To not want to pay £25+ for a pair of Clark's children's shoes?

[ophelia275]

My son goes through shoes quite quickly but I cannot afford to spend £25+ on Clark's or Startrite shoes each time. I always get the guilt trip from the other parents at my ds school that if you don't get your kids feet properly measured and don't buy "fitted" Clark's or Startrite shoes, your kids feet will fall off or they will become horribly disfigured social outcasts.

Anyway, I normally buy Mercury brand which are cheap but have lasted longer than any pair of Clark's. But I am actually eyeing up a pair of slightly worn Kickers shoes on ebay that new would cost £45+ but are less than £5. Is buying used shoes the ultimate in bad mummying?

[Snoot]

Ooh, let me have a look and I'll get back to you, it this for boys or girls? Or both? I have one of each we had trouble getting smart, lace-up boys' shoes which DS needed for his school at the time which weren't small men's dress shoes and could withstand the playground. He's bigger now and in adult size shoes, I'll look at my eBay history and at the shoes and get back to you tomorrow.

[goldenlula]

I have always got my children Clarks shoes and they have always been good. School shoes wise, ds1 has had 1 pair per school year so far and ds2 had a pair of boots for his first year. I have now started getting some of their casual shoes from else where, bu so far the only place that has shoes to fi their skinny feet is Next. I tried to by ds1 some sandals from shoes one a few weeks ago, he looked like he was wearing boats on his feet, they looked awful on. Next had some nice ones so those are what he ended up with.
I really do not care where anyone else buys their shoes from. I do pass down wellies, sandals and slippers as they get very little wear. I would not buy secondhand shoes.

[runningincircles]

Startriteshoes.com has an outlet online. I managed to get 5 pairs of shoes and a gauge for £59 including delivery. I was relieved to find the site this week, as my 3 all had a growing spurt at the same time. They all arrived the next day and fitted fine.
There is nothing wrong with other brands though as long as they fit well.

[AnitaManeater]

The shoes you purchase in the Clarks outlet stores are made specifically for sale in the outlet stores. They are made using different moulds to the main store product. That said, there is nothing wrong with them but there are no big savings to be made and they are not of the quality you are lead to believe.

[pookamoo]

I also think that Clarks shoes are so unimaginative in terms of design. Where I live, all the little girls at the playgroup have identical shoes, because that's what Clarks has in stock in the highstreet. I have always had DD measured in Clarks and then bought elsewhere online.

I have just bought these for her next school shoes, as they look far more well made and tougher than the ones you can get in Clarks. I'm not expecting her to have a msasive growth spurt over the holidays, but she has been in the same shoes since February!

[BackforGood]

No-one would want my dc's school shoes once they've finished with them. I'm happy to pass down wellies and trainers and boots and sandals and wet shoes and walking boots (always better once broken in anyway) and 'going out shoes' but school shoes just get worn out by the first owner IME.

[Cherriesarelovely]

Agree Pookamoo, we sometimes go into Clarks and think "UGH!" My Dd has had some great boots/shoes from there and some not so good. We don't always go there, sometimes to cheaper places. How rude of the school friends parents to say that.

[maja00]

I tend to buy Clarks shoes in half sizes, but either doodles or brand new last season ones from ebay, so don't spend more than £20. When he's a whole size, high street shoes are fine.

[Snoot]

LynetteScavo try Salvatorre Ferragamo for small men's slim fit quality leather shoes, probably from about a 5 up? Generally look for an "Italian style" shoe, this will tend to be a narrower cut than our chunky Northern European norm