Clarks shoes for high school?

[MsLydia]

Would you buy your year 7 ds Clarks shoes for school? I usually always get school shoes from there but Im thinking they might be a no no for high school?

Yes. This is what they are wearing, though Clarkes seem late in offering the style.

Great and practical. So much better than the ballet pumps of a few years back. (Those with straps were rejected out of hand.)

I'm dreading getting my 2 their school shoes, again, very strict policy when it comes to shoes, no lables, black shoes. I have always gone to Clarkes, because I have always found they last the whole year, with one exception, when the velcro strap broke, and they replaced them with a new pair, no problem. I am taking them there again, as they are both small for their age, and still in a size 4. They can tie laces, but usually dont bother tying them well, so it may have to be the brogue style, but they have narrow feet, so that may be a problem. I have already been told no velcro

We have 3 DSs at (or been at) secondary school and all wore Clark's black shoes throughout with no problems or complaints.

My boys have worn clarks with no problem. They are going into years 8 & 10 and they are quite happy to wear clarks - they really don't care what they wear. It's only school.

My DD chose lace-ups from Clarks and she starts yr 7 in Sept. She had them in year 6 too and they lasted well -only bought a new pair as her feet had grown!

My son is going into year 10, perfectly happy with Clarks shoes.

www.clarks.co.uk/p/20346357

I brought DS1 who starts senior school in September Clarks shoes yesterday. Also got DS2 whos 8 his Clarks shoes and unfortunately DS3 who's 2 had also gone up a size so had to buy 3 pairs of Clarks shoes which cost me a small fortune .

Just bought ds (about to start y7) a pair of Clarks. Last summer took my girls shopping (then about to go into y9 and y10) - they are both about an 8 with narrow, shallow feet and can't wear anything pump-like - and after a couple of shops, they said, let's go to clarks, we'll get comfortable shoes there! Dd1 got some girls bootleg ones, and dd2 got women's shoes. Will doubtless be back there with them next week.

Dd refused the pumps I showed her in clarks. She ended up with a pair from new look

Although, I have to say, I was very unimpressed at the range in Clarks - ds didn't want Velcro, didn't want anything that look like trainers, so that was 3/4 of their shoes eliminated. Most of the others had that ridge that runs round the front which neither he nor I like (was relieved when he said he didn't!) and he didn't like the heel on one of the 2 pairs that were left. (Honestly, it was like playing Guess Who? Lol), but fortunately he liked the brogues and they fitted nicely and that was that.

Once his feet have stopped growing I'll be more than happy to buy some dm's or something like that, as they'll last for ages.

I think the school should try and find shoes which boys (and girls) like at age 11/12 which don't have branding etc - its almost impossible and it costs us parents a small fortune after buying the uniform, football boots and trainers.

Due to this government thinking that taking CB from 1 person earning £46,000 before tax and outgoings, yet 2 people earning that can keep it, we are going to struggle to pay for uniform for our youngest a year September. I earn very little as a casual dinner lady which pays for my clothes.

Getting worried already and we have a year to go.

Update - we went and got school shoes yesterday from Clarkes with no complaints at all! Both boys liked the slip on type, and they fit nicely. I was worried they would come off, but the elastic under the tongue keeps them secure on the foot. Grown up looking shoes that fit and will ( hopefully) last, with a caste iron guarentee, thats why I go to Clarkes!

Yes Clarks shoes the norm here right through the school for boys anyway.

I'm not sure why you would consider others really. We actually got DS Hush Puppies this year but they are almost identical to most of the Clarks styles and do normally go for Clarks.

Can't understand people complaining about the quality. In our 11 years of DCs' shoewear experience, the Clarks shoes are really robust and last really well.

We are a car-less family so we do loads of walking; the children - for primary school - have a 30 minute walk each way so their shoes get loads of wear and tear - yet both manage to make theirs last for the whole school year - which is pretty good value for money methinks...

I didn't have a choice - it had to be Clarks. My daughter is only size 12 with a very high instep and narrow heels - Clarks fit her the best, but we had to go through eight pairs before finding a comfortable fit. They are the same as last year, which I actually saw a Year 7 girl wear anyway.

Wow thought DS had small feet, being 'only' a size 2!

Can quite empathise with you though, Lottie4, as our DD (much younger than secondary school age) has very narrow feet and at best there is no choice in Clarks - it's a lucky day if there's one pair out of the entire range that will fit well. So it's the one-pair option or or Start-Rite (which is a more expensive brand too)

No, my DSes haven't worn Clarks shoes since Primary school. There are plenty of other places where you can buy 'proper' or 'smart' shoes without going there.

DS1 doesn't have to wear a uniform anymore, and DS2 has chosen a pair From Burtons. They won't last all year though, because they are a size 12 and he is growing like a weed! My next problem is finding size 13 school shoes!

DD starting Year 7 soon, and we have just tramped all over town trying to find some suitable shoes. Ended up back at Clarks and she was over the moon with plain black leather brogues. Tried every where else first though as I was worried that Clarks might be too young for her. The trouble was the ladies' shoes from every where else were either all too high for school or not leather, and I've made that mistake before of trying to buy cheaper shoes for school and they didn't last five minutes.

Anyway, she's happy with her Clarks shoes. They're not 'babyish' at all. They're flat, smart, sensible and hopefully will last the miles of walking they have to do just to get to the next lesson!

My boys have all had Clarks, star trite or similar all through secondary school . Ds1 had a pair of smart half brogue lace ups for 6th form

Wouldn't really consider putting DS and DD in anything else until their feet have stopped growing or they get into the sixth form - whichever comes first ;-)

Just got dd's size 8 leather brogues from ladies dept in Clarks( this is her 3rd pair)...with 20% off!!
Woo hoo.

Boys are really different from girls with school shoes - just took my DS's (going to be in yr 7 and yr 9) and was actively encouraging the yr 9 one to have something trendier than the usual school shoes because I remember my mum making me Clarks shoes long after all my friends were buying theirs in Freeman Hardy Willys! But he said "naah, I'll just have Rhinos again"! Was amazed because he's quite trendy when out of school - think he just couldn't be bothered to walk to another shop!