Talk to Clarks about getting your DC's first school shoes and other milestones in their lives - you could win school shoes for your DCs for a year! NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

We've been asked by Clarks to find out about what Mumsnetters remember about getting their DCs first pair of school shoes.

Here's what Clarks say,

"From tearful to triumphant, there are many words that parents use to capture the excitement and emotion they feel about their child starting school for the very first time. Clarks understand how important the First Day of School is for both parents and children, and how sentimental parents feel about sending their child off into the big wide world.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, Clarks have partnered with Ladybird to create a bespoke memory book, free with your child’s first pair of Clarks School Shoes. The memory book lets children and parents complete and capture all their first moments from their first year at school, from favourite lessons to favourite friends, and of course a space for a photo of your child in their perfectly crease free uniform and shiny shoes on their first day at school.

To complete your First Clarks School Shoes experience, you can also book a fitting appointment at a time to suit you. The occasion is made all the more exciting by being measured on a new Clarks iPad Foot Gauge! Book online at //www.clarks.co.uk/storeappointments, phone 0844 248 8408, or in store. Clarks also have over 7,000 trained fitters in stores over the back to school season and Clarks stores open for longer for the summer holidays to make sure your shopping experience is completely hassle free"

So, what do you remember about getting your DCs first school shoes? Maybe it's having their feet measured? Or perhaps it's the number of shoes they tried on before finding the right pair? Was this a big milestone in their lives? What other milestones are important to you?

If your DCs aren't old enough for school just yet, is getting their first pair of school shoes a milestone that you're looking forward to? Was being fitted for their first pair of shoes a milestone? Are there any other milestones which you think are important? If so, what are they?

Everyone who comments on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will receive school shoes for their DCs (worth up to £150) for a year.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

[Itsfab]

IME the stand on machines are crap and don't measure accurately. I wouldn't have faith in an ipad either.

[bewleysisters]

Found them in the first shop we looked in during the summer sale. They were the last pair left in that style and were flukily in DS's (unusual) size, plus they have those secret compartments with little toys in the sole. Everyone happy.

[AndHarry]

I took DS a couple of weeks ago as he starts school on Monday. The boys shoes are great- rubber on the toe-caps, rugged, cover the instep and easy to put on. In fact, he didn't even need new shoes in the end as the shoes we bought him in May are fine. Shoes for 1yo DD though... luckily I ordered some little boots in beforehand or we would have had a choice of bright pink or autumn shoes with ridiculous gaps in. She's a toddler: she runs through puddles, mud, sand, leaves just like any boy does. She needs practical too, not just 'stylish'.

Back to the question :o I loved getting DS' first shoes and have kept DD's in a little box. I wouldn't think of it as a milestone but it's a nice memory.

[MsMarple]

I like Clarks school shoes for DS - despite gulping at the cost - as the ones I have bought from Clarks so far have worn much better than other cheaper ones.

In fact the only reason that I ever bought the cheaper ones was that after a very friendly and helpful shoe fitting in Clarks just before school started, which DS was very excited about, it turned out that they didn't have anything left in his size that was suitable. His school (normal state primary) doesn't allow 'trainer style shoes' which knocks out a big chunk of the Clarks range.

[MsMarple]

PS I love the little pictures Clarks do for 'first shoes'. That was a lovely marker of a milestone for my littlest one.

[mausmaus]

our first school shoes for dd were a bit of a fight.
as it's starting to be wet and cold soon, I want her to have proper shoes, nit the (imo inappropriate) mary jane shoes.
dd is a climber, runner, mudpuddler as I'm sure many girls are.

tbh I am very dissapointed that there are no pretty closed girls shoe available from clarks. and that the closed girls shoes that there are are not available in school colours.

[Elvish]

DD has E fitting shoes and they are difficult to find in stock. I get her feet measured at the beginning of summer and then when we're ready to get her school shoes I order every pair in the right size and half a size up. Free delivery to store and no payment until you choose which ones you like. No issues with only one pair in the store fitting like last year!

[InMySpareTime]

When DS started school, I tried and failed to buy him black school shoes in Clarks. School shoes started at size 8, and he was only a size 5 when he started school. All the shoes in his size were too brightly coloured for school, so in the end we had to go to an independent shoe shop to find shoes. We still have trouble now he's aged 13, as he is a C width fitting and Clarks only do down to an E. I remember when I was a child, Clarks used to sell different sized shoes for each foot if that was necessary, as overall it usually evened out across the stores. My feet differed consistently by one size, and Clarks always shod me adequately.
IMO they have gone downhill of late, relying too much on technology over expertise, and gimmicks over sturdy reliable footwear.
My DS walks about 5-6 miles a day, his shoes should be able to cope with that. He never used to wear through shoes, but recently I've found the heel of the sole (where the hole for the toy is) leaks within weeks. I should be able to expect better from a store with such history and reputation.

[InMySpareTime]

DD's first school shoes had flashing lights in.
Well, for the first week they did, then they stopped flashing. It appears they only have 100,000 flashes in them, which isn't much when little legs are walking 3-4 miles a day in them and showing off the flashy lights to everyone
After a month, the sole wore through and the battery pack fell out of the heel, leaving a void in the heel which leaked (just in time for autumn).
I was not impressed with that first shoe experience.
YY to the suggestions for practical girls' footwear, DD has Toughees this year, they should go the distance.

[MouldyOldBow]

We just got DS2's new shoes at Clarks earlier this week - the sales assistant was very helpful but there was only one pair in his size. Thankfully he likes them and the whole thing made him feel quite special. Also thankful that he wasn't bothered that they'd run out of the ladybird memory books too.

[ScienceRocks]

Just bought dd2's school shoes. Didn't go to clarks as she has very narrow feet and they never have her size in stock. Instead I go to an independent shoe shop locally. Very good service and costs the same.

Dd2 was very excited about it. It is definitely a milestone for her.

[BlackeyedSusan]

first shoes a milestone. first school shoes a hassle. boring black. though the companies do their best to make them as interesting as possible within the parameters of black school shoes.

boys school shoes look a bit too trainerish. this does not seem to be too much of a problen in the primary school we attend.

girls school shoes require the rubber soles to go up and over the front more too. dd wrecks hers within a couple of weeks. it would be nice if we could have covered in school shoes that are not laces for girls in winter.

ds has new shoes that have strip of retroflectors on the sides and heel. this is more or less black until it catches the light. fabulous. please can it be on the girls shoes too.

[mausmaus]

clarks (and other shoe makers)

HEAR HEAR about proper sturdy and pretty closed shoes tor girls! can't be that hard, can it?

[ChaffinchOfMegalolz]

I do love buying the dc new shoes

My tiny local shoe shop sells clarks, and the service is fab. Have never had to wait long to be served; an they're happy to order weirdly narrow shoes for dd
my 3rd ds is now 5mths and I can't wait to get him his first pair of proper little walking shoes. They are so cute. A sign that the baby has become a little laddie.
the milestone book is a nice idea, they grow up so fast and you try and remember their first this and that... they do have baby books already but these ladybird ones sound like they're focussed on the next steps- good idea.

not tried the ipad measure thing yet - intrigued.

[StampyIsMyBoyfriend]

Memory of first school shoes... going to a deserted Clark's shop, having the choice of three pairs in stock and leaving with the most expensive...

[MakeTeaNotWar]

I'm afraid i just couldn't bring myself to do it as first shoes are so expensive so I measured DD's feet myself using the Clark's gauge thing then bought a second hand pair from ebay. And I am very glad I did as within an hour of wearing them, she had chucked one out of the buggy!! However she's starting reception now so I do plan to go and fork out for a pair of well-fitting and hopefully long-lasting pair of school shoes.

[SixImpossible]

I don't remember getting my dcs' first school shoes, but I do remember getting the first outdoor shoes. All Clarks, some fro JL, some from Clarks shop. With my older two it was no big deal, but with my youngest the Clarks staff made a huge - and, frankly, irritating - fuss, taking Polaroids and whatnot. Quite against my wishes, too. It was all a waste of time, in any case, as the shoes were not a good fit and had to be returned a few days later.

That said, the service from Clarks (and JL children's shoes) has always been excellent, and I continue to use them for the dcs' school shoes.

[Eva50]

Do clarks still do the photos of little ones getting their first pair if shoes. I have photos of my three. Ds1 walked at 10 months and looks so little in his picture.

[BerniceBroadside]

I think ordeal rather than milestone would describe it.

Long queue, very limited stock as they'd been busy (as if back to school came as a complete surprise), and those bloody doll shoes. Oh and the toes were through in about a week. Apparently girls climb trees too, who'd a thought it?

[Maiyakat]

DDs first shoes involved trekking around a huge shopping centre to find a pair small enough to fit her! They are now in her memory box.
I have learnt to buy either patent shoes or shoes with scuff guards - her current shoes were trashed within days and of course this is the one pair she's not growing out of quickly....

[Imsosorryalan]

Sorry, but we stopped going to clarks about two years ago! My dd now 8 only seemed to have the choice of pink or erm...purple. So many lovely colours out there so we now shop elsewhere.

[GingerSkin]

I brought dd her first shoes at Clarks and it was great. She was cruising at the time so not quite walking and the assistant was amazing - very knowledgable and not pressurising at all.

Since then, we go back to Clarks regularly for new shoes. We had a period when DD (now 3) would find the experience negative because she never wanted to part with her old shoes so wouldn't actually try any on.

Our last visit was great though, we'd prepared her for it (plus she's older and come out of the terrible two's!) and she really interacted with the sales assistant. A big thing for me was the sales assistant interacting with her, not just 'selling shoes'. It makes the experience so much better for us, the parents.

[rednellie]

For all those who dispair of the range of hard wearing attractive girls shoes, where do you get yours from? I'm drawing a blank. Clarks has the same problem everyone seems to have (startrite etc): flimsy ballet pumps/mary janes or lace ups. Both useless for primary age girls. Thoughts?