Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Preteens

Parenting a preteen can be a minefield. Find support here.

Original poster

What shoes do teens wear to school with uniforms

49 replies

Cominghomemom · 29/05/2023 06:59

Hello! We are moving to the UK and my teen daughter has a school uniform. What kind of shoes is she supposed to wear with that? Are trainers ok? I’m so lost!

OP posts:
thaegumathteth · 29/05/2023 11:30

99% or so it seems of the girls wear black converse high tops at my kid's school. As does Dd.

Ds wears black adidas trainers.

I'd definitely check the policy and also see if there's a local FB a group you could ask for actual info on what kids wear. I know it's just shoes but it matters when you're a teen.

Pieceofpurplesky · 29/05/2023 12:01

It's really dependent on the school. DS's school was lenient and Airforce 1 and Kickers were allowed. School I worked in - you wouldn't be allowed to wear these at all. Ridiculous really as both of the above are sensible and practical school shoes!

Pourmeanotherwine · 29/05/2023 12:07

My DD wore through a few pairs of Clark's brogues before I switched to Doc Martens once her feet stopped growing. Expensive, but last years.

Casilero · 29/05/2023 12:12

Pourmeanotherwine · 29/05/2023 12:07

My DD wore through a few pairs of Clark's brogues before I switched to Doc Martens once her feet stopped growing. Expensive, but last years.

Exactly the same for my daughter.

The brogues didn't seem to last so long as she walked a fair bit, and maybe she's a bit heavy footed.

The DMs have been much better value and still look new after a year.

34and3 · 29/05/2023 13:25

My 13yo wears black AF1s to school - as does every other pupil!

Original poster
Cominghomemom · 29/05/2023 14:18

We definitely have time, she will start in September. And we will visit the school ahead of time. Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Cominghomemom · 29/05/2023 14:25

Thank you everyone! I will check out what the other kids in school are wearing. The school website takes me to another website that sells uniforms, and there is no mention about shoes. I’ll also email the school to see what their policy is. Thank you again for all your input, I truly appreciate it! <3

OP posts:
HappiDaze · 29/05/2023 14:26

They all wear Nike air force one (all black leather) trainers to schools that allow trainers.

If not then anything goes.

Most will wear all back DMs but it can be anything. You can buy School DMs but they only go to a size 6, the leather is very soft in those.

Original poster
Cominghomemom · 29/05/2023 14:32

thaegumathteth · 29/05/2023 11:30

99% or so it seems of the girls wear black converse high tops at my kid's school. As does Dd.

Ds wears black adidas trainers.

I'd definitely check the policy and also see if there's a local FB a group you could ask for actual info on what kids wear. I know it's just shoes but it matters when you're a teen.

Agreed it matters when you’re a teen, plus an international move so trying to make it as smooth as possible for her!

OP posts:
BackT · 29/05/2023 14:33

DMs here mostly or that sort of style. Chunky lace up.
Some do wear all black leather converse and air force 1 but every now and then they have a crack down and it's an expensive mistake to make.

You'll want her to fit in so probably best to check out the other kids.

Same with bags though you can't go wrong with a sports backpack. Some schools the girls use oversize handbags but not at DDS school. Cotton tote bags are in too.

CremeEggThief · 29/05/2023 14:35

A lot of girls in my (deprived) area in the North East get a pair of Vivienne Westwood ballet flats for starting secondary school.

woldscotsma · 29/05/2023 14:48

My DC1's school was quite strict and did not allow trainers at all or any logo or design. My daughter wore a Clarks version of DMs (DMs were not allowed)

DC2's is much more relaxed. Most wear trainers (they do have to ge leather). My daughter lived in her Nikes. DMs are also popular there with Clarks style shoes only being worn amongst younger students.

Tinytigertail · 29/05/2023 15:04

DD wears DMs or Air forces for school shoes

DeathMetalMum · 29/05/2023 15:13

Also plain black Doc Martens here. Luckily we have an outlet nearby so not as ££.

HappiDaze · 29/05/2023 15:18

The school DMs have black not yellow stitching

PuppyMonkey · 29/05/2023 15:23

Air Force One? Converse? Ha ha, not allowed at my DD’s school. I don’t do Clark’s any more after several expensive pairs frayed after a few weeks’ wear but if you have a Deichhman nearby, all the girls wear these.

What shoes do teens wear to school with uniforms
HappiDaze · 29/05/2023 16:10

Each school / area has its own shoe fashion so you'll need to do a bit of detective work

ScarletWitchM · 29/05/2023 17:08

My DD always wore brogue style shoes from year 7-9 - you can get them most places but when she went into year 10 DM’s which are expensive but did last her through to end of year 11 and my DS who is in year 9 and now in adult size shoes wears men’s smart lace up shoes from Next/ M&S etc.

they both went to (different) state schools in London and trainers are not acceptable- they have someone checking the kids as they come into school to ensure they are in correct uniform

Pleasedontputthatthere · 29/05/2023 17:20

PuppyMonkey · 29/05/2023 15:23

Air Force One? Converse? Ha ha, not allowed at my DD’s school. I don’t do Clark’s any more after several expensive pairs frayed after a few weeks’ wear but if you have a Deichhman nearby, all the girls wear these.

Even these wouldn’t be allowed at DDs school, has to be plain black with no embellishments like bows, buckles etc. it’s quite difficult to find acceptable shoes that are good quality and that she likes. AF would be a dream as she walks 2.5 miles home from school.

MetalFences · 29/05/2023 17:50

I don’t do Clark’s any more after several expensive pairs frayed after a few weeks’ wear but if you have a Deichhman nearby, all the girls wear these.

This just shows that you should wait till you have had the chance to look around the actual school as the dc at my school would be agog at those. There would be no chance of blending in.

PuppyMonkey · 29/05/2023 18:48

That’s interesting @MetalFences - all her friends are in the same style, or some do have brogues. I was a bit concerned about the tassels but she’s got away with them so far. Grin

MoonlightLily · 29/05/2023 18:51

You can't put them in supermarket shoes for school they will be bullied. Ds wears air force 1s

Pieceofpurplesky · 30/05/2023 12:26

@MoonlightLily hence loads of schools banning airforce 1 and other labelled shoes. To stop bullying

MetalFences · 30/05/2023 12:47

PuppyMonkey · 29/05/2023 18:48

That’s interesting @MetalFences - all her friends are in the same style, or some do have brogues. I was a bit concerned about the tassels but she’s got away with them so far. Grin

It is interesting. Schools in the same suburb can have their own 'rules' I think.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page