Kids shoes

[rascalboys]

So..I have always bought properly fitted Clarks shoes for my 2 DS's.

They are now 4 and almost 9 and they both have slim feet.

At what age can I stop getting Clarks?

The only reason I ask is that they both need new shoes and trainers but at £32 a pair and being a SAHM it's a bit pricey!

DS2 has a pair of Clarks trainers which are fine, so I am thinking just say a pair of BHS/Adams shoes for times when he needs shoes as he wears the trainers to pre-school every morning anyway. For DS1, he will wear his shoes every day to school so should I still get Clarks for him?

I think I'm a bit paranoid about this as it's always been drummed in my head to get properly fitted shoes!

My ds is 13 and last weekend was the first time he got non-clarkes shoes, purely because the queue was enormous.

Went to a cheapo shop (Barrets) and got him some leather lace ups for £17. His usual Bootleg school shoes are £44.

go in and get them measused then buy 2nd hand from Ebay
Not a guaranteed method, but even with the odd non-fitting pair, you will still save a lot.

I think it's a case of try and see what fits. Especially when they are in whole sizes I can usually find something at Barrets or Brantanno that will fit them - you may have to try different styles to find ones that are better for narrow feet/won't slip off at the heel. However, when they are in half sizes I usually end up back at Clarks or other pricier shops.

I'm with you rascalboys - always had it drummed in to get good-fitting shoes...however it gets really - and I mean really difficult if you have older kids - esp girls - mine are 13 and 15, and Clarks is a no-no for them. I did manage to make them have a pair each at the beginning of the school year, and dd2 is stil wearing hers. DD1 has just got some pumps from Faith - way too big as they both have slim ankles. Just to have a little rant...I hate the pump-style fashion atm - the shoes don't stay on and anything bulkier and they don't look "cool" GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
OK, rant over - if anyone knows where I can buy size 5 and up black pumps that actually fit I would be very grateful - ie any mums out there with beautiful slim feet, where do you buy your shoes???

As for kids clothes - dd2 is now into adult petite size 4-6 as kids clothes don't fit - she is tall and slim 5'4 and 24" waist, so if anyone has a similar-sized child, head for topshop/dotty p's etc