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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think about buying Lelli Kelly's for my DDs?

57 replies

mersmam · 19/02/2009 16:38

My dds (3 and nearly 5) would both love shoes along the lines of this
DD1 wanted some last year but we avoided it on the grounds of the cost, and also thinking that if we give in to buying expensive trainers now what hope do we have???

Anyway, both dds now need new shoes - they're both into dressing up and all things princessy/ fairy, pink and glittery (and perhaps this phase won't last that much longer for dd1 at least) and they love the Lelli Kelly's.

The alternative is to buy them the normal sensible option from Clarks (and DD1 will need school shoes from there as well anyway!) which doesn't actually work out that much cheaper.

So what should I go for - Clarks or Lelli Kellys??
I'm particularly interested to hear from those with 'first hand' LK experience Do they last a while or do they look scruffy quickly? Is the sizing the same as Clarks (will probably buy them from ebay as they're a bit cheaper).

Thanks in advance!!

OP posts:
MorrisZapp · 19/02/2009 16:41

Good luck. I asked if I should buy myself Van Dals yesterday and still have singed hair

Stretch · 19/02/2009 16:43

How much!!!!!

I have 2 DDs as well!

sweetkitty · 19/02/2009 16:45

Do what I do, buy Clarks for outside and cheap plastic Disney Princess tat for dressing up inside

sagacious · 19/02/2009 16:46

You should buy the sensible clarks

Or buy plain plimsols from primark and customise them (very worthy crafty type activity)

But .. but they are so sparkly

I secretly love them

And am very torn as yes they are hideously expensive

My dd would love them

gAWN buy them

Original poster
mersmam · 19/02/2009 16:47

I know, the cost is - but I'm thinking if they can last them the next eight months or so it's not so bad... Their feet have hardly grown over the past year (although knowing my luck they'll immediately go up a size once I buy them some posh shoes!) And the standeard Clarks ones are at least £30 it seems...

OP posts:
Original poster
mersmam · 19/02/2009 16:50

Thanks Sagacious

Sweetkitty - the thing is they want to wear the cheap plastic tat stuff outside too... and I'm thinking it won't be a phase that lasts that much longer (although maybe it will!)

OP posts:
angelene · 19/02/2009 16:50

I don't think you should get them on the basis of the fucking horrendous TV advert alone. The fact that they are madly expensive and utterly awful are secondary concerns once you've heard the teeth-gratingly hideous accents on the voiceover with the awful boots.

charleymouse · 19/02/2009 16:51

Clarks don't have to be boring, DD 4 got these at the weekend and is still playing with the dolls/puppy dogs (she got boots and shoes) that fit into the heel and cardboard dog show you make from the cardboard box all included.

Girly fun shoes

Original poster
mersmam · 19/02/2009 16:54

Have never seen the TV advert so maybe I should make a point of watching it (I do hate the boots though, but I think the spring/ summer range is great for little girls... PROBABLY would not want to wear them myself though ) I suppose I like them because the DDs do...

OP posts:
nickschick · 19/02/2009 16:57

I have 3 ds ......and I absolutely insist you must buy them for your dds .

Original poster
mersmam · 19/02/2009 16:57

They are nice Charleymouse and certainly not boring... but DD1 does not like them as much as Lelli Kelly's (probably due to the lack of sparkly bits!) and they're not really that much cheaper.
I wonder if they would last longer though... my worry with the LKs is they might fall apart within a month...

OP posts:
nickschick · 19/02/2009 16:58

Cant they wear them for school too in the summer?? when theyve been worn a bit just to get some extra mileage?

Original poster
mersmam · 19/02/2009 16:58

Well, if you insist nickschick, what choice do I have?

OP posts:
Thunderduck · 19/02/2009 16:59

I'd buy the Clarks shoes. The Lelli Kellys are too expensive and hideous.

Original poster
mersmam · 19/02/2009 16:59

No, school allows black shoes only and no trainer type things

OP posts:
LucyEllensmummy · 19/02/2009 16:59

They look cute on the TV, they look cute on ebay but in RL they look tacky and fucking horrible. So my personal opinion would be - save your money - but its your money and if you want to buy them, buy them. Not sure why you have posted here to justify it. If you want to indulge your girls and you can afford it - go for it. But if they are going to be their main shoes - DD has one pair at a time so i go the sensible route or buy doodles. I quite like the idea of customising cheapo plimsoles though - can buy a white pair, get some pretty beads and decent glue - individual shoes that ALL the other children will want. And just think, your children will have had FUN decorating them as apposed to probably some child in a sweat shop doing hundreds a day for a few measly pounds.

What about a pair of glittery trainers by sketchers or geox, more practical and imo look nicer, might indulge DD with a pair.

Original poster
mersmam · 19/02/2009 17:00

But Thunderduck Lelli Kellys are not really that much more than Clarks... and the DDS think they're the opposite of hideous....

OP posts:
Tas1 · 19/02/2009 17:01

My DD6 has about 6 pairs of LK's at the moment. Some are sandals, some are pumps and she has a pair of ankle boots. I find their sizing a bit on the large size, almost 1 size out. If you put them into a pillow case and wash them on a cool wash they come up a treat. They also sell realy well on Ebay so you will get most of your money back when you sell on.
HTH

charleymouse · 19/02/2009 17:02

Mersman I have a pair of white beaded LK trainers in reasonable nick think they are a size 9 if they are any use to you. DD now grown out of them hence the new clarks ones last week. They have worn well and only a few beads around the toe (scuff area) have come off. They are velcro fastened and are not as summery looking as those you have linked to but are still quite cute. You are welcome to them if you want them.

Thunderduck · 19/02/2009 17:03

The Clarks shoes are much more practical and can be worn with anything. Besides think of the expense of purchasing sunglasses to offset the glare emitting from the Lelli Kellys.
And everyone knows Small children have no taste.

Original poster
mersmam · 19/02/2009 17:04

LucyEllens - money is tight and it's a big purchase for us to make (hence my postage on here!) - we were thinking of getting them for DD1's birthday in May but she'll need new shoes before then so I'm thinking why not get them now....

I do like the idea of customising some chepies too - but in reality they'll probably only last five minutes!

Interesting to hear that they don't look so good in reality, have only seen them on my PC (and from a distance in real life!)

OP posts:
Original poster
mersmam · 19/02/2009 17:07

Charleymouse that is so kind! Unfortunately it's sizes 8 and 11 I need at the moment... you should put them on ebay as Tas1 suggests
Thank you so much for your offer!

OP posts:
Ashantai · 19/02/2009 17:08

Well thanks muchly! I now have that bleedin Lelly Kelly themetune running amok in my head!

Sorry but i think their shoes are uglee!, and i only thank God that my girls were never swayed by them!

Add the cost!, and good grief, no,no, no!

stealthsquiggle · 19/02/2009 17:09

You know what - I hate girly girly stuff, and yet I prefer the LK's to those bright pink Clarks ones. They are so gloriously, over-the-top, unashamedly sparkly.

Customising plimsolls sounds fun.

The LK's would need to be washable - unless they have lots of other shoes? I would hate my DD to have shoes which she couldn't get muddy in (I know, I am naive, she is only 2, and I know she will demand 'party shoes' at some point)

If your DDs want them more than anything in the entire world ever, and you can afford them, why not?

Sassybeast · 19/02/2009 17:10

LKs are gorgeous and you can bung them in the washing machine. Clarks are BBBBBOOOORING!