https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 05 Apr 2026 09:25:25 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1153342 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 17:21:01 +0000 rachylou 1153342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rute, Janet, shevia - I will try to post a few pictures. But it's a giant undertaking. I've got a lot of shoes!</p> <p>Rute, kkards -&nbsp; Ok. Maybe I should just chuck anything slated for the cobbler without looking. I mean, that would be a place to start.</p> <p>Manidipa - One pair of Chucks? One pair of Chucks?!! Aaaaaa!! Lol. Maybe I can let go of the light grey ones... The patent clogs are getting a lot of use. For the round toe pumps... I do think the black cloth ones can go.</p> <p>Unfrumped, Janet, Aubergine - That's a good suggestion to try them on. As for the desert island, hands down the fake Crocs and furry boots. I'm practical. Or, I can be :)</p> <p>Pam - Pam, oh Pam. You have reminded me... I was doing just that. I have... MORE shoes. Ack. At my mum's house....</p> <p>Chadya - I'm thinking of letting the brown heeled pumps go now. Their square toe is definitely dated. </p> <p>Joy - I think you may have something there with just wearing out old favourites and moving on...</p> <p>Sarah - Ohmigosh. Gold star for thinking outside the box.</p> <p>Suz - Heh. If I used a different shape of storage, I'd be able to store more, now that I think on it... What a thought!</p> <p>IK - I rather like that. Toss everything forgotten... Heh. Maybe I should sit down and list everything I do remember. Not on the list, out it goes. That's kinda cool.</p> <p>Liz - Hehe. Can I move out my 21-yr old, who moved back in? But seriously, that's a good thought. I also have to do something about my tools and stuff stored under the couch. I've several old laptops under the sofa that need to be decommissioned and donated. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1153165 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 15:07:12 +0000 Liz 1153165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since you're trying to solve a space issue and not a shoe issue, could you&nbsp;move other items out of your condo and use the space they were taking up for your shoes?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1153159 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 14:59:41 +0000 ironkurtin 1153159@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I have too many things, I find that<br />- if I have forgotten I owned it<br />- have never worn it<br />- I cannot picture myself in it with my eyes closed<br />it's time to say goodbye. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1153143 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 14:49:29 +0000 Suz 1153143@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Sarah. Instead of purging (which it sounds like you really don't want to do) how about considering storage options. Figure out exactly how many shoes you have room for (with creative storage additions). Purge to that number and don't worry about the rest. But maintain a one-in-one out policy from then on, or move to a bigger place.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1153096 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 13:53:36 +0000 Sarah A 1153096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you arent ready to let any go... any crazy potential storage areas? Those kitchen cabinets that are hard to get to? Put up a little shelf above the bedroom door? etc.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1153061 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 13:29:00 +0000 Anonymous 1153061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Can you maybe challenge yourself to wear a few of the lesser-worn pairs, then give them up if you keep not wanting to wear them or if they're not thrilling you when you do have them on?</p> <p>I also second those who suggest getting rid of some of the round-toe pumps. Definitely keep the catwoman boots and plum crazy shoes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1153056 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 13:22:47 +0000 Anonymous 1153056@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Could you pack some of you shoe collection away in a holding space for awhile to see if you miss them? Like Lisa's boutique idea for clothing, you could create a shoe boutique, even if it is a box in the basement, to find out what you really need and wear. You could keep out old favorites and wear the h*** out of them, then move on. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1153042 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 13:11:44 +0000 chadya 1153042@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Depending on how old your shoes are:<br />heel and toe shape go out of style and could be a guide for toss or keep.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1153023 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 12:39:10 +0000 Anonymous 1153023@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Take pictures of the ones you are not sure about then box them up and store them (if you have the space). If you find you need a pair for an outfit, take that pair out of storage and if you like wearing it, put it back in your closet. Kind of a variation on what Lisa is doing with her closet and boutique exercise.</p> <p>After a while, those shoes that have been stored may lose their appeal and you can then pass them on. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1153021 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 12:34:55 +0000 Jaime 1153021@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Purging shoes is a delicate task that I would not dare to suggest&nbsp;without pictures. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1153018 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 12:32:34 +0000 unfrumped 1153018@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, if you think of space pull them all out and zero in on anything a bit shabby.<br /> The other thing that helps me is to try them all on-- don't just look. I typically find one or 2 just aren't as comfortable anymore, and that I will always pass over them for another pair or want to upgrade , so those get " the boot". Also you may have some luck with the color suggestions-- if on a desert island, which 3? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1152998 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 11:19:37 +0000 Janet 1152998@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would love to see pics. Just photographing my crazy shoe collection helped me see what I have better. Line 'em all up and you will start to see each in comparison to one another, and your true favorites will quickly become apparent, as will the ones you can do without. What this did for me was force me to wear some orphans, and that in turn made me remember WHY they were orphans -- uncomfortable, difficult to style, no longer truly me, etc. </p> <p>Let's see them! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1152994 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 11:13:01 +0000 kkards 1152994@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i'm with deb, start by purging those that are worn out….and you know you have some….you know, the ones that you are going to see if you can polish up or get the cobbler to fix, but you haven't.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1152981 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 10:18:31 +0000 ManidipaM 1152981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Of the coloured pumps, choose an arbitrary number of favourites or on-trend/unusual shades to keep for pop and purge the others. Three? Four? How.many do you have? How much space do you want to give rare special wear shoes?</p> <p>You aren't a classic dresser so choose between black and brown pumps (maybe keep brown as you hv the loafers and loafer pumps and platform pumps). </p> <p>Let the heeled brown boots go. </p> <p>Patent clogs not getting much use? Give 'em the boot.</p> <p>Choose one pair of Chucks? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1152979 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 10:02:55 +0000 rute 1152979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><span>Don't purge yet the round toe shoes, they are not&nbsp;out of fashion, we see this year a lot of pointy toes but also round toes.<br />I would purge the ones that are too old/ too used. Can you post pictures?</span> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1152977 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 09:57:10 +0000 fuzzylogic 1152977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmmm..... I'm afraid I m going to be less help than, well, (insert phrase of choice here). I have my shoes lined up by color/tone and heel height.... (Red face). So all I can do is wish you good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1152943 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 07:00:36 +0000 rachylou 1152943@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Adelfa, Deb - Sigh. No. My shoes are working for me wardrobe wise. Space wise, not so much. That's my problem. I have a very small, crowded abode. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1152914 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 05:25:12 +0000 Adelfa 1152914@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Why are you trying to purge your shoes? You don't sound ready, exactly. When I purge a pair of shoes I know I want to move on. If I'm not then I keep them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1152910 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 05:15:31 +0000 deb 1152910@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do not purge shoes unless they are too worn to wear, even at home. They go to the top shelf of the closet until the style comes back around. My pointy toed flats are now on the wear shelves. They are at least ten years old. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1152909 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 05:15:03 +0000 rachylou 1152909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, the heartache!</p> <p>Una - Lol. Sigh, but the brown shoes are all different: chocolate brown round toe pumps, tan brown heeled "rugged" booties, cognac half boots (I really like those), dark brown square-toed heeled knee highs, dark brown flat knee high boots. I suppose, however, that the heeled knee highs are the most dated... sigh. There's nothing wrong with them other than that.</p> <p>Jewell - You are encouraging my Emma Peel fantasies! Hehe. I will give a long hard look at the round toes. They're all the same style, just different colours. There is one pair that's fabric, however; perhaps I should go chuck them right now and not think about it. That would get the ball rolling. I lean towards keeping the loafer pumps and platforms for a couple of reasons. The first is I'm not a classic dresser and almost loathe the classic black pumps, which are also higher than the other two pairs. The platforms are very low and sort of punk things up because of their overall design. The loafer pumps, are super easy to wear...</p> <p>Mo - You are very disciplined! I think all these details make extreme differences, when they probably don't. No doubt that's a problem. Hmm.</p> <p>Caro - I don't know there's any I wish I hadn't bought. I'll have to go examine the collection for comfort. This is a tough one. I've got some "sitting shoes" that are way too high. Totally ridiculous, but ultra cool. Sadly, they may have to be pried out of my cold dead hands one day. I don't know if I have the strength... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1152902 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 04:59:30 +0000 Caro in Oz 1152902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Start with the easy ones - are there any that are uncomfortable or you wish you hadn't bought? If I was you they would be the ones to go. After that&nbsp;I would keep all the ones I wear -&nbsp;but I'm a shoe person, Unlike clothes,&nbsp;I'll happily put shoes away until I KNOW I don't want to wear them any more&nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1152900 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 04:54:40 +0000 Mo 1152900@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have to admit it's harder for me with descriptions vs actual pictures. &nbsp;I like Una's advice for starters. &nbsp;I actually don't have much duplication in shoes. &nbsp;I seem to follow my own advice (shockingly- ha!)&nbsp;to avoid over saturation, of a light neutral, dark neutral, then color or pattern in any one style. &nbsp;IE: black ballet flats, then silver, then red. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1152899 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 04:53:53 +0000 Jewell 1152899@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your post is hitting close to home. I'm about to give you some advice that I should be taking myself. The items that stand out to me as prime candidates for a cull are the round toe shoes (but not all of them), the platform pumps and the loafer pumps. You'll still have classic pumps and comfy wedge pumps for your suits. I'm kind of in favor of keeping the cat woman boots. Costume party attire? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1152895 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 04:51:24 +0000 catgirl 1152895@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a tough one. Maybe cull by color repetition? How many brown variations do you need? This from someone who has 6 pairs of black ankle boots.... All NECESSARY, of course. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/trying-to-purge-shoeshelp#post-1152882 Thu, 30 Jan 2014 04:35:59 +0000 rachylou 1152882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So, I've returned to the shoes to see if I can clear out more. I don't know what to do. Ignoring summer shoes, my glitter boots, New Balance track shoes, and a few pairs of Puttin' on the Ritz shoes...</p> <p>The shoes I wear most are my furry wedge boots for walking the dog, my drugstore Crocs knock-offs for the bakery (2 pairs), and a pair of ankle boots (which are sidelined and waiting to go to the cobbler for re-heeling).</p> <p>Next up have been classic black pumps, black platform pumps, black loafer pumps, black low wedges, and black loafers (there's a theme!). I've been wearing them with suits. I'm starting a new project where suits won't be the thing, so these will probably be sidelined.</p> <p>Earlier, I was wearing mid-calf boots, but the weather has been both too hot and too cold for me to want to wear them.</p> <p>There are my wedge sneakers, two pair of Chucks... Oh and some non-skid "patent" clogs. Practical, but not as practical as fake Crocs and furry dog walking boots.</p> <p>And... that leaves the rest. High-heeled booties, a pair of crazy catwoman knee high boots, brown heeled knee boots, brown flat knee boots, round toe pumps in an assortment of colours, and plum crazy shoes. These shoes are kept to A) finish off difficult outfits or B) provide the focal point of an outfit. I don't exactly wear them. But, they're very very useful when the time comes. </p> <p>Where can I cull? Just throw out all the round toe shoes since they're out of fashion? Although those are the most useful since I've got them in all these colours... Toss the catwoman boots, since I don't have a vinyl bodysuit to go with and wouldn't wear it if I did, and am probably done with mod? </p> <p>The flat brown knee boots aren't going anywhere, though. I have to say that.</p>