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Original poster

Where do you buy your children's shoes?

89 replies

sandyballs · 20/03/2006 14:30

I'm fed up with Clarks, they've messed up the measuring too many times, and the school shoes look hideous now my girls are a bit older (5). Just curious where everyone else goes.

OP posts:
cupcakes · 20/03/2006 16:58

Startrite factory shop
Russell and Bromley
Boden (sandles and wellies)

milge · 20/03/2006 18:43

local independent for start rite, buckle my shoe or primigi. DD has v narrow feet and needs supported ankle. Just bought her a pair of summer sandals from Angulus - very sweet, white with ladybirds on! \link{http://www.angulus.dk/model_born2.html\here they are}

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 20/03/2006 22:30

"I'm jsut wondering how people manage to get their kids measured in clarks and then take them elsewhere?"

Easy - just say I've popped in to get their feet measured as it's been a while since they were last done. They measure - if they're the same size I say, phew that's ok then. If they've grown I say I'll have to pop back at the weekend as I need to get some money off DH Grin

starlover · 20/03/2006 22:42

there is no point getting measured in clarks andt hen going elsewhere.

clarks measurement match clarks shoes.

other brands WON'T be made on the same lasts and WON'T come up the same... so it's a completely pointless exercise for you and the staff who have to waste time serving you

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 20/03/2006 22:44

if I get measured at clarkes and I'm a size 5 - then elsewhere I'm also a size 5.............

Blossomhill · 20/03/2006 22:45

I usually go for clarks but this month went for next shoes and am very impressed.
Lovely leather shoes, trendy and at about £22 a pair realy reasonable.

lockets · 20/03/2006 22:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

starlover · 20/03/2006 22:47

but adult shoes are very different to children's shoes.

not only is there the length, but also the width... which you won't get anywhere else... so why bother?

plus, not all styles suit all feet, hence the need for fitters at clarks to be trained...

lockets · 20/03/2006 22:49

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

starlover · 20/03/2006 22:51

yeah... but am assuming that people who get measured in clarks and then go elsewhere aren't getting shoes fitted at all! lol

i mean, if you are confident you can fit your kids shoes yourself then why get them measured?

seriously, majorly pisses me off that does.

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 20/03/2006 22:51

my children have 'average' width feet - as told to me by several shoe shops I've visited.

And until my feet grew when I was pg with DS1 I used to buy kids shoes as my feet were small enough.

I would get them measured at the cheap shop - but they're usually packed and take ages to serve you. Clarkes OTH is usually empty Smile

starlover · 20/03/2006 22:53

but i just don't understand the point in getting them measured there?
i mean... do you not even check that the cheaper ones fit ok?
and if you do then why bother with clarks measuring?

lockets · 20/03/2006 22:53

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 20/03/2006 22:54

I get them measured to find out whether they're still a 6/12 or whether they've grown.........their widths haven't changed since they started walking (neither have mine) so why should their 'suddenly' change.

And on the subject of proper fitting - how many threads have you seen on here of "XXXX shop fitted my kids shoes really badly".......well if you can tell their badly fitting then perhaps we're all pretty capable of telling whether a child's shoe is too small (generally they walk funny or you can't get their foot in easily Wink) or too big (where it keeps slipping off Wink).

Blossomhill · 20/03/2006 22:54

I think no matter where you buy as long as shoes are leather then should be okay.

I have had to take so many pairs of shoes back to clarkes that have been measured incorrectly. So although I do go there I think I actually prefer Next. My children do have average width so that does help!

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 20/03/2006 22:55

"mean... do you not even check that the cheaper ones fit ok? "

Yes of course I do - but I'd rather just try on one size of each style of shoe when I'm dragging a 2yr old and 5yr old round than trying on several sizes of the same shoe - does tend to help make the job a little quicker.

lockets · 20/03/2006 22:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

starlover · 20/03/2006 22:56

not as bad as the people who ocme in wanting us to check said cheapo shoes though.

starlover · 20/03/2006 22:57

yes, width does change.

Blossomhill · 20/03/2006 22:57

Up until now kids school shoes bought from clarkes as bones still growing etc. etc. Now they are dd nearly 7 and ds 8 feet are easier to gauge. I do use the specific measuring for that shop.
Trainers now from sports shop although always got from clarkes when younger.

lockets · 20/03/2006 22:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lockets · 20/03/2006 22:58

This reply has been deleted

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starlover · 20/03/2006 23:00

yeah! and we tell them where to go! lol

bones in feet carry on growing til around 18 i'm afraid!

Blossomhill · 20/03/2006 23:02

lockets - i am so impressed with them. Both children had them for 2 weeks and they still look brand new (ds plays football everyday at school so are put through it). Also really soft and i really like the style as well. Not so happy to put ds in shoes with dinosaurs on at 8 (clarkes). Next shoes are practical but trendy.
I have bought trainers and sandals from there as well and again really nice.

Blossomhill · 20/03/2006 23:03

starlover - yes i know but i am more than capable of knowing whether they fit properly or not!