https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:35:23 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1891281 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 20:19:02 +0000 Aurore 1891281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>WichyD</b>, the story you tell happened to me for most of the shoes I willl donate. Buy, try, keep, wear, bleed, and never wear again. *Sigh. I'm totally with you when it comes to having a hard time letting go some pairs. </p> <p><b>Sterling</b>, thank you SO MUCH! Your post made my day. Really.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1891274 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 19:54:29 +0000 Anonymous 1891274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Aurore!</b> &nbsp;These are my favorite types of posts. &nbsp;I'm going to get a drink and devour every single word you wrote and every single comment posted. &nbsp; </p> <p>Your analysis makes my heart swoon with delight. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1891269 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 19:38:25 +0000 WitchyD 1891269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are a far braver woman than I, Aurore.&nbsp;<br />I am sure I must have more than 47 pairs of shoes, boots, and sandals, slippers and flip flops, but don't tell my husband that. &nbsp;As to WHY, well partially I just love shoes, and also I will buy a pair I love, but find out after 2-3 wearings that they simply HURT (or the one strange pair of FLY London pumps that fart when I walk). &nbsp;Of course, by then it's too late to return them after you've bled all over them from the blister they rubbed on your toe. Thus, they sit in your collection because you've paid good money for them. &nbsp;</p> <p>I did get rid of a lot this year, and am slowly working my way through a lot of the heeled or hurtful ones I no longer find practical. But it's hard to let go of some of them. &nbsp;I might try a straight numbers assessment as you've done here.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1891264 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 19:09:29 +0000 Aurore 1891264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you <b>Mainelady</b>! I do need more sun and more summer. </p> <p><b>Krishnidoux</b>, thank you for your wise and spirited words! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1891174 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 13:29:23 +0000 krishnidoux 1891174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aurore, what a thorough analysis! I love your conclusions, they are inspiring me to go look at my own collection and do the same. Don't be too hard on yourself about fancy shoes. It's normal to find yourself with a few pairs you'd like to integrate into your daily outfits, and are still figuring out how. After all, if you are here, it's because you are working on your personal style, and personal style often starts with footwear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1891157 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 10:57:08 +0000 Mainelady 1891157@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like charts and looking at data. I love yours! Of course, the focus of the data makes it quite fun!<br /> I am impressed by your criteria and point system. I also like that you have some shoes that you can improve by altering them slightly.<br /> You have some shoes to pass on and you also have criteria to follow when shopping for replacements. I think Angie’s suggestion of a vacation to a warmer climate is a great idea. Those sandals are meant to be worn! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1891154 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 10:37:55 +0000 Style Fan 1891154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I love this!&nbsp; Clothes and diagrams put together.&nbsp; What could be better!&nbsp; I make charts in my notebook (I am old school - I graduated with my BA in math in the 1970s) but I love to look at these analyses. &nbsp;<br />You have given me some ideas on how to look at my footwear needs.<br />I love those DuBarry Boots.&nbsp; Just my style.<br />&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1891137 Sun, 18 Feb 2018 07:16:12 +0000 Aurore 1891137@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Christina F</b>, I'm pretty sure my approach is a bit too much (using an elephant gun to kill a flea, is that the right wording? ) and you'll find an efficient way to estimate your summer shoe collection. </p> <p>Thank you <b>Greyscale</b>! I hesitated to take utility/play shoes into account, and finally did to ensure I had not too many of them either. It's true that they are so specialised that having many, diverse activities results in having many, diverse pairs of shoes. </p> <p><b></b>Thank you <b>Cindysmith </b>and <b>Laura </b>- now I'm blushing because of you two! </p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1890889 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 16:15:48 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1890889@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>tanstaafl, I'm taking a stats course right now and thought the same exact thing Aurore, you are a woman after my own heart - data analysis ftw.&nbsp;</p> <p>Probably everything has been said already; I really should do a similar analysis myself. I know I have too many fancy shoes, and too many semi-fancy, honestly, since I rarely have to do business casual right now and am smart casual or just casual 90% of the time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1890814 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 14:23:43 +0000 cindysmith 1890814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Let me start by saying I am impressed by the statistics provided. I had to take a statistics class to fulfill my business minor (thankfully, it also fulfilled my second math class for my liberal arts major). I recently did a pretty thorough audit of my shoes, and it wasn't this in-depth. I might need you to come do this to my clothes, shoes, and accessories; this is a lot of cold, hard facts. No matter how emotional I get over something, I generally give in to facts; and I couldn't argue with the logic behind this kind of wardrobe analysis. How much do you charge? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1890536 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 21:40:26 +0000 Greyscale 1890536@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love your data-driven approach (as a scientist myself)!</p> <p>I have 31 pairs of regular shoes and 11 "play" shoes (dance shoes, climbing shoes, hiking boots, and old boots that I only wear to festivals like burning man). I don't know if that's moderate or high. I don't usually count the play shoes towards my total though because each activity has such specific shoe requirements. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1890528 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 21:17:07 +0000 Christina F. 1890528@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm very impressed with your system. I probably have about as many pairs as you and need to cull a bit. I'm happy with the number of winter shoes I have, though, so it would be better to start when I take the warmer weather ones out of storage. I'm a little afraid. Not being a scientist or engineer, I won't be as systematic about it as you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1890516 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 20:27:26 +0000 Aurore 1890516@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>jlpp</b>, your cullling experience is impressive! Congrats!</p> <p><b>kkards</b>, no problem - and thank you very much for caring. Furthermore, your post did make sense. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1890440 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 18:15:56 +0000 kkards 1890440@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aurore--just came back to the post and want to apologize for being so negative with my post this morning--i think I was just projecting my frustration from a work thing (in which we spend an hour each staking out a position on what the numbers meant and what we need to do to "fix" them....) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1890366 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 15:44:50 +0000 Anonymous 1890366@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also found this very enlightening and motivating. I am in the hundred + shoe camp with Janet (and relate to body shifts but shoes always fitting) &amp; running out of appropriate storage areas. I’ve culled about 25 this year for donations and am motivated to donate a few more.<br /> Yes, I am hopelessly a shoe person. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1890362 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 15:38:18 +0000 Aurore 1890362@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for your support, <b>smittie</b>! </p> <p><b>Suz</b>, I love your conclusion! It makes perfect sense. Have fun with more shoe shopping!&nbsp;:) <br />Also, thank you for your insight on sandals. The blue camo ones in my finds&nbsp;were a gift from my husband last year and I LOVE them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1890328 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 14:17:47 +0000 Suz 1890328@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is the best thing ever. Not only is your analysis on a par with rocket science but your graphs are beautiful and explanatory, too. Plus, you've made some great discoveries.&nbsp;</p> <p>I am with <b>SarahDB</b>, who says it is okay to have slightly more sandals that your climate might strictly warrant. We change out sandals more often, and they are more delicate, as she says. (I really like the one in your Finds! I'd love a pair of those.)&nbsp;</p> <p>The other reason this is the best thing ever is that <b>Angie</b> chimed in to say she has about half the number of shoes you do, and is not a "shoe person."&nbsp;</p> <p>Well, I also have about half the number you do, and I <b>am</b> a shoe person, as I've already confessed.&nbsp;</p> <p>In other words, &nbsp;your analysis has just given me permission to go shoe shopping!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post/page/2#post-1890321 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 14:00:14 +0000 Anonymous 1890321@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aurore, I always find it interesting to compare numbers.<br /> I own 15 pairs of shoes including gear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post#post-1890316 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 13:43:54 +0000 Aurore 1890316@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Janet </b>and <b>Liesbeth</b>, first of all, sorry for the cross-post!</p> <p><b>Janet</b>, it does make sense that numbers cannot embrace&nbsp;all facets of a given situation. I definitely agree with your last paragraph. </p> <p><b>Liesbeth</b>, thank you for your support! Over-analysing can be fun sometimes. I really enjoyed&nbsp;making this analyse.&nbsp;I won't do a similar one for other wardrobe categories though, it would be less fun. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post#post-1890315 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 13:36:28 +0000 Aurore 1890315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jenni NZ</b>, thank you for your support and for sharing your experience!&nbsp;Reading&nbsp;how you managed a similar situation is very instructive for me.</p> <p>Thank you very much&nbsp;for your enthusiasm, <b>Mainelady</b>! </p> <p><b>kkards</b>, I agree that numbers are biased by the expectations of those who design them. But in this case&nbsp;I don't consider it a big deal : after all, I don't expect much from this light-hearted&nbsp;analyse. I had fun doing it. And&nbsp;even if it only motivates me to get rid of shoes I can't wear and alter the ones I can improve, while allowing me to have&nbsp;interesting discussions here on YLF, it reached its goal.&nbsp;:) </p> <p>Thank you <b>Bijou</b>! Your comment on lifespan makes sense. <br />P.S: in case of zombie outbreak, given the population density around here I'd&nbsp;quickly become&nbsp;a zombie. But a well-equipped zombie, that is! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post#post-1890313 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 13:22:23 +0000 Liesbeth 1890313@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This cracked me up, though I can definitely relate to (hperhaps over-)analyzing wardrobe categories. It keeps me somewhat in check, same with limited closet space. Though you have what I’d call a moderate to large shoe collection (with my own collection of about thirty pairs the obvious benchmark for moderate *wink*), it seems pretty well suited to your life! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post#post-1890311 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 13:16:31 +0000 Janet 1890311@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a really impressive analysis! Your scientific approach is really thorough and interesting. Haha, I’m an artist but I’m decent with numbers, which may be why the idea of doing this myself simultaneously fascinates and repels me. </p> <p>I have way more shoes than you do, as I have admitted here before, but also I’m still well below a three-digit figure. I love and wear what I have, with only a few exceptions that I’m hanging onto out of love or practicality (ya gotta have some pumps you can wear to a funeral, even if they don’t come out any other time). </p> <p>I feel like numbers only tell part of the story. I am happy when I select a pair of shoes to wear for each day. We have a four-season climate and need shoes for a wide range of conditions and occasions. I almost never fret over having the proper shoe for an outfit (dressier occasions are a possible exception). Shoes work for me in a way that clothing does not — they don’t care if you gain or lose 10 lbs, and they can transform an outfit. They’re visible even if you’re otherwise covered up in a coat. And I have the kind of body type that is best served with rather simple, dark-colored bottoms, so interesting footwear makes a big difference to me. So I’m with kkards on this. I do like a bit of wardrobe analysis but I can’t take my heart out of it. I have adequate storage and my feet are not terribly fussy at this stage in my life, so I’m indulging a bit. :-)</p> <p>I would just caution people not to cull ruthlessly for the sake of reaching some goal number unless you really feel like the shoes you’re giving up are not loved or useful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post#post-1890309 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 13:10:42 +0000 Bijou 1890309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really enjoyed your analysis and I have recently edited out a number of old shoes. For me, because summer is my dominant season I seem to wear out favourite sandals and often get under represented in those. Winter boots and booties seem much more robust and tend to have a much longer shelf life with me than my sandals. I do love your hall of fame members and think it is very reassuring that in the event of a zombie outbreak you have the shoes to deal with it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post#post-1890300 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 12:17:36 +0000 kkards 1890300@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>hmmmm....can i say that i spend all day everyday at work looking at numbers, discussing with others what the meaning of those numbers are, making decisions&nbsp;based on those number....and then discussing, emailing and recaping those numbers again....which has lead me to the following.....the meaning behind the numbers are usually&nbsp;skewed by the mindset/expectations you bring to them....sorry....</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post#post-1890290 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 10:58:43 +0000 Mainelady 1890290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OMG! This looks like a great analysis. I will be back this weekend to give myself time to read your full analysis and all the posts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post#post-1890277 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 09:10:49 +0000 Jenni NZ 1890277@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow! I'm really impressed and happy that you did this, I love the systems engineering approach!<br /> I've been listing and tracking my shoes for just over 18 months. I realised I was overweight in summer clothing and shoes as I love cute sandals ( as per 2 recent posts where I am considering buying another pair).<br /> With the forum's help this year I ditched several too-high or too-tight ones and think I'm down to 43 after being 52 about a year ago. I still bought 7 pairs in 2017, but 5 of those were direct replacements of worn-out ones. I'm pleased I've got to 25 autumn/winter/spring and 18 summer. It's still a bit much summer but it's better. I haven't missed the high uncomfortable heels. Funny how that happens! Why I held on so long just cause they looked pretty I don't know now.<br /> I was encouraged by Angie's example of ditching her uncomfortable ones and sending them to Dress for Success. I sent my good ones to our local hospice charity shop where they can hopefully help raise money. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post#post-1890275 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 08:39:41 +0000 Aurore 1890275@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>bzzzd</b>, it's true those shoes are expensive, but they also last for so long...I wish you'll enjoy them soon again!&nbsp; </p> <p><b>always trying</b>, thank you for your wise words. I had similar issues (ankle injury in my case) but was not wise enough to understand I would not be able to wear high stilettos anymore. Not only I did not purge them, but I <i>kept on </i>buying them. *Facepalm<br />&nbsp;<br />Thank you for your support&nbsp;<b>Barbara Diane</b>! </p> <p><b>lisa p</b>, the zombie outbreak was indeed a joke, and even the natural disaster would qualify as such since the risk is <i>very </i>low in the area where I live. But true, working in a half-geek half-military population make preparedness a common coffee break talking point. ;)</p> <p><b>SarahD8</b>, thank you for your very sensible comments!! Indeed getting rid of the unwearables will halve the number of fancy shoes and make the casual to fancy ratio more in line with my lifestyle (I'll end up with twice as many casual shoes as fancy ones). <br />But three unwearables are in the workwear category...I have to estimate the impact on ratio!<br />And I TOTALLY agree with&nbsp;your sandal rationalization.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Joy</b>, it took me a full evening - but I was alone at home,&nbsp;it was cold and rainy,&nbsp;and I could not shut off my brain after an overly stimulating work day. I actually had much fun doing it. </p> <p><b>Angie</b>, thank you for the support - and the sandal collection justification idea!</p> <p><b>Lynn</b>, the zombie outbreak shoes are the brown ones added as a Find. I'm sure hiking shoes would fit the purpose though - in my particular case, I cannot wear high-shaft stiff hiking boots for an extended period of time anymore due to an old ankle injury.<br />&nbsp;<br /><b>tanstaafl</b>, true! the 3D representation distracts from the actual data. But I loved how dramatic the graphs&nbsp;looked compared to the light-hearted data! :)&nbsp;<br />The analysis made me notice more superfluous pairs that actual capsule holes. I should be fine after the alterations. </p> <p><b>Kathie,</b> I'm so glad this analyse could be useful to someone! You just made my day. </p> <p><b>Suz</b>, thank you both for the kind comment and the inspiration! I'm really looking forward to more comments from you! (but no pressure) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post#post-1890214 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 03:31:42 +0000 Suz 1890214@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh my gosh. I have a work deadline but will be coming back to this tomorrow!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post#post-1890183 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 02:14:35 +0000 Kathie 1890183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You and Suz have been super helpful to me with your analysis. I just counted, 18 pairs of shoes, and that includes the Crocs and flip-flops for pool/beach, a duplicated pair of running shoes, and two pairs that are nearing the end of their lives. (I’m obviously not a shoe person.) Following your analysis, I could easily see that I needed more summer shoes. And, I just ordered two more pairs. Thanks a bunch! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoe-collection-assessment-long-post#post-1890174 Fri, 16 Feb 2018 01:55:33 +0000 tanstaafl 1890174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As a numbers person myself, I love that you quantified how well each shoe performs for its intended purpose. But I must complain about the 3D charts and graphs, it distorts the visual representation of the data when you put it in 3D. :)</p> <p>Really, this was a great analysis. I find summer shoes just prettier than winter shoes, so I always have more summer shoes than winter ones. </p> <p>Did you identify any holes in your shoe capsule through this or are you set once you make the necessary repairs/alterations? </p>