Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

School uniform shopping for older boys is just horrendous!

98 replies

confusedofengland · 30/08/2022 16:06

Just got back from shopping with DSes aged 13, 11 & 8 for school shoes, bags & shirts. It was so difficult & expensive!

DS1 has size 9 feet & is about 175+cm. We managed to get him shoes in Clarks outlet but they were £45 😳 I just hope his feet don't grow again, as he has gained 2 sizes over summer! As for shirts- plain white, short-sleeved- I went to 3 physical shops & exhausted online options before finally nabbing the last 2 packs of age 15-16 in Asda!

Ds2 (11) has uniform already, passed down from his brother & friends. His shoes were a real challenge! He takes a tiny size 3 & is narrower than an E in Clarks- which they do not cater for, but they advise putting insoles in. If we are happy to do that, he also needs slip-on shoes, preferably without velcro. I'd be happy with elastic in the place of laces. They had not one pair of shoes like this. Two more shops later & we are finally happy.

Ds3 was fairly straightforward to cater for (for now!) but he is taller than DS1 at the same age, so I can foresee future problems!

And all in all, I am about £150 poorer!

OP posts:
TimeToInterfere · 30/08/2022 16:08

I'd be happy with elastic in the place of laces.
you can buy these separately and re-lace shoes.

I feel for you and my DS doesn't even need a uniform!! The cost of shoes 😢

Roundaboot · 30/08/2022 16:14

It's nuts isn't it? I have a 14 year old, going into year 10 and for the past couple of years have really struggled with buying shirts. Anything over age 12 just seems to sell out instantly.
We've had success in M&S with shoes - they go up to adult size 9 and they're decent quality. Also they have all the sizes out on the shelves with pairs, so you can just grab a load and try on so no waiting for an assistant etc.

Original poster
confusedofengland · 30/08/2022 16:15

I did look at that but wasn't sure they would arrive in time. Also, he struggles with laces due to dyspraxia/hypermobility, so we found a loafer which is better.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Clothing General education
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 30/08/2022 16:15

Agreed! DS (13) has size 13 feet and is 6' tall. He's at the top of vaguely easily available shoe sizes. Finger x his feet have stopped growing, but at least he is filling out so "normal" trousers fit him, rather than searching for long leg and slim fit.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 30/08/2022 16:16

Roundaboot · 30/08/2022 16:14

It's nuts isn't it? I have a 14 year old, going into year 10 and for the past couple of years have really struggled with buying shirts. Anything over age 12 just seems to sell out instantly.
We've had success in M&S with shoes - they go up to adult size 9 and they're decent quality. Also they have all the sizes out on the shelves with pairs, so you can just grab a load and try on so no waiting for an assistant etc.

Yes, yes to M&S school shoes!

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 30/08/2022 16:20

Search for silicon laces on Amazon, for school shoes you want the 'dress shoes' variety, then you can turn any laced up shoes into slip ons - dont leave them till the last minute to put them in though as they can be tricky depending on how well the shoe manufacturer has punched the laces hole and lined up the metal eyelet on the underneath.

FredGarland · 30/08/2022 16:21

DS2 is 17 now, so can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but like PP shirts have been the biggest nightmare in the last couple of years.
That and trousers - he's 6'1" but is very skinny.

womaninatightspot · 30/08/2022 16:21

God I’d agree. My 12yo is now age 15-16 in markies trousers. Size 8 feet so adult shoes. You’re allowed black denim at our high school soI bought him two pairs from menswear. I bought him a plain black jumper from menswear as well. Black trainers and rugby boots £200 for one child.

MissRainbowBrite · 30/08/2022 16:26

At 13 you're currently in peak teen boy growth spurt phase. From Y8 to Y10 DS went through a shoe size every 6 months. Before you know it you'll be looking in small mens sizes for your oldest.

TimeToInterfere · 30/08/2022 16:33

At 13 you're currently in peak teen boy growth spurt phase. From Y8 to Y10 DS went through a shoe size every 6 months.
Shock no, please tell me that isn't true! My 12 year old is in a 44. Will they even make shoes in what, a 48?

That and trousers - he's 6'1" but is very skinny.
Where did you source trousers? DS is in size 16 years which are very baggy and only just ok in length. He has some H&M men's joggers which are a small and just about ok to wear with long socks, but a M falls down.

gogohmm · 30/08/2022 16:34

If you think this is hard - try having a dd who has to wear a womens suit on or below the knee or non cropped or tight trousers when non exist in the shops ... I mean M&S just shrugged, John Lewis had none and next only had cropped jackets, short skirts and tight ankle grazing trousers! The boys can buy suits anywhere

TeenDivided · 30/08/2022 16:38

DD has just moved from velcro trainers to laces and we replaced them with elastic laces. They are fab. Finally she can have lace up shoes she can do.
About to fit them in her work boots too.

PattyMelt · 30/08/2022 16:39

We have trouble with Dd's uniforms (A levels year this year), she's well endowed and luckily last years school shirts still fit as do the trousers. We had to buy ladies black work trousers kid sizes are a thing of the past.
She does need shoes, so Friday after her haircut we'll be shoe shopping, she wants something like low top doc martins this time, so she can take them to Uni next year and wear them with jeans. So I'll probably we £100 or more down with both.

SummerInSun · 30/08/2022 16:45

Shoes - arrggghhh!!!! DS needs black school shoes, white trainers for school gym, and football boots for school football/rugby (assuming they still fit by rugby season next term!). And that's before he has one pair of non-school shoes, plus ideally some waterproof walking boots for the weekend as well. That's 5 pairs of shoes when his shoe size changes every six months or less! Oh, and a pair of sandals in the summer...

chocolatefrappe · 30/08/2022 17:47

I totally feel your pain. My 13 year old is the same shoe and shirt size as yours. His 9 year old brother is already a size 1, so I think he is going the same way. It is just very lucky they are such lovely boys.

PuttingDownRoots · 30/08/2022 17:54

We went to four shoe shops on Saturday, looking for trainers and School shoes.

Sunday was a lot better... got both in Wyndsors World of shoes. Dd has narrow feet as well (4E, and doesn't like brogues. She found loafers that fitted her perfectly. And we know Sketchers trainers fit her well).

£45 for both including an extra waterproofing coat on the trainers.

The PE leggings were a nightmare as well... plain navy, discrete logo allowed, but for a very skinny child not an adult. Children don't wear plain navy it seems. Found a Size 6 pair in the Marks outlet reduced to £5 that just need a bit of shortening and have an adjustable waistband.

balalake · 30/08/2022 17:58

You are going about five days before the start of term and you are surprised it is difficult? In the Uk with the awful high street retailing we have and poor quality clothing.

You'll be surprised at the traffic on the first day of term next.

Original poster
confusedofengland · 30/08/2022 18:36

Had I gone any earlier, DS1 would have outgrown both shoes & clothes. I deliberately left a whole day for it as I thought it might be tricky. Doesn't mean I can't think that the lack of choice for older/non-standard sized DC is shocking though.

OP posts:
BookshelfChaos · 30/08/2022 18:39

I find it difficult for teen dd's. It's like over a size 5 shoe doesn't exist and shops think teens dont need uniform <eye roll>

Fifipop185 · 30/08/2022 18:44

I'm struggling to find short sleeve polo shirts age 13-14 in blue for DS who has sensory issues and will not wear a shirt, no matter how soft I make them by washing them many times before first wear. I have no idea what I'll do for the next 2 years he has left in school.

soundsystem · 30/08/2022 18:46

balalake · 30/08/2022 17:58

You are going about five days before the start of term and you are surprised it is difficult? In the Uk with the awful high street retailing we have and poor quality clothing.

You'll be surprised at the traffic on the first day of term next.

Ah but going earlier and being smug that you've got everything before it sells out usually results in massive growth spurts in my experience!

Legofigure · 30/08/2022 18:49

@Fifipop185 M&S pure cotton polo shirts are in stock online in pale blue 13-14. M&S go up to 41inch.

@gogohmm you should look online there are definitely options in Next.

daffodilandtulip · 30/08/2022 18:51

DD finished school still using a hair and to keep her skirt up, nothing ever fitted her skinny hips!

She does however, think it's hilarious that they have now introduced a very strict uniform policy, which includes actual photos of acceptable shoes. No others are allowed, and to make it even more controversial, it's listed as boys or girls shoes. The girls ones are all flimsy soled crappy things.

Fifipop185 · 30/08/2022 18:52

@Legofigure Oh my goodness THANK YOU! I checked earlier and they were all out of stock. I've bought some for collection at our local store for this week. Flowers for you.

itsgettingweird · 30/08/2022 18:55

Have a look at sports direct for shoes. I got ds there for years after we found a pair he liked and just got next size up when needed. Usually about £25-30 and always lasted a year if he didn't outgrow them (which he only did once).

But if it's any consolation my ds went from size 6 to size 8 over year 9 and also grew to about 173cm from looking like he was 10yo!

Now at 18 he's 178cm tall and still a size 8/9.

Shirts I always ordered next or M and s online as they were good quality and lasted until outgrown. But o also always ordered new shirts for summer term when they were on show and he wore them throughout until the next summer term. Longer if they fitted and were still looking white which these brands often did.