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AIBU?

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Original poster

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:
FippertyGibbett · 23/08/2020 07:31

@RainbowRaine

Get his feet measured and then you can buy shoes from Clarks or from anywhere else.
At his age my son refused to wear ‘Clanks’. He was happy to wear shoes from Next that he chose so I ordered a few different sizes and did it that way.
TW2013 · 23/08/2020 07:48

Do they still wear school shoes in 6th form? Dd counting down the months until she can wear what she likes to school. Has her eyes on some colourful DM boots. Her black DM school shoes will probably be stuffed at the back of her cupboard in case she has interviews. They usually last 2 years for her but lockdown has extended their lifespan!

Pregnancy was expensive for me when I went from a size 5 to size 6 and could no longer grab some junior size trainers VAT free.

PlumpAndPlain · 23/08/2020 07:53

I had my feet measured in Clarks when I was well into my 30s! Led to the best fitting pair of shoes I own. Feet can change throughout your life - why wouldn't you measure them?

2andahalfpints · 23/08/2020 07:54

Op you can buy a foot measure on the clarkes website and then measure at home if you are very concerned. Imo at 16 though I agree with pp just let him try them on!

Sunnydaysarethebestdays · 23/08/2020 08:43

Adults go into Clarks shops to get their feet measured, it’s not uncommon.
Just ask for the old fashioned foot gauge or you can buy one on the Clark’s website and do it at home.

Rockbird · 23/08/2020 08:48

Such over reactions as usual. It's a shoe shop. They measure feet. Big deal. I'm quite sure they won't bring out a cuddly toy to be measured with him or a selection of Doodles for him to try. They'll just measure his feet. That's it.

Sailingblue · 23/08/2020 08:53

I used to work in Clarks as a Saturday job. It was really common to have teens in for school shoes. Often we’d just go to the adult section, use the adult gauge and bring out mens shoes and some of the larger sized kids shoes for them to try if appropriate. It certainly wasn’t a cringey experience or a toddler fest. The staff aren’t completely thick.

premiumshoes · 23/08/2020 09:00

The kids shoes/VAT thing is a red herring. Feet are not measured according to VAT status. They won't put a 16 year old on a kids measuring machine, they will use the adult gauge.

Chocolate4me · 23/08/2020 09:13

Oh my, never even thought about this, was going to get my 12 year old clarks shoes and have him measured!!!
Where do you get shoes from for this age then that are comfortable for school all day? We have had a next pair before but they didn't last as long!

ErrolTheDragon · 23/08/2020 09:13

Do they still wear school shoes in 6th form?

Depends on the school. DDs school had a relaxed dress code for 6th form (pretty much anything except shorts, skimpy tops and high heels), the paired boys' school had them in suits, school tie and 'proper' black shoes.

ErrolTheDragon · 23/08/2020 09:15

@Chocolate4me

Oh my, never even thought about this, was going to get my 12 year old clarks shoes and have him measured!!! Where do you get shoes from for this age then that are comfortable for school all day? We have had a next pair before but they didn't last as long!
Clarke's has plenty of perfectly acceptable shoes for secondary age kids.
AlwaysLatte · 23/08/2020 09:15

Buy a shoe measure and do it yourself then maybe take him to a different mans shoe shop? He'll be sitting amongst a ton of little kiddies having their school shoes fitted there!

premiumshoes · 23/08/2020 09:16

He'll be sitting amongst a ton of little kiddies having their school shoes fitted there!

No, he really really wouldn't be.

liveitwell · 23/08/2020 09:18

He's 15, nearly 16. He should be encouraged to be more independent not go with him mum to Clarke's kids department. Let him choose a mens shoe and try a few sizes and see what he feels most comfortable in.

pinkbalconyrailing · 23/08/2020 09:20

@Chocolate4me

Oh my, never even thought about this, was going to get my 12 year old clarks shoes and have him measured!!! Where do you get shoes from for this age then that are comfortable for school all day? We have had a next pair before but they didn't last as long!
on the 'boy's big feet thread. my dc go to a school without uniform. in winter we usually get decathlon hiking shoes. they last well and are rain/mud proof. you can also get black ones that might be ok with silly uk school uniform rules.

learn to check the fit of shoes yourself. go to a 'normal' shoe shop. deichmann if you are on a budget.
from my experience only in uk parents are obsessed with clarks and measuring feet.

AnnaFour · 23/08/2020 09:25

Blimey we’ve been going Clarke’s once a year and my teen son has never moaned, it never occurred to me it was cringy!! Last year it was bedlam anyway with kids of all ages in there not just primary age. They had a machine but he got measured to the side using the handheld one - I think because it was so busy.

But I guess different areas are different so fair enough you changed your mind of your son was really stressed out about it.

Feefsie · 23/08/2020 09:32

Next do kids shoes in big sizes. They are cheaper than men’s because there’s no VAT on them. Might be worth a look

CherryPavlova · 23/08/2020 09:32

My 22 year old is very happy to go to Russell and Bromley children’s department. No foot measuring but much cheaper shoes that fit her size 2 1/2 feet. She struggles with adult departments only starting at a size 3.

Tiggerdig · 23/08/2020 09:34

Don’t do it! Like said above they can tell if a show is comfy at that age and whether it fits.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 23/08/2020 09:35

😂😂 come on OP he's nearly 16 you can't do that to him. By that age my mum was sending me out to buy my own school shoes. I was perfectly capable of trying shoes on and knowing if they fit me or not.
I can't believe you are even considering this. He must be mortified! Poor boy!

GhostTypeEevee · 23/08/2020 09:39

@maddiemookins16mum

My husband is in the army and doesn't have a problem with going into Clarke's. If anything he sees the importance in good fitting footwear

maddiemookins16mum · 23/08/2020 09:43

Your title is the issue.
‘take’ my DS
Clarks ‘Kids’.

Popping into town for shoes for my teen is a different kettle of fish.

GhostTypeEevee · 23/08/2020 09:44

It can't only be my son's school that Clarke's shoes aren't akin to a death knell? He wears plain black lace ups from there since starting secondary and has never had a problem

GetOffYourHighHorse · 23/08/2020 09:48

@liveitwell

He's 15, nearly 16. He should be encouraged to be more independent not go with him mum to Clarke's kids department. Let him choose a mens shoe and try a few sizes and see what he feels most comfortable in.
Exactly! Omg these poor hapless teens being taken to get their feet measured. Of course in primary feet grow rapidly, but if you're a size 5 in year 10 you're very likely to be a size 5 in year 11 and if too tight surely they would say, 'they're too tight' Confused
MsTSwift · 23/08/2020 09:50

I thought shoe fittings are for pre verbal toddlers? I took my 11 year old told them her size then she tries a few pairs in and tells me with her words which one fit. Utter cringe! Poor lad!