I have begged DH to get more summer shoes, but he doesn't see why until he wears his one pair into the ground.
We need more summer shoes than any other season because in hot weather they often have to serve as that third piece of an outfit to add some interest. They also get worn with bare feet and start looking stretched out faster than those we wear in cold weather with socks.
As Angie says, you need to have fun with your footwear when you can.

I'm not much of one to advise on this because I have a sizable wardrobe, including shoes, but I personally would rather have a good selection of shoes that can rotate, especially in summer when you're not wearing socks. I like my shoes to get a rest between wearing more often than not.

I have at least 5 months of sandal weather so I justify more pairs than you have. I also have sandals I have been wearing for several years, so it usually takes me a while to actually wear something out. Someone who wants a trendier style and a lower price point might be more content with one-season sandals but that's not me.

Bottom line, you know how much you need and want to fill not just your requirements but also your preferences. Build the collection you want and deserve and enjoy it!

Hahahahaha! I cannot even read the comments because I am laughing. Tell DH to stop by if he wants to see what an Imelda collection looks like. By the way, how are the Imelda booties holding up? I will read again and try to be serious - too much temptation when I am giddy. (Late happy Purim too!)

Joy, that's such a good point, about sandals getting a different kind of wear than the shoes we wear in winter with socks. The light bulb went on! It explains why I actually wore out a pair of sandals (since I've been in Seattle!) in less than 2 years, while I have yet to actually wear out a pair of shoes in the same time frame.

Nothing super wise from me but my general thoughts are firstly if you are operating within your budget that's a good thing:). Secondly, 5 months is a long time and variety would be a must for me:). Our summers are long and I found this year, in particular, that having a good variety of footwear helped me to keep the boredom away and keep my outfits interesting. So I don't think you have too many shoes at all:). You have a beautiful collection Suz, enjoy xx

I haven't read all the responses, but my first reaction is that no, it's not too much. I like what Angie said about "controlled fun," that those of us with lengthy winters need to get our shoe fix in the warmer months. And El Cee is smart too, about how in summer, you might be wearing very little because of the heat, so shoes can become much more important in an outfit.

My only advice would be to look out for shoes that might cause you to split wears. I'm trying to decide on whether to get a pair of leopard flats, but I already have some other flats that I really like, and I'm not sure that I want to cut back on the amount that I'm wearing my current flats.

Different shoes can change the entire look of an outfit. This isn't simply about practicality; it is also about emotional investment in an outfit. If you feel like you want different shoes to create different looks, then I would go for it.

I don't think you can ever have too many shoes. I'm an enabler when it comes to buying them.

Oh yes, we must both be real "walkers." It sounds like you've already thought through every one of these purchases. I actually prefer having more shoes and enjoying them a bit longer, because I have a better rotation. I just spent hours finding a replacement for last year's slipper sneaker -- now worn and shabby. Having more pairs means fewer wardrobe holes (and fabber feet)!

P.S. I'm avoiding studying for my board exam on YLF this morning -- I'm sure you understand how the siren call crescendos when the books open!

I can see I'm one of the few on the tough love side, ha!

So if you're looking to be talked *down* in numbers, read on...

First, as I said in my own thread: they do sell sandals all year round, even trendy ones. So you don't necessarily have to buy All the Sandals in March.

I do think the splitting wears and "how many dressy shoes do you need for your lifestyle?" issue is a big one for you.

It may make sense to start wearing the current ones again to check on hours-long comfort etc -- sometimes our bodies seem to reject shoes still in *great* shape a year later. If the older ones don't work you have a great excuse for new.

Looking at your old and new it seems the suede shooties, the black walking-friendly Soffts, and the white shoes you're clearly in love with would be the smartest buys since they fall at various points on the practicality to shoe lust spectrum.

But of course they all work from the "want" perspective!

You don't really want an opinion from me, do you? the one with twice as many summer shoes as winter... and half the time to wear them?

The only thing I'd say is that most of these seem dressy, and I think your life is more casual. Would it be worth reducing the number of dressy ones to leave room for something casual, should something show up?

I haven't even started thinking about summer shoes yet. I really don't need anything, but will probably get a couple of pairs. A metallic workhorse pair, something tied and strappy, and something block heeled. Looking is top of my list for Nordies when I'm in Ottawa in a couple of weeks... then if I strike out, I'll start looking around. It looks like the Bay has several options, yay!

Never ever too many sandals or booties!! There are worse addictions!

You wonderful people!! So many great points (and such great enabling and tough love.)

Elizabeth -- here is the thing. We may have half as much time, in real days, to wear our summer shoes. But don't we, in fact, wear them more often? I know I do. In winter it is all about my snow boots (or other boots, if lucky) and slippers (indoors). Whereas in summer I often wear two or more styles of shoe a day depending on activities.

These are not "dressy" to me. My super casual needs are taken care of with the Eccos. I'm not doing rural and beach walks and hikes (and I do have gear shoes for that). I'm doing in town, small urban centre walks. It's a different beast.

Vix, you are so right -- they sell sandals all year round and I regularly update in August -- because I have to!! Seriously, I wear through a pair or two a year (or did, at my previous, smaller, numbers.)

Beth Ann, get back to work (on your shoe wardrobe) tee hee. And come sing for me. I SOOOOOO wish I could hear you.

BC, thanks for enablement.

Gigi, that is smart. I am currently thinking hard about that. Which shoes will be wear splitters.

Deborah, thank you. I know you think out each purchase of your own with great care and so your opinion holds weight.

Shevia, happy belated Purim to you, too!! And...confession...my Imelda booties have hardly been worn. Because when I came home last year it was too mucky for them and then too hot. This year I will wear them a lot more, I predict. It's a different kind of spring and I am eager to sport them!

Janet, high five shoe sister!! You get more sandal weather than I do, but I am relieved to think this does not seem excessive to you.

Joy, that is completely true about sandals wearing faster.

Sharan, that is so true about sandal wear. Joy makes a good point .

LisaP: I can't wear sneakers for that kind of walking. It's real life clothes. Sneakers are too hot/ casual for my every day commutes to wherever I am going. Think day-to-night outfits. It's not exactly that (or not every time) but I am doing multiple activities -- going from home to meeting to lunch or library to gym to dinner with friends or meeting DD and then grocery shopping...no AC, not necessarily wanting a "sporty luxe" look and I want something more feminine. So my shoes have to be good looking/ fashionable and go the distance.

Got it No wonder you are so slim ! With that amount of movement in a day? That's pretty cool. I'm very car-oriented myself .

I would love to be able to wear all kinds of different shoes and choose based on looks and fun. Enjoy what you have!

I didn't realize there was such a thing as 'too many shoes'? As long as they are within budget and you don't have to remove furniture to fit them in your home, I say buy the shoes.

Uhmm.....you call just THIS too many? For someone who wears sandals for 5 months in a year, I think this many ARE NECESSARY to keep boredom at bay, be able to rotate sandals, and change up an outfit with a change in accessories. Plus you walk a lot and shoes do undergo wear & tear the most....I don't think this is too many. At all.

I have also been called Imelda! This reminds me of the time the UPS man handed DH a box from Zappos and said, "Someone here sure buys a lot of shoes!" (I had been searching for just the right pair of booties). DH had a rather concerned look on his face when he handed me the box.
Today when I was putting away some winter boots and getting out some spring shoes and going up and down and up and down the basement steps I thought, "Why, why do I have so many?" But you know what? I wear them all. Shoes can make or break an outfit.
And there is no such thing as too many shoes! Oh please excuse me, the UPS man is here with another box from Zappos....

My father once called me the female Sasquatch when I was a teenager, due to my size 10 feet.
Then yes the Imelda Marcos comparison.
Now just shaking his head at the shoecase.
Something, something firm grip on terra firma.

I thought this quote from Iris Apfel might help ease your conscience.
"If your hair is done properly and you're wearing good shoes, you can get away with anything."

I love shoes. In my world there is no such thing as too many pairs of shoes. I agree with Angie. Warm season footwear is fun footwear. Sandals are fun. If you are walking that much in your shoes (I wear my sneakers to save my good shoes) then you need lots because they wear out.

In my experience, sandals need at LEAST a day's rest between wearings so as not to get stinky. In my experience as well, feet get fussier as one ages, so wear cute footwear NOW while you can! I find sandals easier to fit than closed shoes, but as I've gotten older (or maybe it's the Raynaud's?) my feet run cold rather than hot, so I'm pondering my need for additional sandals. My justification: I can always return them after they arrive, ha, ha, ha. My UPS guy is such a sweetie that I've told him that I would write him a reference/recommendation letter if he should ever decide it's time to move on.

I am not a big shoe person, but for some women that is the basis of their outfit. I have known several women with very impractical shoes (I'm talking stilettos) that manage to teach all day in them and that is their thing. I think go for it as long as it makes you happy.

My husband says I have too many shoes too but most men I know rely on very few shoes.