Category Archives: Boots

Posted on by

velcro & laces

Comment

H&M Boys Basketball Boots (sizes 7 small-1)
Time for a boys’ post I think. These were brought to my attention by my lovely friend (and ex-neighbour), Kath (who is about to go from one to two kids in a matter of weeks). I was (and always am) happy to get a good tip-off, but equally annoyed at myself for not sniffing them out myself (after all, I’m always in H&M on a ‘smash ‘n grab’ mission for Tabarlow). Kath bought them for her two year old son, Sam and he’s barely taken them off apparently. They are completely plain (I like that they are unbranded, and so does my credit card), and grey! And you just know they are going to go with everything. I love the lace and velcro combo. This is the kind of thing that I would definitely double up on (as Kath wisely did), because at this price, frankly you’d be crazy not to…
£5.99  hm.com

Posted on by

pom happy

Navy Chelsea Boot

Pom D’Api Boys Boots (sizes 25-29)
Pom D’Api is one of my all-time favourite brands for kids’ shoes. I love them. But I’m not going to lie, they aren’t cheap. But they are super-stylish (I particularly love their boys’ boots and sandals), and really well-made, and therefore I think they are a great buy if you’re going to invest in one decent pair of shoes/boots a season (which I always do). I bought Marlow the exact same pair of (Pom D’Api) sandals last Summer and the Summer before because I loved them on him so much, and they really lasted. There was no denying that there were well-worn by the Autumn, but they were still going strong! I also bought him other less expensive sandals and boots to fill in the gaps, but the Pom D’Api were his ‘go-to’ pair. They do lovely girls’ shoes too. The design is great – chunky, but not orthopaedic looking (it can be a fine line sometimes…). And very French. And how can you resist the name? So cute. Oh, and last but by no means least, these fantastic (navy) chelsea boots are in the sale! I’m definitely buying a pair…
£55.99 (were £69.99)  panachekids.co.uk

Posted on by

cute boots

Petit Bateau Unisex Leather Boots With Wool Lining (sizes 24-31 European)
Love, love, love these! They are still quite pricey, even in the sale, but I think they will definitely see a lot of action because they are just so cool. Loving the distressed finish on the leather. And how toasty does that sheepskin-esque lining look? Could have done with a pair myself today, instead of running around town in my Isabel Marant boots, which are many things, but cosy is definitely not one of them. These did also come in grey, but have sadly now sold out. But actually, I have to say, I’m really liking this colour (and let’s face it, it makes a nice change). Hurry though, these ones are selling out fast too…
£57.50 (were £72.00)  petit-bateau.co.uk 

Posted on by

mini mohawk

Ugg Infants ‘Boo’ Boots (sizes S, M, L)
These are coming Tabarlow’s way on Friday as birthday presents from my sister, Caroline (navy for Marlow and chestnut for Tabs – not that I was involved in the colour choices of course…). Am I more excited than they will be about this fact? Um, yes I would say so (after all there is a distant lack of Hello Kitty or Thomas…). Now I’m not what you would exactly call an Ugg fan, but I really do love these toddler boots. I love the moccasin vibe, and the fact that the sheepskin gives a funny sort of mohawk effect (or is that my imagination?). Anyway, I think they are super-cute, and just feel that bit more stylish than your average, regular Ugg.  Roll on Friday (and an end to this dreary, wet, rather un-Ugg friendly weather).
£40.00  uggaustralia.co.uk 

Posted on by

glitter bug

M&S Lace-Up Glitter Boots (sizes 4s-13s)
These boots could definitely go one of two ways: super-cute or totally naff. I’m definitely in the cute camp on this one. I love a bit of sparkle, but I love it a whole lot more because it’s on a pair of flat, lace-up boots. The trick with these is to play them down a bit (or even a lot). Wear them with jeans or trousers, but if you insist on a dress, make sure you also add knitted tights (preferably grey of course) – basically nothing too ‘party’. There’s all the party you need right here.
£18.00-£20.00  marksandspencer.com 

Posted on by

cute boots

Bobux I-Walk Navy Outback Boots (sizes 20-28)
Love these! They are the ones I bought for Marlow for nursery (no velco, but they have a zip, so easy to get on and off, so solved the same problem), which I ended up buying for Tabitha too. They are not perfect, but they are as close as I could find, without blowing the best part of £100, and that just wasn’t going to happen. They look really cool with a skinny jean (surprise surprise!) with a little turn-up. And they look cute with knitted tights (as well as jeans of course) on girls. They are a proper (100% natural leather), walking shoe, and Marlow has pretty much lived in his since I bought them. A Little Spree reader was actually the first person to introduce me to this brand a while ago, so thank you. And check out the website – they have lots of other cool styles too.
£38.95  bobux.co.uk 

ps: off to Cape Town this evening for a shoot. As always, will try my best to post daily, but please forgive me if I don’t manage it.

Posted on by

brogue or boot?

Jones Bootmaker ‘Stylus Infant’ Ankle Boot (sizes 23-31)
I am very loyal to the desert boot as my favourite go-to boot for boys (as you all know), but occasionally I do stumble across a stylish alternative. I spotted these in Jones Bootmaker and loved them. A bit tougher than a ‘desert’, but not too ‘butch’. I love the brogue detailing, and the charcoal colour (they come in a great brown too). They look pretty sturdy, so good for the more boisterous boys out there (one of my friends told me that her little boy trashed a pair of desert boots I’d previously recommended in a matter of days?!). I also love that these have a zip, so you don’t have to faff around with the laces (they are purely decorative – so thoughtful!).
£40.00  jonesbootmaker.com 

Posted on by

little boots

Start-rite Navy Boots (sizes 4E Jnr-6.5E Jnr)
I’m now constantly on the look-out (on high-alert in fact) for great shoes for babies and toddlers because so many people have emailed me about this very subject, and how hard they find it to get decent ones. How cute are these navy boots from Start-rite’s ‘English Classics’ range? They almost look a bit Victorian, which of course, I love (just leave the velvet knickerbockers at home…). And no velcro/trucks/cartoon characters in sight! I just love that they are simple, classic and completely plain. And navy! And you know that Start-rite are def going to look after your little one’s feet. Love.
£35.00  johnlewis.com 

Posted on by

a touch of bling

Next Glitter Hi-Tops (sizes 3-12)
Sometimes the magpie in me just can’t resist a bit of sparkle. I can’t quite put my finger on what the exact appeal of these is, but I think they just remind me of various cool ‘blingy’ hi-tops that have been around lately by designers such as Lanvin and Louboutin. And I always love a hi-top, and live in them myself. I guess I also just love the mix of casual-cool and sequins, and they do look really cute on. I would, however, draw the line at wearing them with skirts or dresses. These definitely need to be worn with jeans/trousers/leggings (Tabs was wearing hers today with a Crew Cuts long sleeved striped breton and beige cable knit cardigan). Try and dress them up or make them too girly, and the coolness starts to unravel very quickly. They are also a great compromise for little girls who want all that sparkly ‘pink stuff’ that us mums hate. Tabs loves these (obviously she is blissfully unaware that they do also come in pink..).
£13.00-£15.00  next.co.uk 

Posted on by

a touch of leopard print

Next Suede Desert Boots (0-24 months)
Now it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but personally I love a little bit of leopard print every now and again. I have a great bag (slouchy, and roomy enough to carry all my stuff for for Tabarlow) from Antik Batik that I absolutely love, and every time I use it, someone stops me to ask me where I got it from. But I only ever wear it with quite a dressed-down, simple outfit, such as jeans and a grey sweatshirt (and never with heels). That’s the trick. Dress it up too much, or worst of all, mix with other animal prints, and the overall effect is well, a little trashy… Leopard print is even trickier with kids’ clothes/accessories. It can all end up looking a bit cheap and nasty… I would generally advise to approach with caution, but there are definitely exceptions. Get it right, and it looks super-chic, and so cute. I really love these little boots, and they would look great worn with simple, neutral trousers/jeans (grey/navy/brown, beige) and a simple jumper/smock top/t-shirt. Just make sure the rest of the outfit is completely plain. I think they look rather French and expensive too. They would also look sweet with navy tights and a plain dress. Just make sure you’re not wearing any animal print at the same time!
£8.50-£9.50  next.co.uk 

ps: having a wonderful time in Cornwall. The weather is definitely ‘mixed’, but so far, no rain so I think that’s pretty good going. And this afternoon we were all on the beach at Carbis Bay and it was just beautiful. We could have been on a beach in Costa Rica! (I will tweet a pic to prove it!). The sea and sand are so lovely and clean, and it wasn’t super-crowded because we arrived at around 3.30pm (the perfect time as far as I’m concerned). Tabarlow absolutely loved it! And Tabs finally got to wear one of her CFK bikinis (the grey spotted one to be precise), which she loved (the top stayed on for all of ten minutes though!). So all in all, a great day!

Posted on by

desert boots, but quicker!

Cyrillus Ankle Boots (sizes 20-24)
You already know how much I love a desert boot for kids, so you can imagine my excitement when I found these from one of my favourite French kids’ labels. Still as stylish and versatile as a regular desert boot (I’ve yet to find something that they don’t look great with), but with a velcro strap (so you can get out the house that bit quicker!). And the colour options coudn’t be more perfect – navy and dusky pink (always two of my favourites). Now I know they are not exactly cheap as chips, but I think £52.00 for a pair of really lovely, French kids’ boots is actually pretty great. I will be buying both colours for Tabarlow.
£52.00  cyrillus.com 

Posted on by

deja vu…

Next Suede Boots (sizes 4-12)
For the more beady Little Spree readers out there, you might be getting a slight feeling of deja vu right about now. Yes, you have seen these fab chukka boots before back in March, but in grey. They were one of the most popular items I have posted to date, so I thought they were definitely worthy of a second outing in navy (I’m not just being lazy!). As you all know, I love all things grey and navy for boys (and girls too for that matter), and they are two colours that go with pretty much anything. Marlow has the grey ones (in fact he was wearing them today with his French Connection navy & white long sleeved t-shirt and Boden girls’ skinny jeans), and these navy ones will be coming his way very soon…
£21.00  next.co.uk 

Posted on by

grey skinnies

Next Skinny Jeans (3 months-6 years)
I originally bought these jeans for Tabitha, but when I tried them on her, they were far too baggy. So I thought I’d try them on Marlow (I hope my dad is not reading this – I think he’s still traumatised that I dressed Marlow in girls’ knitted tights until he was a year old – girls’ skinny jeans could prove to be a step too far). Anyway, as I have said before, when kids’ jeans are described as ‘skinny’, this usually means a ‘straight leg’ to you and me (although jeggings should definitely be taken at face value, and avoided at all costs, but you probably don’t need me to tell you that). So to cut a long post a little shorter, these jeans look fab on Marlow (and are not too girly or skinny). I love the faded grey colour too. Wish I’d bought two pairs. Wear with… 

1. Next Grey Skinny Jeans  £9.00-£10.00  next.co.uk
2. Cos Checked Flannel Shirt  £30.00  cosstores.com
3. Jones Bootmaker Suede Desert Boots  £34.00  jonesbootmaker.com 

Posted on by

desert boots

Jones Bootmaker Suede Desert Boots (sizes 22-27)
I spotted these in the window of the store in Westfield the other day, and was inside (trying to remember the last time I was in a Jones Bootmaker store??) in a flash! I am sort of obsessed with desert boots on kids (the idea for Little Spree all started with a fab pair that I found in M&S last year that I ended up telling everyone about, and that the twins then wore all Winter, and are still wearing now). I love that they are a design classic, and so simple. And I like them equally on girls and boys (they look great with dresses and tights as well as trousers and jeans). These navy ones are super-chic, and look much more expensive than they are. I would maybe consider switching the laces to navy ones though. Just a little tip from me to you.
£34.00  jonesbootmaker.com 

Posted on by

chukka boots

Next Suede Boots (size 4-12)
I spotted these boots in Next (they are doing such great kids’ things at the moment) the other day and immediately snapped them up for Marlow. They are so cool. They look just like Marlow’s dad’s boots from Common Projects (Marlow loves that too, which is so sweet). They also come in navy, which I’ll be purchasing on my next (Next) shopping trip.
£15.00-£17.00  next.co.uk

Posted on by

wellies

M&S wellies (sizes 5-13)
These are fab because they are completely plain with no branding. They are a great price too. I particularly love the yellow ones (they look fab with the Next navy snowsuit; which by the way, I have just washed in the machine after a muddy outing to the park,and came out as good as new), but thought I’d throw in the pink ones for mums out there who might not be as phobic as I am about pink.
1. Yellow £6.00-£8.00  marksandspencer.com
2. Pink £6.00-£8.00  marksandspencer.com

Posted on by

cool high-tops

Mothercare velcro high-tops (sizes 2-6)
Like the duffle coat, I bought these for Marlow ages ago (last Summer in fact). He’s currently on his third pair (I am a ‘repeat buyer’ if I really like something). So I was really excited to see that they are still available in the sale, and felt it only fair to share my find! They always get loads of compliments whenever he wears them (to give you an idea of sizing, Marlow is wearing a size 5 at the moment and he’s just turned two). As you already know, navy and grey are two of my favourite colours to dress boys in, so these instantly tick two of my style boxes. I also love the corduroy and the easy-to-put-on-and-get-out-the-house velcro. In fact, might have to go and buy another pair before they sell out…
Were £12.00 Now £6.00  mothercare.com