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Taking up all the forum space: editing footwear .

Anonymous

I'm now full on into wardrobe editing today. Gotta get this finished and bags into my car before DH gets home from work. Plus I'm now in the mood to purge ! What do we do with boots that haven't been worn this winter due to a total shut down of restaurants, bars, and other social dress-up activities. I have several pair of booties that are far too dressy to wear now - heels are now higher than what I want anyways, and are all-of-a-sudden too dressy for everyday mundane errands. I still want a few pair of nice black booties for work , but I haven't touched my navy patent western style booties and calf hair animal-print boots (as an example) since late in 2019. I have 2 pair of cream /ivory boots that haven't seen the light of day since mid 2019 either . If social outings ever are an option again, these boots will now be a good few years old, and will I want to wear them again anyways? Feet change, heel height comfort levels change, etc. Do I bag these up for donations too? Storage is definitely an issue for me- so keepers must service me well - there's that phrase again.

What are you all doing with footwear that succumbed to the pandemic?

En Thread Elorie Ankle Booties

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Caslon Jamie Perforated Bootie

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General

35 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

kellygirl

Veteran

I’m keeping them for better times especially if they’re in good shape and are the right heel height. I culled all the too high heels awhile back... I’m hopeful that we will return to some semblance of normalcy at some point and I want to be able to wear them again. Different story if they’re not your style anymore.

nemosmom

Veteran

I am hanging on to all shoes/boots that fit, are in good shape, and that I LOVE, even though they are going unworn. Any pairs that my feet don't love, were edited out. I have been editing a lot over the last couple of months. I only kept those that I TRULY loved.

Tanya

Veteran

I am also keeping all the footwear that fits and looks well, and that I like. Pandemic has caused me to spend 99% of my time at home in loungewear, so I am not editing out anything I will need when things go back to normal. I have edited out shoes that are worn, I no longer like, or the heel is too high.

LaPed

Veteran

I have quite a few pairs in a holding zone right now (top shelf of closet, where sandals also live in the winter) because I never took them out for fall/winter. I won't purge anything until next fall at the earliest, but possibly not 'til 2022 depending on how reopening goes. I've been tempted to sell a couple pairs, but this is a category where I don't want to over-purge and leave myself with wardrobe holes. Honestly, I don't trust myself to accurately assess comfort/fit for the time being because my feet are so adjusted to slipper/running shoe/snow boot life.

unfrumped

Veteran

I’m keeping anything that actually fits well. ( I mean unless I just don’t like it at all). If it’s dressier, doesn’t have to feel like sneakers- will see if I later wear to church, theater, party whee is ok to be “ 4- hr shoes ( for now- but not buying any new). Gave away pointy pumps. Loafers that were pinchy had to go, because loafers are targeted for my mixed- persona- preppy/ sporty style and need to be more comfortable than wedding guest shoes.
That is all part of cutting myself some slack during pandemic. A few of my less than perfect but slightly dressy shoes give me kind of outfit- insurance with some existing items for now so would not feel pressured if I had certain event opportunities once things start improving, but maybe before I have found my new footwear/ outfit look.
But I’m being very critical about any new shoes and also not creating or buying items/ outfits that require “ imaginary feet” shoes.

Lucy

Veteran

I agree with the advice above . If you like them and they are comfortable , it’s best to keep . If you think they are too high now, that probably won’t change and purge .
I live in a city that no COVID outside of quarantine hotels (and the slight risk they pose). Things are somewhat normal - I wouldn’t go to an inside bar or music venue but we eat out in open air venues all the time. I can say we all wear what we wore before the lockdowns of early 2020, if that helps .

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I'm not giving away anything yet, though I have a closet full of pretties that have not graced my feet in many moons.

I know everyone these days seems to be all like: I will never again wear anything uncosy, unsneaker, unelasticated, but I think that once we hit the new normal and can traverse the world, there's going to be some sort of dressing up backlash.

Anonymous

Lisa - i'm already rebelling against all of this leisure wear. I'm not interested in more sweatpants and big poofy sweatshirts , and make sure I'm not feeling too comfortable in elastic waist anything for fear of putting on lazy weight. I don't want to dress the way many brands are moving right now with all of this cozy, oversize, fleece and the like. So I know I'll want dressier or "sexier" footwear at some point, but maybe I'll have moved on from what was current in 2019 anyways. Hmm .

Liz

Veteran

Yes, we will go out to eat again and do social things again. The question we don't know yet is when. If the heels are too high and you know you're no longer wearing those heel heights, period, then I'd pass them on. Otherwise, I'd keep them.

I'm doing my best not to let the pandemic dictate the way I approach life. I have to make changes for now, but not forever. I'm keeping my normal clothes and I'll make decisions about them later.

That said, after a year now of wearing sneakers almost exclusively, I can't imagine I"ll have much patience for any shoe that isn't comfortable.

ETA: I agree with ummlila about the dressy backlash -- I think some people will really want to wear nice clothes again. Others, maybe people who dressed more for comfort than style all along, will likely lean even harder into "nothing that isn't comfortable ever again."

I'm ready to wear my boots again, but I know i"ll have no patience with the ones that pinch or restrict movement.

Joy

Veteran

I am keeping anything that is comfortable and trying to wear them some, like to the grocery store or to pick up curbside even if I don’t get out of the car. I make it an occasion. Nothing except one pair of black booties and some flats are at all dressy and I am keeping them as dressy flats are hard to find.and can be expensive.

Runcarla

Veteran

DYOT, Lisa ‘cause I don’t see things being dated, unless it’s sweats and leisurewear being ‘so 2020!’ I’m reading that most brands have gone for safely designed classics in styles and colours they know people will buy - as a 2021 strategy. If we are going to bust out any special looks this year, it’s going to be from what we already have in our closets, and how we style ourselves.

always trying

Veteran

I am keeping all of mine. This winter I have only worn 1 pair, animal print low heel, worn to an outdoor memorial service-walking a ways, and standing for about 1 hour for the service. My comfy heeled 3 pair were not worn since last year (2019) season. But I am keeping them all..hoping next fall, winter will be normal, or something. I am feeling very low these days, can't get vaccine, etc. but I am not purging anything at this time--just waiting..

kkards

Veteran

If i like it and where it regularly in the before times, I’m putting it aside and holding tight. If it didn’t get work in the before times, I’m moving on, but I’m taking it slow and seasonally

JAileen

Veteran

If it were me, and I had room to store a few pairs of boots, I’d wait until things open up again. It might be another year or so, and I don’t know how I’ll feel then.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Also expecting a dressing up backlash as Lisa said above. I would keep shoes that are still comfortable and the right heel height and appeal to you, no reference to current fashions.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I am in the same situation as Lucy, with life pretty much back to normal subject to the ever present possibility of a quarantine leak (as happened in Perth yesterday). No international travel of course. I think there has been a big move towards WFH that will become a permanent arrangement for some.
Subject to that it does seem to me that people are wearing what they wore before. I am wearing my dressy clothes again for socialising (I continue to WFH). The only thing I’ve abandoned (I think permanently) is heels. I’ve edited out almost everything over 5 cm and may go down to about 3cm eventually. Really high heels just look and feel contrived (to me) now. But I would keep anything other than that. As long as you still like it.

Anonymous

Brooklyn - yes , contrived is the perfect word . Too Instagram-influencer . I think I’ve answered my own question, again

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I am also keeping my dressier footwear that’s in good shape and is comfortable. I’ll probably end up donating most of it, but I’m not quite ready to let go of it just yet, even though all I’ve been wearing lately are boots and cute sneakers (when the weather was warmer).

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

I will try to sell whatever does not make my feet happy and is still in good conditions. I'll keep whatever is still good - we'll wear dressy things again, I don't want to regret getting rid of them. I think this is a time for waiting

Aquamarine

Veteran

I don’t dare to edit footwear now, but I have plenty of storage. Almost every pair of shoes I currently own have earned their keep because my feet are so picky.

We will see post-pandemic if I feel differently.

Liesbeth

Veteran

Good shoes are expensive so I am definitely holding on to my 'office' shoes :). If I cull any when I do return on-site I think it will be the pairs that I wasn't even wearing before all this started. Especially your first pair of white booties looks fresh to me.

Runcarla

Veteran

The footwear below have been in rotation since October. Two pair of sandals, along with the sneakers are my summer choices. Everything else seems to be collecting dust - but they are comfortable and have their purposes. No footwear editing happening here!

If you’ve got a ‘ton’ of shoes and are itching to clean things up, keep the best and most comfortable one in each category.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I've held onto it all. I look at it with guilt and sadness -- I have only worn three pair of heeled booties, each of them once or twice -- all winter. And bootie season will be over in another month or two here. But I still like these, there is tons of wear in them, and I don't know if or where styles will shift, so for now, I can hang on and re-evaluate. I got storage boxes that will fit under beds, etc. to hold them all.

Blondo Blondo Elvina Waterproof Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom

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Blondo Elvina Waterproof Bootie

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Aquatalia Aquatalia Carie Weatherproof Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom

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Elvina Waterproof Bootie

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Anonymous

Those look like good errands running boots to me

I haven't worn my 2 pairs of tall heeled boots since they sent us to wfh. But, I'm keeping them because they're streamlined/classic, I don't get bored with simple shoes, and I will have to return to the office and doing presentations someday.
That said....you are trendier as far as footwear than me and your needs are different because you're not doing your sales job. The other question is how often did you wear them prior to Covid? If not often, I don't see you wanting to wear them more in a year or whenever things are "normal."

Sal

Veteran

I would make sure that your pants dresses jeans etc all have footwear that works with them. I have one pair of jeans that I love ( my most flattering) but I only love them with low- mid boots- not flat boots nor really sneakers or oxfords). Same with a couple of skirts.

Laurie

Veteran

"Guilt and sadness" - Suz! I mostly don't notice all my boots (all my everything) as I reach for my daily wear. But, every so often I focus on my unworn shoes and boots, especially, and feel guilty for having so much, and sad for not having a reason to wear them for a year. Exactly.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Do not edit out these boots yet. Hang on to all dressier shoes unless they are uncomfortable.

I have worn my boots four times in the last 11 months. I am keeping ALL of them. These are all my boots!

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Frye Women's Billy Inside Zip Bootie Western Boot

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Vagabond Vagabond Shoemakers Mya Pointy Toe Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom

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Naturalizer Blair Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom

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Rebecca Minkoff Koso Bootie

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KENDALL + KYLIE Logan

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Anonymous

I think the 4 pair I was looking to pass on were / are unlikely to be worn again regardless . I agree that once we have social options again that we’ll want to have dressier options at hand . And try as I might to wear off white or white boots, I just don’t like them on me . The perforated pair are in a brushed - almost - lambskin leather which makes them ridiculously high maintenance , and the shape of the other off white pair offends my eye every time I try to wear them - lol. I don’t know -no rush to eliminate I guess so I’ll hang on for now .

Helena

Veteran

I think this is what you've concluded anyways, but I would edit out anything that you feel would be edited out anyway - but don't edit anything that you would be wearing if not for the pandemic.

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