WJ French & Son | Blog

13/05/2026
,

Why Yokono Sandals Are the Perfect Choice for Summer Comfort

When summer arrives, finding footwear that feels as good as it looks becomes essential. Whether you’re heading on holiday, enjoying days out, walking around town or simply looking for something stylish and comfortable for everyday wear, the right sandal makes all the difference At W. J. French & Son, we’re always looking for brands that combine comfort, quality and style and Yokono does exactly that. This beautiful Spanish brand has quickly become a customer favourite for supportive leather sandals that are perfect for warm-weather dressing. What Makes Yokono Sandals Different?... Read More

13/05/2026

Wide Fit School Shoes: Why the Right Fit Matters for Growing Feet

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

13/05/2026

First Walkers vs Pre-Walkers: What’s the Difference?

Choosing your child’s first shoes can feel surprisingly confusing, especially when you start hearing terms like pre-walkers and first walkers. Many parents ask us: “Do they need shoes yet?”“What’s the difference between pre-walkers and first walkers?”“When should I buy their first proper shoes?” At W. J. French & Son, helping families through those early stages is one of the most important parts of what we do. Here’s a simple guide to help. What Are Pre-Walkers? Pre-walkers are shoes designed for babies who are: They are not yet confidently walking outdoors... Read More

24/10/2025

Discover The New Legero Autumn/Winter Collection

Comfort You’ll Love All Season Long Our new Autumn/Winter collection from Legero has arrived, a brand that blends comfort, style, and practicality in every step. Designed in Austria, Legero shoes and boots are made for everyday life. Each pair is thoughtfully created using high-quality materials, lightweight soles, and clever design details that keep your feet warm, dry, and supported throughout the season. Why We Love Legero: Legero has always been a favourite among our customers. Their shoes feel as good as they look, offering: It’s comfort you can rely on... Read More

20/09/2025
,

New-In Orca Bay Boots

Why Orca Bay? Orca bay makes beautiful shoes made to the highest standard. Each pair is meticulously cut and sewn by hand, by highly skilled craftsman. At French’s we appreciate the quality and comfort that Orca Bay’s Boots and shoes offer. Across their styles this is shown through real sheep skin linings, waterproof and breathable materials, deep tread rubber soles, a wide calf fit for easy removal and moulded foot beds for arch support. Click to shop or come and try on in-store. Shop Ladies Orca Bay HERE, or Ladies... Read More

05/09/2025
,

It’s Blundstone Season!

Why Blundstones Are Your Autumn-Winter EssentialsLooking for footwear that stands up to both style and the elements? Blundstone boots are built to endure: Crafted from durable leather with elastic sides, Blundstones are slip-resistant, comfortable, lightweight, water-resistant and designed to last for years, hence their iconic Chelsea boot’s popularity. This is THE boot for transitional weather. Our most popular colours?Classic black and brown due to their versatility and timeless look.However new for 2025 – introducing fur-lined Blundstones (Boot 1477) -guaranteed to be completely waterproof. Cozy, dry, and winter-ready. Whether you’re heading... Read More

15/08/2025

How to avoid blisters in new school shoes..

When sending children back to school after summer, blisters are very common. Read to find out why this is and our top tips to help prevent them. Over the summer, the skin on your feet softens as people tend to spend more time barefoot, in soft trainers and sandals.Therefore when going back to school, wearing a supportive school shoe can cause rubs as the skin hardens up. Here are our top tips to help prevent blisters: Visit our back to school page here for more school shoe information.Shop our website... Read More

09/08/2025
,

Back to School Shoes with W.J.French & Son

We still have a large number of school shoes left in stock. A range of brands, styles and sizes from Start-Rite, Ricosta, Geox and Bobux. French’s is here to provide the perfect pair of school shoes for your child. You don’t need an appointment to come in, we also take walk-ins. We recommend that you come and visit us in-store for the perfect fit, but if you aren’t local, we are happy to advise over the phone (023 80 226642). shop GIRL’S school shoesshop BOY’S school shoes Click here to... Read More

10/05/2025

60 Years of Service

This month marks the 60th year that Roy has worked at W.J.French & Son. To mark this celebration we asked Roy a range of questions about his career… What was the shop like when you first started?“The shop was much smaller than it is now, with only the original shop, which is middle premises, now the dedicated children’s department. I watched all the extensions being built in the 1960s.The men’s department (on the south side) had just been purchased, but had not yet been extended. Shorty after I arrived the... Read More

15/04/2025

Step into Summer: Emu Australia’s Spring/Summer 2025 Sandal Collection

Spring is here, and summer is just around the corner. It’s time to swap out your winter boots for something fresh, stylish, and comfortable. Emu Australia’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection has just landed, featuring the latest must-have women’s sandals and shoes designed for ultimate comfort and effortless style. Why Choose Emu Australia Sandals? Emu Australia is a globally renowned brand known for its premium-quality sandals and shoes that combine style, durability, and all-day comfort. Crafted from high-quality Australian leather and suede, each pair is designed with ergonomic support. Emu shoes feature... Read More