Clarkes shoes - lovely but are costing me a fortune.
Can anyone recommend somewhere I can buy shoes for a two year old that don't cost £25 each?
Prefereably if the assistants help you to measure and fit the shoes.
Thank you

We`ve been looking for a cheaper alternative to Clarkes shoes too. We dont feel safe buying just any old shoes for our kids until they get to about seven or eight and yeah... its bloody expensive, we got my youngest her first pair of shoes a couple of months ago and they were almost twenty quid and she grew out of them in a month.

Clarkes, Hush Puppies, and I forget the other, sorry, are the best, I think...the trick isn't an alternative brand, but getting the best shoes at the best price. Shop around, it sounds a nuisance, but it makes so much difference.
If you're picky and careful, you can get these brands for less money at Brantanos, especially when they have sales. Also places like the Yorkshire Retail Outlet. Zebra swears by ebay, and I know she's had some fantastic luck there getting high quality shoes for the girls, including awkward sizes.

Not the easiest answer, as who wants to run around with a toddler or child looking at shoes, but it's well worth it - we haven't paid top price for Clarkes or Hush Puppies since his very first proper pair, and he's 3 now. His latest were some cool Clarkes high tops with velcro fastening from Brantanos. He's inseparable from them, lol.

What about the Doncaster outlet? All I know is that they have a Clark outlet there.

Also try somewhere like TK Maxx for other branded shoes. Check out the Cole Brother's old toy shop store. They currently have a lot of shoes there, but I don't know if they are small kids ones. There are also kids' clothing on sale.

[Added] You may also want to consider something like Crocs? I checked the prices in there and they seem reasonable than their online price from Crocs own website.

Yep, as Cosy says eBay are fab for Clarks. I normally pay between £3 and £5 for shoes which you can't tell have been worn.

we got my youngest her first pair of shoes a couple of months ago and they were almost twenty quid and she grew out of them in a month.

That sounds like Clarkes haven't measured correctly, as they should have some built in growing room. I think they have some guarantee that if they haven't fitted them properly, you can get new shoes from them. Although I'm struggling to find the info at the moment.

I will only buy shoes that are fitted by the shop, like clarkes as my DH is paranoid about my DD's feet being damaged from ill fitted shoes. I have bought the odd cheaper pair without them being fitted, but they are ones that I know are just for one night - like a wedding reception or something. I have also bought some crocs - which are never off my DD's feet. But they are so soft, you can be confident as to whether they fit or not.

I have to admit, I do like clarkes, as I regularly take my DD in to just have a check that her current shoes fit her still.

Ahh.... this reminds me of when I was kid, and my mom used to buy me Clark shoes too. I used to hate them cos people made fun of them cos of the little flowers. :hihi: Now I know why they are a favourite! I didn't realise some kiddie shoes are expandable.

I had a look online of the Croc website. I found a design which said that the sides are also a little bit expandable too.

The "Pelican" seems to be one of these expandable shoes between sizes.
http://shop.crocs.com/pc-911-4-pelican.aspx?reqid=911&reqProdTypeId=41p&subsectionname=footwear&section=products

The above is the American .com site which has more description of the shoe. Both for boys and girls.

http://www.crocs.eu/shop/step1/index.php?shopcategory=kids&lang=EN&m=1&s=2

The following is the EU site and can sell within the EU area, but I found that the shoe shop in Meadowhall has a lower price for a pair that I looked at. So I don't know if it is worth checking it out for the kiddie shoes and their translated UK prices.

I used to work in a company whose US office was next to the Croc manufacturing plant, and the ladies all love them! I think because it's made from plastic, it lower the costs somewhat for a pair of shoe. A lot of people recommend them for the comfort factor but do check if they are soft enough for very young kid's feet.

Also, worth checking out some of the M&S shoes for kids too. Especially school shoes.