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Original poster

Why are clarks shoes so minging! and all boys shoes?

45 replies

laughinglil · 15/05/2006 22:55

Was out shopping today for dt's sandals and I couldn't believe the pure filth that is around in shoe shops! I have always hated clarks shoes think they are disgusting especially for little boys! I felt incredibly rude today as I got my kids feet measured and told the lady that I didn't like any of the shoes and I wan't willing to pay £30 + for something I didn't like however she still insisted I buy shoes from their as they 'fit better'...whatever! Why oh why are kids shoes so expensive? I forked out on two pairs of buckle my shoe sandals that cost me nearly £100!
Just wondering how everyone else feels about the price of shoes for children? where do you get your kids shoes from?

OP posts:
Ledodgyherring · 15/05/2006 22:56

I bought clarks doodles for my dd who is 3 they were only £12 but i fear once i'm into the realm of school shoes in September it will get much more expensive.

controlfreaky2 · 15/05/2006 22:57

where are you? how old are your boys? have some good childrens shoe shops here in n london... startrite much nicer than clarks for younger ones...

mummy2jake · 15/05/2006 22:58

got my ds shoes from clarks as his grandma wanted to buy them so didn`t want to seem like i was ungratfull
but they are quite nice and do fit ok
and ds seems to be comfortable wearing them

Original poster
laughinglil · 15/05/2006 23:00

I live in Essex. I have dt's a girl and a boy age 2.. know this must sound really silly but I find it so depressing shopping for shoes for them! dd isn't too bad as there is lots for little girls but boys are just horrid..all brown with yellow stripes and stuff!

OP posts:
moondog · 15/05/2006 23:00

They're crap aren't they?
My ds wears dd's (neutral) hand me downs.
Don't buy all this guff about 'trained professional fitters'
How long can it take???

Turkey is the place for fab reasonable shoes.
Just bought 4 PIRS FOR DD-CAME TO LESS THAN $45

gingernut · 15/05/2006 23:00

Clarkes don't even make any summer shoes (doodles or sandals) to fit my ds1's current shoe size (10.5 H). Humph! So much for having them properly fitted.

NotAnOtter · 15/05/2006 23:01

i bought some off the internet hang on

Original poster
laughinglil · 15/05/2006 23:02

i did like a pair of sandals but was rudely told that the were 'first shoes' and only went up to a 5.5!

OP posts:
NotAnOtter · 15/05/2006 23:04

\link{http://www.lefeetshoes.co.uk/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=313\they are actually half that price at the moment}

Original poster
laughinglil · 15/05/2006 23:06

The thing is don't you find kids shoes so expensive.. I know that they 'have' to have them but cor dear they are expensive.
I then took my travels to a near by designer shop that sells buckle my shoe,naturino,diesel, d&g...etc and they told me to get birkenstocks for my 2 yr olds..Birkenstocks themselves tell parents that these shoes are NOT suitable for children under three as they can damage feet development.. I could have shoved the shoes up her nose when she told me 'yeah love but they look nice don't ya think?' silly cow!

OP posts:
Kidstrack · 15/05/2006 23:06

i don't mind paying for fitted shoes from Clarks or Startrite, ds has wide fit and needs a fitted shoe/trainer, and dd is a normal f fitting, i have bought dd shoes from other shops but they always hurt her feet etc

Original poster
laughinglil · 15/05/2006 23:08

I don't mind paying for the kids shoes but I just think you can pick up such cheap shoes for adults now days! I mean birkies for adults are cheaper than those for children!

OP posts:
Kidstrack · 15/05/2006 23:11

dearest i have ever paid was £32 i have never gone over that, i tend to stick to a price range of £25-£30

gingernut · 15/05/2006 23:11

I don't mind paying Clarkes prices, but am angry that nothing exists in ds1's size (I know they will say to go up a size, but that's not ideal IMO).

Original poster
laughinglil · 15/05/2006 23:13

kidstrack where do you shop from can never find anything under £30 for ds!maybe i just have a shoe thing... i am very bad tbh !

OP posts:
Original poster
laughinglil · 15/05/2006 23:15

I wouldn't mind paying clarks prices if there were shoes that go with everything but all the shoes for ds are a distinctive colour that just wouldn't go with a lot of his clothes...omg how bad does that sound.. but I really do have a thing about shoes hehe

OP posts:
DominiConnor · 15/05/2006 23:15

I must confess that I find it hard to work out how you could have any strong emotional reaction to any vaguely normal looking shoes.

We but Clarks, both for me and both our sons. They express no issues with them, and they have clear views on what they wear which they express with clarity. But they don't care about the apparent "minginess" of Clarks.

They are well made, I care about this a lot. The assistants are a lot more knowledgeable than in any other shops, measure the feet properly, and I'm happy to pay a few quid more for shoes that don't hurt their feet.
Clarks are good about sizes and shapes in a way that cheaper suppliers aren't. Start rite seem OK, but are clearly less well made.

I've observed that in general women's shoes are prettier, but made by misogynist incompetents. They disintegrate, cut feet, and do terrible things to ankles. One day I expect some designer to bring out pretty shoes that bite off toes, but are just the right shade of blue. Women will grab them so fast that there will be fights in shops to buy them.

Kidstrack · 15/05/2006 23:16

gingernut, my local clarks store orders my ds size in if they don't have it and/or they call another store for me

collision · 15/05/2006 23:17

I went to clarks in Mothercare and bought ds1 (4) a pair of navy and pale blue open toed sandals for £22 and ds2 (18m) has a pair of brown and beige sandals for £22.

I just despair at the things for boys. With girls there are beautiful designs but they give up with boys.

so depressing to shop for them.

Kidstrack · 15/05/2006 23:18

DC i have always found that dd shoes last longer from Startrite, i have on 2 occasions had to take shoes back to clarks as stitching had come undone and ds sole had havled in 2 after 3 days wearing them

Kidstrack · 15/05/2006 23:20

and DC Clarks measured dd first shoes wrong, they do get it wrong sometimes

Original poster
laughinglil · 15/05/2006 23:20

the thing is though domini I wouldn't dream of buying 'cheap shoes' for dt's.. as I know that they probably in most cases wouldn't fit right.. I do have a problem with buying clothes and shoes for my dt's everything has to match or least look like it matches (this could be jeans and a t-shirt) I know it may sound so silly but I have always been this way. TBH I have got so many other things to be stressed out about but their shoes always annoy me.. for example how can you wear red shoes with a yellow top.. think I need help! anyone? sound like a mad person don't I? hehe

OP posts:
Original poster
laughinglil · 15/05/2006 23:22

think a lot of boys stuff is just too grown up for my liking ! my little boy is still a baby Grin please don't make these little boys look like they are 19 on a night out clubbing!

OP posts:
collision · 15/05/2006 23:22

So how many pairs of shoes do your children have LL?

My 4yr old has best shoes and trainers and have just bought his sandals.

Wouldnt buy lots of shoes to go with his clothes!!

fireflyfairy2 · 15/05/2006 23:23

lol @ Dc. It's the way they look dont'cha know Wink