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Shoes - purge pick

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I was mentally tallying my wardrobe last night after some purging, and some purchasing lately. Thought I might be around 25 shoes. Ends up I'm over 30 if I count my pool flip flops and Birk's not pictured. I know that splitting my time between snow and beach makes for a larger than normal shoe wardrobe, but would love to be back under 30, maybe closer to 25 again.
For fun, which shoes would you purge of mine in the pic? I have 2 or 3 off the bat I'd nix but beyond that . . .
And just how many would you find a 'good' amount if you lived between the dual climates I do?

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Beth Ann

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'd suggest nixing the first pair of Aerosole mules, the cobalt blue Dr. Scholls, the black patent bootie with the square toe. And you won't like this at all - but the heavy Lucky Abeo platform sandals too.

The Mia red peep-toe flats maybe - and the Jessica Simpson ballet flats maybe.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Well, Angie, I'm happy to be in agreement with you on most of those, but you're right, those Lucky's have a spot in my heart!
I would likely add the brown espadrilles, too, since brown is near non-existent in my closet anymore and the green linen dress I used to wear them with is donated.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I refuse to put down on paper what a "good" amount of shoes is.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I would have picked pretty much the same as Angie (but not the Lucky's LOL) The red flats don't really seem "you", so only keep them if they are needed for a certain outfit. The sandals on the bottom left also seem a bit dainty for you, but again may fill a niche.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES. I know you love those shoes. You need to keep whatever makes you happy. That's the most important part in all of this.

The red and black flats aren't dated though - it's that you've moved on from that style.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

thanks, Elizabeth. I understand the platform Lucky's aren't 'now' but part of me really doesn't care LOL. I am ready to send off the others, though. I offered the red peeptoes up to a fabber a few weeks ago, actually, but the size was wrong. I like them. But yeah, they aren't really 'me'.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Yes, Angie! Exactly. I don't grab for them anymore. Interesting how that happens.

shedev

Veteran

The red ones seem a little matronly to me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I get it. I really do, Malina. I haven't worn my pearl necklaces for years - but I love looking at them in my closet. I'm not getting rid of them. I have a tomato red vintage dress that I haven't worn for 4 years - but I LOVE looking at the colour in my closet. It has become a sentimental piece. No way I am passing it on. You can NOT reach for something but still love it. This resonates with me very much.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

So let's see I have on my mental list:

Aerosole brown mules
brown Hilfiger espadrilles
red peep toe flats
black patent booties

and the maybes would be

Dr Scholl blue w/rhinestone buckles
black zipper flats

deb

Veteran

Patent ankle moots and the red Mia flats.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My list would be exactly like Angie's. And it seems you are pretty clear for yourself, so that's good.

A question -- if you get rid of some of these, will you need to find replacements to fit the function?

I just did a count. Since I'm four season, I figure my numbers might interest you.

At the moment, I own 19 pairs of non-gear footwear (i.e. shoes I wear for regular wear). That includes sandals, boots, booties, shoes.

It does not include my big Kamik snow boots, my gear running shoes, or gym shoes.

Breaking it down still further (because I know you will geek out with me, LOL) --
it appears that I currently own 9 pair that are suitable or wearable in our fall/ winter season. The longest season.

And 10 that I wear exclusively spring/ summer and very early fall. Which is our shortest season.

HMMM. You know what that is telling me, don't you???

FOOTWEAR AT NAS!!!!!!!

Then again, if it is like last winter, I will never ever wear my winter footwear except for my indoor slippers and my Kamik snow boots. So maybe I have the correct amount after all. I used to go and stare at my lovely booties the way you might stare at your Luckys or Angie might stare at her tomato red dress!

Lyn D.

Veteran

I am comfortable with my 30, (including 3 workout pairs), for my 4 season climate.

carter

Veteran

The blue Dr Scholl's because I had the pink version (actually I think it was "mauve") in high school. I bet I have 50 pair...too many, but one step at a time:-)

rachylou

Veteran

Yes, I think I'd pick the same. But I was wondering, do you wear the Doc. Martens much? Are they a Tahoe shoe?

As for #s. Oh hahaha. I live in one place and easily have triple your #. But yes, I agree, that's too much.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm in agreement with the suggestions you've gotten so far, and the ones you've mentioned. Don't let go of anything you love and wear.

I'm in no position to recommend a number, since I have a darn big collection myself, but I'm not too caught up in the numbers game anyway. If you can easily find a pair of shoes for all your outfits, you're not bored with your options, and nothing is going unworn, you have the right number.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Well said Janet! (coming from another "collector" )

Anonymous

I'd also been thinking the mules, brown espadrilles, and blue Dr. Scholl's would be good candidates to go. Maybe the white thong sandals too, since you say you have other flip-flops for the pool, and it looks like you have other easy slip-on pairs for summer casual outfits.

And I've never counted my shoes, but I'm sure it's way over 30. Maybe even double that, especially if I count gear? A 4-season climate and need for office shoes and occasional dress-up explains some of it, but the rest is just because I like shoes and am bad at giving things up.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Heh, I just purged four pairs of shoes -- there is empty space in my wall of shoes now! That's actually pretty impressive for me, since I have all seasons of shoes out, except for my tall boots, which get put away for the summer. I figure my numbers are good if I don't run out of space in my closet, and if I get something new, there has to be room for it, or something else has to go.

But if I let space exist in my wall of shoes, I run the risk that my husband will start filling it! He has more shoes than many women I know.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'm in agreement with the comments of others regarding which of your shoes could be re-homed. Do you find this size of a shoe wardrobe unmanageable, or do you wish to make room for newer shoes that serve your current wardrobe better? I know of women who thrive with 10 pairs, and others with scads. I have about 30 pairs, but this includes a basket of sandals, most several years old, that I haven't purged. Some of these just get a handful of wears over the summer. I'm fine with that, since I'll wear them out over 5-7 years. I am trying to by better quality as I replace them, which means I need to be more strategic and pare back on quantity.

I'm really hard on shoes -- I walk a lot, have a hard heel strike, and live in a 4 season climate. I also find my feet are happier when I don't wear the same shoes 2-3 days in a row. This means I've gone from 1 pair of gear shoes to 4 recently: A pair of cross trainers for indoor use only, walking shoes, hiking boots (for Yellowstone) and a pair of runners that I hold onto even though they're mostly used up. They double as gardening shoes.

I also think I need to expand and replace my boot/bootie collection for fall -- this is a real budget buster, but they work so much better for my climate and style than flats and pumps. I can cut back in those areas. If I can afford it, I'd still like to settle in a 25-30 pairs -- cause shoes are fun, and I'll still wear most of them out in 3-4 years.

Love your silver flats, black and lilac booties, tall black boots and the blue motorcycle boots!