... The only shoes they seemed to sell for children were Clarks. I recall people of my generation, had one pair of shoes for school, one for casual, a pair of trainers and a fancy good pair of shoes for a Sunday. This seems to have changed over the years with so many shops making shoes at a ... Read review
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A review by classicmum on Clarks Shoes (Shop) March 2nd, 2006
Author's product rating:
Availability
Goods are nearly always in stock
Quality
Excellent
In store customer service
Excellent
Advantages:
Quality shoes for children
Disadvantages:
Too expensive
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
As a child, my first real memory of shoe shopping was that of buying clarks shoes. My family lived in the country and the local town was fairly small and only had one shoe shop. The only shoes they seemed to sell for children were Clarks. I recall people of my generation, had one pair of shoes for school, one for casual, a pair of trainers and a fancy good pair of shoes for a Sunday. This seems to have changed over the years with so many shops making shoes at a very cheap price. Children now seem to have as many shoes as outfits. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, (I bought my first born son lots of different pairs) but I do feel that comfort should be put before fashion when it comes to kids' feet. It was not until I rediscovered Clarks shoes that my opinion on this matter has changed. My son would often complain about ill fitting shoes which I then resolved by buying another pair. It never really occured to me to go to a traditional shop like Clarks to get him fitted properly. It was not until I was sent a leaflet about Clarks shoes that I decided to take my baby into Clarks to get fitted. He is a chubby little baby and many of the fashion shops simply don't cater for the wider footed child. To add to the frustration my boys walked very early, so I was also looking for more than a pram shoe, something that would give my baby a little grip to stop him from slipping when he was pulling himself up to standing and learning to walk.
***Why Clarks for babies***
They cater for pre-walker, and have two types of shoes which cater for crawlers and babies who are cruising around the furniture. These shoes are perfectly made for each stage. Please read below for more detail.
**First shoes for crawling***
I thought these were called pram shoes, but are infact very different. These shoes are shaped like babies feet and are very, very soft and fexible. They have a special panel on the heel and sole of the shoe which give extra grip whilst crawling. All these shoes come which easy to use and adjustable fasteners.
***First shoes for cruising***
These are the next stage shoes, aimed at babies who are walking around funiture or with a baby walker. They have a protective toe, heel and waist guard to protect babies little feet. Babies feet are very delicate and need proper support during this stage. These cruising shoes are still very soft and flexible but give that extra grip and protection needed during this stage of development.
***First shoes for walking***
These shoes are lightweight and flexible and have close cropped soles to prevent tripping. These are shoes which are designed to be worn outdoors and are much sturdier than the previous two shoes described.
What I like about these first shoes range is that you can buy them in half sizes and they also cater for the narrow and broad fitting foot.
***Sizes and Prices***
Crawling shoes boys - Sizes 2-4 in widths F-H £14-16 Crawling shoes girls - Sizes 2-31/5 in widths F-G £16 The sizing is a bit crazy as they assumed girls won't have wide feet!!!! This is a bit of a disadvantage.
These shoes are machine washable at 40degrees
Cruising shoes boys - sizes 3-5 in widths F-H £15-18 Girls sizes 3-41/5 in widths E-H
These shoes are machine washable at 40 degrees
Shoes for Walking boys - sizes 4-71/5 in widths F-H £22-28 Shoes for walking girls - sizes 4-71/5 in widths E-H £20 -28
They also do a great range of childrens shoes from aged 2- teens. The shoes are fashionable but you can still get the traditional style shoes which we all love. I also noticed a great sports shoes range, which cater for a variety of surfaces from astroturf to grass.
Whilst I was in Clarks shoe shop I also noticed that the ladies shoes had become very fashionable and I am tempted to go in and get my feet measured properly and actually buy a pair of comfortable shoes.
***Service***
The service I received in the shop was second to none. The ladies in both Clarks shops were very freindly and gave you their full attention. They had an extremely good way with the children, making them feel very comfortable. My four year old was stood on a special foot measuring machine which he loved. This machine then took a scan of both feet and then gave an accurate measurement. When the lady measured my baby's foot, she used the traditional way. The lady then showed you all the options of shoes and once you had selected a pair she did several check whilst your child was wearing the new shoe to ensure a proper fit aswell as enough room for little feet to grow.
***disadvantages***
1) Not all widths available in all shoe designs 2) Very expensive, especially as babies and toddlers are only in the same pair for such a short period. 3) You feel compelled to buy a pair of shoes after the attention and time the assistant spends with you.
At the start of my review I mentioned how children in our day had less shoes. Hopefully after reading this review it has become clear why that was. I feel that because of the expensive price of quality shoes parents bought fewer shoes. If a shoe is fitted correctly and is made to last then there is really no need to have dozens of pairs of shoes, nor could you afford it. A quality pair of casual shoes and a good pair is really all that is needed. At the end of the day at around £25 you want to get as much wear out of the shoes as possible. It is up to the indiviual parent but I have certainly gone back to the traditional way. I have been converted to ensuring my children's shoes fit properly and support their growing feet.
Thanks for reading this review. I hope you found it helpful .
Advantages: They stock shoes for big sizes Disadvantages: They are expensive
...end of the day.
Clarks is a company that until a few years ago, I did not associate with fashion and style. However at my wits end one day, I decided to take a look inside and see what was on offer. Since that day I have never looked back and I always take a look inside when it is time to buy a new pair of shoes.
~~ The Clarks Company ~~
Clarks started off in 1825, as a sheepskin business in the village of Street in Somerset. In 1830 the first ... ...I have always found Clarks staff very knowledgeable and helpful without being pushy. They will have a shot at selling me a polish if I buy shoes but always take my refusal with good grace. The only gripe I have is that they will always bring me a smaller size, if a size 8 is not in stock. This invariably wastes my time and theirs. However if they do not have a shoe in my size that I am interested in buying, they are always willing to order it for ...
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Advantages: Quality, service, good stores and name to rely on Disadvantages: Bit expensive
...1) Quality obviously! But Clarks has the knack of making the shoe look like you could run it over in a ten ton truck, it would survive and still look good!
2) Comfort. I can really say honestly that I have never ever had a shoe from Clarks that has been uncomfortable. In the past 5 years I don't even have to tie the laces or do the 'test walk' infront of the mirror - I just know they are spot on!
3) Service. I know it sounds a bit of a cliche but ... ...a bit of a crunch. Clarks shoes ARE expensive! BUT not if you wait till the end of season sale. I have just bought two pairs of shoes which should have cost £100 (a few pence either way). I paid just under £45. And these shoes have soles on that would put a JCB to shame! Check out the sales - they are very, very good value!
5) The shops are generally tidy and well-laid out. I have not complaints about the decor or anything like that. Infact, when ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Well trained, knowledgeable staff Disadvantages: Expensive, poor shop layout
It is very silly but for some reason I couldn’t wait to buy my little boy his first pair of proper shoes.
In my desire to do everything “right” I had avoided putting Alex in pram shoes and always made sure his socks and sleep suits were not too tight around his feet so hampering their normal development but by the time he was around 10 months he was cruising around the furniture at home and it was only a matter of days before he would be walking ... ...Simply because my Mum had always made me wear Clarke’s shoes and they were the best, right?
The children’s department was on the 1st floor of the shop which I thought was a little badly designed as it means that people with prams and small children have to struggle up stairs but there was a lift so that was ok, although what they do if the lift is ever out of order I don’t know. The sales floor was large and open so it would pose no problem to mums ...
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...footwear I took her to Clarks to get her feet measured and buy some new school shoes.
We went shopping mid-week in the hope that the shop might not be too busy but as usual it was bursting at the seams. Eventually it was our turn and my daughter stood on the special machine and had her feet measured. She has always had big feet so I was prepared for her to have grown a size since our last visit. She had certainly done that!
The assistant then asked ... ...lace-up school shoes.
When the assistant eventually returned she was armed with all kinds of weird and wonderful shoes but only 2 pairs were black lace-ups and only 1 pair were what I would call a school shoe.
My daughter tried the school shoe on and was happy that she could walk in them and that they fitted her alright. I was happy to believe her as at 7 years of age she is big enough to make her opinions heard. The assistant then informed me ...
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Advantages: good quality, excellant fitting, Disadvantages: PRICEY
...headed straight for my local Clarks stockists, situated in the CO-OP store, and had his feet measured. The sales lady was very nice, and had an excellant 'child friendly' manner. She measured his feet with one of those little gizmos that takes the width as well as the length. I remember the machines you used to stand on and really looked forward to haing my feet measured. It looks like those are a thing of the past now, as I didn't see one in this ... ...believe in the quality of Clarks shoes (probably because it was drummed into me from an early age), and I want to protect and nurture my sons feet to prevent damage. SO in a very subdued manner I paid and hurriedly left the shop.
Clarks shoes when I was young were very clumsy and ‘old fashioned’ I was the butt of many jokes at school for wearing them. They have since revamped their image with a great range of children’s shoes, ...
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Advantages: On every highstreet, excellent customer service, lots of choice, trained staff, durable shoes. Disadvantages: Can be quite pricey.
...REASON FOR THIS REVIEW.
My daughter Leigha Mae turned 1 on Easter Monday of this year and as birthday present from her grandma she was to get her first proper pair of shoes. Grandma wanted to buy something a little bit more expensive than the normal baby shoes and so I decided to do a little research to make sure Grandma wouldnt be disappointed.
My research didn't take to too long. It seems the only real contender for Childrens footwear is CLARKS. I thought there might have been some more highstreet stores offering quality footwear since my own childhood ventures to the shops in the early 80s but I was wrong.
I was a little weary because CLARKS have a reputation for being overpriced but I was willing to give them a try seeing as grandma was FOOTING the bill (pardon the pun).
CLARKS STORES & CUSTOMER SERVICE
Unless you...
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Advantages: Nice fitted shoes, will last as long as needed, good service from trained staff Disadvantages: Limited range of designs, expensive
...When you have children, all you want is for them to have the best of everything and be happy. So when Harry started walking around, I knew it would be time for us to think about getting him a pair of proper shoes. I wasn't sure how it would work as he didn't even like socks, but the time comes for every little boy to get his first shoes. I have been told countless times we have to look after our children's feet so I headed off to the most well-known High Street shoeshop, Clarks.
I had Clarksshoes as a child, as I had very narrow feet and they were the only ones my mum could find to fit me. So I thought Clarks would be a good start for Harry. I had a look on the website before I went so I wouldn't be a complete novice when I turned up in the shop. I found out that there are a few different types of shoes for Harry's age, which was...
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Advantages: Good uality work and school shoes Disadvantages: The sales are not as good as they use to be
...Clarks has really re-invented themselves over the past couple of years in my eyes. The ads are more sharper, the stores are being given revamps and the styles are becoming more up to date. I have great pride to wear my trust Clark black shoes to school, they are very durable and comfy at the same time. I also like there line of fashionable trainers aswell. I have a pair of brown suede ones I got in the sales, only £14.99 and great for shopping in.
My ma also buys all her shoes from clarks aswell. There is a wide selection of heel and non heel styles to suit everyone and the handbags and purses are pretty cute aswell.
I have never had any problem with the quality of clarksshoes (ie soles coming off, seams, fastenings etc). The staff are really helpful and dressed smartly.
If you normally buy your shoes from faith or barrats pop...
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Westerns - Director: William Berke, Wallace Grissell, Edward Killy - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: James Warren, Raymond Burr, Richard Martin, Audrey Long, Robert Clarke, Steve Brodie, John Laurenze, Rita Lynn
14.01.2006
