After an epiphany on 'too many clothes, too many orphans', I've decided to photograph my wardrobe --- ALL of it --- to help me trim the fat. I might have to move next month, so this is also a mnemonic device (lesson learnt from last move; I barely recall the contents of my other half of my wardrobe, currently residing in another city).

I've also decided to inflict many of these photos on you for a frump check, fitness check or styling advice.

Today, I'm doing SHOES! I took the photos with my skinniest (yes, these are skinny as I can get with my cankles) jeans, flats length hem. I've rolled up one leg so you can see what it looks like with bare ankles, just in case. Not really styled them with clothes, so no full-length photos. Trying to assess them in isolation first.

Please comment on datedness, tiredness and frumpiness especially. Or do you see obvious overlaps? Also, can you assess my personal style leanings based on these, at all?

#1-2: Hush Puppies stretch city sneakers. Delightful for walking in. Needs sole repair.

#3-4: Black leather zippered shoes. (Can someone tell me whether this style has a name?) Weathered and worn for 14 years!!

#5-6: Dark grey Converse Chuck Taylors with the flippable red/white tongue. New to me, and an untried favourite (ie, year old, not worn yet because I am a silly hoarder who is afraid to get them dusty. A-hem!). Excuse hasty ties.

#7-8: Bata running shoes. Currently used as gym shoes. Guilty of wearing them with a black shirtdress once, in a fit of rebelliousness.

#9-10: Vietnamese wooden batik sandals, hand-painted and sequinned. Don't have the courage to wear these outside my home, although I love the look of them and they are surprisingly comfy! But hey, at least I spend most of my days at home.

#11-12: Hush Puppies slip-on wedges, my go-to shoes and hence the most-worn pair. This is my idea of a comfortable, walkable heel height. I love how good these feel; but do they look frumpy or dated to any of you?

#13-14: Multicoloured leather thong-style flats. New, bought to replace #15-16 below, which is starting to wear thin on the soles.

#15-16: Leather thong-style flat sandals with metallic braid. Very comfy, supple leather, my default pair with Indian outfits (churidar-style slim leggings or pants, flowy harem pants, sarees). Starting to wear out after five years of punishment.

#17-18: Low-heeled thong-style sandals with black straps and burnished gold footbed. The most-worn pair for short trips (grocery run, etc.) involving a possibly messy walk. Often my default choice with voluminous Indian garments (sarees, salwars) as well as my longer-length bootcuts, especially in hot sweaty or humid weather. Not kind to my toes and arches if I have to be on my feet for longer than 2-3 hours. But good for wading and splashing through puddles as possibly indestructible synthetic.

#19-20: Red crochet ballet flats. Opposite of above, being my delicate and solely fun pair. Great for definitely-flat surfaces --- like the mall and movie multiplexes! Also easy to pack as extra pair for my hotel review trips since they squash quite flat. Too much toe cleavage, perhaps, though? They were freebies with #33-34 below!

#21-22: Dark teal gladiators. Same supple hand-stitched leather as #15-16 and deliciously comfy. The ankle strap is elasticated, which is a huge help for my chunky legs. I like the fact that it protects and covers my feet while letting them breathe in this heat. A personal favourite for comfort and colour both (I treat it as semi-neutral). Also travels well as seriously squashable and lightweight.

#23-24: Lime and chocolate sandals with low kitten heels. From the same maker as #15-16 and #21-22. The brown fabric straps are stretchy, so easy to drag on and keep on (despite my shallow heel). I love the block-printed green-and-red footbed. NOT a colour to go with everything.

#25-26: Black canvas peep-toes with low wedge heels. The pink ribbon trim is what attracted me, but also reduces its versatility. Typically paired with my black or grey skirts, or black shirtdress. NOT for walking our Indian streets (canvas); good for car to mall or movie or restaurant days.

#27-28: Giraffe-print ballet pumps. Comfy and versatile. Tad snug for long days on my feet, when they swell. Showing their age? (5 years) Were freebies bundled with #25-26 above!

#29-30: Hush Puppies kitten-heeled mary janes. Versatile colour and shape. I can't usually wear mary janes as the strap often cuts into my wide feet uncomfortably. The low strap of this one helps. VERY comfy despite the heel, which I was doubtful of. Shows a hint of toe cleavage, though.

#31-32: Distressed nude ballet flats with reverse-appliqued flower detail. Bit of an oddball buy. Dainty because of the pink flowers; very RATE with the crackly distressed leather. Does it look ridiculously shabby instead of shabby chic (which I assumed is the intent)?

#33-34: Pale green silk sandals. Eveningwear only. Rubber soles very comfy and secure on slick surfaces (like those awful polished hotel lobbies). Good for travelling due to smooshable straps. Not the most versatile colour, though.

#35-36: Supremely synthetic sports sandals. Emergency rainy-day gear before I got my mud-brown Crocs Primas. Not often used these days, but good for wading through flooded streets withOUT leaving your shoe behind underwater (the Crocs, not photographed, are slip-on ballet flats).

#37-38: Hush Puppies distressed-leather tan booties with stretchy ankle cuff. Cankles make this a difficult shoe type for me; the stretchy top helps. Mostly for travel these days; earlier useful winterwear in four-season city.

#39-40: Metallic pale-gold sneakers. Used to be fun for days of pavement pounding when feet needed protecting from sun, sand and stomping. Not used as much anymore, mainly because I can't decide what to wear with them. Jeans, yes, but what goes on top? (Used to be logo and slogan tees, which I think I've outgrown)

I also possess the following, not pictured:
# Bubblegum pink wellies
# Plum velvet court shoes with a swirly pattern and kitten heels
# Black strappy stiletto sandals with neon-green piping (DEFINITELY sitting-down shoes)
# Teal and brown embroidered Indian slip-on sandals with low block heel
# Nude flat grecian sandals with diamante buckle
(last four not in same city as me :-/ courtesy itinerant lifestyle)