where do you buy your childrens shoes from?

[doziduck]

I am fed up with clarks but don't know where else to go.

Arrghgghgh - I HATE CLARKS!!!

Second everyone else's comments - they NEVER have the shoes you want. You wait an age to be measured then they bring out one pair that they have in that size and it's usually totally inappropriate.

Thanks for this thread - might try JL next time!

Yep, me too. I'm not so keen on Clark's. And can someone please explain why they always put the children's shoes UPSTAIRS... often with no lift?

Anyway, Russel and Bromely have really nice shoes. Some are rediculously pricey. But, I have found that Elephanten and Step Rite are only a few pounds dearer than Clarks.

And, if you aren't into pink flowers and hearts, then Clarks has very limited selection. Just give me one basic pair of shoes that will go with all of her clothes! I searched high and low this summer for plain white sandals. Finally found them by Elefanten.

I saw a pair of Clarks first shoes in Australia and they were exactly the same apart from the label and packaging as shoes I had bought for about 4 pounds from a NZ retailer. My son was wearing them so I could compare.

As my dad used to say "they're all made in China you know, you are paying for the label."

the cheapest shoe shop in town called shoe express or something - will not pay more that £20 per pair - prefer 9.99 miself.

will buy named trainers for senior school but only for PE so they dont get picked on - if they want any show off trainers for poncin round the street - get a job - save up!

Also have problems with Clarks. Their measuring things don't seem to measure the width of my son's feet at the widest point and so the assistants always end up giving him shoes that are too tight. Have also tried John Lewis but service there has been variable. (Made the mistake of going at the same time as everyone else getting their 'back to school' shoes and the assistant even admitted that she was really from a different department!)

The only place I've been really happy with is an independent shoe shop. The man who runs it is rather quirky but takes enough time to make sure we have shoes that I'm happy with as well as ds being happy with them! He offers us a great range of shoes, many of them continental ones that seem better made than Clarks or Start-rite but are also cheaper.

I think he's a member of some society of shoe fitters. Have a look here where there should be a list of independent shoe shops in the UK & Ireland if I've got the link right!

Sam

All I have been offered in any shop at the moment for dd (4) is black clumpy shoes or knee high boots - absolutely nothing in-between. I may just get her a second pair of trainers this year. Don't like Clarkes either - not great at fitting correctly

Yep - I hate Clarks too! My ds has had at least 2 pairs that didn't fit properly - and boys' shoes there are always boring! I now go to an indpendent kids shoe shop. They do Startrite and continental makes. Fit them well and usually a good choice (too much usually!). My dd (2) got a lovely pair of pink suede sandals in April and I had to eventually wrestle them off her feet to get her a pair of shoes for winter!

ha ha, beety, someone else who does the buckle my shoe outlet in Glastonbury - I'm off there this afternoon with dd1 - we love it although it is much tinier now than before.

Have to go a hunting for boots for DD tonight. She is adamant they must be pink, and preferably shiny too!!! Hmmm. Have a feeling Kickers might do somme. DD at nursery today but as I'm walking into town I'll have a look in John Lewis to see if they do any. May look in Clarks, but doubt they'll be able to help.

if i don't go to clarks - where they have at least a few shoes in a G fitting - then they don't really fit dd1.

Hulababy Kickers deffo have some pink shiney ones this year (try getting them in Ravel they might be cheaper than JL??) as do GAP.

Hulababy, do you ever go over to Daisy and Tom in Manchester? I hear they have a good shoe dept. Just in case you don't find what you need in S1!

Cheers Twinkie. Found two options for Dd to go and choose from later today:

(1) pale, baby pink Timberlands
(2) darker pink (more mauve) shiny patented leather Kickers

There were also a lovely pale lilac pair of Kickers, but has to be pink apparantly!

Her choice now!