When to buy school shoes?

[IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads]

In the past, I've bought school shoes early in the summer holidays, and they've been too small by September.

Last year I left it to the last 2 weeks of August, and there was nothing left!

Both DC need new shoes -they've worn out. DS(14) is in a size 14 - he'll get whatever fits! DD(11) is probably now in an 8 - so it may well also be a case of whatever fits. Both have narrow feet, so DMs no good.

I’m going today, I’ve also left it too late in the past.

Why do people buy shoes in late August, imagining they’ll last for months/a year but think that if they buy them in mid July they’ll last under six weeks and be outgrown by September? Do other people’s children have a massive seasonal growth spurt in the summer? If they’ve had the last pair long enough to wear out, as opposed to outgrow, I’d be surprised if a week or two difference in when you buy them mattered much.

Mine will be going back wearing the same shoes they wore at the end of last term I expect, I only replaced them in May and June.

Mine quite often have a big growth spurt over the summer holidays - so I've got most of the uniform but I'm hanging fire buying shoes until August. You get to learn the pattern for your particular kids as time goes on.

Mine need new shoes regardless - the most wrecked trainers will get relegated to PE kit fodder, and school shoes were being held together with superglue for the last week or so of term.

@Blueskysunflower mine always grow over the summer holidays. I think they may be partly sunflower. Whenever I have bought uniform or shoes before the middle of August, it has been too small (not even no growing room, literally too small) by the start of term. So yes, some people's dc do have seasonal growing spurts.