Babies first shoes, alternative shop to Clarkes?

[MillyStar]

Afternoon

My dd is just over ten months old and i think its about time i got her some shoes

She stands up about 80% of the time now, as soon as you put her down she will crawl to something and pull herself up and just stand there, she also looks about 12 months old so she looks a bit silly just in socks now in the pram etc

Is there anywhere cheaper than Clarkes i can go to? I'd like her feet measured etc rather than picking shoes from the rail, dont want to pay £35 for something that wont fit in a month though!

Go to Clarks, get her feet measured, then buy them somewhere else.

Oh my god what a dingbat i didnt even think of that lol

Any idea where do good ones but no so expensive?

I've got no experience at all buying kids shoes

I was told not to buy proper shoes until they have been walking a month. In fact the lady in the independent shoe shop refused to sell me any. So my little DD wore the leather slipper things. I like Startrite they do lovely shoes and so do Ricosta.

She won't need shoes until she's walking around outside. There's no point otherwise.

DD is 14 months and still spends most of her time in socks/tights with no shoes. When she's on wooden slippery floors we put those leather slipper shoes on her to give her a bit of extra grip. I'm going to watch this thread with interest, but am in no particular rush to buy her shoes.

She doesn't need proper soled shoes until she's walking on her own.
Putting her in proper shoes too early might put her off walking as they will feel too heavy to her.

She won't look silly in socks. Its best for their feet to wear shoes for the least time possible.

There are also barefeet shoes which might be worth a google.

YY to waiting 4-6 weeks after she starts walking independently to get her fitted.

We got DD fitted at Brantano, and then went and found shoes in Next. Clarks shoes are no longer the fabulous Holy Grail of perfect shoes that they were 25 years ago!

She is a bit young for shoes, especially as she isn't walking.

Wait until John Lewis have a sale, go there and get her measured and get some decent shoes for half the price.

If she's not even cruising yet she's definitely better off without shoes, and probably won't need them until the summer, if then. You're better off saving your money and getting a good pair of StartRite or something when she does need them. She won't look silly in socks/bare feet. You could get her a pair of Mocc-ons or something if you really want to buy something.

Have you seen Skidders? They are a brilliant cross between shoe and sock with a sturdy rubber sole. Great for the next couple of months until the real walking begins.

How about cruising shoes? DS didn't start walking till 16 months and he got through a couple of pairs of cruisers from mothercare before then. It was also mid-winter so too cold for just socks. They've got soft soles and are specifically made for pre-walkers.

There might be a Clark's factory shop near you. The one in our high street usually has a good children's range. They have a machine which you stand on and it measures your feet. They are a bit short on staff but someone will come and work it for you. I got my dcs first few pairs in a shop with more personal service and took note of how they checked the fit of the shoes then graduated to the factory shop which sells them around a third to half cheaper.

Agree get measured in Clarkes and then buy elsewhere.

Bobux have some lovely soft and cruising shoes.

If she isn't walking yet you really don't need shoes, they will be bad for her feet. You can just get soft soled shoes/boots that come in sizes 6-12 months, 12-18 months etc. when she had been walking unaided for 4-6 weeks then take her to be measured

Thanks ladies!

I thought it would be bad for her not having any, how wrong was I!

This is why I love mumsnet ;)