How to edit a shoe collection? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

How to edit a shoe collection?

maximumene

"If I could have only a few pairs of shoes — but fabulous, quality ones — what would they be?"

I've been pondering this one for a long time and would love to throw it to the masses. I can't seem to edit my shoe collection the way I can my clothes, and I'm ashamed to admit that I'm not wild about the majority of my shoes.

To tackle this question, it seems necessary to consider:

-Dominant seasons: I live somewhere with four distinct seasons, most of them on the colder side
-Colours: which colours are the most universal, while avoiding a closet full of neutral-coloured shoes?
-Styles: which styles can best be dressed up and down, used for different occasions? Which styles are most classic and enduring? My goal is to have minimal turnover in my collection.
-Compatibility with the widest variety of clothes: dresses, skirts, various lengths and styles of pants
-Brands: which brands tend to offer great workmanship, comfort, and a flair for style?

Styles that come to mind are ballet flats and oxfords. Colours that come to mind are black, brown, red, leopard print, metallic shades.

Would love to hear others' thoughts and/or to know what's in your shoe wardrobes...and bonus points if anyone comes up with a capsule shoe collection. Thanks!

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from maximumene

Louise

Veteran

At one point I had 75+ pairs of shoes. Sadly though 95% of them were not comfortable enough to wear for long. Culling was therefore pretty easy. Now I have around 25 pairs of boots and shoes and all of them are comfy for 8 hours + even my 'party' shoes can be worn all day when sitting and walking with no pinching or toe squashing. I was buying funeral shoes the other week and made mum laugh as I was insistent they had a low heel and laces or straps to hold them on my feet. As a child we had many arguments because I didn't want sensible shoes
Here's an Angie blog post on the minimum shoe capsule http://youlookfab.com/2007/03/.....-you-need/

abc

Veteran

maximumene, I will be watching this thread for solutions proposed. I am in the same boat as you. I think I have my wardrobe pretty much covered, but now need to move on to culling my shoes and narrow it down to way less, but more functional and comfortable, pairs.

Thanks for posting this.

amiable

Veteran

Terrific question! I'm in a similar boat - I have too many shoes, and very few that I really love. I suppose I could and should edit them first for comfort and fit. I think I'm afraid that if I did that, I'd have nothing left (though it wouldn't be true). I did try putting them all on a shelf, and removing the ones that I wear, so that after a month or two, I can tell which ones never get worn.... But my style is in a lot of flux right now, and I'm not sure what I've outgrown style-wise....

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Well, I have a massive shoe collection and I'm ok with that - it's my thing. What's in my shoe wardrobe - what's not in my shoe wardrobe would be a better question. But I can tell you what I wear most often and can't live without:

Boots in colder weather - walkable ankle style, for me that's a slight wedge - one black and one light tan. Both of mine are from Lassen. Pinkolinos boots are wonderful as well. Also tall flat boots in black or brown. I have hard to fit calves, so the Blondos with the stretch shaft from Nordstrom was a great find for me.

For oxfords, I love Cole Haan. One fun color and one neutral. Also love them for pumps, but have had good luck with Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and Talbots pumps as well if you are looking for a lower price point. I'd say at least 2 neutral pumps and 2 fun color or patterned ones (or booties instead of traditional pumps). Ballet flats are tough for me, my feet don't like them - so I'll let others advise you on those.
For summer, at least 2 pair of flat sandals and 2 dressy pair, maybe strappy wedges. I wear more light colored shoes in summer because I rarely wear dark clothing in that season. And always a few fun colors.

Absolutely on the red, leopard and metallics. The black and brown would depend on your clothing and hair color - if you are lighter in coloring you may want your neutral shoes to reflect (bookend) your haircolor or the clothing you wear most often. Also a nude-to-you pump or sandal for when you go bare legged would be a good addition.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Full disclosure - I couldn't do it - I love shoes.

For travel I pick in summer I take sandals, a dressier wedge & an oxford for walking.

For winter oxfords as above, booties & more booties.

DonnaF

Veteran

I think one also needs to consider how one wears her shoes. I find that great standing shoes may be terrible walking shoes as well as the reverse. If you are a city dweller and frequently take public transportation, your needs will be different from a suburbanite who has close, easy parking. When I was young, I always had hot feet. Now, I need to remember that I run cold and can only wear sandals on the hottest of days.

It has been said that shoes (and bags) can *make* an outfit. Generally, I would say that means *statement* shoes in style and/or color rather than more basic or plainer shoes. How do you feel about that? I rather vacillate between the two. . .

I dunno. I don't think there is any such thing as too many shoes. There are only too many uncomfortable shoes, and those should be purged as should shabby and outdated shoes.

Day Vies

Veteran

I am a big fan of multiples. If I love the fit of a shoe I will get the exact same pair in a different color. I've done that for ballet flats, heels especially, (boots can get pricey though I have done it) and sandals. I can't say that there is an exact number you should aim for but ALL of your shoes should be comfortable. If they are no longer comfortable or you can't stand the idea of walking a few blocks in them they need to find a new home.

I agree with DonnaF that shoes can make an outfit. I wouldn't worry about the colors so much as focusing on what you like. (Color editing will make you err "practical" then you'll end up with a closet full black and brown shoes) Sometimes the only color you need in an outfit will be on a stand out pair of shoes.

Kalli

I was looking for suggestions for myself and I paired down a 150+ shoe wardrobe to now 32 including utility shoes. The process for getting rid of was more along the lines of comfort and condition. Plus I do the throwing out of shoes that align with purchasing only what I need and replacing 1-2 pairs.

More expensive price point shoes I realized are slightly better in comfort and longevity, though bought on sale for affordability. I used to search for the right boots, and buy them yearly but now I just stomached the cost of pricey boots and resole/polish yearly. I found my holy grail boots already.

Ideally I think depending on your wardrobe uniform and colors, along with what your clothing style is... It would be hard to make suggestions for what you need. What I need apparently goes like this: flat boots, heeled boots, pumps, booties, dressy party shoe, ballet flats/wedges, summer shoes, casual sneakers. Since I'm at work most of my time basically I ratio'd my shoe wardrobe accordingly (70% work/can work for work, 20% off work, and 10% party). Sometimes I wear my dressy shoe for work and work shoes with my party clothes.

Colors: Black, Brown, Gold, Silver, Nude, Red and Reptile Prints are featured in my closet
Styles: Almond toe shoes (they don't seem to look as dated when styles go pointy or round), Stiletto Heel, Round toe ballet flats, Equestrian style boots
Seasonal: Like commuters you could have weather outside shoes and change into your inside shoes.
Brands: AGL for seriously comfortable ballet flats. My boots are Fiorentini+Baker which has currently lasted me for 5 years and counting (I walked the Louve in these-- I put inserts in them, but the key to cobble stone is leather soles and replaceable rubber taps)

ElleH

Veteran

Ooh I'm not much help I guess but I see my friends in my old shoes & they have come back in or I have changed my style a bit & wish I had them back. But there are others that doesn't happen to, especially if uncomfortable. It happens with clothes too. Some tihngs never come back in the same way but some do. It is weird what we want back again. I wouldn't want my Doc Marten's back but I did want my Carolina Jump Boots (combat boots) back. They are almost the same but I dunno why one & not the other. When I was more into my 70s boho I found 70s boots & gave away my comfy low heeled steampunk boots. I'm not a steampunker but wear elements that would look good with the boots now. I'm very much a changing person with my style. Are you? I would suggest being kinda sure of what your style is before getting rid of too many. I have found that there were certain trendy heels that felt dated that I don't regret getting rid of.

rholmes27

Very timely thread for me as I have been working on my Spring/Summer shopping list. I already have nude wedges on my list. I am petite & like a little bit of height even when I'm wearing shorts. But after reading this thread, especially Day Vries & DonnaF, I'm wondering if I need to be looking for something that makes more of a statement. I've come a long way in putting together outfits since joining YLF, but still struggle with what shoes work with what clothes-especially if they don't really "match."

rosee

Veteran

I am currently doing a shoe overhaul - and I thought I had it down last year, but I've learned a few things. I am currently selling many of my shoes, even if practically new.

- I am trying to keep all my shoes to about 20 (25 is really pushing it) - mostly because if I have more then I really don't wear them. This is my ideal but I am flexible as needed.
- My ideal heel height is not "less than 3 inches" as I previously thought but more like "about 2 inches". 2.5 inches seems to be my maximum. I could wear 3 inches for an occasional dressy sit-down event like a wedding or formal.
- The magic number seems to be 4: 4 all-season heels, 4 summer shoes and sandals, 4 boots, 4 flats and 4 "utility" shoes and boots (hiking boots, trainers, rubber flip flops, etc). 5 is my maximum for each category (unless I take up a lot of sports again in the future, but that will be gear then).
- colors: black, dark brown (espresso or chocolate, "book-end" for me), nude (taupey-beige), red, bronze, silver, grey, dark blue, olive (which functions like a neutral).
- my styles are very retro-influenced (see pinterest page: http://pinterest.com/roseefrugal/zapatos/ - this is my "shoe idea brainstorm" page but I don't plan to have this many shoes). I like, scratch that, NEED t-straps or mary-janes (otherwise my foot doesn't stay in the shoe. I don't have this problem with ballet flats for some reason.)
- Since I want to cross-breed many of the shoes on my pinterest page, I think I may look into bespoke or custom shoes. Pricey, yes, but so is buying not-quite-right shoes (and then trying to resell them later).

That is all I have to offer. My plan is based on what I will actually wear based on climate (very diverse, western Canada), urban location and commuting, foot comfort and style. I hope you come up with what really works for you too.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I would cull first by fit and comfort, as Karie suggested. If it doesn't fit and you can't wear it comfortably, out it goes.

Next, by love. If you don't love it and it doesn't have an important practical function or its function overlaps with a shoe you DO love, out it goes.

Then take it from there.

I have the opposite kind of problem. When I started at YLF I owned only a couple of pairs of shoes. So I am still in the building phase. Living in a 4 season climate (with more cold weather), I find I need a wide variety of shoes for the different seasons. But I currently own 7 pairs of booties/ short boots; 3 pair of tall boots; 2 pumps; 1 flat (my feet don't like flats); plus 4 sandals, 3 gear shoes, and 1 snow boot.

Your weather, the type of activities you engage in, and your work will all make a difference here. I have more booties because I live in a cooler climate, live a casual lifestyle (working at home) and walk constantly so need support, comfort, along with style.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I was thinking of tackling this very thing this weekend. I have way too many shoes, but I have already gotten rid of most of the unwearable uncomfortable ones. I think I need to pull them all out together and really assess them one by one. I like having a lot of options so I do not intend to reduce just to have less, but will be more rational about some of the impulse shoes that go with only one outfit.

jayne

Veteran

I had to take a look at my tracking...

I have 50 shoes and these are more than enough.

they are divided like this:

winter - 5
mostly thickly lined boots or booties or have a really good rubber sole, colors black, grey brown

fall - 13
these are closed toe boots and booties, and don't qualify as having a good rubber sole for winter ice, or are suede,
only three are shoes
the colors are maroon (1), navy (1), brown, black, grey, leopard (see got color in that group)

the all category - 14
these are shoes with closed toes like brogues, loafers, party shoes like sandals and pumps, and a few booties that are for casual use only
colors; black, brown/tan/camel, red (1), and purple (1)
the party shoes (sandals and pumps) are the ones with color.

I don't wear pumps to work in so they are only for the special occasions - I own 1 pair!

Finally summer- here is where things are very out of proportion to my life, I have at most 8 weeks of summer here and a whopping 18 pairs of summer only shoes like sandals in all types of heels, wedges, flats, and loafers. There is 1 bootie in that group
Sign - the colors here are where I have my fun, blue, red, purple, green, snake, cream, gold, leopard and some brown/tan/camel again.

I would say that actually the best used are fall and winter so the balance is good on those. But the summer is out of control and I also have way too many party shoes which are just high heels I can barely walk in.

So if I purged maybe I would get down to about 35 pairs and I could abolutely live with that number. But I like the change in season and like reserving shoes for those.

When I purged shoes to get this low last year, I did by feeling...did I want to wear the shoe at all? And if I kinda felt 'not sure' or actively 'no', they were easy to get rid of. Then I tried wearing them all for a proper day of work and those that hurt, OUT! That was hard cuz some where cool or pretty or barely used. I also lowered heels on a few and gave then second chances. Right now I have one pair that probably might be saved from the donate pile if I lower them. Lastly I got rid of some sentimental items by telling myself I needed to keep the shoes to a limited space in storage and if I was keeping them in boxes under beds, they would not get used anyway.

Good luck. Tell us how you go your purge! i need inspiration for a new round I see.

bj1111

Veteran

for me, turnover, or rather, acquisition of new shoes is inevitable because fashions change so not as fast as clothing. i don't get rid of my shoes unless there is something functionally wrong with them like making me do a face plant every time i wear them. just when i remove them, they come back and i wish i still had them.

also, ballet flats are not immune to style changes and honestly, i have so many pair and feel dumpy in nearly all of them. i much prefer slim loafers for fall winter and sandals in spring summer. i do like a good pedi to show.

your assessment about the weather is spot on. i resisted buying flat boots because i love a good heel. but i am giving in! i need at least a less dressy brown with grippy bottoms. ( see faceplant comment.)

i think i need to take a harder look at editing though, because i've run out of room unless i start wearing them like earrings!

Molly L-R

As I tend to run my shoes into the ground, I'm in a similar position to Suz in that I'm still building up my collection. Rosee's idea of "the rule of 4" seems like something workable to work towards.

Anonymous

Although I have very distinct seasons that require their own footwear, I think Rosee is on to something. I could easily do 4 pair boots, 4 pair booties, 4 pair sandals, etc.
I've found that when I find the right footwear, I can stop looking. My SE python booties have kept me from buying many pairs of shoes this winter because they can fill the same purpose..light closed toe flat shoes that can be worn with socks or without.
Bookending my hair saves because something in those tones goes with everything. Nude sandals and ballet flats go with everything for summer.
I'd finding that I'd rather buy fewer shoes and wear them lots, then replace to keep my look updated. Footwear seems to me to be the easiest way to update an outfit right now. The blazer I bought at the Goodwill looks much better paired with modern booties than with clogs or even plain round-toe pumps, at least for my style.

unfrumped

Veteran

Reading with interest because I need help here too.
Discoveries for me are it's hard for my shoes to multitask as much as I'd like. Skirt shoes not working well with pants with exception of some more wintry oxfords.
Things I'm pondering are more color palette.discipline,more consistent heel heights( so all pants go with for PPL), more outfit formulas so can target a few updated shoe styles .

maximumene

Many many thanks for the wisdom and fab tips, everyone! You guys are awesome.

I agree wholeheartedly with the advice to cull uncomfortable shoes first -- I've got unhappy feet even at the best of times. Anything with a heel over 3" is gone, as are stiletto heels and any shoes that draw blood.

Rosee's 4-pair guideline is a keeper. I started listing my shoes by category in a spreadsheet, which helps to systematize my thoughts and remind me where the gaps or excess are in my shoe wardrobe. It also made me realize that I've actually got the dual problem of 1) not owning that many pairs of shoes (fewer than 30), and 2) disliking most of them. Yikes!

I inserted a column for colour, which is also helpful for figuring out what I could do with more or less of. As it stands, virtually all my shoes are black or brown, and that needs to change.

This whole exercise made me realize that I haven't been nearly as deliberate with my shoe wardrobe as with my clothing. I've enjoyed fabulous success with building a clothing wardrobe from thrifted/consigned pieces, but trying to replicate that in the shoe department is a million times harder, hence egregious underinvestment and neglect in that area.

And now, let the fun (and wallet-emptying) commence!