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Original poster

Where do you buy your childrens shoes from?

82 replies

Newbarnsleygirl · 04/04/2005 19:24

I've decided this summer that I want to get dd more than 1 pair of shoes.
I normally buy her shoes from Clarks but since they're £25+ I think it's a bit extreme. I looked on Nexts website today and they have some lovely ones but they're all out of stock

So...
Where do you all shop and do you have any on-line recommendations?

OP posts:
Earlybird · 04/04/2005 20:36

LIZS - I have been a huge Elefanten fan in the past, but have recently been told that they're no longer made as the company was sold? If that's true, I'll be sooo upset!

LIZS · 04/04/2005 20:42

Earlybird, will have to investigate but have certainly seen them in the shops here (Switzerland) recently. Not as many admittedly but that may be the time of year.

expatinscotland · 04/04/2005 20:44

£Stretcher and Woolies. Luckily, I have immediate family in the States. They send over huge packages of cheap clothes and shoes for DD. I haven't spent much on stuff for her.

Earlybird · 04/04/2005 20:52

LIZS - yes, please let me know. I've been told by shops in the USA and UK that the shoes are no longer available. Would be a shame if it's true. Hey....if they're still available in Switzerland you could set yourself up a nice little mail order business!

vicdubya · 04/04/2005 20:57

Startrite factory shop in Norwich - they measure properly etc of course, but the shoes are near perfect seconds - ds first pair were £8.

You don;t get much choice but when they're only going to last a few weeks...

Sorry not much help unless you are in east Anglia!

sansouci · 04/04/2005 20:58

Adore Robees & then graduate to StartRite (StrideRite).

Original poster
Newbarnsleygirl · 04/04/2005 20:59

I've just been having a good look on the web and there really isn't much choice.

Next seem to have the best selection, which would probably be why they have sold out!

OP posts:
Yorkiegirl · 04/04/2005 20:59

Message withdrawn

sansouci · 04/04/2005 21:00

LIZS, are you in French, German or Italian speaking CH? Or would you rather not say...

LIZS · 04/04/2005 21:02

German speaking area - nr Zurich

Original poster
Newbarnsleygirl · 04/04/2005 21:03

I went the other week YG and the choice they has was appauling not to mention the staff!

There is a good shop in Barnsley that stock clarks called AJ Sims and they have discounted Clarks stuff but it's still £18-£20 so not that much cheaper.

OP posts:
Wallace · 04/04/2005 21:04

We live in the other direction, towards Aviemore.

Dd and ds have been in the same shoes since August . They have been living in Wellies and Snow Boots since the Autumn. So as the weather was getting nicer, I got their shoes checked, and they still fit!

franke · 04/04/2005 21:09

Elefanten website here It's a bit slow but seems to be current. Thanks for the other tips LIZS - I'll investigate.

Jimjams · 04/04/2005 21:09

I bought ds2's last pair from Conker shoes USed to buy ds1's from there as well as it was the only place that could cope with him (I used to ring in advance), and they keep fitting details so it was easier to get something to fit. NOw I just ram his foot into anything in Clarkes- if it doesn't fall off he gets it (tbh its now a 2 person job with him so we have to go somewhere more local).

sansouci · 04/04/2005 21:13

I'm near Geneva. Are you on Expat-moms, too?

blueteddy · 04/04/2005 21:16

I have bought my ds's shoes from clarkes, Next, vertbaudet (think they have a sale on ATM), Gap (in the sale), & la reudette (sp?) because I used the £30 off code to get some £37 boots 4 £7!
I would take a look on ebay though, as they have a lot of brand new shoes for a fraction of the price.
I got ds2 some brand new clarkes shoes for £9 & some brand new buckle my shoe ones (normally v expensive) for £5!

TinyGang · 04/04/2005 21:17

Well, usually Clarks but they do annoy me soooo much (there was a thread on here some time ago about Clarks).

Their shoes are not cheap, fair enough, you're supposed to get the good fit/measurement etc. But if I am going to pay that much I'd really like the choice they purport to have. When it comes down to it, they invariably don't have the right sizes in stock . You have to wait ages to discover this in a queue of 500 equally fraught children and mothers.

Summer shoes aren't too bad, but winter its black, black or black once you get past a size 12.

Last year I bought a very nice unusual pair of Summer sandals from Vertbaudet for dd. La Redoute often have nice ones too for a similar price to Clarks, if not less.

Clarks seem to vary a bit at times too with their measurements from shop to shop which doesn't inspire confidence in their famous ability to fit childrens shoes.

treacletart · 04/04/2005 21:24

I'm ashamed to say, that even though I've been told growing feet shouldn't wear second hand shoes,I take him to Clarks to be measured and then search Ebay for his size.

I haven't yet been disappointed. Some are new, but even the "used" ones have had so little wear you simply can't see any interior evidence of wear and generally barely a scuff to the exterior. . I got a super pair of Timberland boots that must have cost a fortune new for about £6 last month.

milge · 04/04/2005 21:31

Start rite for ds, various continental makes for dd, currently primigi and angelous. Russell and Bromley do a good range, so do Jones the bootmaker. I use a local independent shoe shop. given up clarks after a few bad experiences - i have no confidence left in the staff, and think the shoes are ugly

Spacecadet · 04/04/2005 22:23

My two eldest wear ricosta or pod.Ds2 weras startrite dd2 is only 8 months so not quite ready for shoes yet! i have never been able to but clarks for my kidsas they never stock their size as they are all h width fitting.

mamadadawahwah · 04/04/2005 22:32

I wait for the yearly sale at Clarkes and buy 3 or 4 pairs in different sizes. Great shoes

Blossomhill · 04/04/2005 22:34

I also buy from Clarks but have ordered 2 pairs from Next for my 2. Dd's are a real soft leather t-bar and ds's are like a trainer type shoe. It has cost me nearly £50 but the styles are better for summer. Clarks shoes are always so clompy for summer and half the time they get the measurements wrong anyway!

Blossomhill · 04/04/2005 22:37

Oh can I just recommend these sandals from Tschibo. I bought dd a pair last year and a pair this year. They are leather and cost £6.99. Really nice shoes here

Original poster
Newbarnsleygirl · 04/04/2005 22:39

They're lovely BH but my dd is a size 5.

OP posts:
Blossomhill · 04/04/2005 22:42

Ah, well maybe next year then! Dd got some last year and they lasted so well and fitted well too.