Can someone advise me on shoes for 14 month dd?

[KathyMCMLXXII]

She's going to need some soon because she's starting to walk. We've taken her to be measured at Clarks, but theirs were all pink, and do we really need to pay £22 every six weeks? Where is good for cheaper ones that won't wreck her feet?

Thanks

Ours have always lasted longer than 6 weeks but rarely Clarks , more often European brands and Startrite which unfortunatley are no cheaper. You do need to be fussy about fit at that age though as the bones are still soft and will spread as she walks and weight bears more. Don't assume that whatever size Clarks measure at is the same size shoe in any other brand, the guages differ.

do you have any local independent shops? i just went this week to get ds (also 14mo) his first shoes as he took his first steps last weekend. we got startrite tots for £19 - they have a rubberised toe so their feet don't get scratched when they crawl (crawling is still his preferred method of transport!). they spent quite some time measuring and checking his size, and def knew their stuff.

clarks will bring in darker colours for winter. - are you near any outlet village? - get measured and fitted (think about styles that fit) and then go and buy in clarks outlets - I usually get 2 for 1 this way.

just thinking how many pairs I bought dd1 - think it was about 4 or 5 in first year (from 12mths). Since 2nd Bday (now 3.5) she's only had 2 pairs but still gets feet measured regularly.

Thank you for the advice, guys.

It's reassuring to hear that they tend to last longer than 6 weeks - 4 or 5 pairs in a year isn't nearly as scary as 9! Lexiemum, good idea about the outlet shops - yes, we do have a Clarks outlet near us as it happens, will see what they've got. You are right about darker colours for winter, too - just looked online and they do some nice respectable non-pink ones!

I have always found clarks shoes look scruffy very quickly, I now from brantanoes and they still look new by the time dcs have grown out of them.

The six weeks' thing terrified me but ds's first shoes lasted something amazing like six months.

The next pair only lasted 2 weeks but that was mostly because I'd ignored the fact that they were quite difficult to get on, i.e. really already at the limit of OK.

One pair of sandals for the summer can often last 4 or 5 months as well because velcro straps give plenty of growth room.

Always take them back at least every six weeks, but don't panic too much!

Thanks Waterfalls, they look good - bit cheaper too.