Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Original poster

Girls school shoe advice

102 replies

Rudi44 · 22/07/2017 22:30

Hi, I am a school shoe novice as my 11 year old daughter going into yr 7 in Sept has never had a uniform before. She is tall and her feet are a 5 1/2 according to Clarks today (actually they measured her initially as a 6 1/2 but I demanded a recount!). She didn't fit into any of their black shoes.
School uniform policy states black, sensible, plain unembelished. Any suggestions as places other than Clarks we could get nice leather school shoes for her size. I did think about Dr Martins but would worry they would be too heavy all day.
Thanks so much

OP posts:

AuntieStella · 23/07/2017 10:06

I think the disagreements on this thread show that what is acceptable in the eyes of the wearer and their peers can vary wildly between schools.

Yes, to have to get something that fits the uniform policy. But you also have to get something that your DD is happy to wear.

I would suggest making the first pair something you dinmt mind if it doesn't last, so that if she wants it replaced for something that fits the unspoken rules, you won't mind (same for bags and pencil cases).

if you do not have something from primary that can be carried over, then I think the safest choice would be a plain brogue. These are easily found in larger sizes; I suggest John Lewis (carry a range of makes including their own brand) or Geox.

paxillin · 23/07/2017 10:30

Do you know any older girls from this school? Ask them and their parents.

Original poster

Rudi44 · 23/07/2017 10:52

Hi thanks for all the advice, seems Clarks are very controversial. DD did try on the Clarks brogues in the largest size which was a 6 but they were 'too narrow on the toes'. GEOX is a good shout, will take a look.
Unfortunately don't know any other girls/parents at the school but we have been zooming in on the photos on the website and a lot of them look like they are wearing a ballet pump style with a strap.
You have been a huge help, DD has lived in trainers or Clarks boots for her school years so once we established she would fit into Clarks kids any more I was at a bit of a loss where to start.

OP posts:

BertrandRussell · 23/07/2017 10:59

The brogues I'm talking about are adult's ones-they go much bigger than 6...

I think Clarks are only an issue if you're looking at the obvious "school shoe" range.

WaxOnFeckOff · 23/07/2017 11:01

Depends on the school ime. At DSs high school nobody gives a shit what shoes/brands people wear. At my friends son's school it is an issue.

BertrandRussell · 23/07/2017 11:01

these

LoniceraJaponica · 23/07/2017 11:09

DD (17) has those exact shoes Bertrand. They have lasted forever. They were expensive, but as they have lasted so well, cost per wear is negligible.

They aren't even allowed to wear trainers or logoed shoes in 6th form at her school.

BertrandRussell · 23/07/2017 11:14

And they are proper shoes so they can be soled and heeled. As I said, dd is still wearing her Year ll pair and she's 21!

Original poster

Rudi44 · 23/07/2017 11:32

Ohh those brogues are nice, and more rounded on the toe by the looks of it than the girls Clarks we tried on, DD didn't like the pointy toes. Will take a look. I do wonder how big her feet will end up, she's already almost the same size as me and only just 11

OP posts:

WaxOnFeckOff · 23/07/2017 13:32

Girls feet tend not to grow much after age 12ish.

CauliflowerSqueeze · 23/07/2017 15:29

These last forever.

www.kickers.co.uk/women-c3/womens-kick-lo-classic-patent-p4485

AlexanderHamilton · 23/07/2017 15:38

Dd's school does not allow slip on ballet flat style shoes. They have to be Mary Janes or lace ups.

In Year 7 most wore Clarks or Start Rite. Dd's feet are wide so she had to have Start Rite. She's now 15 about to go into Year 11 & wears Geox brogues. Kickers would not be allowed.

AlexanderHamilton · 23/07/2017 15:40

Dd's Geox

Danglingmod · 23/07/2017 16:13

The vast, vast majority of kids at our school wear Clarks Hamble Oaks or the newest t-bar flats from Clarks . As do most of the sixth formers and any female staff who don't wear heels. Only the staff wear coloured ones and not black.

elevenclips · 23/07/2017 16:26

Clarks girls go to a 9. You just need to go online and have a few delivered to the store and she can try them on. You only pay if you buy the shoes in the store. My dd also wears the selsey cool as linked above and they are almost identical to the geox shown above as well.

elevenclips · 23/07/2017 16:27

The Hamble Oaks are also similar just with a more substantial heel area.

Sadik · 23/07/2017 16:40

15 y/o DD has these Startrite shoes - they are very much DM-shoe look-alike but cheaper and have worn very well. She's had two full years out of hers & they're still fine, I think they'll see her through year 11 as well if her feet don't grow. (Which I hope they don't as I was talked into oxblood DM boots for her birthday!!!)

LoniceraJaponica · 23/07/2017 16:51

Those wouldn't be allowed at DD's school Cauliflower

Effzeh · 23/07/2017 18:27

These from Start-rite come very highly recommended - not cheap, but last for ages and don't seem to scuff.

Or for a similar thing at half the price, these ones from Shoes For Kids. Shoes for Kids also seem to have discounted Clarks shoes in stock atm, always worth checking what they have in.

Brighteyes27 · 23/07/2017 20:28

Yes it really depends on the school and the DC both my DC's secondary's insist on no contrasting stitching, polishable shoes (so non trainer material) and no visible labels. Last year both DC's had Doc Martens with black stitching and no visible brand label. So they were happy as didn't stick out like a sore thumb and school were happy as they were within school policy i.e. Polishable, non contrasting stitching, no visible brand/logo detailing and fashionable yet hard wearing shoes. Many parents and DC's try to blatantly flaunt the rules with black trainer material and school have a hard job enforcing it. But fashionable shoe manufacturers have cottoned onto schools policies tightening up and are producing shoes just within school policy to keep kids, parents and schools happy.

Original poster

Rudi44 · 23/07/2017 20:47

Thanks so much useful advice. Yes as above we can't get away with anything resembling a trainer. Need smart shoes. I like the brogues and it's good to know DDs feel shouldn't grow too much, I imaged her with size 10 feet by the time she's 13. I really like the DMs that have a black sole but I worry they would be too heavy all day every day.

OP posts:

Brighteyes27 · 23/07/2017 22:36

These were the ones DD had last year. I got her to try them on at home a handful of times and wear them in the house and a trip to the shops in the summer before walking to and from school. She is really heavy in her feet and they lasted all year.

Brighteyes27 · 23/07/2017 22:43

They usually have a £10 off voucher on another pair of shoes if bought for school in August handy if you have two DC or want two pairs of shoes.

Original poster

Rudi44 · 24/07/2017 06:54

Thanks for the link to the DMs, that's cheaper than I have seen elsewhere

OP posts:

LittleIda · 24/07/2017 07:03

A mumsnetter started a thread about those DMs as her dc school considered them trainer like and didn't allow them.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Swipe left for the next trending thread