New to Australia - where to buy shoes?

[TillyG]

Hi

Hope I'm posting in the right place - there's so many different boards on here LOL

I'm currently in the UK but moving over to Sydney in a few weeks time. At the moment, I get my daughter's shoes from a place called Clarkes, who measure both the length and width of her feet. Are there shops who do that in Oz? If so, where are the best places to go?

And what kind of price would you pay for a pair of shoes, on average? My DD is 2y3m and I spend about £25 (about $60) on a pair for her.

Thanks

TillyG x

[Chickadee]

Betts Kids seems to be a national chain and whenever I've gone staff have checked both width and length. They carry Clarkes brand shoes too I think, tho not 100% on that.

I am getting better at evaluating the fit of DD's shoes myself, especially for summer sandals or things like slippers, so often just go cheap on those at places like KMart, Target, etc. But I'll pay up to $50 for good leather sneakers at Betts as I find the cheaper ones tend to be either too stiff or too heavy for her small feet. Wait for a sale though and get them half price.

[TillyG]

Thanks - that's a relief!!!

Things like slippers I normally buy from non-fitted places and just have a feel and see how Em's feet are in them... but I'm really fussy about getting her "proper" shoes fitted.

I just realised, though, that Emily's going to need sandals or something like that when we get there as it'll be baking hot :D

[nut]

Hee hee TillyG! Funny the questions you have when making such a huge move:D . Don't worry, have done it myself and was full of funny questions. I think you'll find that Australia has most everything you might want or need for sale! Myer and David Jones do proper fitting and sell Clarkes, and there are cute specialty shoe stores around too who do a great job. $50-60 seems the price for quality leather shoes fitted professionally.:)

[littlepickle]

There are lots of places that sell Clarkes Shoes for kids over here - like someone else said, Myer and David Jones but when I was in DFO (designer fashion outlet) yesterday, I found two shops that sold a huge range of them. Most Capital cities have at least 1 DFO! Other than that there are other brands that are really nice too

[TillyG]

I think you'll find that Australia has most everything you might want or need for sale!

I figured it would be OK but just thought I'd check, just to be sure LOL

Thanks for all the replies - it's been very reassuring :) Once I'm up & running in Oz, I'll make sure I come on here to chat some more... at the moment, as you can imagine, I'm running around like a headless chook ;)