Blardy velcro shoes!!

[theheadgirl]

Is it just me? Spent the afternoon at a big shopping mall, trying to find a pair of school shoes for DD3 that are not fastened with velcro. As I explained to the apparently 12 year old assistant, I needed shoes with secure fastenings eg laces or buckles, so that DD3 will not remove said shoes at every opportunity, and throw the damn things out of the nearest window. But, apart from trainers, it seems that no one makes shoes with proper fastenings. As the little assistant sweetly explained to me.."most parents want their children to learn to put their own shoes on, and velcro is easier!" I don't have any such aspirations yet for DD3. I just want her to have shoes that will stay on her feet.

[LIZS]

how old is she ? Try European brands or Jones the bootmaker they make little lace up ankle boots.

[theheadgirl]

She is 7, a size 10. In the past I have got elephanten (?spelling?) or baby botte, which I think are French, but none of those on offer today....

[needmorecoffee]

Come here. I spent a whole afternon trying to find trainers that are velcro cos ds (12) just cannot do laces to save his life.
Don't Start-rite in the posh shops have ankle boot type lace up boots?

[Pixel]

There are some on the Hush Puppies site with actual buckles here but I'm not sure if you would think them suitable for school as even the navy ones have pink bits on.

[CarGirl]

No SN here but I had the same problem for dd4 who is 26 months - again no I don't want velcro because if she throws away a shoe that cost me £35 for the pair I will want to kill her!

[CarGirl]

how is she at zips, long zipped boots widely available in a size 10 at johnsons - one pair in 6.5 to fit dd4, they cost £40 but she loves them and cannot take them off

[Jekyllywoo]

We just got some really nice proper lace up ankle boots at jones - £36 which surprises me cos it's not much more than crappy clarkes. I felt really out of place buying them though as I've never been in a shoe shop that posh before. Hope you get it sorted.

[Saker]

I don't know whereabouts you are in the country but European Sole do a different selection of children's shoes. I had never heard of them before but had to find some boy's boots as the physio advised for Ds2 and they were able to oblige.

[r3dh3d]

No, it most definitely is not just you!

We're converted to Kickers now; not just lace up, but very thick chunky laces which you can tie in a double bow and even though she chews them for hours, she's not got through them yet.

[theheadgirl]

Hurray, its not just me!
We are in S Yorks, and the shop I would normally go to is still closed after the floods in the summer. r3dh3d you have reminded me, Kickers have been a success in the past. I see we are going to have to lower the tone of a very posh shoe shop to get what we need!

[CarGirl]

I'm sure they've had spoilt brats behave far worse in their shop then anything your dc can do, or are you just feeling a bit "poor" to go in their? Your money is just as good as theirs!

Perhaps worth phoning them beforehand to check what they have in stock - or go for internet purhchase with a returns facility?

[theheadgirl]

I'll brave it CarGirl! Some shops just aren't ready for my DD3 though, and they never will be

[Blu]

I was going to suggest Kickers, too!

Kickers look fab.

[Saker]

You go for it - it will do them good .