Would your year 7 dd wear these school shoes?

[Picturesinthefirelight]

www.startriteshoes.com/girls-shoes/school-shoes/stone-black-leather

Dd and I are having second thoughts. They fit perfectly & are acceptable to the school but the hearts look little girly.

Dd is a size 1 G and is almost 12.

The style Lizs linked to are not allowed.

I've had messages from several parents of girls at the school some of who are older who all say they will be fine there thoughbthevpkainer ones are preferred if possible.

OP reading the thread it sounds as if it is a school where the rules wrt shoes are a bit stricter than most so I imagine if that is the case (eg shoes Lizs linked to not being OK) then lots of students will have shoes similar to the ones you have bought.

Yr DD has very petite feet for her age as I am sure you know so I imagine that limits yr choice anyway.

Yes she does. I guess I shouldn't be surprised as I am only a size 4 and my mum is a size 2!

My Dd in very similar boat with size 1E fitting feet! Very limited choices for her size foot, she absolutely LOATHES brogues and would not wear them if I paid her to. She chose www.clarks.co.uk/p/20354826 despite not really liking the tiny little heart cut outs, they seemed the least offensive to her that actually fit her foot.

DD is going into Y7 and has got the Startrite Samba ones. These will be her 3rd pair as they are very hard wearing and fit her feet very well. DH (who teaches at the school) says they will be fine for Y7. She wears them with trousers and they look so battered after a couple of weeks anyway so look less 'Startrite' then. With black socks they look fine.

yup they won't want hearts or flowers too primary schoolish!

I have 2 DDs. Youngest going into yr8.

Those shoes are perfectly acceptable as a school shoe in the practical sense. However, imo they are too little girl (sad we/I think like that when we are talking about an 11yo) and will only set your DD uo to be a pisstake target.

I hate myself for saying it I really do. I am the first one to preach on about not giving into peer pressure etc etc but I personally hand on heart can say I would not send my DD now or last year to school in those shoes, and I do feel your pain with the high instep. (shoe shopping for us is hell on earth with little or no choice).

My DD who although going into Yr8 has literally just turned 12 wanted these www.startriteshoes.com/girls-shoes/angry-angels/impulsive-black-hi-shine-leather from Angry Angels and delighted that they actually fitted. She HAS to have lace ups mind and chose these over creepers as thats not a trend she is following. I dont think they do them any smaller which is a shame. This is DD2s first year of fitting into "teen" shoes.
The nearest similar style is the Burford on the Startrite website. I am not sure id lace ups are cool in schools where lace ups are not specified but have to say I usually have more success with lace ups and a high instep compared to other shoes because the lace up is adjustable.

A more grown up style of shoe with a strap in your DDs size is the celestial on the Startrite website.

You could check their returns policy (also look on Amazon) and order some in to see. I have in desperation in the past ordered shoes from Amazon. Somtimes there are other (old) startrite/clarks styles on there at cheaper prices. Its a hassle but you can return them if they dont fit.

Failing that I would suggest you try other shoe outfitters. I go to John Lewis because they have a range - although this year had nothing in my DDs size. And I also go to 3 independent shoe shops. I have to drive boody miles but I usually get success with one of them as they have old stock and vary styles.

Good luck - I hate the hell that is school shoe shopping.

The FT dance schools do seem more keen to preserve the kids' feet - it's their tool so they must take care of them. Because of this, I think a style which may be seen as a bit naff and babyish in a mainstream school won't even be noticed at a ballet school.

I'm not sure which one your DD is headed to, but if its Hammond, my DDs friends who go there spend far more time in the track suits and dance wear than in traditional uniform, so I wouldn't be surprised if she barely wears them.

I have dancing DDs (although the 3 eldest are on CAT schemes/outreach) so I understand its hard to find shoes to fit odd feet and give adequate support. My DDs have had success over the years with Step2wo shoes, which have the added benefit of coming with arch support that is so beneficial to banana feet! Theyre pricey, but may be worth a try if she really feels badly about the hearts?

On a side note, I'm considering vocational school for my DD2 (who would go for 6th form, shes going into Y11) and my DD4 (Year 6) - would you mind if I messaged you for some advice?

My girls have the startright plain ones - one Y7 one Y8 - both have extremely long, extremely narrow feet, so cannot fit most styles - ballet flats just slip off, brogues are like buckets as the laces can be tightened only soooo far... they know they fit, they know it's all that they can have.. they say there's no teasing - their school it's the bags that get the attention...

I've pm'd you goinginsane

Well we went to pick up the plain Samba start rites today. When she got home the first thing dd did was to attach the little floppet toy to the shoe! She will bectskingvit off before school next week though!