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Where do you buy your toddlers shoes from?

23 replies

DelGirlsRingAreYouListening · 07/12/2006 19:04

DD has had a couple of pairs of clarks shoes now and a pair from Gap. All in the sale .

I've been waiting to go to the clarks sale and was told it starts next week...........it started last Monday! We've just been and there was nothing for dd at all. The average price is £28 which I would pay but they wear them for such a short time, i'd rather not.

Just wondered if i'm being to bought in to the whole clarks thang and whether I should look elsewhere. Where can you go that has reliable measuring and decent shoes?

Are clarks really any better?

tia and sorry it's so long

OP posts:
gigglinggoblin · 07/12/2006 19:06

i get them from asda for less than a tenner. clarks measured ds1s feet for his first shoes, then when i took him back 3 months later they told me they were smaller. then remeasured and they were bigger so i dont trust them much

DelGirlsRingAreYouListening · 07/12/2006 19:09

ikwym, i'm just not sure I trust myself to get the right size which sounds pathetic really. I've bought wellies etc and the gap shoes I just went by feel but when it's her main shoes I want to get it right.

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Pinkchampagne · 07/12/2006 19:25

I normally buy my DS's main shoes from clarks or startright, but they have also had shoes from Next, Vertbaudet, La Redoute & Gap. With Gap shoes you have to remember that they are American sizing, so you need to buy the next size up.

MrsMaloryTowers · 07/12/2006 19:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gigglinggoblin · 07/12/2006 19:30

wellies are his main shoes atm! it is very difficult to get him to wear anything else. i am hoping this does not make me a terrible mother, my mum worked at a playgroup for ages and said this was fairly common so at least im not alone in being neglectful

i have never bought clarks since the episode with ds1 and my older kids have turned out ok

Mimie2403 · 07/12/2006 20:22

During the week my DD (2.6 yrs) always wears wellies to nursery, like the rest of the kids. I got a couple of pairs of great Chipmunk shoes from ebay. Very good quality shoes. DD has a pair of Startright and Gap too. Never bought from Clarks as I had a terrible salesgirl first time I had to get DD's feet measured...

Monkeytrousers · 07/12/2006 20:33

It is a bit odd the whole Clarks thing, but I worry too like a good mother [blurgh]

I bet our mothers didn't go to Clarks and we're not all hobbled.

I did get a few pairs of 'toezones' from Adams last summer and they were fine.

DelGirlsRingAreYouListening · 07/12/2006 20:57

I know, I seem to remember that I was put in the tbar canvas shoes all the time. I'm sure they wouldn't have been clarks. We all had hand me downs too and I was the youngest of 3 girls so you can imagine . My feet are ok. Oh I dunno, clarks is actually the nearest show shop to me but I do begrudge paying such rediculous prices tbh. Her current pair of clarks were £5 in.

OP posts:
DelGirlsRingAreYouListening · 07/12/2006 20:57

show shop? SHoe shop obv

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DelGirlsRingAreYouListening · 07/12/2006 20:58

£5 in the sale . I really should preview

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Monkeytrousers · 07/12/2006 21:00

I was youngest of three girls too Delgirl and my feet are perfectly functional

MerryBiglipsmas · 07/12/2006 21:00

my dds main shoes are from Clarks (means the shoes that she be wearing most) and the rest be from Asda, and Mothercare

MerryPiffmas · 07/12/2006 21:01

I get her measured at Clarks then head off to TK Maxx for beautiful continental shoes and boots at £10 for shoes that would cost you £40 upwards
I also prefer to buy from independent retailers.
But really pissed off Elefanten have bene bought by Clarks and indy retailers will no longer stock them and they are the gteatest shoes...

MerryPiffmas · 07/12/2006 21:02

to clarify my dd has very narrow feet and Clarks do not fit her but continental shoes are much weenier

Rosieglow · 07/12/2006 21:26

I've been sticking with Clarks coz DS has the widest feet so I always think that shoes that don't come in width fittings might be too narrow for him. That said I wouldn't pay their full price - I always wait for a sale & then buy several pairs in consecutive sizes. Just bought two pairs today - half price.. should see him trhough til the summer.

finefatmama · 07/12/2006 21:39

asda

DelGirlsRingAreYouListening · 08/12/2006 07:18

Rosieglow, that's what I did last time but there was absolutely nothing for her apart from some shoes that weren't suitable. They were velcro'd and an odd shape and she'd have them off in no time.

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Stockingsofdinosaurs · 08/12/2006 13:53

I've given up trying to get bargain shoes for ds as his feet so wide and high instepped, I really need professional advice and really good shoes (Just spent £40 on a winter pair).
DD is 3 now and her feet seem quite normal so I'm confident buying hers off Ebay or anywhere.

Stockingsofdinosaurs · 08/12/2006 13:53

Forgot to add have ruled out Clarks for DS's big feet and sticking with local independent shop who do the Ricosta brand.

2nervesnapartridgeinapeartree · 08/12/2006 14:01

I always go to clarks but the styles there for girls can be hit and miss. Because DD is tall for 5 they bring school shoes with heels! And then because she has seen them we then have a long negotiation process to buy something more suitable.

2nervesnapartridgeinapeartree · 08/12/2006 14:04

And Why or Why in all shoe shops do they return from the stock room and say "I haven't got a 6, I have a 5 and a 7"

I am so tempted to say "I'll take one of each - that still adds up to 12".

fishie · 08/12/2006 14:07

geox are fab, ds (19 months) has v wide feet and has had his current pair since september but they were £38 had three different pairs of cheaper sandals during the summer and they all hurt him despite being adjustable so cost me much more in the end.

clarks width fitting business is a gimmick imo, their fittings are inconsistent and their shoes are shite. independent shoe shop well worth it,

FiveGoldenFIMBOs · 08/12/2006 14:13

Startrite Factory Shop. £16 for shoes for tots. £21 for school shoes for dd (8)

Agree with Malory about TK Maxx but they never usually have anything in dd's size. I have just bought her BNIB boots from Johnnie's Shop for £33 instead of £55 on Ebay.

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