I can't believe we're at the stage of the summer holidays where back to school shopping is on the to do list. It's always a sticky point, when to start shopping for school uniform or school bags, but there's nothing like being prepared - especially with school uniform sales and deals on back to school essentials prevalent right now.
School shoes are a trickier buy though, it's true. You don't want to buy them too soon because we all know how quickly kids' feet grow, but you can't risk leaving it too late and all the decent styles being out of stock - Motherland fans, don't be a Julia and send your kid into school wearing kitten heels, 'kay?
- Next: From the brilliant price point to range of styles, Next is always a winner for school shoes. There's loads of styles to choose from, brands too, and affordable to boot.
- Clarks: The brand has a reputation for great quality shoes, a good fit and longevity.
- Deichmann: Think an incredible range of brands, including Nike and Hush Puppies, plus great value school shoes.
- Lelli Kelly: Pretty and practical, Lelli Kelly's school shoes are known for being some of the cutest there is.
- TU at Sainsbury's: Don't forget supermarket clothing brands for school shoes either; Tu often come out on top as being the best value and the range includes trainers and plimsolls too.
My daughter is going into Year Two in September, so I've got a few years of experience in buying school shoes. Firstly, if you have a very particular child like me, good luck - my six-year-old has a firm list of what she will and won't wear, which always narrows our search.
For me, it's important to find a pair of school shoes that are comfortable, sturdy, and might last longer than the first term. That's why I've put together a helpful guide to finding the perfect shoes for the classroom, so your kids can kick off the term the right way.
Tips for buying new school shoes
- Plan ahead: Tempting as it may seem, don't leave buying school shoes until the day before school starts. Everyone thinks this is the best time as children's feet grow over the summer holidays. While this is true, try and get them measured slightly earlier. If you leave it to the last minute, you risk finding that there are limited styles and sizes left, as well as missing out on the sales.
- Check the school shoe policy: Your first stop when buying shoes for the new term should be the school uniform guide. All school policies differ when it comes to the colours and styles of footwear allowed. Some may not permit embellishments like diamantes, flashing lights on the soles or elaborate stitching, while others will be quite happy letting their students express their stylish side.
- Comfort is key: It's imperative that your kids' school footwear fits, is comfortable and will last as long as possible. Remember, these shoes are going to be worn all day, every weekday. Getting the right fit is crucial. For many parents, shopping for school shoes involves getting children's feet measured in-store by a shoe specialist such as John Lewis or Clark's. But if you'd rather avoid the chaos and crowds of the high street and measure your children's feet for yourself, then their shoe fitting gauge needs to be on your radar. The gauge will measure your child's feet to determine their shoe size, so you can order the shoes from the comfort of your home.
- Consider velcro over laces: When looking for the perfect school shoe, one of the most important considerations is age. Younger children in preschool, Reception and Year 1 are unlikely to manage a shoelace or a fiddly buckle, especially if they are being rushed to get changed and go to their next lesson. Save them and their teachers' time and stress by opting for shoes with a Velcro fastening that can be quickly done up and undone again.
© Carla ChallisHow to measure your child's feet at home - expert tips
It's not always possible to drag your little one to the shops for a foot measuring appointment. And it isn't always necessary either.
Kickers and Steven Thomas, The London Podiatrist, have joined forces to share tips for measuring feet at home...
How do I measure my child's feet without a measuring gauge?
Getting children to stand still can be half the battle, but it’s worth taking the time to do it right. In these instances, it might be tempting to simply guess or use an old shoe as a guide, but this can lead to poorly fitting shoes that cause discomfort.
For a reliable measurement, have your child stand on a piece of paper with their heel against a wall, to ensure their weight is evenly distributed. Mark the longest point of their foot and measure the distance from the edge of the paper to the mark.
Don't forget to measure both feet, Steven urges. "It’s common for one foot to be slightly larger than the other in both children and adults, but especially when little feet are still growing."
Always measure both feet separately and use the measurement from the larger foot when selecting a shoe size - this guarantees a comfortable fit for both feet and prevents pinching or rubbing.
Is there an ideal time to measure feet?
End of the day is best, says Steven. "Feet can swell and change size slightly throughout the day, especially after lots of time on your feet. To get the most accurate reading, it is always best to measure their feet in the late afternoon or evening. This ensures the shoes will be comfortable all day long, from the morning school run to their after-school clubs."
How do I check they fit?
If you're ordering their shoes online, here's how to check they fit. In a carpeted room, first test for the heel grip by holding the ankle with one hand and pulling down gently on the heel of the shoe. Does it slip or stay in place?
Use your fingers to feel around the top of the shoe and check there are no gaps, especially between the shoe and the heel. Then, feel around the ankle to make sure the shoe does not touch the anklebone, as, if it does, it could rub.
Finally, feel the top of the shoe to locate the end of your child's longest toe. Apply a little pressure to check the toe is not pressing against the end of the shoe. There should be a little growing room – but not too much.
How we chose the best school shoe brands
- Durability: We've looked to brands that are well versed in the world of durability; these are brands we've either personally tested or are reviewed as having shoes to stand the test of time. That school playground is not the kindest to shoes...
- Value for money: School uniforms are expensive enough without the addition of school shoes. We've included brands across a range of price points, and called out those that are considered good value for money.
- Easy clean: School shoes are going to get mucky, so finding a pair that are easy to clean is a priority.
- Design: Since most schools have a policy of children wearing black school shoes, we've chosen brands with a wide range to choose from. Some are plain, others have small details on for a little flair.
Shop the best school shoes
1/9
Clarks Feather Shine Black School Trainers
Editor's note
Editor's note: "I couldn't compile a school shoe edit without including Clarks - I even wore them all throughout school. It's the one brand I do go back to time and time again for my daughter's shoes, as they do last (even when she tries to scuff them) and she never complains of them being uncomfortable. The only downside I have is they often sell out of the wider fit sizes."
Clarks are well known in the school shoe world, and many parents fallback on the brand time and time again, stating they're comfort, longevity and styles as the reason.
2/9
M&S Kids' Leather Studded School Shoes
© M&SEditors note
"M&S are well-versed in the world of value for money, and their school shoes are some of the more affordable on the market. One thing to note with M&S too, are the range of styles - yes, all black, but especially for girls, many have subtle patterns and designs to satisfy their need for a bit of sparkle."
Marks & Spencer's school shoe range is vast - there's plenty of black shoes in sizes 7 small to 10 large, with half sizing and wide fit options too. Many include M&S's 'freshfeet' technology, to minimise smelly odours and bacteria, and scuff-resistant finishes to keep them looking fresh for as long as possible.
3/9
Adidas RUNFALCON 5 EL C Trainer
Editor's note
"Offering comfort and functionality, Adidas' school trainers have won many positive reviews from customers. Many comment on the comfort level for their child."
Deichmann carries a huge range of school shoes, including trainers, smart shoes and everything else in between. The selection is incredible, with brands like Adidas, Hush Puppies, Toe Zone and Nike.
4/9
Kickers Girls Kick T-Bar Meadow Patent Leather Black
© KickersEditor's note
"Kickers are by far some of the coolest school shoes for boys and girls, and from what I've heard around the pre-school, they're pretty long-lasting.
"Prices are steep but I do remember as a kid that they're a resilient shoe - scuffs were minimal!"
Kickers are a staple for many kids school shoes, having been around since the 60s and easily recognised by the red label. The school shoe selection isn't vast, but reading the reviews they're a parent favourite for their comfort, arch support and durability.
5/9
Start-Rite Kids' Parker Leather School Shoes
© Start-RiteEditor's note
"Start-Rite are one of the best known brands for school shoes in the business, and plenty of parents have agreed that their school shoes are some of the longest lasting. One thing I love is the amount of styles available, including plain, patterned and everything else in between."
Long-lasting is one of Start-Rite's pledges with their school shoes, and most styles have received a rating of at least 4/5 from parents. Prices start from £36.
6/9
Hush Puppies Black Lillie Ballerina Junior School Shoes
© Hush PuppiesEditor's note
"Hush Puppies weren't on my radar until I discovered the 'fit left fit right' element - each pair of shoes comes with three insoles, so you can make sure your kids' school shoes are the perfect fit. This is genius for me, as my child has one foot big than the other and it'll ensure a nice snug fit."
Hush Puppies are well known for their quality footwear, and the school shoes are, if the reviews are to be believed, no exception. There's lots of styles to choose from for both boys, girls and older children, and available in half sizes.
7/9
Next School Leather Lace-Up Shoes
Editor's note
"These are a great choice if your child wants smarter shoes without being uncomfortable. Made from soft leather, they have loads of kid-friendly detailing like reflective elements and padded soles to make them comfy and cool."
Next carries many school-styles, including sneakers and boots along with brands. Known for their long-lasting clothing, reviewers praise the durability of their own-brand shoes and can't grumble with the price either.
8/9
Lelli Kelly Youth Clara Patent School Shoe Loafer Miss Lk
© Lelli KellyEditor's note
"I've not tried the brand but plenty of parents I know have, and their kids are obsessed with the shoes. I love that some of the straps are interchangeable which is a cute touch. They are definitely on the pricier side, with most pairs from around the £50 mark so might be a tad too expensive, especially if your child is on the younger side and growing!"
Lelli Kelly is up there as one of the prettiest kids shoe brands, and unicorns and sequins aside, they do carry a range of school-appropriate styles with cute black designs.
9/9
Tu Sainsbury's Black Leather Twin Strap Shoes
© TUEditor's note
"I'm a big fan of Tu Clothing for my daughter, and we often buy her wellington boots and plimsolls from there. I've found the sizing runs a little large on footwear, so it might be worth sizing down."
Supermarket's are offering some of the best value school uniforms and shoes are no exception; Tu Clothing at Sainsbury's has styles from £16 for both boys and girls, as well as trainers and plimsolls for PE.
Why you should trust me
As well as creating shopping content for HELLO! Online for over three years, I'm a mum to a six-year-old - and trust me when I say I've done my school shoe research! Having heard plenty of school shoe buying tales from friends with older kids, I've brought you the brands that friends of mine swear by.
