Help please ! Struggling to find acceptable shoes for DD to wear with a skirt to VI form!?

[NoMoreFluffsToGive]

Hello…

Please help a completely unfashionable & unstylish mum who lives in trainers here… my daughter has just started sixth form and the dress code is “business wear”… we’re ok for suit/jackets etc. but where on earth can you buy nice shoes to wear with a skirt these days? She’s usually mooching around barefoot or in wellies or trainers and possibly the result is she has biggish and quite wide feet (7-7.5) so the current pointy styles look a bit huge . She’s also very self conscious of having “strong” calves so wants heels not flats (flats would be so much easier ).

Also she will be travelling by bus and train so they need to be fairly practical…and comfy!

Can anyone please help us find the shoe that fits magical combination of requirements?!

Try to get to a Dune or Shuh or something and look at what’s there. Even Clark’s trendier styles.

Can’t she wear trousers and a smart trainer type shoe or flat boot?
Lost of “business” women would wear similar!
My DD wears DM boots and also has her eye on some DM Mary Jane’s.
A chunky loafer could also be a good option

Why the hell are people recommending Gabor shoes for a teen? They are a granny shoe shop. There will be plenty of options on Next, Dune or Schuh. Even try simply be for wide sizes

Are they allowed to wear heels? I can’t imagine a 6th former in court shoes. It’s DMs, variations of loafers or ballet flats in my kids’ school.

I'd skip the skirt. Trousers and flats, jumper/cardi over a shirt.
I'd love substantial calves.

DD used to wear chunky Clarks brogues for 6th form and, if wearing trousers, could get away with DM boots although they weren't strictly part of the "business wear" dress code.

Five foot seven and I love my size fours! Always get shoes in the sale ❤️

Lolz you don’t think there is body shaming of the dd and other people with size 7 feet by calling our shoes huge?

Size 7 is normal, size 8 is normal, size 4 is normal.

This is bizarre. Business attire hasn’t really included suits or skirts for about 15 years and smart trainers are completely acceptable.

i would interpret it as not jeans or crop tops / vest tops / really short skirts and go to New Look

Wide leg trousers , smart trainers (eg the Nike all black leather ones) and fitted t shirts are I think what my teen dd would choose.
Defo no heels. No one wears those in the office anymore

Also to add, can you check the prospectus online to see pics of what other students are wearing?

Glad it’s not just me! I find them frumpy and I’m in my 50s 😀

Some schools really don’t allow smart trainers, dd’s doesn’t. That it is a weird throwback to the 90’s I completely agree with, however.

Don’t do jackets and skirts, she will look like she’s from 1993. I would go for wide leg trousers with nice shirts and jumpers, then DM boots or similar flat heeled boot… or flat loafers

My daughter started sixth form this week and has these, they are really nice and I quite fancy some myself! Look good with trousers and skirts. I agree about the craziness of business casual in this day and age!

https://www.dunelondon.com/gracelyn-wide-fit-cleated-sole-leather-tassel-trim-loafers-black-1173501000007484.html

I’m getting plagued with DM loafer adverts now! This is what I would be encouraging , rather than Gabor.

Lots of schools are very strict regarding trainers and absolutely do insist on jackets.

JFC, I can't believe anyone is entertaining the idea that children should wear high heels in the name of 'business attire'. I agree with PP that the whole notion is nonsense at sixth form, but if they must do it surely it is a reason to do away with sexist standards of 'smart' shoes altogether.

similar to school shoes?

Right, but no trainers and compulsory jackets doesn’t mean seventeen year olds need to wear suits and court shoes.

Dd has a jacket that she basically carries round 😂😂

Shes had it a year but it’s basically this one https://www.stradivarius.com/gb/basic-knit-blazer-l01900173?categoryId=1020527146&colorId=250&pelement=511315216

Never order direct from Stradivarius though, go through asos. That’s another story

It’s lovely.

I didn’t say they should. The court shoes are ridiculous imvho.

1. Change sixth form. This dress code is ridiculous. I didn't have such a dress code when I was at sixth form 30 years ago, and business have got more casual since.
2. Trousers, not skirts. Avoids the laddering tights problem, lets her wear thermals underneath on cold days.
3. With the trousers, a sensible smart flat.

It’s all bonkers. I’m a senior business mgr and wear smart trainers, smart casual trousers etc. Internal meetings are all casual. It makes me think trusts / private schools are totally out of touch with what business people actually wear

I work in a very corporate office and office footwear is varied.

I already posted about my mary jane crocs on another thread https://www.crocs.co.uk/p/classic-ballet/211994.html?cid=001&sid=W7&adid=performancemax_google_uk_UKPMaxGoogleCatchAll_x_x_x&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=16626204882&gclid=Cj0KCQjw--7UBhCpARIsAGJBpthexHoBd4_ZyjhRX57R3Z61WdPIPXTWV4eaDe4Umze5Wot97m4_HwkaAuNLEALw_wcB which I wear all the time no matter whether Im in a dress, trousers or skirt! (theyre baby pink btw so I dont even match them to my clothes, lol).

I used to buy my shoes for work from office. They have plenty to choose from, but DM mary janes are cool imo, Im not a huge fan on heels in work - accident risk is too high imo. Court shoes are a goof option, but if shes used to being in trainers, then a decent pair of sneakerinas would work. Get her to try them on so they fit properly.