TBF’s Repost Series, repbulishes top content from our archives. This post first appeared in Feb 2007.
Dear Budget Fashionista:
How many pairs of shoes are considered too many? I have about 50 pairs in my closet right now and I would say thats quite a bit. I would like to hear everyone’s thoughts on how many pairs of shoes they have in their closet as well as how many pairs are considered too many or “a lot” ?
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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
I like the idea of keeping the shoes I wear – but where do you sell the shoes you are clearing out?
Wow… I am pretty much on it for the “shoe” basics. I wish I could let myself spend more than $35 a pair…I just can’t see the need. I have 2 kids to shoe first I guess….
A woman can never have too many pairs of shoes. The first thing most people look at are your shoes and hair. Even if you have too many pairs, the old ones will eventually come back in style.
A woman can never have too many pairs of shoes. The first thing most people look at are your shoes and hair. Even if you have too many pairs, the old ones will eventually come back in style.
girl how you gonna have only 5 pairs of shoes, that is crazy talk. i have at least 5 pairs of boots alone, and i am not a shoe girl.
I am quite the fashion minimalist, but I wish I could get away with only five pairs of shoes. I think you need three pairs for every weather season. I change my shoes daily for comfort and to make them last longer. I rotate between three pairs of shoes in any period.
So if you live in a place with all three seasons, you might need: *Three pairs of boots, plus one pair rubber rainboots. *Three pairs of flats or other comfortable dressy shoes. *Two pairs of walking-around sandals. *One pair dressy sandals (probably with a small heel). *One pair sneakers. *Two pairs of dress shoes (with heels). Maybe three.
Also, the black shoe look is getting kind of tired. Sometimes a mid-tone color such as brown or gray or putty works better, even with dark clothes.
I have about 100 pairs of shoes. Granted I dont wear them all. I just bought a new house and lost some closet space. As a result of having to watch my pennies and lack of space I have only been wearing a few pairs. I am either going to donate them, freecycle them or sell the ones that are in good condition. I have def had a change in my shoe buying attitude
Now I have to admit that I have just one too many pairs of shoes…. I think I have approximately 200 pair. it’s an addiction and I know it. every year I get rid of at least 50 pair and find myslef restocking…. Where would we sell these shoes at?
I have 77 pairs and yes I am in recovery…I think
I think that you should have at least two pairs of “everyday” shoes – whatever you wear to the office/school – because it is bad for shoes to be worn two days in a row (of course I do that anyway because there’s always this one pair that is more comfortable than others).
Growing up I had (still do) a very narrow foot. I blame my shoe obsession on the fact that I can now find shoes that fit ;and not have to settle for the ugly “Buster Brown” oxfords that were the only shoes my narrow childhood foot could wear! Hurray for Jimmy Choo!!!
5 pairs huh? While I don’t see myself cutting down to 5 pairs, I do think I have too many in my closet – given the fact that I rarely wear some of them. I need a pair of “everyday” shoes and a pair of black pumps but I’m going to clear out some before adding to the closet line-up. Great discussion!
It’s much harder to stop when you wear a size that seems to be an ideal—I get shoes and boots for $10 to $15 (or much less) at DSW, Marshalls, etc. because I wear a size 6 regular. I do have a lot of shoes, more like the 50 pairs, but I love variety. I wear them all, just not lots. But based on price per wear, I can do so within budget.
I agree with the five shoes statement… so many people have shoes numbering in the low hundreds. yikes!
I have about a 100 shoes standing in my closet right now, all from Irregular Choice (so good quality ^o^), I know I have too many, but I am just obsessed with the brand and the work of art that their footwear constitutes, and yes, I do try to wear them all ^o^.
I am such the strange girl…
I have in my closet:
A pair of combat boots, which I was issued, and still wear with skirts now that I am no longer Enlisted.
A pair of black wedge flip-flops for going to the mail box.
A pair of Airwalks, which I have owned for almost twelve years now.
A pair of black ankle boots.
And a pair of mid calf boots, also in black. Who would have guessed?? ;p
I wear the combat boots and the airwalks more than any other pair of boots or shoes I own. I used to wear the calf high boots pretty frequently, but they are slick on the bottom and I am pregnant. If I fall, my husband will have a heart attack.
I have 133 shoes, not including my flip flops…about 20 pair of those…or my snow boots…about 3 pair of those! Does this mean I have a problem?
I just went through a shoe overall….I’m now down to about 45 pair. I cried. I’ve never had so little. I sold those in good condition on ebay. Made a little over $200 and where do you think the money is going….back into more shoes of course.
Until about a year ago, I was a severe minimalist, haha. I’ve since expanded my repertoire a little, but I’ve still got room to go on basics:
2 pairs of running shoes 3 pairs of flip flops 2 pairs casual flats 1 pair low-heeled, comfy black pumps for work 2 pairs sandals – casual tan flats and strappy black heels
Have been looking for some comfy but cute leather boots all winter, but I’m both extremely picky and on a tight budget, so the search goes on…
As much as I would love to follow this rule…is impossible for me at least…I love shoes, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t have addictions but my shoes…I love my pradas what can I say. I own 150 pairs and I do use them all; I guess I do have a problem.
Twelve pairs of shoes? You have got to be kidding! I bought 6 alone at DSW’s New Year’s sale. And I NEEDED every single one of them. What about beige pumps? What about navy blue pumps, flats and loafers? How about sparkly blue sandals? Red and black suede low cowboy boots? There are so many you left off the need list.
I personally love shoes, and can’t get enough of them… but if you are trying to limit yourself to just a few pairs I’d urge everyone to consider finding a beautiful pair of metalic evening shoes. Which metalic doesn’t really matter, though its better to get a pair that go with your jewlery. Metalics look great for evening, and are so much less predictable than black, plus more versitle – you wouldn’t usually want to wear black evening shoes with a light colored evening dress, but a silver pair would look divine with either lavender and black!
If the shoes are in good condition and still in style you can take them to a Plato’s Closet, they buy and sell shoes, clothing, bags, ect.
Oh peculiar that a bargainista is recommending a minimalist shoe wardrobe – It doesn’t even take into consideration the change(s) in seasons…When working at home or hanging around in jeans – I have: moccasins (in red/blue/cream) and boat shoes and sneakers (3 prs.) – and that doesn’t count the clogs – Then there is the professional level of wardrobe – Then there is the dressier – and then the formal! (Not to mention the variations for climate from hot to cold.) So that’s probably 6 per level – So that would be a minimal of 24 – probably 30. Of course, I don’t wear that same shoes everyday because it’s easier on my feet to rotate them – and they should air out between wearings. My problem is that most of the time I am extremely sporty/casual – but then the occasion demands it, I like to dress appropriately. This is L.A., after all.
P.S. I sell my excess shoes at yard sales &/or donate them to Goodwill/Out of the Closet.
i work in a shoe shop so i get to see beautiful new sexy shoes arrive every week. All my money is spent on that i hav pairs in my closet that i hav not even worn-but i still cant stop spending.
If you do follow her 5 shoe rule – imagine the affordability of quality shoes. We say we can’t afford quality designer shoes but buy 200 dollars worth of quantity at a place like target or payless(no offense to target or payless)… You could easily have the designer brands… nobody is giving out awards for a large wardrobe but you will get the respect of people if you buy quality.
At outlets of course, or clearance sales… But even at those we find excuses to slip into a cheap store because it is our comfort zone. And spend the exact same amount on many shoes. Satisfying cravings but the need for a proper pair of pumps is still there.
With her system of the ten shoes – you could get chanel flats, stuart weitzman pumps, stuart weitzman boots, a great pair of funky sneakers from adidas/nike, the sandals could be from a line that you thougth you couldn’t afford. The sexy shoes could be the ones that you absolutely love and salivate after from a really good quality line. Instead of the payless ones that will be uncomfortable, will not mold to your feet and will have to be chucked because of the blisters they cause. Your wellies could be a posh burberry or j. crew and your brown heels could be stuart weitzman.
And with babying your shoes will last and last and last. while being chic and comfortable. who cares if you wore those shoes yesterday?
I really don’t wear ALL my shoes, but if I didn’t have them all I would feel sad. They’re like security. I like having a lot to choose from when I select my shoes every day!!
Usually I have three pairs every year.But every season I will buy two pairs,one for the rainy days,one for the sunny days.When the season past,I will throw them away.So most of my shoes will not be expensive,but nice looking fashion shoes
I have 50-100 depending if you count flip flops (which I have more than a lot of becasue my summer job). I think there is a limit to how many is to many… but I dont know what number that is. lets just do a simply run down of a few that I have
I have 4 black heels, low heel, med heel, work wear, and super high fashionable.
I have 3 running shoe. My really (!) old ones for doing yard work or a service project, my not very worn out pair and my new pair which I couldnt pass up because the price oringally was $170 and I got them on sale at DSW for $60.
I have black, brown, and white dress flats.
Simply mocisans borwn and black.
3 boots, gray with heel, flat tan clothe/knitted detail ($5), and carmel ankel with a small heel.
plus some fun ones, a pair of red wedges, denim floral print, i had an obssesion with converse a few years ago (about 7 pairs), and 2 pairs of sanuks.
this is just the short list. im just the kind of person who refuses to wear certain colors together so I need a style of shoe (flat, running, heels, casual) in every nautural tone (black, brown, gray, beige). Now i havent achieved EVERY style with EVERY color but I think that you get the idea.
One pair I can never find in the right price/size/color and I have been looking for YEARS! is a pair of brown heals. Im just not willing to settle.
I also should add that I am very price aware my $60 running shoes are the most expensive shoes I own.