Back to school with Clarks shoes

Yes I am one of those sad Mums, I might as well admit it. Even before the school holidays start I am already planning for September and getting things ready so when Clarks approached me and asked if I would like to review their back to school collection, I literally bit their arm off! I am not too sure where this desire to be super organised comes from, as a child I recall our holidays each year in August and buying all my back to school bits then so my Mum was always on top of things but never organised before the holidays even start!

I can honestly say that at least 90% of all the shoes my 3 children have worn over the last 8 years have been from Clarks.  It is a name I trust and buy again and again.  Yes it is true, they are not the cheapest shoes around but personally I would rather invest in good footwear whilst their little feet are growing and developing.  You can scrimp on a t-shirt but not on shoes, feet only develop once in a child’s life and you want them to do so just right.

So at the beginning of the holiday we headed off to our local Clarks store and luckily for me it is an outlet store, which means that I can get the peace of mind from buying a pair of well-crafted leather Clarks kids shoes and save some money at the same time – result!

Unlike a traditional Clarks shop the outlet is much larger and has all the shoes displayed for you to choose yourself, the displays are attractive and well stocked and personally I prefer to shop this way. Each outlet has a trained fitter too, so no need to worry that the service will be any different.  The lady that measured my kids shoes was very nice, she chatted to us and had a bit of a joke with the kids but was still dedicated to the job at hand and undertook a thorough 6 point check of each of the shoes that she sold us. I was interested that she chose to use the handheld measure for all my kids feet rather than the electronic measuring machine, she explained it was her personal preference and as she had been measuring kids feet for quite a few years she could get a better idea of fit by being really hands on.

JJ has just mastered laces at age 8 and luckily so, as he has large feet and needed a size 5.5G, we picked up his Bootleg shoes for just £27.99 instead of the £40.00 they were when new in stock last year.  I have no problem with my children wearing last years styles when they are all so adorable and on-trend anyway. 

Little Miss E is now a 11.5F and she was adamant that she wanted some pretty patent shoes but I put my foot down, school is about being practical after all. She is only 5 years old; there is loads of time for her to be making fashion statements. So practical Mary Jane's with a sturdy sole, pretty bow and velcro strap were just right and she felt like a princess and at £21.99 instead of the £32.00 they kept Mummy happy too.

Talking of fashion statements, Clarks is proud to ensure that their back to school range of shoes are fashionable for both boys and girls.  Study shoes do not have to mean missing out on the latest trends. How my little Miss M would love to wear these wedge heeled shoes to school but she is a little young yet and besides her Clarks shoes we bought in April are still perfect even after a daily beating from a 4 year old.

From £35.00

Then for a trendy lad how about these loafers, again with a sturdy sole which is good as in my experience all they seem to want to do at school is play football!



£40.00

 

And here I'll make you laugh, when I was looking round the sale kids shoes at my local town Clarks the other day, I saw a large pair of girls school shoes - in my size!  And yes you guessed it, I bought myself a pair too!  So for £10 I have great leather shoes ready for the winter. Miss E and I can be twinnies now!

With over 500 stores in the UK there is bound to be a Clarks close to you and to save you time and hassle you can book an appointment prior to arriving, or if shopping is not your thing then follow the online measuring instructions and order some shoes online and pop into your local Clarks and have the fit checked if you are unsure.

I am a happy Clarks shopper and I will continue to be for some time yet.....

Disclosure:  I was sent a voucher for £40.00 to use at Clarks to review their school shoes.  I have not been instructed what to write and I remain honest.