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Shoes : Feeling completely overwhelmed :-(

Momo

Veteran

This category has me paralyzed
Oh the guilt on how much money spent on shoes
And .. There are so many..
Don't even know where to start...

Update! Thanks to the encouragement here they Are! Would still like to get better storage for shoes .. Ended up moving shelf from living room into closet. Any suggestions are welcome but for now ..
Dressy shoes are in the IKEA shoe boxes on top , couple of pairs of black boots still in boxes ( amazing deals on Amazon . Have you noticed how every size except one will be $150 and one size is $35? Usually not my size but this time I lucked out ), flats and sandals on door hanger and booties on shelf, athletic shoes I put in a bin on floor for now .

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22 replies

Latest reply was from Ledonna N.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Start with anything that is really worn out. Those can go. Anything that you haven't worn in the last year can go, too.
I hope that helps!

Anonymous

Also, anything you take off because they are uncomfortable. Or any you try and change into something else you like better.

JAileen

Veteran

Is it really money wasted? Sometimes by experimenting you find out a shoe you love or a shoe you should avoid in the future.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Oh Momo....dont you worry, sweetheart. My sister always says "A girl can never have too many shoes". Ofcourse, that's NOT true!

I did this last year and believe me when I say - I HAD way more shoes than this. Way way more. And probably still do (hangs her head in shame)

The key to purging is to remove anything that is:
1) worn out
2) dated
3) uncomfortable
4) looks like it's a duplicate because you always change them for another pair
5) not right for your lifestyle, hence rarely worn
6) not right for your style, hence rarely worn

I purged TONS of shoes based on these and they all went to good homes, where they are used & loved. I didn't think of the money wasted; only of the lessons learned.

Now when I look at a pair of shoes I fall in love with and absolutely must have, I ask myself questions like - where will I wear them, how will I wear them, how often will I wear them etc......and often, I don't bring them home.

Just hang in there. You're doing SO WELL

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

What are your seasons? Here in the midatlantic we have 4 distinct seasons, that means a minimum of 20 pairs of shoes in rotation at any one time, probably more if you have home, work, going out and play capsules.

Are there any that are painful? Get rid of those, they will never get worn.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Great advice from the others; I have nothing to add in terms of purging tactics. Don't feel shame, though -- lots of people over-buy in one category! And I don't think that's an Imelda Marcos quantity of shoes. It's not as bad as you think.

Sara L.

Veteran

Do you not wear your shoes? Is that why it's money wasted? I have lots and lots of shoes - way more than you have shown here, but I don't consider them money wasted if they get worn. I wear most of my shoes and get bored when I don't have variety. I purged all the worn out and dated pairs a few months ago so feel pretty good about my collection. Unless you don't wear them, I don't see any reason to feel guilty about shoes.

Anonymous

Well, I understand the feelings of guilt. I am truly ashamed of having so much and wearing so little of it, and I also can't help but count the dollars that could have been much better spent. Over the last , say, 5 years, I have pared WAY back on footwear, and have not felt "deprived" of variety and style. I simply took a deep breath, and packed up all of the shoes I really wasn't wearing and that weren't true to my style. And, as Maneera said, were duplicates not being worn either. I donated them all to a good cause, and that was that. Even though shoes styles go in and out of fashion in predictable cycles, I find that the "old" version never looks quite the same nor quite as good as what is in stores at any given time. Another good reason not to hang on to dated and old shoes: they won't look right when back in fashion again.

always trying

Veteran

I did a big purge a while back, and am continually weeding out some more. My new motto is "have no shoes you do not love". that goes for my athletic ones, hikers, waterproof boots,etc. Some I do not love for their looks but love for their use and some for their comfort level. Also I used to buy every pair of cute shoes, boots, etc. that I found on sale that fit, every pair that I thought were the latest trend, etc. Now I buy very carefully. This is resulting in too many returns, as if they are not perfect back they go. So I am fastly approaching a closet of shoes that I love, But there are a few pairs that are not in the "really" comfortable area. But these have such a cute style and just make certain outfits.

Momo

Veteran

Thank you! It all did help
I have a complicated relationship with many of my shoes..
Sounds odd but they were a part of my coming into who am today. Not an easy road at all. Got a lot of criticism about the shoes too.
Guess I internalized much of it.
But Jaileen you are right.. In a more deep way than you probably realized!
And Sara L I do wear most of them except th fancy ones ( which are sometimes needed) and the uncomfortable ones!

But Onwards and upwards! I started with as chewy spaghetti suggested and got rid of worn out .. Then delurked..uncomfortable and wishing they were different ... Then I got rid of any shoes with too steep a slope ( I have SI joint issues and I just need to accept that it is not worth the pain!)

Maneera- that is the sweetest ... It made me feel so much better, you are a dear and good advice too!

Modgrll- four seasons here as well. I guess that means a fair amount of shoes are needed!
lisap- yeah that is another part of it .. Could money have been better spent.. Oh well.. Live and learn.
Thank you Aziraphale !

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Sounds like you're doing great!

Chris987

Veteran

In addition to following all the great advice here on purging, try to figure out which ones you really love and wear, and why. If you can sort that out without the answer always being "because I spent $$$ on it" you will be moving in the right direction.

I agree with those who have said you don't need to feel guilt over your shoe collection. There is no right or wrong number when it comes to shoes. Look at the individual items, not the collection as a whole and maybe that will help you get un-paralyzed.

Also if you really feel the need to keep a few that you love but don't wear, that's ok too!

AviaMariah

Veteran

The only help I have to offer with shoe purging is to get rid of an uncomfortable pair as soon as you take them off. That has been what has helped me most as otherwise they end up back in my closet until I forget they're uncomfortable and the cycle starts again.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Congrats Momo. And to everyone else, thanks for the advise. I learned a few new tricks that apply to other categories also, such as getting rid of what I change out of.

Penny

Veteran

Great work! For me, it was helpful to think in terms of categories: how many pairs of boots / sandals / ballet flats / work heels / fancy heels? In each category, which were my favorites (that looked current and were comfortable)? I also let go of a number of inexpensive, non-leather shoes. And much as I love my fancy heels, I ended up keeping only a handful of versatile, beloved pairs for special occasions, whereas I kept more pairs of the ballet flats I wear every day commuting.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am a very bad example of shoe restraint. The only thing that absolutely must go in my closet are the unwearable for reasons of comfort.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Maneera said. You are doing so well!! I can't believe how much progress you've made in a week.

Jane

Veteran

Wow! What Maneera say - such amazing progress.

What great storage solutions you've found! Well done with getting stuck in. I find jobs like that, like the title of your post, overwhelm me for too long and in my head they begin to loom larger than is needed.

Have you got many pairs of trainers? I think I see a box of mainly darker coloured trainers? May be not the best time to be asking that question...

rachylou

Veteran

I have three underbed boxes of heels and sandals. There's no wearing them for me right now, but I don't want to get rid of my choices when the moment for them arrives again. They were collected and curated with care for my picky needs. And I haven't seen a pair of heels in a long while that would be a good update/replacement.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it

Glory

Veteran

It can be very overwhelming - I totally get it. I am the same way. I like the approach of removing all items if they are uncomfy in the slightest. Anything that hasn't been worn in one year also goes, except for evening type wear because that is infrequent. But, if you are not sure I say place in the "holding zone" and then try in a couple of months. At least this is what I a doing and it has worked reasonably well.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*APPLAUSE*

Sounds like you're sorted. Well done.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Great job. I am here for moral support only. I ave a few 100 pair of shoes and boots ummm yeah .