Stupid shoes for little girls

[leaveitaloneforgodssake]

I've just been shopping to buy DD (2.5) a pair of winter shoes. I went to 2 or 3 shops (not the pricey ones like Clarkes admittedly, possibly they are better), and found row upon row of stupid impractical shoes with tiny straps, thin soles, appliquè this and that, and glitter. Nothing for a child who actually runs about in parks, climbs things and might sometimes walk through a puddle. Shoes for school age girls look slightly better but of course they don't have those in her size. I ended up buying her some 'boys' shoes. Maybe I'm just unlucky with my choice of shops round here, but I don't remember the shoewear offerings for girls being this crap when I was a child, even at the cheaper end of the market. Surely it's not beyond the wit of the market to offer some kids shoes that are feminine enough to be worn with a dress AND don't look like they will disintegrate in the first rains however? Rant rant rant.

Did you try online?

Ankle boots or trainers are probably better than shoes this time of year. I love ankle boots and tights with a dress. I usually get dds from next or Matalan but I buy online as shops don't seem to hold much stock anymore

Its not luck; its an ongoing problem, and not just for children.
Mainstream shops should sell practical items for kids to be kids. Party wear isn't everyday and should be an option, not the standard.

I have the same issue. I’m going to have to take her to sports direct I think and get a decent pair of trainers so they last a bit longer and actually have decent material that covers the toes.

Well cheap shoes aren't great for running and jumping any way, glitter or no glitter. Not enough support for their little footsies.

Little girls aren't meant to run about.

Try Happy Little Soles online. My local independent shoe retailer sells online too; otherkids.co.uk.

Glad to hear I'm not alone! I don't really like buying shoes online as sizes vary so much between manufacturers and she has very narrow feet. But I'll look at the sites mentioned thanks.

DD (2.3) has little boots for winter (from Clark's admittedly).

Every day is a battle to get her to wear them instead of the crappy shiny red abominations we got her for a party

Boots are better in this weather. Mine are just in wellies outside a lot at the mo.

I've just bought my niece some lovely trainers from Zara online, she is 7yo. They've got proper soles, quite high around the ankle, and silver with stars stiched into them. Have a look!

You need an independent shop that sells something other than Clarks, which are the worst culprits at this. Some of the European brands like Ricosta are better.

If OP finding Clarks pricey then I doubt European brands will be much better. For boots/trainers you could try mountain warehouse/sports direct. M&S sometimes has nice but practical shoes which are cheaper than Clarks but haven't looked lately. Have you tried supermarkets?

Where are you looking? Last year my dd was that age and there were plenty of ankle boots in H&M, Next, Primark, supermarkets and Deichmanns. Also a lot of of useless frilly shoes but I didn't struggle to find something suitable.

Now, when she had size 2.5 feet and walking that was a completely different story!!

I find Clarks terrible for sizing, I stopped buying them because every time I had her feet measured they would then bring boxes out of shoes in various sizes. I didn't even find them good quality.

I find shoe choices awful - for boys! Four shops today and each had at least 2, 3 or times the amount of shoes for girls than they do for boys. Clunky, chunky shoes, or trainers. No whimsical fun designs or variations! 1 pair for every 7 girls. Online it is then

If you can visit na independent shoe shop, they should be trained to fit different brands. Online retailers can be really helpful too. Look out for size and fitting guides and free returns. HLS are usually great.
Once you find a brand or style you like, keep an eye out for sales and buy in advance.

Sadly you'll have to go upmarket to get a decent pair of quality, durable, considerable and plain shoes for girls.

I would recommend tracking such brands as Bobux, angulus, petasil, pomme d'api and shoe Pom.

Bobux have a measuring device; I think you will like their no nonsense designs. It is worth paying a bit more for shoes that are up to the park and walking - not just looking pretty!!

Exactly the same problem here, we got lucky and found some Timberlands at less than half price online, took a lot of internet searching to find something appropriate at a reasonable price though.

Charles Clinkard do Clarks and Start Rite online and often have good sales. Another one to check out is Schuh Imperfects, we've found some great bargains there before too (admittedly, I'm not too fussy about the imperfections on her shoes as she only goes and runs in puddles, mud etc with them anyway)

I used to find that Sainsburys had a reasonable range of cheaper boots. Most decent DC's shoes are expensive, they usually cost as much if not more than mine.

Another +1 for independent shoe shop. I like Bobux and Ricosta, they are expensive but are much better for children's feet than supermarkets and I prefer to get high quality while feet are still little. You can sometimes find bargains in the sale.
I've bought a couple from the 'boys' sections as they're more practical colours and it's not like boys and girls feet are anatomically different at such a young age

M&S and Next both do fairly cheap, practical girls’ shoes (in amongst some daft glittery stuff). H&M also. For example M&S has various trainers at the moment for around £14-18.

Unfortunately there is a massive problem at the moment with everything for children being very stereotyped, either very “girly” or very “boy-y”.

(And now we have a spate of children deciding they are the wrong sex because they don’t fit the very narrow stereotype they see everywhere )

Keep an eye (particularly online) at TK Maxx - my kids have tiny feet so I've had this problem even going up to the first year or so of school - got some lovely Geox ones that were patent leather, lit up (thus rendering them really cool to a picky 4 year old) but were full covered shoes rather than sodding open to the elements all over.

Also Sainsburys had cute ankle boots in - mine just wear ankle boots most of the way through the winter months (they'er allowed to wear them for school - some schools don't let them).

Startrite does great shoes. Very good quality. I think you just have to look carefully. A lot of the boys shoes are equally shit. They’re just designed to look sturdy (even though a lot of them aren’t).

My DD has sensory issues and it's very, very hard to buy her shoes she will accept, throw the practical side of things in to the mix and I agree it is a complete headache. She is 7 though and would not accept boy's boots. In the end i had to spend £65 for some Richter ones that are waterproof, warm lined and actually do have a navy glitter star on but she is allowed to wear these to school and they are so much better than the Clark's T bar ones that she didn't get much use out of.