It's not just bags - shoes are my worry..(plus all the other accessories)

[cakeanyone]

My dd due to start secondary in September, worn Clarks shoes all through juniors but thought as they start becoming slightly more independent, more peer pressure etc. I suggested that she could have shoes that were perhaps 'more fashionable'. So we started looking at what the girls at her new school are wearing and there is a large number of them wearing a black trainer type shoe with little diamontes and a red strip on the tongue these seemed quite practical, sensible, sturdy(ish) keep feet dry etc. etc. all the things we think of - so I enquired of one of the older girls who had a pair on and was told that they are Prada (no less) and cost between £180/£230 - after I'd picked my jaw off the pavement I quickly let my DD know that she wouldn't be getting a pair of them..... But it got me thinking. You see the 'older girls' prancing around with their skirts just covering their bums, with Prada shoes, Juicy Bags, Pauls Boutique jackets, Ralph Lauren whatevers etc. etc. and I think that these girls maywell be in school uniform but they must have about £500 worth of accessories. I know that the Head is clamping down on the length of skirts - no rolling them up whilst in school, but just exactly what are some of the parents up to letting them go to school with so much 'money' added to them, and what exactly is this teaching our DD. Is this just me, am I really that old fashioned, Is this just an Essex thing (I'm an ex.pat and no I'm not tarnishing everyone with the same brush). My DD may well be going back to Clarks for shoes!!

My dd wears black vans for school. They cost £40 which is just about my limit to pay for school shoes. Loads just wear the primark version for a fiver though.

Our school insist on black only, no coloured logos or embellishements and proper shoes (not fabric or trainers). Even my sons perfectly good school shoes with a small black label and, in white, the manufacturers name (not designer) was only allowed if we coloured in the white writing with black permanant pen. Also, no boots!

It's quite prescriptive but the fabric shoes were in at one stage and all the girls wanted them but they were useless in the rain and they would have wet feet all day if they got wet going to school. The logo rule was due to wearing of designer labels, which weren't being worn by many (we have more farmers here than shoppers) but was strating to happen with a few, so they tried to stop it in its tracks.

We found Sketchers were the best non-clarks offerings. About £40-£50 but lasted as long as their feet stayed the right size! ....which isn't very long!

No it's not just you who is old fashioned. Wow, I'm astounded at the price of those shoes, no way I could or would buy that for my daughter! She'll be having to choose something from Clarkes, and at £35 to £40 I feel that's expensive but I know the fitting is good so don't mind spending that.

OMG - my friend's YR7 DS has lost two and half pairs of shoes this year....

My DS1 starts secondary school (in Essex!) in Sept, I'm even stressing about what kind of pens he should have

Thanks for enlightening me about Paul's Boutique! There is a late teen girl who lives near me who wears a jacket emblazoned with 'Paul's Boutique'. I assumed she worked in a beauty salon and was on her way to work! Do you think that is the look she is aiming for?

Black ribbon on eBay for £1.50 gave a pair of brogues added appeal and attitude ... worked for us ... also you can buy some brighter colours so she can have different colours for different days. Might even be useful to buy the ribbon before you hit the shops...

Shame my 15 year old is still in size 2s so we had to get the russell & bromley own label brogues at £52 as they were the only ones that fitted her narrow feet and ankles (including the additional insole).

PS her sister is seven inches taller and a size 6 and is just 12, how does that work?

Dd is year 10 and still in Clarks....the ladies do a great leather brogue for £50, and she has had 2 pairs this year. Comfy, stylish and hardwearing (dd walks to school)
Hopefully she will still want them in year 11!!

DD Y9 has casual Velcro strapped ladies Clarks shoes. I think we are on our 3rd pair, exactly the same.

Heaven knows what will happen if they stop making them. She lives in crocs and long boots out of school. Hates slip on shoes and school are really stroppy about anything the looks like trainers.

I think, even she'd draw the line at sensible lace ups,

Shoes:
All the kids in my DS's school wear black kickers, which are great and have a thick sturdy sole. The girls wear the shoes and the boys wear the boots. They cost about £60 - £70 per pair.

Bags:
They all have Adidas messenger bags, various colours. Very practical. Cost between £35 and £40 each.

All the girls round here wear really flimsy ballerina style slip ons.

DD starts secondary in Sept and we need to get something more trendy than Clarks. Am thinking of going to Schu to get either Rocket Dogs or a pair of the more trendy Hush Puppies.

DD Y7 has Clarks sensible lace-up shoes. Most of the girls wear the same type of thing.

School also has very strict rules about shoes and appropriate style footwear.

Dd is 12 and in year 8. Most of the girls at her school wear Clarks even the year 11. I expected them to be wearing the flimsy slip on shoes. Some do and they look awful but loads wear the sensible shoes. Really surprised. Dd would love to wear Clarks or Startrite as they are better for her feet but her feet are too big - a 7 but over the H fitting. So i have to buy shoes from Evans or out of a catalogue. It is a nightmare but have already got some for September thank goodness.

It's school not a fashion parade, they don't "have" to have these trendy things, as long as they keep them warm + dry.

I struggle to afford Clarks, thank god my 2 aren't into labels!

Brantanio do a leather rogue for £25.