Clarks shoes

Norman_Bean

I don't think the quality is any better or worse than other brands but I always go to Clarks for the fitting service.
As someone else said this can be hit and miss but the service in The Golden Boot, Maidstone is fantastic.

nic2075

I will be buying my DD's school shoes Clarks as it is her first pair of school shoes, and Gran is paying. But usually I buy from Next or Clarks sale.
Ive had arguments with the 2 older ladies that work in my local clarks. I could see my daughter was curling her toes whilst being measured and I told her to stop, the fitter said it was fine and measured her as a 10, she had been in an 11 for the last 6 months! She got size 10 sandals out saying they fit fine, but my DD's toes were right at the top. Boththe fitter and the manager got all defensive when I didn't agree with them.
I insisted on trying an 11 and they fit fine, they were off with me when I left. She has had no problems with them, I even popped into another Clarks and got her measured- size 11! I will be going to Braehead for her school shoes.
I mainly go to Clarks for the half sizes.

caris

I have always bought Clarks shoes for my 2 now grown up daughters, and continued to buy them for our 11 yr old GS until the last 2 years, this is because he was measuring an "E" fit but Clarks just did not keep his width in where we live, they said they didnt get much call for that fitting, we found some shoes for him in the Ecco shop, very similar pricing to Clarks, but far better quality in our opinion. We only buy him leather shoes and trainers, we dont allow plastic shoes. With regards to the Ecco shoes we have noticed that they have lasted the whole school year and they do not show much sign of wear either. However this time we have struggled more than ever to find him shoes has he is now measuring a "D" fit.

p1tse

whjat's DS and DD stand for, i have a LO i think LOL (Little one)?
he's coming to 1 and starting to walk. as for a first pair we have had a look at clarks but seem very heavy and so looked at john lewis, again branded of some sort but they were having a sale.

interesting point how we move on forward, but he does have next, TU branding ones at the mo

WolfSong2000

If you can, go to an independent store to get kids feet fitted. Regular stores will give staff minimal training (I know, I used to work for one many moons ago!), whereas independent take a lot more time and care and will usually have more specialist expertise. It is very important to make sure the kids shoes fit, that the quality is decent and that - and this last bit is a bit of a bugbear of mine - for girls, there's no heel.

I was so shocked walking into Brantano's a few weeks ago, and seeing them proudly displaying high heeled shoes for small kids. Drives me up the wall. Do they not know what damage can be done?! Anyhow, that's my little rant for the day .

kimmi_b

Thanks to everyone for the replies. She has been measured in Clarks each time she grows out of a pair and is a normal fitting otherwise yes I would be getting a wide/narrow fitted pair of shoes for her. My youngest just goes barefooted (well with socks!) at the moment as he has only just started to walk. I'm starting to think I should be posting in the Bad Mummies thread....!!!!

I do appreciate that Mum wants to buy her things, I just felt a bit like I was being told off for not providing for my daughter properly!! Will take her to be measured up this weekend. Have just remembed we have a Clarks discount store near us so might be able to get something in there for her - that will [STRIKE]shut Nanny up [/STRIKE]please Nanny no end!

Indie_Kid

I don't think my parents ever bought me shoes from Clarkes. It was always shoes from Shoe Express. It was usually cheap ones too - because of my feet growing.

I tend to buy shoes frm Next - if I get kids shoes, the size 3 fits fine. For ladies shoes, I need a size 4.

andi2

I use my local Startrite for my kids - the bloke who owns it used to fit my shoes when I was their age so I know he's very good. He won't sell you anything if it doesn't fit right.
My eldest (almost 5) has been in the same pair of shoes for almost a year - keep getting her checked, but her feet simply haven't grown (I think they have now, but she'd need a new pair for September anyway as they are starting to look a little worse for wear now).

missm29

I've not read all the replies, have 2 boys ages 3yrs and 7yrs they have always had clarks shoes, apart from the odd pair of sports branded trainers and next shoes. I've always found the clarks shoes to wear very well apart from one pair of trainers, we'd had them a few months, when we were in store getting measured for school shoes and new trainers, i commented how i didnt want a certain type because they hadnt worn well, my son was wearing them at the time, the lady credited me £20 off the shoes i was buying and sent the old pair back, didnt have the receipt and i wasnt actually after a refund either, so very good service....mind you i was buying 4 pairs of children shoes at the time.

I have had problems in the past of different stores measuring and giving different sizes. I now stick to my small local store, where the ladies are older and seem to know what they are doing. You can order up to 6 pairs online and have them delivered to store where you go in and be fitted and just pay for what ones you buy, very good service as my store only has a very small selection.

My children also have very narrow feet, i did buy one a pair of next canvas shoes which gave him terrible blisters after just one wear, hes special needs and has little speech, had no idea they were hurting him. How bad did i feel. Always clarks from now on. I also have a few pairs of clarks myself and are very pleased with them, i must be lucky seeing as so many have had problems with the quality.

keelykat

Hello, we've been buying our toddler's shoes from Clarks for a couple of reasons. He has wide feet, he is a half size still and I like the shoes to be honest! I know they aren't cheap, but I don't mind for shoes if they fit him well and last till he needs a bigger size.

I have brought shoes from there too (and my husband) and haven't had any problems with the quality of them so far-and I do a lot of walking in them!

keely.