The Shoelist Edit

Questions & Answers

Everything you need to know about school shoe lists, fitting, subscriptions & more.

Frequently Asked

Questions

01 Where can I find designer school shoes for girls?

Finding Designer School Shoes for Girls You can find designer school shoes for girls at several high street retailers and online stores that specialize in school footwear. When shopping for designer school shoes, it's important to ensure they comply with your school's uniform policy. Popular Retailers for School Shoe…

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02 Where can I find dinosaur-themed school shoes for kids?

Finding Dinosaur-Themed School Shoes for Kids Based on the school uniform requirements, dinosaur-themed school shoes would not be appropriate for Coates Lane Primary School. The school guidelines clearly state that shoes must not have "extra decorations on them" and should be plain black or brown only. School Shoe Re…

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03 Where can I find Doc Martens school shoes?

Doc Martens School Shoes for School You can find Doc Martens school shoes at: Official Dr. Martens retail stores The Dr. Martens website (drmartens.com) Department stores like John Lewis, Debenhams, and House of Fraser Shoe retailers such as Schuh, Office, and Shoe Zone Online retailers including Amazon an…

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04 Where can I find durable and stylish school shoes for girls?

Finding Durable and Stylish School Shoes for Girls When shopping for girls' school shoes that combine durability with style while meeting school requirements, consider the following guidance: Key Requirements for School Shoes Material: Plain black leather or leather-style that can be polished (no suede) Design: …

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05 Where can I find eco-friendly school shoes for children?

Eco-Friendly School Shoes for Children When looking for eco-friendly school shoes that comply with school uniform requirements, consider these options: Eco-Friendly School Shoe Retailers Po-Zu - Offers ethical leather and vegan options with sustainably sourced materials Vivobarefoot - Provides eco-friendly minim…

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06 Where can I find extra wide school shoes for children?

Where to Find Extra Wide School Shoes for Children You can find extra wide school shoes for children at several retailers that specialize in comfortable, properly-fitted footwear: Clarks - Offers a dedicated wide-fit range and provides in-store fitting services Start-Rite - Specializes in children's footwear wit…

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07 Where can I find girls black school shoes?

Where to Find Girls' Black School Shoes Girls' black school shoes can be found at various retailers both in-store and online: High street retailers such as Clarks, Marks & Spencer, and John Lewis Department stores like Debenhams and House of Fraser Shoe specialists including Schuh, Wynsors, and Shoe Zone Sup…

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08 Where can I find girls lace up school shoes?

Where to Find Girls Lace-up School Shoes You can find girls lace-up school shoes at various retailers, including: Shoe Zone - Offers options like the Beckett Leather lace-up (approximately £20) Sports Direct - Sells models such as the Waltham Lace-up junior shoes (approximately £20) Kickers - Provides the Fr…

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09 Where can I find girls leather school shoes?

Girls' Leather School Shoes: Where to Find Them You can find girls' leather school shoes at various retailers both in-store and online. Here are some recommendations for where to look: High Street Retailers Clarks - Offers a wide range of formal school shoes with measuring service M&S - Provides durable leather …

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10 Where can I find girls navy school shoes?

Girls Navy School Shoes Based on the school's uniform policy, school shoes should be plain black rather than navy. The specific requirements for school shoes are: Plain black shoes that can be polished (leather or leather substitute) Formal in style, appropriate for a business environment No obvious branding o…

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The Shoelist Guide

How to Choose, Measure & Fit School Shoes

A parent’s definitive guide to getting school shoes right — from measuring at home to spotting the perfect fit in-store. Five steps, no guesswork.

01

Measuring Your Child’s Feet

Children’s feet can grow up to two full sizes in a single year. Last term’s size is almost certainly wrong.

Time it right

Measure in the afternoon when feet are at their largest after a full day of activity.

Stand, don’t sit

Full weight on both feet spreads the foot and gives a true reading.

Use a proper gauge

A Brannock device or printable gauge — heel against the back stop, read length and width.

Measure both feet

One foot is often larger. Always fit to the bigger foot, wearing school socks.

02

Choosing the Right Style

Always check your school’s specific requirements before purchasing.

Material

Genuine leather or quality synthetic. Avoid canvas for daily wear.

Sole

Flexible, non-marking rubber. Should bend at the ball, not the middle.

Fastening

Velcro for younger children, lace-ups for older. Slip-ons lack hold.

Colour

Plain black for most schools. No coloured stitching or metallic finishes.

Toe Box

Rounded or wide gives growing toes room. Pointed styles cause problems.

Weight

Lighter shoes reduce fatigue for children on their feet all day.

03

The Perfect Fit Checklist

Run through every check before committing. Tick them off as you go.

04

In-Store vs. Online

In-Store
  • Trained fitters assess gait, arch & width
  • Calibrated gauges for accuracy
  • Instant try-on and walk test
  • Expert advice on foot issues
vs
Online
  • Wider selection & price comparison
  • Check brand size charts carefully
  • Choose generous returns policies
  • Try both shoes before removing tags
Editor’s tip: Use our shop finder to locate specialist children’s shoe retailers near you. Many offer free measuring even if you don’t buy on the day.
05

When to Replace

Even the best shoes have a shelf life. Watch for these warning signs:

Sore feet or blisters Toes pressing the front Sole worn smooth Heel counter collapsed Upper cracked or leaking
Rule of thumb — check the fit every 6–8 weeks during term and always re-measure at the start of each school year.
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