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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To take nearly 16yo DS to Clarks Kids?

227 replies

SmashedCucumber · 22/08/2020 11:01

DS is 16 in a few months, and today we have an appointment for a shoe fitting at Clarks kids. He hasn’t been measured for ages, I want to make sure we know his true size to then replace his battered school shoes and trainers. Clarks kids go up to an adult size 10 in some styles and his feet are still smaller than that.
DS is moaning saying he doesn’t want to have to go on the foot measuring device which is very much geared around little ones, (getting them to choose their favourite colour etc before the machine starts measuring), which I understand totally, will they be able to measure his feet in some other non-cringey way? I resent paying adult price shoes when the kids section can still cater for him.
Or should I cancel the appointment, get his feet measured some other way and then buy shoes from the (adult range) elsewhere?

OP posts:
QuercusRose · 22/08/2020 11:03

Surely at 16 he is able to figure out if a shoe fits him without needing his feet sized first?

RainbowRaine · 22/08/2020 11:03

Get his feet measured and then you can buy shoes from Clarks or from anywhere else.

FiligreePot · 22/08/2020 11:04

Bit cringey at 16!
Just let him try shoes on as different brands size differently anyway. Surely at 16 he’s trying on shoes he likes or even buying his own without you there?!

Hazelnutlatteplease · 22/08/2020 11:04

If you like Clark's shoes, can't you just buy a pair and him try them on? I cant imagine still getting my feet measured at 16

spanieleyes · 22/08/2020 11:04

Clark's used a normal foot gauge when my children got to about a size 7 or 8

Laaalaaaa · 22/08/2020 11:04

He must be mortified. Mummy taking him to get his feet measured alongside little toddlers. Just no.

Baaaahhhhh · 22/08/2020 11:05

Poor boy. I stopped buying at Clarks when DD's went to secondary school. Just buy standard shoes from a normal shop like you would do for yourself, he is 16, an almost adult, you can buy shoes anywhere for him.

Hazelnutlatteplease · 22/08/2020 11:06

Shoe measuring is a bit emporers new clothes anyway. At 16 he can tell you if they fit how he likes

Jojoanna · 22/08/2020 11:06

What? He’s nearly 16 ,, can’t he say if they fit or not at his age without being measured ?

QuercusRose · 22/08/2020 11:06

I mean, presumably you manage to buy your own shoes without getting your feet measured? If he tries a pair and they are too small, try a bigger pair. Probably doesn't matter if they are kids range if they go up to a big enough size, but I can't see the need for him to be measured.

Teesstar · 22/08/2020 11:06

Oh... no not good. He is 16 nearly, as the proud owner of same age son and 2 adult sons I can confirm this is a dumbass move to make on your teen. It will be something he talks about in therapy in years to come Wink

RightToBeWrong · 22/08/2020 11:06

Just no 😂

Star81 · 22/08/2020 11:09

Sorry, but don’t make him do this.

Even at age 11 I can work out what shoes fit my son. He even tells me when they are getting too tight/ small.

For trainers Nike so a measurement thing online so you know the size. I used it for 2 children during lockdown and it was spot on.

Prettybluepigeons · 22/08/2020 11:10

Fgs, utvus having his bloidy feet measured bit dancing naked through the town!
Take him, they will use a normal gauge.
If he is in a size they make, then getcthecshoes from them.
My kids have massive feet and although they need the length of an adult size, the width and depth is all wrong and they have really struggled with school shoes over the years.

thevassal · 22/08/2020 11:11

used to work in a shoe shop (it was hell on earth by the way) - cancel the appointment and just go to the shop, say he's not sure what size he is and they will bring out a completely normal foot measurer (basically a board you slide down to the size of your feet with an outline for width). Sorted. Pretty much all shops will have one tucked away somewhere.

Freixene · 22/08/2020 11:12

OP, I worked in a shoe shop at 16 and one of my classmates came in with his mum and I had to measure his feet. It was completely cringeworthy for both of us.

Feckmesideways · 22/08/2020 11:12

OP please no, Clark’s is a no go for kids once they reach secondary school.

slowlyfailingaway · 22/08/2020 11:12

Why in earth would he need them to be measured at 16?? Just let the poor lad go to normal shop and choose a pair of shoes he likes, he will know if they fit him or not. He's not a toddler anymore

PotteringAlong · 22/08/2020 11:12

Just try the shoes on and see if they fit, surely?

vanillandhoney · 22/08/2020 11:12

Please don't make him do that - how embarrassing for him!

At that age I just went and tried shoes on and found out what fit me based on the size of my current shoes. Can't he just pick a couple of pairs that he likes, try them on and find the size that fits?

angelfishrock · 22/08/2020 11:13

no, just no. he must be dying inside.

SmashedCucumber · 22/08/2020 11:14

Thank you, I’m glad I checked on here 😂 I’ve cancelled it, we’ll just head for some other stores and see what fits. I’ll suggest that next time he takes the money and buys them himself if he wants to Grin

OP posts:
LittleGungHo · 22/08/2020 11:15

You know that legally your son could have a child of his own and you want him to go to the kids section.
Please let your son be an adult, I would not want to be his future partner if at 16 he can not tell if shoes fit.

LittleGungHo · 22/08/2020 11:16

@SmashedCucumber

Thank you, I’m glad I checked on here 😂 I’ve cancelled it, we’ll just head for some other stores and see what fits. I’ll suggest that next time he takes the money and buys them himself if he wants to Grin
A great call. Nicely saved Grin
Noneformethanks · 22/08/2020 11:16

You can ask the adult bit to measure your feet FYI