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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Sassybeast · 19/02/2009 17:10

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

stealthsquiggle · 19/02/2009 17:12

ah... if you can't afford them - then Clarks for school shoes for DD1, and more affordable trainers from elsewhere - then £3 on cheap plimsolls and the same on fabric paint - they can be dressing-up shoes which they can wear outside and it really doesn't matter if they don't last.

CatchaStar · 19/02/2009 17:13

A few of my friends have bought LK's for their little girls and from what I can see they are very hard wearing and will last until they've grown out of them. Plus, you can stick them on ebay once you're finished with them and make some cash back!

Tbh, I don't think clarks shoes are all that much cheaper!

Thunderduck · 19/02/2009 17:13

Gorgeous?...get thee to Specsavers.

LouMacca · 19/02/2009 17:23

Thunderduck - you took the words out of my mouth!

Gorgeous is not the word I would use

Sassybeast · 19/02/2009 17:26

Pink, sparkly, gliterry, OTT ? What's NOT to like ????? I wish they did adult sizes!

Thunderduck · 19/02/2009 17:27

Pink, glittery, sparkly OTT is precisely why I loathe them. They even beat Uggs and Crocs for sheer ugliness.

Sassybeast · 19/02/2009 17:28

NOTHING beats Crocs for the ugly factor - I've banned my sister from wearing hers in my company!

Original poster

mersmam · 19/02/2009 17:29

Have been thinking about all these posts and come to the conclusion myself that I probably AM being unreasonable!! We can only afford for them to have one good pair of shoes and I think LK's will probably not stand up to the everyday abuse my dds will give them. Think I will go with the Clarks option and wait til dd1s birthday to get her some LKs (will have to tell DD2 you need to be five to have them )

OP posts:

LouMacca · 19/02/2009 17:31

Sassy - just laughed out load at the thought of a grown woman wearing a sparkly pink pair of Lelli Kellys!

SoupDragon · 19/02/2009 17:31

You can buy whatever you like but I can assure you that BabyDragon will only be getting those over my dead body.

They are absolutely foul.

Original poster

mersmam · 19/02/2009 17:31

but then again catchastar if they ARE hardwearing...

Will have to talk to DH (although he just doesn't get the whole reason why the DDs love them so much - but maybe that's a good thing!)

OP posts:

Ashantai · 19/02/2009 17:38

They really are like marmite, hate or love. There is no middle ground

RubyRioja · 19/02/2009 17:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

independiente · 19/02/2009 17:44

I can understand why a small girl might be obsessed with outrageously sparkly things. But not sure about wanting a particular (expensive) brand at such a young age... could you just get them some cheaper sparkly dress-up stuff? They'd be just as happy with that, if it was sparkly enough? Am I being naive?

Original poster

mersmam · 19/02/2009 17:52

No independiente I agree about the brand thing - if I could find some cheap alternatives that looked as sparkly and flowery as the LKs I'd be OVERJOYED!! Suggestions very welcome... The main thing that I DON'T like about them is the 'Lelli Kelly' slogan actually...

Next have some quite nice offerings but nothing quite sparkly enough I think... Will have to have a good search myself

OP posts:

kslatts · 19/02/2009 17:54

I personally don't like them and am lucky that dd's have the same good taste as me and don't like them either, but having said that I do generally let dd's pick their own clothes and shoes and as you need to buy them new shoes anyway I'd go for it.

Lulumama · 19/02/2009 17:56

DD has many pairs, they are washable, she has also had pairs given to her from a larger footed friend who wears them once and then they get passed on . lucky DD...

yes, they are expensive, but not that much more than clarks

unless buying them would mean no food for a week, then buy them

is it any worse than buying any Boden shoes that are ££££

LucyEllensmummy · 19/02/2009 18:01

To be honest if it is a major financial purchase then yes YABU - FGS, they will probably make their feet sweat, they are really heavy. Get them a "nice" pair of ordinary shoes and buy them a decent present for their birthday - at three, im pretty sure my DD would rather have toys than shoes - they have the rest of their lives for vanity. Its all a bit american pageant for my liking

2pt4kids · 19/02/2009 18:02

BUY THEM!

Yes, they are hideous, but your children will LOVE them and like you say, they are not much more expensive than Clarks.

I'd buy them if I had girls.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 19/02/2009 18:03

You can buy whatever you like, of course YANBU

jemart · 19/02/2009 18:13

Clarks shoes may be almost as much money to buy, but they will last better, definitely look better and I'm guessing will be a better fit and less likely to damage your dd's feet than those hideous lumps of glittery tat.

pagwatch · 19/02/2009 18:19

they are not tat. My DD wears hers all year , they are properly fitted and they really last.
They may not be to your taste but they are well made and last well.
Some of the styles are grim but the Mary Janes are sweet.
i don't think she looks tatty - or American

Original poster

mersmam · 19/02/2009 18:22

Aren't 'hideous lumps of glittery tat' the stuff of dreams for most 3-5 year old girls?

OP posts:

Original poster

mersmam · 19/02/2009 18:25

Found these which may at least keep DD1 happy for summer if we don't go with the Lellis... obviously not too hardwearing though!

OP posts:

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