https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 15 May 2026 23:42:44 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1840294 Mon, 28 Aug 2017 00:02:39 +0000 minimalist 1840294@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ooops, sorry Tammyb! On re-reading your question, I see that you were just asking for experiences under similar conditions, NOT a litany of high-maintenance suggestions for extending longevity. </p> <p>Look for my 5-lb hardcover memoir of shoe care on the remainders pile in the back of your local bookstore. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839962 Sat, 26 Aug 2017 18:43:18 +0000 Emily K 1839962@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>minimalist</b>, Recently, I've been using "Croc Butter" on my rubber shoes. &nbsp;I do not know if it helps, but it's sold for the purpose of cleaning and maintaining Crocs shoes so I reason that it is, at least, not hurting. &nbsp;</p> <p><b>Tammyb</b>--sorry to hijack the thread! &nbsp;:-) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839957 Sat, 26 Aug 2017 18:08:44 +0000 minimalist 1839957@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Awww, Emily! Your shoes deserve to be enjoyed thoroughly. Even with regular wear, if cared for they'll still go out of style while they still have good life in them. I don't know if that's comforting or not. :-)</p> <p>I'm hoarding a pair of knee-high, heel&amp;platform rainboots I love. RIght now I live mostly in any area that rarely gets rain, so I bring them any time I travel to a place with hopes of rain. (Talk about footwear that doesn't come off easily in airports! At one transfer, after a long flight when I'd foregone compression tights, a man behind me in line saw me struggling then offered to pull them off me. I had to accept, to keep the line moving. Not awkward at all.) Any tips on maintaining the rubber? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839948 Sat, 26 Aug 2017 17:13:37 +0000 Emily K 1839948@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>minimalist</b>, you wrote an excellent primer on shoe care! &nbsp;Thank you for the information. &nbsp;I treat shoes very carefully and I don't wear the best ones often (darn hoarding instinct) so they usually go out of fashion before they wear out. &nbsp;I am trying to get over it and to wear my shoes! I wear my clothes a TON, but I'd be surprised if I got even 15 wears from my "best" shoes. &nbsp;The sneakers I wear all the time last about a year and the Converse, about 4-5 months, but I have rainboots and duck boots (heavy, daily wear during Seattle's long rainy season) that are at least 15 years old and still look pretty good. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839931 Sat, 26 Aug 2017 16:07:26 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1839931@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>citygirldc, high five on the bike commuting! That's what I did for years, and have as a criteria for where I move to from here. I was excited to see that there is a cycling fashion section of the YLF archive. It's old, but some of the ideas still work.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839873 Sat, 26 Aug 2017 11:54:42 +0000 kkards 1839873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>hmmmm...i have some heels going on 10 years........i have a shoe guy that i love, and he's awesome at resoleing and fixing up the heels.&nbsp;&nbsp;if the shoe isn't leather lined, i dont expect to get more than 1 year.<br />i think the other issue is how often you wearing the shoes...i generally never wear the same shoe 2 days in a row. i try not to wear a leather soled shoe in the rain (but sometimes, well, you can't help it). &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839852 Sat, 26 Aug 2017 09:57:50 +0000 Jane 1839852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My heels (only heels really, 2 pairs for work) will last a long time. I will be fed up with them (like citygirl) before they wear out I think. The black patent pair I have look very good, 2 and half years after wearing a lot, but they so rarely go outside. I then bought the same style navy suede and they will also last a long time. The thing that irritates me about the black pair is that after so much wear the inside sole is now a little bit dirty and as I have to change my shoes at my desk, it slightly unsettles me that colleagues see the inside bit, more than they would normally. I'm a fuss pot! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839846 Sat, 26 Aug 2017 09:12:54 +0000 Tammyb 1839846@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do wear flip flops to drive during warmer months and flats during winter - EXCEPT I have the same question as minimalist how does one navigate the bulky switch from flats to boots. Alas, I don't often wear true boots to work often (snow is different in which case I change at my desk.) so I risk the driving foot rub. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839830 Sat, 26 Aug 2017 04:47:20 +0000 minimalist 1839830@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Driving shoes. Never figured out perfect way to change back into outfit shoes, when they were knee-high boots, and someone was already coming to greet me as I pulled in. I know a car guy or three who pride themselves on wear patterns that develop on the right heel of their restorable-sole shoes. Sadly, that studied casualism doesn't go far on women's office footwear, no matter how rare and fascinating the transmission that gets you where you're going.</p> <p>Patent, when I wore it, I treated after EVERY wear. Special conditioner in the shoe's color, and a rubber tipped tool for easing scrapes back down, then a specific protective polish, and dedicated textiles. Years into frequent wear, regularly got compliments on one pair of black knee-high boots. "Those must be brand new!" Often, of all places, at airport security, with the boots in a bin on a counter, under bright lights. I could have pointed out every ding, but they were just making conversation and maybe they only meant, "who wears boots like that to fly?!" (Boots weren't deemed work-appropriate, so maybe I just enjoyed stretching dress code when possible. Plus, really comfortable, and warm in winter.) Now I'm wondering, why did I have so much patent footwear, although all of it black or burgundy IIRC, and why didn't I have a hobby like knitting to pack materials for, instead of pouches of patent-care supplies? </p> <p>Oh! On reading Joy's tips, I'm reminded: when you have patent footwear re-soled, or heels adjusted, or otherwise repaired, choose your professional with great care. Some, even otherwise good ones, aren't careful with patent, perhaps thinking they can polish any scratches. </p> <p>Also from Joy's insights: When I buy leather shoes, I only buy leather-lined, or sometimes unlined, never ever ever synthetic or fabric. This helps a great deal with breathability. I also have and use porous wooden trees for each pair of shoes. That absorbs additional moisture, and keeps creases from deepening, I also use insoles, which I remove before inserting trees. Doesn't sound remotely minimalist, but I like good footwear and I like to wear it frequently for a long time. </p> <p>#dontwearscentsofanykindtoflyortosymphonyjustdealwithunpleasantodorsliketherestofusdopleasedontinducemigraIneswhichcanincludeaurasandnauseanobodywhowearsscentsbelievesthatitimpactsthosearoundthem </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839821 Sat, 26 Aug 2017 03:38:16 +0000 Anonymous 1839821@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The material of the shoes does play a part.&nbsp; Calf hair is the least durable in my experience.&nbsp; Suede and patent can be hard, a mirror finish can scratch.&nbsp; Fabric and fiber can get holes.&nbsp; Good leather is the best bet for longevity, at least it is for me.&nbsp; The sole material is another consideration and some can not be fixed.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839816 Sat, 26 Aug 2017 03:24:41 +0000 Dianna 1839816@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with <b>Joy</b>, <b>Runcarla</b>, and <b>citygirldc</b>,&nbsp;that it would be&nbsp;between 3-5 years.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839812 Sat, 26 Aug 2017 03:18:03 +0000 Gigi 1839812@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't know what the expected longevity would be, but if you want to increase the longevity, you might want to consider wearing different shoes for driving. Like <b>binkle</b>, I have found that sometimes the back of the heel can degrade from rubbing against the mat, or you can get a gouge in it if there is a pebble on the floor. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839784 Sat, 26 Aug 2017 02:00:47 +0000 binkle 1839784@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I almost responded "indefinitely" bit I do wear my shoes to death. Meaning I don't always notice when they are looking obviously too worn. I i have a hard time finding shoes that fit well, so I stick wth them!</p> <p>Five years sounds about right style-wise. Good quality leather shoes can be maintained for longer, but subtle style shifts can suddenly make shoes look dated. </p> <p>Do you wear utilitarian shoes while driving? I've found that on my right foot, the back of the heels of nicer leathers,can get scratched spots, and I sometimes get a worn spot on the toe, when the shoe bumps into the gas or brake pedal. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839767 Sat, 26 Aug 2017 01:42:22 +0000 Thistle 1839767@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think patent leather is harder to keep pristine, and anything less than pristine really shows up. Especially softer leather.</p> <p>Still love the look of it though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839747 Fri, 25 Aug 2017 23:53:03 +0000 Tammyb 1839747@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Joy- My feet are average fussy. I don't wear very high heels. Always under 3". </p> <p>Rachylou- the question crossed my mind because of a pair of patent leather shoes that are showing age Earlier than I expected. But maybe it's the patent leather itself that is less durable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839732 Fri, 25 Aug 2017 22:35:44 +0000 Carla 1839732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>2-5 years for most. I train in to work but walk to and from the station and during lunch. The City is harder on shoes than when I had a 10 min drive and a dash across the parking lot! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839731 Fri, 25 Aug 2017 22:26:51 +0000 Anonymous 1839731@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would think 3-5 years would be expected, although they may get uncomfortable after a couple of years. How fussy are your feet? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839698 Fri, 25 Aug 2017 20:36:19 +0000 citygirldc 1839698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well it should last you quite a while since you commute. &nbsp;I have downsized my heels and pumps to more flats since I commute by bicycle and leave the few heels I wear at work. &nbsp;Anyway, my heels and pumps usually last me 2-5 years or until I get bored with them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839696 Fri, 25 Aug 2017 20:34:43 +0000 rachylou 1839696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have always kept heels for a long time under those conditions. Easy to replace a heel tap. I've destroyed patent in one go tho... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-many-wears-for-shoes#post-1839690 Fri, 25 Aug 2017 20:22:16 +0000 Tammyb 1839690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I work in an office and drive for my commute. Wondering how many wears others usually get out of heels/pumps worn under similar conditions. </p>