It's that time of year again. Only a week or two before the kids begin their new school year, and time to do the last minute rushing around. On the checklist...picking up stationery supplies, having the kids haircut, checking to see if the uniform still fits...and most importantly, purchase a new pair of school shoes!
Last week, we ventured over to Clarks at Parramatta, to have Seth and Eme fitted for school shoes by their expert team of fitters. Thank goodness the team was there to help, because with 18 different styles, and 6 widths, I was completely lost and knew I wouldn't pick the right size for the kids. Our school's uniform policy dictates that the children are to wear black leather school shoes (no black joggers), so Seth and Eme were free to pick their own style within that range.
Seth decided that a lace-up shoe would suit his needs. With this in mind, his foot was measured and the correct size brought out for him to try. The Clarks fitter then went through their 10 step checklist to ensure it was perfect for his needs...
Tip: To ensure you're purchasing the correct length shoe; remove the insert and have your child stand on it. There should be about a thumb width between their toes and the end of the insert! For years I've been trying to feel the tips of their toes through the outside of their shoes. This is so much easier!
Clarks "Daytona" were the perfect fit for Seth this year...and perfect for loads of running around! This is one of the most popular styles for boys, with Clarks selling over 164,000 pairs last year alone.
Tip: Take along a pair of school socks for your child to wear while trying on their new shoes, that way you'll know exactly how they are going to fit come school time.
Next up, Eme. This year she picked out a pair of Mary Jane style school shoes, forgoing the lace-ups she has worn in previous years. She's always a difficult one to buy shoes for, as she has one foot noticeably longer than the other. To compensate, it was determined that she be fitted for her larger foot. Hopefully the other one will catch up soon. lol.
As Eme has a narrow foot, it was decided that Clarks "Indulge Jnr" with it's adjustable velcro strap, would be the best choice for her this year. As with Seth; Eme tried on her shoes whilst wearing her school socks. Let's face it...when you're in year 2 and you're in a rush to go and play...no one has time to tie laces!
Following their fitting, we had an opportunity to discuss the importance of selecting the right footwear with podiatrist Brendan Brown, and he made an excellent point. It's okay as an adult to select a pair of slightly ill-fitting shoes and head out for the night, because you're only going to wear them for a few hours. Your child will wear their school shoes day in, day out, all year long. They will walk, run, jump, skip, slide...you name it...in those shoes. These are their formative years, and it's important for their foot development to wear a correctly fitting shoe. Think about it. Purchasing a good pair of school shoes is an essential! I'm so glad Clarks fitters were on hand to ensure the correct fit for my children.
Which school shoe would your child prefer, and why?
Good luck...and have fun getting your children ready to return to school.
Disclaimer: We were provided with complimentary product for review purposes. No payment was offered nor accepted for this post. All opinions expressed are purely mine.
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- The winner will need to attend a Clarks specialty shoe store to spend their voucher; stores are located at Kotara, Parramatta and Penrith, NSW, or Doncaster, VIC.
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