I used to always want brand names, but my parents couldn't afford them, so I got used to it. for a few years when I first had my oldest DD I always bought the surf brands on sale. Sometimes full price, but not often. My brand names now come from op shops. Now DD is at school she has a Billabong bag & New Balance shoes, but I think the bag is a small thing & she's used it all year now & should easily get another year out of it. The running shoes I think are important as my she loves to run & I think the brand name ones are of better quality & give better support. Her school clothes & black school shoes are all from Big W though. Or Best & Less. Some things are worth the sacrifice, sometimes its pointless. If She wasn't so sporty she wouldn't have $60 running shoes. But I believe she needs them as she is right into all types of sports & is always running.