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Original poster

School holiday challenge: black shoes for secondary school, low heel, must go up to adult size 6 or 7

25 replies

frogs · 02/08/2006 16:25

All suggestions gratefully received.

Dd1 has big feet (adult 6 or 7) and hates all the chunky, girly, over-styled ranges. Won't consider loafers, or anything with a heel -- bizarrely, lots of them seem to have quite high heels.

Start-rite don't seem to do any girls' schoes over a size 5.5. Dd1 currently has these , but they are possibly a bit young for someone going into secondary school. Also the price is eyewatering.

Am starting to think maybe kickers shoes or Dr Martens shoes might be the only solution, but possibly too chunky to wear with a uniform kilt?

OP posts:
fairydust · 02/08/2006 16:27

have you looked on m&s website they have some nice ones

Original poster
frogs · 02/08/2006 16:30

Yes, we've looked at M&S adult and schoolshoe section, and all have been rejected as either too frumpy (adult ones) or too fussy (school shoes). She won't countenance ballet-style shoes.

Aaargh. Every summer the same nightmare, but gets worse as their feet get bigger and the available selection shrinks.

OP posts:
roisin · 02/08/2006 16:31

No suggestions, just sympathy. It's definitely easier with boys!
I've just bought ds1 size 5.5 shoes; he's only just 9 and I will soon have to buy him adult shoes and pay VAT on them
But at least it's easy to find suitable styles.

yorkshirelass79 · 02/08/2006 16:37

Message withdrawn

yorkshirelass79 · 02/08/2006 16:38

Message withdrawn

Original poster
frogs · 02/08/2006 16:39

Now if the school allowed the girls to wear Converse with their uniform, we'd be sorted. But unlikely to happen, I fear.

Does anyone have an opinion on the suitability of chunky shoes like Kickers or DMs in combination with an unfashionably long school kilt in a rather eye-catching shade of purple? [hopeful but increasingly irritable emoticon]

OP posts:
Original poster
frogs · 02/08/2006 16:43

Some of those are quite fun, YL -- I'd never thought of importing from America! But the sizes all seem to be too small, sadly.

Roisin, unfortunately, my ds is also a premier league fusspot, so that's the next nightmare. But as you say, boys shoes are a bit more standard and come in bigger sizes. Still think a lot of them are vile, though.

Grrr. And I daren't buy too early, since the only time I tried to get ahead of myself and buy in early August, they'd all grown out of them by September.

OP posts:
yorkshirelass79 · 02/08/2006 16:45

Message withdrawn

roisin · 02/08/2006 16:46

DMs look good with anything. If she likes DMS, then I'm sure she's got the character and personality to pull them off.

I have to be honest and say I can't imagine any footwear that would look completely right with the skirt you describe!

I think the most important thing is that she has shoes that make her feel comfortable, happy and confident.

roisin · 02/08/2006 16:47

What's "Converse" btw? Am I being thick?

MrsBadger · 02/08/2006 16:48

we all used to wear these , these or similar with skirts to school - they're no chunkier than some of the Clarks' girls shoes with heels, and are v comfy. Only trouble is they can't be re-heeled, but guess not many things can these days.

MrsBadger · 02/08/2006 16:49

(and we had fetching long maroon skirts)

yorkshirelass79 · 02/08/2006 16:51

Message withdrawn

JackieNo · 02/08/2006 16:56

DM do these , but they're the Mary Jane style that she may feel is too young for her now. And at the price!

MrsBadger · 02/08/2006 17:01

also some interesting ideas \link{http://www.rhino-shoes.co.uk/footwear.php?subsection=girls\here

MrsBadger · 02/08/2006 17:01

bother
here

Original poster
frogs · 02/08/2006 17:01

Roisin, where have you been? As any fule mum of a preteen girl kno, Converse are those trendy baseball boots at the top of YL's link. Every girl must have a pair, or preferably several.

MrsB, you've made me feel better -- I think DMs are probably the answer here, and she'll like them as well. And readily available from a range of convenient outlets.

Yes, guys, the kilt is, well... I wouldn't be seen dead, put it that way. It's a fetching mid-calf length. But dd1 is happy, so that's all I really mind about. And at least, unlike the school most of her friends are going to, she doesn't have to wear white knee socks with it. Imagine!

OP posts:
saggarmakersbottomknocker · 02/08/2006 17:03

My dd has had Rhino last year. They've lasted really well and taken her orthotic raise which is a perennial problem here. Think we'll probably go with them again this year.

Original poster
frogs · 02/08/2006 17:06

Yes, I think the Mary Jane style ones are possibly too young now. Otherwise I'd have bought another pair of her current ones from the link in my OP since they are actually extremely good quality and worth the extra cash imo. But I was worried she'd go off the style if everyone else was into more grownup things.

The Rhino ones I fear would fail the fussy/chunky test. DMs all round, I think.

Bloody norah, I never remember it being this bad when we were at school...

OP posts:
JackieNo · 02/08/2006 17:09

Schuh have some 'back to school' styles here (click on 'casual' - it's one of the items in the drop down menu) including some DMs.

fairyjay · 02/08/2006 17:09

frogs
My dd (13) takes size 7, so I do sympathise. We've found the last lot of school shoes in Next -also have to be worn with a long kilt!

Good luck - hate to tell you, but if she's fussy now, it will only get worse!

smurfgirl · 02/08/2006 17:12

Does Faith have anything suitable?

school shoes

roisin · 02/08/2006 18:17

Oh I like these - 'feminine' DMs.

Original poster
frogs · 02/08/2006 18:43

Roisin, I saw those and liked them. It looks as if someone at Dr Martens has been ripping off Camper.

OP posts:
roisin · 02/08/2006 18:59

PS Thanks for the education on basketball boots

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