Where should I buy school shoes for DD?

[Beetie1]

DD is starting y7 in September. For the last couple of years we have ended up battling over school shoes and so I'm preparing for the same again this year.

The uniform policy for her new school is quite strict. It has to be a shoe, no boots or trainers. All black including stitching. Nothing fancy or decorative. No logo or identifiable brand.

Where can I get good shoes that will last, fit the uniform policy and keep DD happy? I was thinking kickers but they have the little labels. She had asked for slip on ballet shoes but I said no as she will be doing a 1.5 mile walk each way every day (no school bus) and she will forever have wet feet.

Any advice is appreciated.

A lot of the girls as DSS school wore pumps or brogues. Have a look at next as there will be something suitable there

Dd has brogues from schuh

Slip on ballet flat shoes were banned at dd's school. She always had her school shoes from an independent shop that stocked Start-Rite, Geox & Ricosta. Brogues were the most common style.

Dd has brogues from Clarke’s as do most of her friends

If you are battling about shoes, then I’d try to get her to look online before you go so she can get an idea of what she wants.

You could cut the labels off the Kickers if they otherwise fit the bill.

My dd has had Clark’s Hamble Oaks every year.

Buy kickers and cut the labels off - that's what most of the kids at our strict academy do...

Clark's are a safe bet, DD's are lace up and lasted 2 years

I recommend M&S school shoes for longevity

I know lots of girls are wearing brogues but my DD and most of her mates hate them. She's also going into year 7 and will probably end up with the slip on ballerina style but more solid. Like from Clark's, office or Kickers. I used to wear them for work on my feet all day and hood quality ones are excellent for walking in.

My dd is 14. We've been all around the houses with shoe battles, but recently it's just tailed off. No need for new shoes this year - we bought some chunky suede black shoes in Clark's last year. She's in a women's size 6. There a tiny bit of dark brown sticking around the soles but it's really not noticeable. They've lasted all year and are still looking good.

She started off with Dr Martin shoes, then Brogues, then pumps, now these.

DD started secondary school in Clarks shoes. Two years down the line she's wearing Kickers which seem much more robust and not really much more expensive than the former.

I was wanting something more robust which is why I was thinking something like kickers. She's always had Clarks or startrite and they get trashed. She's quite heavy footed and with all the walking she'll be doing...

Doc Martens still going strong here after a year. They do a version with black stitching.

DD has these ones. They are trashed now after one year but she walks a lot, not only to school but on school as she has lessons in various buildings so always on her feet

www.paresfootwear.co.uk/Girls-Shoes/School/307046/Geox-J-Agata-A-J4449A-C9999-Black-Leather

We had the ballet shoe issue as well. I bought her some to wear on holidays and weekends and she found out fast that they are not made for walking all day.

My dd had start rite impulsive
She’s usually very destructive but they lasted all year
They are like a chunky brogue with a kind of dr marten style
Very popular at her school

Just like Savoy Cabbage ^upthread. My dd has had Clark’s Hamble Oaks from year 5 to year 13
We know what we like!
My other dd keeps asking for ballet flats and I keep refusing- she has Clark’s with Velcro strap in year 8

Next Brogues, my DD1 has had these for the last 2/3 years and they have lasted at least a school yr. And they have good thick soles on them.

Clark's are great. They last my kids the whole year. They have nice designs and your child can just choose the shoe they like the most.

Clark's brogues for both DD's here.

Older DD (17) has ladies Clark's brogues which have very chunky soles like DMs. She had kids school shoe brogues until y11.

Yy to DMs. My daughters pair lasted her 2 years, have bought her a slightly different version but still black chunky and long lasting.

Ballet flats are banned at our school too. Not very safe during tech.

Ballet flats are also dreadful for not supporting feet properly and shouldn't be worn as everyday shoes.

At DD’s school they all wear brogues. I’ve found the Startrite better quality than Clarks.

I buy a lot from Clark’s and Dune for me and get them re-heeled as necessary. I’ve had shoes and boots from M&S and they’ve been fine too, but just prefer they styling of Dune and Clark’s (for some things).

Doc Marten shoes last forever, my DD13 has the patent ones for school.