’t run.

*rub

My DD has a more ‘robust’ looking pair like that. She loves football and needs stronger than the shoes that are marketed for girls.