How late does one leave it before buying school shoes????

[MilaMae]

And aren't the boys ones hideous!!!!!!!

we got dd's last Monday - she starts school on the 18th of August (Scotland)

I get dd the week before as her feet grow so fast.

we got ours today. Was blissfully quiet.

Did end up costing £120 for a pair of school shoes and a pair of trainers each (2 kids)

and I will put money on ds breaking his school shoes in half by the end of the term (football playing on tarmac grr)

I'm doing it on Tuesday.

Oh joy.

If possible, I am sending DS2 in sandals for the first week or so (what I have done previous years). I will hit the shops a week or 2 after school starts. Kids do actually grow fastest in the warmest months of summer. Do you all buy a new pair of shoes every August whether they need it or not?

mine go back second week of Sep - I was going to leave it til the first week of Sep, so I hope they have some left. Not that is ever much choice for boys black velcro shoes....

I could tell mine had gone up a size or so. And ds's last pair was broken. I don't really care if boys shoes all look the same tbh. I'd just rather they were a bit more sturdy. All ds ever seems to do with his is kick the crap out of them. They only look new for that first morning!

First time for me have been told loads of horror stories about low stock if I leave it too late.

got ours today

£80 in total for 2 shoes and 2 plimsoles (dd2 starts as well in September [sob])

dd1's lasted her for ages last year so I wanted to just get them and get it over with

One of my twins feet haven't grown in ages so can see a huge growth spurt on the horizon

DD1 is going back in summer shoes will buy new in late Sept/Oct when shops have re-stocked again

Well DS does need them. On the last day of term I threw the disgusting things which had somehow lasted him a full year in the kitchen bin. I did take him and get them checked for size but they were fine. He also needs football boots but that is DH's job.

We got ours a couple of weeks ago (starting 18th August too).

£123!!!

We did ours today. It was fun actually. . Partly it's the shop I think, which is a tiny local independent shop. They know both DCs by name and have looked after them since they were walking and know what they like. It actually makes shopping a pleasurable experience. Bring back the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker.

is candlemaking on the national curriculum now then?

We buy them after the summer holidays in case their feet grow over the summer.
Boys' school shoes are generally hideous(often trainer-style) and they're all the same. We have to hunt far and wide for decent looking school shoes.

I agree, they are hideous - but there is so little choice - how do tyou find decent boys shoes which wont fall apart after a month?

This is what I mean. Hideous the lot of 'em

nice shoes for boys

We got the Bronx ones. DS had a different pair of Ricostas last year and they lasted all year (in fact he's still just about okay to wear them). He plays football every day on tarmac and runs around all the time. They do last too.

omg yes - I cant wait for that shopping trip...

Thanks Quattro, those are nice. I like the Bronx. But they're on sale so prob won't be available when we get back from hols (leaving tomorrow).

ooooo they are a bit better - but bronx no good with laces - the DSs are not up to laces yet!

First timer - got DD's last Monday, as I figured if the local shop didn't have anything we'd have to go into town this coming Monday, leaving it a week later might get a bit late. The local shop had three pairs in the right size, one was the pair I'd spotted online, they fitted, result. Perfectly pleasant experience, DD hasn't even complained about them not being pink yet.

Having looked at those links I'm adding 'school shoes' to my list of pros of having a DD and not a DS - velcro fastenings so much better on Mary Janes or T-bars.

Would love to know who buys those shiny Ecco slip on type shoes!!!!!!!!