Children’s Shoes

Every August, the same scene plays out in shoe shops across the country: a queue of parents, a pile of boxes, and a child wriggling their toes trying to decide if a shoe feels “fine” or just feels new. It’s an easy trap to fall into but a school shoe that isn’t fitted properly can cause real problems for growing feet over a full school year. At W.J. French & Son, we’ve been fitting children’s feet since 1803. Nine generations in, we’ve learned that a proper fitting isn’t a nice... Read More

Children’s feet grow quickly, often faster than parents realise. A shoe that fitted perfectly just a few weeks ago can suddenly become too tight, causing discomfort and affecting healthy foot development. At W. J. French & Son, we often see children wearing shoes that are already too small simply because growth happens in bursts and can be hard to spot. Regular measuring helps ensure children have the comfort, support and space they need as they grow. Why Regular Shoe Fitting Matters Children rarely complain when shoes become too small because... Read More

Starting school is a huge milestone, for both children and parents. New uniform, new routines and of course… the all-important first pair of school shoes. Choosing first school shoes can feel like a big decision, because these shoes need to do a lot. They need to be smart enough for school, strong enough for everyday wear and, most importantly, comfortable and supportive for growing feet. At W. J. French & Son, helping families find the right first school shoes is one of the most important things we do. Here’s what... Read More

Finding the right school shoes is about much more than simply choosing the correct length. For many children, width is just as important and often the reason why school shoes feel uncomfortable, wear out too quickly or are constantly being complained about. At W. J. French & Son, we regularly help parents whose children need wider fitting school shoes but may not realise it yet. A shoe that is the right length but too narrow can still cause discomfort, rubbing and poor foot development. That’s why proper fitting matters. How... Read More