We've yet to meet a child that enjoys school shoe shopping, but thanks to the internet, it's easier than ever to avoid shoe shopping in person. If you're after some girls' school shoes, we've selected our favourites that you can order today. Get the dreaded school shoe shopping out of the way ASAP.
Don't worry - we've got a guide to picking the right school shoes for boys, too.
Get your little one trying on potential options from the comfort of their own home. This way, you can avoid any in-store tantrums on a bad day… Genius, we know.
What do I need to consider when looking for the right school shoes?
Kickers have helped us put together this list.
Check the school policy – It’s a good idea to check the school uniform policy before clicking “add to basket”. To clarify, some schools may be stricter than others and may not allow ‘trainer-style’ shoes. Others may have rules regarding colours and accessories. So, it’s wise to check before you buy.
Think about style – Every little one is different. So, think about your child’s day before choosing a school shoe. For example, do they get their shoes scruffy in record time? If your little girl is running and jumping around the playground, you should look at durable options with extra protection.
Size is important – Your little girl is going to be wearing her shoes for six or seven hours a day, so it’s essential that her school shoes fit her properly and are comfortable too. Luckily, we’ve put together a guide for sizing, which can be done in the comfort of your own home. Scroll down.
Material – The best quality materials deliver the best performance, so it’s important for school shoes to be made from premium leather, which moulds to the foot for a perfect fit. Plus, shoes should also be breathable and anti-odour. They need to be comfy, but durable.
To Lace – or not to lace? This really does depend on your child and whether they have mastered laces or not. You can’t go wrong with Velcro or a slip-on if your daughter hasn’t conquered laces.
The best girls' school shoes for September - 2022
www.kickers.co.uk
With shiny black patent leather, cute brogue detailing and classic T-bar decoration, this shoe promises extra protection to the toe and heel to prevent scuffs, and a reinforced hook and loop fastening, making it easy to get on/off.
Available in sizes: 5-12
Review: "Very happy with these shoes, bought purposely for the anti-scuff and so far so good. All in all one very happy customer here!"
www.kickers.co.uk
Debossed with cute all-over heart detailing, these school shoes have little diamante studs at the edge of both hook and loop straps for extra sparkle. They feature a chunky sole and triple stitch plus two velcro straps so there's no need to worry about pesky laces.
Available in sizes: 5-12
www.clarks.co.uk
Featuring a simple rip-tape fastening and brogue detailing, these shoes have a durable yet lightweight rubber sole, perfect for running around the playground. Finished with an Agion lining to keep feet fresh and an eco-foam-lined fabric sock for comfort, we love that the majority of this shoe's lining is made from 50 per cent recycled materials.
Available in sizes: 7-9 and a half
Related: Etch Craft Kid Black Leather
www.startriteshoes.com
With breathable leather linings, cushioned insoles, padded ankles, and added scuff bumper to the toe, the easily adjustable t-bar rip-tape fastening means these shoes will fit snug to the foot.
Available in sizes: S7 – L2
Review: “Excellent quality shoes very durable and last my little one all year for school. They look stylish and she comments on how comfortable they are. I will not go anywhere else!”
www.startriteshoes.com
One for older children who are comfortable with laces, these chunky lace-up shoes have memory foam insoles to provide extra comfort underfoot plus hardwearing soling compounds so they'll last for longer. Plus, they’re vegan.
Available in sizes: S12 – L4
Review: "Because you had a vegan option in a slimmer fit - impossible to find elsewhere!"
www.marksandspencer.com
Easy for little fingers to manoeuvre on and off, with a rip-tape fastening and simple slip-on style, these cross-bar shoes feature a light-up feature. They are activated when your little one walks. We love the half sizing as it means that feet can enjoy a great fit. Made from soft scuff-resistant leather, they’re super soft and flexible with a non-marking sole to keep busy feet comfy all day long.
Available in sizes: S 8 - L1
Review: "Great well-made school shoes. Daughter loves the flashing function. Good they common in a narrow fit."
www.shoezone.com
Featuring a black patent upper with heart detailing, these girls' school shoes have a return touch fasten strap for quick and easy fitting, while their flexible and lightweight outsole ensures comfort.
Available in sizes: S6 - L3
Review: “Lovely shoes if a little on the big side. My granddaughter has very narrow feet.”
www.shoezone.com
By Lilley, these patent girls' brogue shoes showcase fine stitching and classic brogue details. Additionally, they provide a buckle fastening to ensure both a secure and comfortable fit for all. Their thick grip sole helps to offer added support and comfort beneath your feet. The perfect shoes for back-to-school season!
Available in sizes: S6 - L3
Review: “These black patent shoes are ideal for my 11-year-old granddaughter for school. She said they are very comfortable and look good."
FAQs
How do you measure your child’s feet?
Ideally, children’s feet should be measured every six weeks to ensure that the shoes still fit.
According to Shoezone, a good thing to remember: “the younger the foot, the faster it grows.”
Though it’s true that children should have room to wiggle their toes, you should avoid buying shoes to ‘grow into’ - because shoes too big can cause just as many problems as small ones.
Nevertheless, we recommend using the longer foot as a guide when choosing the right shoe.
Each foot can be different sizes and the difference in length can be up to half an inch.
Method
1 Find a flat surface
2 Place a piece of paper with the edge against the wall
3 Stand on it with your heel also against the wall
4 Make a mark on the paper where the longest point of your foot is
5 Repeat this process with both feet as they may be slightly different sizes
6 Measure the length (which is heel to toe)
7 Use an online guide to find your shoe size
Related: How to measure baby feet
How can you tell if your child is wearing the wrong size?
There are some signs that your child may be wearing the wrong shoe size:
Foot pain – if the pain persists, they could be wearing the wrong size.
Damaged toenails – any sign could be an indicator; it can lead to ingrown toenails.
Having trouble walking – wearing ill-fitting shoes can cause a change in the way children walk.
Changes in foot appearance – foot deformities and changes in appearance are often caused by wrongly fitted shoes.
Your child is complaining about their feet – check in with your little ones.