Well, this is had been super interesting to read. It sounds like I'm not the only one who struggles with shoes! It's all been very thought-provoking, and has helped me reach the following conclusions.
1) part of the reason I struggle with shoes is that I have two different lifestyles here in MN - one is "smart casual" and cold (winter), when I'm teaching and being an administrator, and one is "casual" and hot (summer), when I'm mostly writing, working on data, and meeting with grad students (with occasional exceptions). So, I not only have to switch seasons, but I have to switch the way I dress. I may be drawn to summer shoes that are a bit dressier, but they don't really fit with my uber-casual summer lifestyle.
2) I have given up on black shoes for the most part, because they are very hard for me to style. I need shoes that are either neutral or "pop-of-color" shoes.
3) Higher heels don't work for me - they're just not comfortable. I need 2" or lower.
4) Higher vamps and high contrast stumpify my rather short, muscular legs.
5) I am very drawn to what I call "euro" shoes, but they don't always fit my lifestyle needs (Josef Seibel, Fidjis, Pikolinos) because I don't spend very much time in "transitional" weather. I either need warmth (and socks) or sandals.
These are some groups of shoes in my life right now:
#1 - shoes that are currently on order
#2 - shoes that I've returned because they didn't fit at all
#3 - shoes that I've returned because they were almost, but not quite right.
#4 - shoes that I LOVE but have convinced myself not to buy because I wouldn't wear them enough, the MJ's because of point #5, above, and the sandals because of the too-high heel.
THANKS for all of your input. It's been very helpful.
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