M&S school heels for 7 yr olds

[marmitetoastie]

So M&S say they're backing the Mumsnet campagin. I found these heeled school shoes in my local store in a size 13. My 7 year old wanted them (of course). The sales assistant was as upset about it as me.

They're not good for running around playgrounds or for developing feet and hips.

I complained to the section manager. Perhaps you might do the same next time you're in there?

www.marksandspencer.com/Older-Girls-Resistant-Riptape-School/dp/B0036V9L46?ie=UTF8& qid=1272225673&categoryNodeID=53882031&ref=sr17&page=1&node=44299030&sr=1-7&mnSBrand=core&rh=n%3A4 6417031%2Cn%3A44299030

[TrillianAstra]

What's the average age for size 13 feet though? They go up to grownup sizes, 13 is the smallest. They look like reasonably 'sensible' shoes to me.

[lisbey]

My 6yo has size 13 feet, although they don't look that high to me

[brimfull]

they look too high for that age group to me

[DSM]

I'm confused - those shoes aren't heeled?

[AntoinetteOuradi]

My DD is five, and has size 13.5 feet. I rejected some wedge school shoes in Clarks today (the only school shoes they had in her size) and ended up with pesky megabucks Start Rite instead. Again. I asked the Clarks assistant why on earth they thought wedge shoes were suitable for five-year-olds, and she agreed with me. She said it was like putting the dolls in the heels: it made the girls pester their parents to buy them. It worked on DD, but she still didn't get them!

[Ewe]

I think on the scale of all things to worry about clothing/shoe-wise for our daughters this is the least of our problems!

[Hulababy]

They look like wedged heels to me too. My DD is just turned 8y and in size 1. I wouldn't let her have any form of raised shie, inc wedges for school. Flats only.

[SlartyBartFast]

they are not really heeled are they.
they are wedges and they are M @ S so they must be ok surely?

[SlartyBartFast]

they are advertised as Older Girls Scruff Resistant, so that is presumabely the thinking behidn the wedges

[Eglu]

Thay are not Flat! Not appropriate for the age group. Not the worst I've seen but definitely not right.

[brimfull]

doesn't matter if they are wedges or heels they are still not flat
totally unnecessary

you can still go over on your ankle with a little wedge

[marmitetoastie]

Wedge heels are still heels. They aren't good for developing feet or running around playgrounds.

Heels are for legs to appear longer, thinner and more muscular. Sexier.

So, is this M&S's support of the mumsnet campaign? I don't think so.

x

[SlartyBartFast]

yes, perhaps they start at size 13, as some older girls have smaller feet?? but the majority of parents they assume will not buy them for 7 year olds.

[TrillianAstra]

My mum is (obviously) a grownup and she has size 2 - 3 feet.

[Hulababy]

Trillian - I am a size 3 (although some size 3s in some shops are too big). I am sure shoes have got smaller; I used to buy 3.5-4 once upon a time - or my feet have shrunk

[TrillianAstra]

I was speaking out in support of the idea that shoes for older girls should come in teeny sizes, just to clarify.

I have size 8 feet, obv didn't get the delicate foot genes High heels that look great on my mum (and prob on you too Hulababy) look like transvestite shoes on me.

[lisbey]

Hulababy - you could well be right (like all other clothes)

I'm sure I had size 7 feet in my last year at juniors, now a 6

[Hulababy]

Oh - and rarely wear heels lol. . I have the worlds worst feet when it comes to shoes - i am covered in blisters just looking at a new pair of shoes. Even my cons give me blisters! I am sure i could get blisters from slippers

But yes, all shoes I get tend to look either very delicate and teeny weeny (although heels on tiny size shoes always seem higher some how) or look like boats on me (such as my Uggs)

[Eglu]

I still don't agree with the argument about them being for older girls. I never wore heels in secondary school either, and I don't think girls should now.

[Hulababy]

I don't think any school shoes require heels personally.

And IMo the ones on M&S are quite young looking in style anyway - apart from the heels - especially with the velcro crossover. I can't see them appealing to older girls personally, so that arguement falls down I reckon.

[kat2504]

They are copying a style of Sketchers shoes with the same velcro crossover which I believe sell really well, even to grown ups. As a teacher I've seen girls show up to secondary school with much more inappropriate shoes but I agree M&S could have made these without the wedge, especially in sizes below 3. Although I actually think these are better than the ultra flat ballet pump style some people send their girls to school in, with no support for the foot, much too flimsy.

[edemame]

Meh, in the end, you're the parent, if you dont like them dont buy them. When my mum didnt like the things I 'Had to have' like the party dress I wanted when I was 12 that had a low cut back and a high skirt and you wore it over a pair of black knee length tights, she simply told me no and that it wasnt approprate for me to look like Madona at my age :) It worked fine for me, a little resentment for an hour or two and I got over it, found something else I 'had to have'.