Practical girls school shoes

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My DD will be starting primary school in September and will need to wear black shoes. I need to double check the policy but I'm fairly certain completely black plain trainers are also acceptable. Having once vaguely browsed the girls section at Clarks I wasn't thrilled by the options compared to the boys, seemed far less practical/warm/weather-proof! It rains loads here and over the winter she usually lives in boots, but I don't think boots are allowed (why?!). My DH wants to buy from the boys section but I don't think that's a good idea as she will probably clock on to that and not like it, and even if she doesnt I'm wary of her shoes sticking out too much and people making comments and upsetting her. So anyway any good practical suggestions that also won't stick out?

No suggestions but solidarity (and following for suggestions) - it’s annoyed me for years how impractical girls shoes are compared with boys.

Kickers? Practical and tough.

My DD wears the boys ones (she has SN and hates anything that doesn't completely cover her feet), though normally picks out a pair that aren't too chunky. She's not allowed black trainers but would be happy with those. They also don't allow ankle boots as apparently it makes it hard to sit cross legged.

Ooooh good shout thanks. Just had a look and they have a unisex pair of plain black trainers which would probably be fine and acceptable to DD too.

We're in the same boat - can't believe how little choice there is for girls who don't want to get soaked feet as soon as it rains! I'd also prefer a more barefoot style of shoe if possible.

I found some options from Toezone and Ricosta (here and here), and these from M&S might work. I suspect patent leather will be scuffed horribly within minutes, but can't find many more 'girly' (ugh) styles without it - although she might go for a brogue, like these from Froddo.

I'm not sure if boots are allowed at my daughter's school, although they might be uncomfortable for sitting on the carpet anyway?

Following with interest to see what ideas others have come up with!

Sainsbury stock "Toe Zone" shoes which we have found great for DD5, the girls ones are okay however we buy the "boys" ones and they cover the whole foot, great in winter.

DD had boys shoes right up until year 11

Marks & Spencer's tend to do good school shoes and usually have at least one pair which is as sturdy as usual boys' styles whilst looking more like the usual girls styles. These for example

www.marksandspencer.com/kids-leather-freshfeet-bow-school-shoes-13-small-9-large-/p/clp60491910#intid=pid_pg1pip39g2r14c2

These are good: www.kickers.co.uk/youth-unisex-tovni-lacer-leather-black/13164126.html

There is no shame in putting your daughter in 'boy' shoes. Not sure why you think there should be?

Mine has these geox ones from next and they have been good the patent stuff hasn't peeled yet.
She was clear that she wanted girls shoes but her uniform involves white socks and all the mary jane style ones get wet in the rain or stained from puddles.
The T bar style shoes are generally okay too as the gaps are quite small in infant school sizes and now she prefers wearing skirts/dresses anyway so if shes gets wet in the rain the little holes on the shoe tops don't make much difference

Came on to say sainsburys Toezone and see I've been beaten to it.

We've bought 2 pairs of Clark's over the last 5 years and wasn't impressed either time. The Sainsburys ones were much better and they often have plain black trainer style in the boys section too which DD was very happy with.

I put my daughter in boys shoes and it’s always been fine - she’s not the only one luckily.

The only comment we’ve ever had was one year we had a teaching assistant who referred to them as boys shoes to her. We discussed that boy’s shoes means belonging to boys and girl’s shoes means belonging to girls. I tried to do it tactfully but she gleefully pointed out the error to the TA in front of the class teacher the next morning- didn’t happen again 😬.

Shes now just going into year 4, is massively feminist, and actively chooses closed in shoes herself. And can explain to you that the reason she chooses them is because girls need to do everything boys do and not be constrained by their clothes.

Im not sure to be hugely proud or concerned that I’ve created a monster 😬

DD has hush puppies T bar shoes and they’ve lasted well. Sturdy compared to other makes!

Double check about boots with school. My DD is in year 2 and every winter so far has had black leather boots for school and it hasn't been at issue. She's not the only one either.

Sigh. Where did I say there was any 'shame' in it?

Sainsbury’s Toe Zone shoes are great - nice and sturdy, memory foam soles and about half the price of Clark’s!

Thanks so much everyone, wasn't expecting so many replies. Sainsbury's sounds good, the M&S with the bows also. Glad to see there are actually some sensible options that I just wasn't aware of as a first-time parent.

Also reassured to see it's perhaps not as rare as I thought for a girl to wear school shoes from the boys section. My DD already wears a lot of clothes from boys sections and has short hair, it used to be even shorter, and she was mistaken for a boy a lot then. It didn't bother her but I'm concerned it might now she's getting older, especially as I am going to buy her trousers for school, and she's now saying she wants her hair cut really short again (like a boys short haircut essentially). I am happy for her to buy boys shoes but I do want her to like and be happy with the shoes she wears and I don't think she'd be happy to have ones from a boys section based on other recent shoe shopping experiences. And I just have concerns about her sticking out and people making comments that may upset her as she's generally very sensitive, and is anxious about starting school.

I get all of ours at Startrite or Trotters.
https://www.trotters.co.uk/products/hampton-classics-emily-school-shoes-black

We've had some dr martens Kamron style before. Sturdy, full foot coverage and unisex.

https://www.drmartens.com/uk/engb/junior-kamron-leather-strap-velcro-oxford-shoes-black/p/24287001?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmtGjBhDhARIsAEqfDEe0X4eEbOTr1oseDqScEE6n2mWZ6z9xwmrviwwJo87uYNvIvnKEiQsaAuBXEALwwcB

@Namechangedforthis2244 id be very proud !

My DD wore velcro Dr Martens for most of primary.

Whatever you do, don't get anything with laces!
I've just bought DD7 a pair of velcro black patent style trainers from Asda for the last half term, as her old school shoes have a big hole in the heel.
May well do DM's for September though!

Avoid Clark’s the shoes are crap and not good for children’s feet according to my DDs podiatrist.

Definitely kickers, all 3 of my DDs wear them. Avoid patient if you can. I don’t mind buying cheap patient shoes because they will get messed up quickly.

Lots of girls wear ankle boots in DDs school even though the policy says no. Just keep an eye on what the others wear and gauge if you could get away with them in winter.

One of mine wore decent support trainers for reception and year 1 because at the time they were the only school type shoes I could get to fit and support her feet at the time.

Clarks are useless for this. Go to an independent retailer