Shoes! What does your shoe capsule look like?

Thistle

So, I will get my jean situation sorted. During my trip to Talbots on Friday, I discovered more styles of jeans had arrived and had them order me two more pairs to try. They didn't carry anything not cropped in the store (it is March in Wisconsin - whatdya mean you only have cropped jeans in stock when there is 3 feet of snow on the ground?!?)

My next wardrobe hole to tackle is shoes.

Frankly, I am overwhelmed with choice on Zappos and am struggling to figure out what should be my core and then build fun items on from there. I am looking to make shoes my "high" in a high/low combo. Partially because I have fussy feet, partially ebcause I feel like fab shoes can amp up an outfit like nothign else.

I would love to know how my fellow fabbers put together their shoe capsules, particularly if you are in multi-seasons. I didn't have a single dress or skirt in my closet last summer, so that will be interesting as well!

12 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from Robin M

Kalli

Active Member

Hmm, luckily I don't have to think in 4 seasons.. Gosh mind boggling or even a true 2 season. I'd probably die if I had to. But I want to see!

as evidenced by my shoe dilemmas, I just buy what is in stock.

just buy comfy shoes

12 years ago

Anonymous

I have just been putting together a transitional weather capsule and so far it consists of light taupe booties, heeled fancy oxfords in denim blue, mid heeled plain oxfords in light tan and bone coloured flat oxfords.
This was the fist time for me at trying to create a capsule like this and I am really pleased with my purchases; They wiil take me through spring, cooler summer days and Autumn too.

12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Angie had a very old post about the 6 essential shoes here:
http://youlookfab.com/2007/03/.....-you-need/

Her 6 are : tall boots, Fashion sneakers, flats, summer sandals, pumps, Dressy heels.

My list is similar but with some subs. Tall boots and summer sandals definitely make my list. I wear midcalf combat boots instead of fashion sneakers, (not super flat) oxfords as my "flats", heeled booties instead of pumps (pumps hurt my feet and won't stay on), and my dressy heels are sandals. With the exception of the dressy heels, they are all 8-hour walking shoes.

Of course I have many, many more than six pairs, but those would be my minimal 6.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Comfort first. But I do allow myself a few pairs of "sitting shoes". I have three pairs of three inch heels for fancy occasions.

Lifestyle, Climate, and HOW I want to wear the shoes is very important. I walk a lot. Am always cold. Do not do high heels. My favouite heel height is 1.5 inches. I like one inch heels too. All my shoes are closed - don't wear sandals. I have lots of boots, shooties and booties. I find them warm, and very comfortable. And since I generally wear trousers and jeans - this works out well.

I love my full skirts too! I like to wear shooties, taller boots or flats with them.

So Thistle, think about your outfits - and which types of shoes best work with them first. Then we'll tackle the colours and styles that work for your feet and climate.

12 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I've gone down the "black shoe this, black boots that" road in an attempt to create a smallish shoe wardrobe, and it really didn't get me anywhere near my goal. Neutrals are fine, but I definitely agree with Angie about looking into lifestyle and your other wardrobe pieces, preferred silhouettes, climate etc first. My daughter (18) has five pairs of shoes at the moment (in a four season climate): black Docs, cognac oxfords, olive green Cons, metallic ballet flats and burgundy heeled Mary Janes. This is very little, but she gets by because all the colors and styles in her wardrobe go with at least one of these pairs. For me, this would be far too few choices, but I think it is an interesting lesson in how to make it work even with very limited means. No black pumps, no black tall riding boots, as she don't identify with that at all.

12 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

If i had to cut down my shoes from the space shuttle to the soyuz capsule size, i would have

1. an almond or pointier toe mid to high heeled knee boot (3 in min), vlose fitting in the calf

2. Flat slouchy boot like the frye moto style boots.

3. Some flat nonsneaks like a loafer or oxford. I have tons of ballet flats but i really like only 1 pair. In this category i have 3 that i won't purge...said ballet flat, my new oxford and a hand me down loafer so decrepit the interior lining is flaking off in every wear but is the perfect shape.

4. Comfy walking sneakers. I have a pair of golas that i may reluctantly retire. I have a pair of laceless jack purcells and have just gotten a pair or bensimons. Considering a pair pf pumas as well. To pick one, the jacks,.

5. Flat sandals--i loved my gladiatos from target, replaces last year with a dolce vita pair. This year i got a pair of garavani gladiator that hopefully will be the summer sandal. My dream sandal is anything by zanotti. Srly how can two straps, a sole and some crystals cost and arm and a leg?

6. Basic black almond or pointy toes pumps in a 3" heel. Wear with everything. Over the years, i've had high/low versions.

7. Heeled strappy dress shoes. Here is where you might delete because a pump can also work. This is where i would like to make my next purchase.

12 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Sorry - double posting

12 years ago

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I hem all my pants to wear with 2.5 inch heels, which helps cut down on the number of shoes needed. At that height, I have three pairs of booties (black, taupe, camel), a pair of clogs, and two pairs of sandals (black, nude).

For dresses, I have two pairs of tall boots (as well as the booties) for winter and a pair of cowboy boots for summer, if feeling boho/crunchy.

Also: two pairs super comfy sandals (gold, nude), a pair of flat boots for tucking jeans, and a pair of camel suede pointy pumps for dressing up.

This covers all shoe needs (business casual work dress code, mild winters and hot summers). If I had to minimize, I'd go for
- two pairs of booties
- one pair knee-high boots for skirts and dresses
- one pair of dressy sandals
- two pair of comfy sandals

The gold sandals are incredibly useful.

12 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

To me, a shoe capsule is totally dependent on your lifestyle, where you live, and your attitude towards comfort/functionality vs. fashion.

Starting with your outfits, as Angie suggests, is a good first step, but I'd also spend some time thinking about seasonal requirements and where I want to be on the fashion vs. function scale. In my case, since I spend a lot on my shoes, EVERY shoe or boot I own has to meet the following criteria:

Total comfort without any "breaking in". I will not wear uncomfortable shoes no matter how fashionable. I've learned that lesson the hard way. And every shoe or boot is a walking one; sitting shoes don't make sense to me since I figure you never know when you might have to hoof it somewhere. I refuse to be held hostage by my footwear.
Wearable with at least one third of my current wardrobe. That means, for me, a dress shoe has to work for formal events but also for less formal parties and other social occasions. I am willing to spend serious cash on a pair of shoes, but I can't afford a shoe or boot that just sits in the closet, even if it is gorgeous. My shoes are a functional part of my wardrobe, not an art collection. This criteria applies to boots and sandals as well (although I'll admit to fudging on house slippers).
Well-constructed so they can maintained in like-new condition. My husband absolutely hates the look of poorly maintained shoes on either men or women. I keep my shoes and boots polished, stored with inserts, and regularly overhauled by my cobbler who replaces heel lifts etc. My cobbler is an older German fellow who will only work on quality women's shoes. He's like a shoe version of the Soup Nazi.

12 years ago

Robin M

Active Member

Gaylene-- you've made me curious. What brands will/won't your cobbler work on?

I'm probably a bad person to ask this question as I realized that I have 23 pairs of shoes once I remove the "uniform" and "gear" shoe capsules and I want more. Given that I actually wear a uniform 5 days a week, this means that I actually have the opportunity to wear shoes 2 days a week. But your question has made me think.

I have 3 pairs of sassy sneakers. I actually get a lot of use from this capsule and am thinking about adding a pair of isabel marrant look a likes.

The other capsules I get a lot of use out of are the boot capsule (6 pairs) and the sandal capsule (5 pairs) and I have another pair on my shopping list (though I know which pair it is going to replace).

The capsule I really don't get that much use out of is my heels/wedges/pumps capsule. The makes sense since my clothing needs are mostly casual with the occasional date night/ dressy function thrown in. What doesn't make sense is why I have 7 pairs of them.

The last capsule I have is in/out shoes. One that slip on super easy to do things like take the trash out.

If I were looking to build a shoe wardrobe, I would focus on sassy sneaker, boots and sandals. Also I would address my bizarre issue that I can't mix brown and black.

12 years ago

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