Triggered by Janet's thread: How much is enough? - YouLookFab Forum

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Triggered by Janet's thread: How much is enough?

jenanded

Veteran

Janet and Viva's spring shoe threads prompted Angie's comment that they don't have enough shoes (I knew I loved YLF for a reason xx)... Seriously though, this is a new girl math question for me. Is this about variety? Enough to reduce fast wear thereby reducing constant replacement? Are we purging too much?

I would love to hear your views on how many shoes are 'enough' and how to make sense of this question?

Shopping

68 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Anonymous

Do I have sufficient shoes to meet ALL of my needs? Yes or No.

Do I wear all of the shoes I own or do I have so many shoes that many go unworn? Yes or No.

karen13

Veteran

I have recently concluded I need a lot more shoes if I want to up my style. I am seeing how much footwear elevates an outfit, and how bad the wrong footwear looks with an otherwise lovely outfit.

I have about 8-10 non-gear pairs of shoes that I wear in my 4 season climate, but mostly it is 4 pairs that see use because I lead a very casual lifestyle so my loafers and dress shoes are not in heavy rotation. Doesn't count snow boots, hiking boots, athletic shoes/sandals. I have fussy feet - shortish (6.5 US), wide, narrow heal with a very sensitive right heel/achillies. (I have a tiny pump bump for 10 years, which I do not want to make worse!). I am stalking all the shoe discussion on YFL now, trying to see the options out there, and learn what might fit my feet.

I figure I am at the very low count end of the spectrum here (and I don't like it!) and and interested in seeing the range. Great question jenanded!

viva

Veteran

I'm interested in replies here. I honestly don't know.

Although I love shoes, I don't feel like a shoe-horse (or a bag collector, for that matter). I tend to over-focus on a few pairs of shoes until they die (I also tend to wear one purse for weeks or months at a time).

My shoes are probably 65% shoes I wear all the time and literally discard after 1 or maybe 2 seasons because they look like hell and 35% shoes that I wear so seldom they can last forever, or at least, very easily 6 years which to me feels like forever. I have never had what I would consider a big shoe collection.

A major change happened about two years ago when I started buying more booties than I could wear at one time; now, I have 5 or 6 pairs of booties and I wear them all, but (obviously) in rotation. They all look great right now, at the end of the season, and I don't want to get rid of any of them (except possibly one pair of light suede ones that look worn). Nor do I feel the need to purchase. This suggests to me that I may need to adopt this same approach to other categories.

Maybe I also need 5 pairs of work shoes? 5 pairs of sneakers/casual shoes? I don't know. (Last summer, leaving rubber flip-flops aside, I think I had 3 pairs of sandals: Freebirds, silver Trinas, and lace-up suede ones. None of them were new last year, and I need to get rid of the Trinas and possibly the suede ones too because they are stretched out (but I really liked them and may push them to a third season). Looking back, that feels like maybe too few. So, I don't know. Again, maybe 5?)

I'm interested to hear what other people say.

minimalist

Veteran

I'll be back ...at length!
I've experienced various "minimums" at different points in my life, and I feel they were each right for that time.

(The term "girl math" is something I find unappealing on several levels.)

Sal

Veteran

We are all different - climates, lifestyles, fussiness of feet etc And how quickly we wear shoes out/tire of them.

I would say in the most part people in the US have more pairs than here, for three reasons - they are cheaper, there is more selection which means more temptation and options, and thirdly, people in the US seem to have more clothes/stuff in general.

For me coming into winter I could get by with

rainboots
running shoes
ankle boots
heelsoption
casual sneakers

But I would struggle to wear the right footwear for my clothing and would feel too restricted. What I hope to have is

rain boots x 1
running shoes x 2
ankle boots x 4
heels x 2 (but I have summer ones that I can wear as well so this is cheating)
flats x 3
casual sneakers x 3

I hope to get two new pairs ideally. One pair of updated ankle boots (classic) and one pair of oxfords or loafers (trendy). I have a couple of pairs on their last legs that I will not get rid of immediately but they are on their way out. This is a pair of heeled black ankle boots and a pair of metallic sneaker boots.

So for me, 15 options including gear is a large enough number.

The first pair I will buy are the loafers or oxfords as my other flat shoes are quite different, and I think a really stylish pair will up the ante this winter.

ETA If I add in my summer shoes I add

Flat sandals x2
Heeled sandals x 5
Walking sandals x 1
Peeptoes x 1
Jandals/slides x 1

For me I would be looking at 20-30 pairs in total, I could purge a couple of pairs that get very light use but am not planning to do so.

I work from home, an office, live in a moderate climate (no snow boots needed) but do like some variety including heels!!

Anonymous

I want to second Minimalist's comment about "girl math." It is insulting to the women who went to school to learn math and science.

DonnaF

Veteran

I've read that shoes need to air out between wearings such that two pairs of shoes worn every other day will last more than twice as long as a single pair worn daily. So I would say a bare minimum is the ability to rotate pairs. If one wears tall boots daily in winter, this would mean at least two pairs.

Enough is when all the space is filled up and there's no place to expand. DD23 can't move back home because I've taken over the shoe rack in her closet as well as a bit of shelving. I'm near the point of one out, one in.

JAileen

Veteran

I agree with Minimalist and Sterling re "girl math". I don't have a degree in math, but my 92 YO mother does. I don't think she would think the term helps women in any way.

To add to Donna's comment about rotating shoes, it's also better for your feet to wear different shoes each day.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Hah, it is more a phrase that refers to our often different approach to
clothing from men generally for me!
I have around 4 pairs per season. I have tried to reduce in the past but I think in order to have suitable options for all outfits at least this number is necessary.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I'm hard to fit.

2 pairs sandals (1 black, 1 natural) purchased for stability after a fall and worn for a few years. Now worn only when taking a walk on uneven ground or walking far. Hardly worn last year.

2-4 pairs flat sandals worn with both pants and dresses. Worn all warmish spring/summer/fall. Haven't thrown out the slightly stretched out first 2 pairs that I duplicated to make sure I had them.

2 pairs dressy flat sandals purchased years ago which might or might not have stretched out too much. 1 black, 1 bone. Rarely worn, mostly for weddings, etc.

2 pairs dressy sandals, black suede, purchased years ago, hardly worn.

1 pair black suede slingback booties-Munro Abbey's. I wear these for dressing up when I don't need to walk much. These are by far my highest heels. Probably worn less than 10 times so far. Hopefully at least 5.

I'd like to add another flat/flatish pair in metallic gray/pewter, maybe navy, and maybe another pair that is purely fun.

Winter I wear
1 pair black suede booties
1 pair red/black blocked shoes

I really missed not finding a pair of medium or dark gray leather booties and a pair of gray or black shoes, either zippered or shoelaces.

Year round depending on weather-
1 pair striped vans
1 pair black/gray/white Nikes I wear for casual or casual walks

Conclusion-I have a lot of sandals I almost never wear, and some holes to fill.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

And I also have 1 pair black boots I purchased maybe 3 years ago that I had stretched that only fit at my lowest recent weight. I should have looked for a pair to wear this winter, as then I might have worn my dresses. But I couldn't wrap my head around spending the $ again, and those were the first pair of tall boots I'd found in many, many years. So another thing to add to the list, unless I lose the weight.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I would call it "collector's math." I've seen it in play with my husband's game collection and a friend's rose collection, just as creative as in anyone's closet.

Not counting slippers or campground shoes, I have about a dozen pairs, and that feels quite good to me. The caveat, though, is that I work from home and lead a 90% casual lifestyle. My new shoe purchases will likely be one-in, one-out.

Current collection:
tall boots
snow boots
booties
western boots

gear sneakers
casual sneakers

ballet flats
oxfords
flat sandals
summer wedges

ankle-strap pumps
monk-strap heels (extraneous, will likely replace with another pair of booties)

Staysfit

Veteran

I have two seasons worth of shoes and a separate dressy capsule for each season of around five pairs of shoes which I have occassions to wear, but if I subtract those shoes from the rest, that leaves me with many more shoes than the minimum I need. I am left with 40 per season. I wear all my shoes. What does that mean? Is that enough?

I have had times in my life when I managed with one pair of boots, one pair of sneakers, a pair of loafers, a pair of Birkenstocks and a pair of Dressy Pumps. So, five pairs of shoes. Is that enough?

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

It can be difficult to know what is the "right number" if you are the kind of person who likes shoes and bags. The manifest pluses of them are that you can generally enjoy them aside from any body-negative feelings you may be having, and that if you have items that are really updated, they are one of the first things people will notice and use to conclude that you look stylish and fashion forward. This, to my mind, justifies either having a lot of shoes, or using your shoes quickly so that you generally have a small set of new ones very frequently.

Having said that, I will admit that I work from home and do not wear shoes in the house. So I have a very low level of justification for the number of shoes I own and enjoy.

viva

Veteran

Staysfit, so glad you chimed in. I was beginning to think 12 pairs total was the norm around here, and for me, that just doesn't feel like enough. I think I would be happy with twice that - especially since I think I have 8 or 9 pairs of boots when you take into account all the colors and heights possible.

It's nice to have another POV represented, and I don't doubt that you wear your shoes.

Anonymous

I am glad the "girl math' thing has already been commented on. It was the first thing I was going to write about . It has been used many times here on the forum, and I really wish it would stop.

Anyways, Sally writes for me too. Selection, cost, and the attitude toward consumption is a little different here - maybe less so regarding consumption, but most of my friends , and I, operate with what Vivian does....maybe a little more.

When I was in my 20's and 30's and stupid, I had tons of pair of shoes and boots. More than I could ever wear. I'm not sure what that was all about, and it now embarrasses me to even think about it. I think Sterling's two questions are great barometers . I'm personally determined to only have enough to wear that one season- and if they look great at the end of it, wonderful, and if they need replacing? That;s wonderful too. Shoes change a lot from year to year, and I'd rather be current with them, then being stuck with 10 pair of shoes from last summer that were half worn and not terribly current-looking.

Sorry - I know I'm carrying on . I have a bit of a bug about too many shoes and bags. I used to have a bit of a reputation for my shoes, and always got comments on them. It made me feel like such an airhead and not taken seriously. Who wants to be defined by their wardrobe?

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I'm another who is struggling to gain perspective about "enough". I began this year with NOT enough and with a history of having two pairs of shoes and wearing them until they literally fell apart. On the other hand, I am very visually motivated and tend to think that I need the EXACT, perfect thing instead of being satisfied with a mix-and-match assortment that covers the bases. Since I started with a blank slate, essentially, I've purchased shoes rather formulaically and will have to see what gets worn and what doesn't. Here is what I have, less gear, and still with a couple of needs to fill--among the "needs", replacement white sneaker mules--I'm thinking Supergas--and a couple of pairs of flat black sandals, both dressier and more casual. Also, I think I'm going to donate the striped ModCloth loafers and the pewter sandals. https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=3886

Deborah

Veteran

I honestly think that the how many are enough question can be addressed on so many levels.

For me, do I have enough shoes? Yes! I have more than enough shoes, I know this because I have shoes that I wear very infrequently and some that i don't wear at all. Based purely on 'need' I could probably function this winter quite well on a one pair of pumps, one pair of boots and one pair of lace ups. The reality (for me) is that these three pairs would cover practical, style and variety needs. It also means that I could purchase quality shoes that I really love and then enjoy wearing the heck out of them over the season.

Need is an interesting question in the face of how we tend to consume in our society. Most of us are very lucky in that what we are facing are wants not needs - and I am not suggesting it's wrong to want. Being on a journey of less shopping and less things (including fashion) has slowly but dramatically changed the way I now look at my perceived needs. I apologise if I have headed a little off topic but this is something that is very much at the forefront of my thinking at the moment. xx

Jules

Veteran

Not loving the pile on re: girl math. Not that I am fan of the expression, but it's been used plenty here. If we are over it great, but not sure why jenanded had to be told so many times. She may have picked up the expression on this very forum.

Anonymous

The question is, "what am I happy with?".
Well, I seem to like to have 1 shoe in each category. So 1 work shoe, 1 dressy sandal, 1 fashion sneaker, etc. I like to have a fairly higher turn-over, just like lisap.

After counting it up, it looks like I like to have about 10-15 shoes in total, including snow boots and gear. I'm happy with this number for my lifestyle.

I do NOT need to look good for others though. I don't give presentations or work with clients.

I would love to be happier with less though. So this year, I'm going to make an effort to find a workhorse shoe that is great to walk in but is also suitable for work AND I want it to be appropriate for spring and fall. It's a tall order, but I think I can do it!

viva

Veteran

Smittie, I applaud your minimalism and your goal, and if you find that special workhorse, please let us know. That is one I will want to try.

Also, echoing Jules. I think Jenanded got the short end of the stick here.

jenanded

Veteran

This post is about 'enough' shoes that work and our mutual interest so happy for us to continue that conversation. Yes I picked up the GM term here and I can be accused of being too serious so obviously my attempt at levity is misplaced :-). I could go on, but actually I think we are all here coming from a good place so personally I think that is where a post on shoes should leave it, but I am mindful and respectful of every time we catch ourselves with phrases that can be mis-read.

I am really looking forward to everyone's comments and understanding this further

SarahTheWhite

Veteran

This is very interesting and timely. I have quite suddenly gone from having a variety of shoes to wear to work to wearing the same three pair of shoes over and over due to comfort issues. Two of the three pair are wearing out quickly and my feet are killing me, and I don't have enough variety to work with all of my outfits. I don't really have much wisdom to offer, just that I may figure this out sooner rather than later, as my entire shoe wardrobe is about to be completely turned over. Three pair of shoes is not enough for me for a five day a week office job in terms of wear and variety. That much I am sure of! I also know that if I try to keep the amount lower, I will need to pay more for comfortable and well made shoes...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Actually Jen, I said that Viv - as a working professional - could do with more pairs of shoes (that's why she wears out the ones she has in two ticks). Janet on the other hand, has plenty of shoes - but likes and manages a large assortment.

I will be back to comment more - have to run.

JAileen

Veteran

Jules: I don't think you're using the expression "short end of the stick" correctly. I'm not sure what expression you meant, though.

My mother who I mentioned above, was a math major in college. She became a statistician for a fortune 500 company. She worked while my father was in grad school, supporting them both. She was paid less than the men, solely because she was a woman. When she became pregnant, she was fired because they said it was improper for pregnant women to be working. My father did not yet have a job. I think it was worse for a pregnant woman to starve. If it sounds like I'm taking it personally, I'm not. I'm just sticking up for my mother.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I know I have more than enough. Many of you would say I have too many, and I probably do, but I am not getting into numbers here because what's right for one person is not necessarily right for someone else. I live in a four season climate, I have a variety of activities to dress for (mostly casual), and I like to have a wide variety. I tend to tire of shoes before I actually wear them out, but that means I get to pass them along to someone else while they still have some life in them rather than throw them in the trash.

As Joy said in the other thread, I rely heavily on interesting footwear to spice up my summer wardrobe since it's hot and humid here, and my clothing gets simpler.

For my style, I feel the need to update fairly frequently, OR buy really unique things like my LD Tuttle sandals, which seem pretty timeless because they're unusual. Items like that are usually expensive.

Like I said on my other thread, I don't NEED more. I was eyeing some old ones that need to go, and there is no reason I really have to buy anything new to replace them. But I think a pair of sneakers and a pair of sandals for the coming season is quite reasonable, considering that I've bought more than enough in previous years.

Anonymous

Thank you, Jenanded.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

For me enough is tied to how many core neutrals I wear. I want booties, flats, lace-ups/oxfords, sandals that work with each neutral and denim. Then a couple pair of wild and colorful fun shoes. For me that's been about a dozen pair, since I don't wear heels and all my pants work with all my shoes. But now that I am thinking about going long in a new-to-me neutral, a much lighter color than my usual olive or black, I'm going to want to repeat those styles in a lighter color as well.

Anonymous

Viva's right, and I owe you an apology , jenanded. I'm not sure why I wrote my displeasure with that phrase the way I did- knowing full well it has been used frequently on this forum. I am sorry for sounding harsh and judgmental.

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