Where can I find good black school shoes for children?
Finding Black School Shoes for Children
When looking for black school shoes for children, there are several places you can check and important guidelines to keep in mind:
Where to Shop
- High street retailers such as Clarks, Start-Rite, or Kickers offer dedicated school shoe sections
- Department stores like John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, and Debenhams
- Shoe specialists such as Schuh or Wynsors
- Online retailers including Amazon, Next, and the online stores of the above retailers
What Makes Acceptable School Shoes
Based on typical school requirements, acceptable school shoes should be:
- Uniformly black leather or leather-style that can take polish
- Formal in style with a proper shoe sole (not a trainer-type sole)
- Available as slip-on, buckled, or lace-up styles
- For younger children, Velcro fastenings may be more practical
- Some schools permit logos like Kickers, as long as the overall style is correct
Features to Avoid
Most schools do not allow shoes with:
- Sports logos (even if they're black)
- Trainer or "converse" styles (often incorrectly marketed as school shoes)
- Velcro fastenings (in some schools)
- Large logos, embellishments, or decorative features
- Different coloured soles or stitching
- Open toes, wedge or high heels
- Flashing lights or decorative elements
Shopping tip: When buying from sports retailers, always check that the description says "shoes" rather than "trainers" and verify they meet school guidelines.
For the best fit, visit stores where trained staff can measure your child's feet properly. Buy shoes with a little growing room, but not so much that they slip or cause discomfort.