Back to School Shoes with Clarks

This month, as well as checking out some of the new season items coming in, I’m looking ahead to Back to School in just a few weeks. As part of this, Clarks asked me to try out the iPad measuring service now available at all Clarks stores and at some independent Clarks stockists.
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The best bit is that you can book an appointment online – no more queuing in the store or having to be first in line at 9am on a Monday morning. You simply go to the website on this link and chose a time that suits you.
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So we headed for our allotted time and were greeted by Anne in the Belfast Forestside Store who was wonderful with the girls. She showed them the iPad where they got to chose the female character and select their age before standing on the measuring device to find out their size.
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As our kids live in an iPad world, this immediately had them engaged and interested. I’ve one girl who would buy shoes every day of the week (can you tell who she takes after?!) and one who really can’t be bothered and as a toddler, used to get upset whenever I brought her to a shoe shop (baby mix-up at the hospital?!). So this technology is great for reluctant shoe buyers.
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Next up, it was width measurement –  one of the girls is a H+!
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Armed with the sizes and once the girls had chosen which shoes they liked (patent is a big favourite at the moment), Anne went to select a few pairs and this was the bit that I was relieved to see. Even though the size is determined electronically, the shoes are still fitted by trained and experienced staff and Anne picked styles that were best suited for the girls’ feet, taking into account things like one of them having a high instep and the other having a slight turn in one foot.
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It turned out that they needed very different shoes to suit their different feet – which luckily they didn’t mind. They’re not big into dressing the same and they’re going into different P2 classes too.  It turned out that the style one of the girls wanted wasn’t in store in her size but Anne was able to order it online for free home delivery or in-store pick up. They arrived about 5 days later – great to not have to go back to the shop to pick them up.
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K got a pair of Daisy Spark Juniors – perfect for her high instep and wide foot and G got the Breena Love - both have great reviews online in terms of reliability. Anne reminded me to get the gutties* in too! Though unfortunately, they don’t come in a H fitting so I could only buy them for one child. I’ll have to find a wider fitting pair from another shop – all suggestions welcome.

Now I went in at the beginning of August – normally I would wait until the end of the month in case of any growth spurts but Anne told me not to worry as there is some growth built into the sizing process in the early part of August, and if you feel a day or two before school restarts that the shoes suddenly feel too small, you can return them for a bigger size.

And the girls’ verdict of the iPad fitting service? ‘Way more fun’ & ‘can we go try it again mum and buy more shoes?’ Mmmmm…clearly a good marketing ploy Mr Clarks!

But from a Mum perspective – iPads aside, I’m just thrilled at the opportunity to book the fittings in future. Anything that makes back to school easier. Next up – uniforms…
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Ax
*gutties = Irish word for plimsoles (also known as tackies in some parts!)
Note – I was supplied with vouchers to put towards my school shoe purchase in order for me to test this new system. All the content and photos are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.

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19 Comments

  1. We just did this on Monday and I feel like I’m going through the whole process again. I have to say, my boys were fascinated by the iPad technology – that’s a definite winner. And it’s good to know about being able to exchange shoes to allow for growth spurts – I’ve been trying to leave it as long as possible without running the risk of not getting any shoes in their sizes because I’ve left it too late.
    Sue recently posted Well It Would Be Rude Not To ….My Profile

    • That was exactly my worry Sue re stock availability – especially as even though I don’t buy them the same shoes, they do like something similar so if one got patent and the other didn’t, that would cause some angst! And sure by Christmas, you can be sure they’ll be bursting out of them :) x

  2. I so miss Clarks – I did for my kids. Here it is your size and if you are lucky a ‘wide’. And that is rare. I always used to get the kids’ shoes fitted when back in UK. The iPad fitting sounds a bit gimicky but good for the kids and as long as a real person checks the kids’ feet then that is still service!!
    Stephanie recently posted Sleepy time.My Profile

  3. Must admit I do love Clarks shoes for my kids, they really do last and are really worth the money as they fit properly! Love the iPad idea it may make school shoe shopping a little less painful, thanks for the info on your post…going to book the kids in! Xx
    Schoolrunstyle recently posted Dias y Noches Bonitos – Beautiful Spanish Days and NightsMy Profile

    • Hi Frances – yes, we’ve always been happy with them and my 3 are so hard on their shoes. Can definitely recommend the booking system – so nice to not have to queue for ages with bored kids! Ax

  4. Sharon Reply

    My kids love the ipad measuring – me not so much. Been and tried it 5 times between the 2 kids in the last few months and whilst the length measures the same – the width measurement varies massively with each “measurer”

    Yesterday my youngest measured a H in width – my response was “What?” as the non-school shoes she was wearing that we had bought 3 weeks previously are a 9.5E – having been measured that day as a 9.5D.

    D width to H width in 3 weeks?? The guy remeasured and indeed she was a D to E. oops! he said – very politely but my confidence has wobbled so much I have ordered an old fashioned measurer from Clarks website

    • Hi Sharon, yes…I have heard that about the width measurement from a family friend who owns a shoe shop actually! It’s very much down to the expertise of the fitter in that regard. That’s why I was glad to see the time spent making sure the shoes really did fit. The different models seem to fit so differently, even in the same size! Which always baffles me… x

  5. Such as good service, I got L’s feet measured there yesterday. You picked well for the girls……(we call them pumps here in the NW. ) Xx
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  6. This really made me laugh… the online booking system is genius actually, hadn’t heard about that. Sweet shoes & thanks for reminding me I still need to buy gutties (actually hate that word lol). xx
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  7. We are off to do this today but the old fashioned way! The new technology is amazing isn’t it & we really are heading for the Space Ages! Ax
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  8. Aw, those little shoes are the cutest! I still remember being taken to Clarks to get my school shoes, too.

    Emma | Fluff and Fripperies
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  9. Rowena Reply

    We used this service too, very impressed! If it’s any help the gut ties didn’t fit my Chloe either, they were too tight!! I got slip on ones from m&s if it’s any use xx

  10. What a fab idea, I used to dread shoe shopping for back to school, oh the waits, the tears and the arguments! But technology just wins through all the time! xx

  11. The ipad service is ace! We tried it last week
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  12. Great picks, I keep putting buying shoes off as they run expensive when you have a few to send back to school, ha. Must go next week :)x
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