To be sad at how boring little boys' shoes are?

[CrazyOldCatLady]

We brought DD (3.10) and DS (2.2) shoe shopping today in the shop with the biggest range of kids' shoes within 60km of us.

DD looked at loads of shoes, pink or purple or yellow or white or blue or orange, with sparkles, sequins, embroidery, patterns, lights, all sorts of decorations. Or even naice black patent ones, though she didn't waste much time looking at those ones. She picked out a pink and yellow glittery pair which for some reason stood out for her against all the other pink and yellow glittery ones, put them on, and was immediately so madly in love with them that we couldn't take them off. She came home ecstatically happy with her shoes and is delighted with life.

For DS, we were shown all the boys' shoes available in his size. They were all brown or navy. The styles varied very little and there were no sequins, glitter or interest. One pair had a picture of a dinosaur on the side but that was as interesting as it got.

He had actively taken part in picking out shoes for DD (he knew exactly what she would like and picked up the pair she went for in the end, saying 'Roro like this one!') and was really interested in the whole thing, and was baffled when he was only offered boring navy and brown ones. He kept asking for the pink glittery ones he had chosen for himself, and (awful mammy that I am), I went along with the shop assistant who said he couldn't have them. He ended up with a boring navy pair which he refused to wear, and cried to have his old shoes back because the new ones weren't what he wanted (he wasn't tantrumming, just very, very sad).

AIBU to be sad at how little choice boys have? And also for despising myself a little for not going with my gut and just buying the poor little guy his beloved pink sparkly shoes?

Boy clothes sections in most places are awful. Rows and rows of girls stuff and a tiny section of boys.
I have got DS 2.5 some awesome startrite shoes at the moment though. Green with red Velcro strips

Boys kickers are good - the lego ones are particuarly great and you can get Velcro rather than lace up :

Lego Kickers

They do size about 1/2 small I think but are fine for wider feet.

When it comes to practical shoes boys get the better deal. Try finding a pair of non Mary Jane style school shoes and you will see what I mean. Girls school shoes that keep her feet dry is a challenge but all the boys styles are fine.

I brought a foot measure gauge for at home. Does weight and length. Any time they have been measured in Clarke it wasn't correct anyway and they sild shoes too small or way too big

European size conversion is easy online.

I used to think that boys' shoes and clothes were pretty dire, then I had a girl. If you filter out the pink etc there is very little choice in the way of girls clothes. I tend toll ok out for non gender specific children's clothes now, wherever I may find them.

Gosh an 8!

My almost 5year old is only a 9

I def need to find a decent alternative to Clarks - partly because their shoes as so damn boring for boys but also on the last 3 attempts they have utterly failed to have any shoes in store that will fit my DS.

He measures as 9 1/2 G on their machine but is literally just over a 9 and just over an F fitting in their shoes. All the 9 1/2 Gs are too big and anything else is too small. So he's happily wearing a pair of Sainsburys sandals and Next trainers that are both a 10 but fit much better than Clarks attempts!

My son is currently sporting a pair of illuminious yellow trainers. Whenever I look at him, my eyes are drawn to these monstrosities but he insisted that these were the one's he wanted

We went shopping in the week and got these and these which we liked and they aren't boring. He's 2 but his feet are already a 7, and quite wide and these both fit him well.

Children's shoes are invariably bloody awful, Clarks especially. Agree with getting a foot gauge and ordering online.

I disagree that Clarkes shoes are boring colours. I have just been to Clarkes on Friday. Here are some examples.

www.clarks.co.uk/p/20354132

www.clarks.co.uk/p/20357890

www.clarks.co.uk/p/20359345

Bright enough for you?!

Don't know why I added the 'e'!

Oh my eyes, my EYES! Those are horrific!

She wanted bright. I found her bright. I make no apologies.

I agree with the above, there are lots of brightly coloured boys shoes! Personally I cannot stand pink and glittery, Lilli Kellys are banned in my house.

I was obviously in the wrong shop - it's an independent one with lots of different brands but their buyer must have very defined tastes! Won't be going back there anyway.

It was Victor Dwyer in Drogheda.

They are pretty boring. Especially if you want waterproof ones, so leather/plastic instead of canvas.

Or the other hand, I've noticed the way Clarks girls' shoes seem to all be open topped.

I have even more boringly coloured cheap non-Clarks shop, and a very expensive interestingly-coloured non-Clarks shop near me. I think the issue is that shoe-shopping sucks.

www.schuh.co.uk/womens-silver-converse-all-star-dainty-glitter-ox/1922757660/

I bought these recently, DS2 (5) wanted some, was tempted to see if they do a 12...

The clarks ones may be bright, but bar the last pair are naff. Plus my boys have high insteps and don't fit clarks...

Sorry but my DS has actually tried 2 of 3 pairs of bright Clarks and none of them fitted his feet properly!

I'm not defending Clarks. I was merely stating that they do have bright shoes.

I had a feeling this thread would turn in to, "look how unconfined to stereotypes I am. I buy my son pink glittery shoes blah blah blah."

It is not a fact that boys shoes are only brown, black or blue. There are boys shoes in a whole range of colours from a whole range of shops.

MN is normally people saying they have to buy their girls boys shoes because they are more practical and not only pink and sparkly.

Not read the whole thread but I spent the winter trying to get dd some patent winter boots in navy. Could I find a pair in her petit size that didn't clash with her beautiful little red winter coat with navy edging and buttons? Could I hell. So it works the other way too. Ds is always in nice shoes or trainers. We only use clarks or start rite for school shoes now.

Try this shop, their shoes are awesome (although a bit expensive). m.treds.co.uk/category/kids/kids-footwear

I hate gendered clothing in general. Why couldn't we have more practical, comfortable unisex clothing, and not either pink glittery and impossible to play in, or murky brown with some stupid "little terror" slogan?

I agree Hazle. It is such a pain that most clothes designers for kids make them either camouflaged for boys or frilly for girls. I know you can buy boys stuff for the girls and vice versa, but the sizing is often wrong.