The Budget Fashionista

Look at it this way:
You want to go away for the weekend. This requires the MINIMUM of:
1. One pair of running shoes
2. One pair of pool shoes or flip flops
3. A nice pair of heels to go with evening dress
4. Nice pair of comfy walking shoes for museum trips
5. pair of sandals that look nice with shorts--which probably are NOT flip-flops. IF it is winter, then you will need sexy boots instead--not for shorts, but for jeans.

A woman needs her shoes! I don’t consider myself an Immelda, but I do have over 40 pair.

But, but, but, some are getting quite shabby, and some are just for costumes.  They hardly count, do they?  Truly, I need several more pairs.

My husband asked me today about my “accessorizing”. I explained that, I spent years wearing “sensible shoes” - tennies and flats and very low-heel sandals.  I’ve had heels occasionally and never had a problem wearing them, just didn’t normally: trying to be careful and take good care of my feet.

So I went to the podiatrist this winter with foot problems - I was told I should never wear flats and I should wear a shoe with a heel of at least a half inch, 1 inch is better - just make sure it has good arch support. I have very high arches and extremely tight achilles tendons(even after years of stretching), which was causing problems.

So I went out and started buying shoes - first Aerosoles t-straps, which I’ve always found comfortable, and then branching out to others. I now have a decent collection of various colors and styles that go with my wardrobe but are comfortable to walk in. They all have a heel - the lowest is my gold lizard-skin Nine West gladiator sandals with a 1/2 inch heel.  The highest is some Carlos by Carlos shoes that are about 4 inches. But they all have two things in common - good arch support and room for my toes.

I love that kind of “prescription”.

I think I have about 70 pairs, but some of these are old shoes I’ve dragged with me since my late teens, and a lot more recent acquirements have been from thrift stores so I suppose I haven’t spent as much money on shoes as I could have…