What do you do with beautiful classic shoes that you never wear? - YouLookFab Forum

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What do you do with beautiful classic shoes that you never wear?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

My closet is over-full of shoes & boots, and with my casual life, I have some really nice things I just never wear. The attached picture is a great case in point. Got them on sale a couple of years ago, but I just don't wear pumps often. I love the color, and they're not bad comfort-wise, but I just never reach for them. I have more shoes in this category.

Are they just not right for my evolving style anymore? They're in great shape, I could probably sell them for a fair bit of what I paid for them.

Yay = keep, they're classics you may want some day
Nay = they don't suit you - sell them and give your other items in the closet some breathing room!

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26 replies

Latest reply was from teri

Kappy

Veteran

I voted Nay, sell. They are beautiful, but they don't seem your style *now*. You should find a killer pair of pumps (maybe like those Eject ones??).

Louise

Veteran

I think if you always pass them over for another pair it's time to rehome them x

Suz

(website)

Veteran

They are beautiful, Janet.

But I'm voting nay, since I've offered to teach basic closet purging! (See Natalie's thread) They don't seem to fit with your evolving style.

Having said that, if I could jump back on the fence for a moment, I'd say put them on probation. Perhaps not now, since it's a bit unfair to ask them to come out in winter. But if you have space to store them until spring, give them 3 months then, see if you can work them happily into some outfits, and if you are wearing them, keep. But if not, out they go.

Vildy

Veteran

Why don't you start backwards: select a couple of outfits that you definitely would wear for specific non-casual occasions, match them with shoes and get rid of the surplus.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

This is why I love this forum! You all have made great points. Suz, I like the probation idea, and Vildy, the idea of putting together occasion-appropriate outfits and then assigning shoes to them is brilliant. It insures that the shoes aren't filling a wardrobe hole.

missvee

Veteran

I agree that consigning them is the way to go. If you really like this colour, look for something like ballerina flats or a sport shoe in a similar shade - something you're guaranteed to wear.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Kappy, you also hit on a good point with the Eject suggestion. My style is funkier than these shoes. If I were in the market for pumps now, they'd be this color but an edgier style.

In my closet purging, I've started to ask myself, "If I tried this on in the store, would I want to buy it?" If the answer is no, I should probably let the item go.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

The shoes are lovely but I just can't reconcile them with the wiw's I've seen over the last year. I have a feeling that even if you had a formal meeting or something, you'd reach for boots in the winter and wedge platforms in the summer.

Claudia

Veteran

Janet wrote: "If I tried this on in the store, would I want to buy it?" If the answer is no, I should probably let the item go.

I think that you just answered your own question perfectly. This also struck a chord with me about some things that I have been hanging onto. Thanks!

These shoes are really beautiful and will be just right for someone else. When the occasion comes that you need a dressy shoe, you will be able to now purchase the right shoe for who you are now, and they will find their way into being versatile and not end up orphans like these.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have had this exact scenario this year (and mine were never worn out of the house!) and decided to consign them. They were just taking up space and anymore that's not gonna cut it, no matter that both pairs were basically brand new and perfectly fine. I'm ashamed to say I had the green kitten heels for 3 years and maybe wore them once for 3 hours. No more!! For either of us!

Irene

Veteran

Wow I should learn from you. I'm incapable of tossing things away. It doesn't help that my mum has a very strong believe in saving stuff for future occasions. She lives with me and pays for many of my clothes... guess when I'll live on my own?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Pass on. YOU have moved on.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all the wisdom and input! I've been getting dusty this morning, excavating the floor of my closet with all the shoes and boots. I have at least half a dozen pairs that will be going away -- some donated, but some consigned or sold on eBay. Sad that several of them have only been worn once or twice, but it's better to let them go!

morethanbeige

Veteran

I'm taking notes on all these great ideas. Wisdom indeed!

Di

(website)

Veteran

They're really lovely, but the question I always ask myself is, "would someone else enjoy these more than I do?"

rae

(website)

Veteran

You've left this style behind - sell and fund a new, YOU shoe purchase!

Anonymous

"If I tried this on in the store, would I want to buy it?" If the answer is no, I should probably let the item go.
This is one of the smartest things I've heard.
As for the shoes, since Angie has spoken , I won't add much.
I read on a blog about a girl who saves her shoes. She makes a list of all her shoes, and if in the course of a year she doesn't wear and document a pair, it can't be saved. It's gone. That is a good idea for keeping shoes relevant in your closet.

Louise

Veteran

Janet just think, all this closet purging will make space for new fabulous things that you love and wear lots x

Briar

Thanks for this inspiring post, Janet! When I saw the shoes, I thought why would you get rid of those beautiful things?! But the two pieces of advice about it not jiving with your current style and the very wise "if you tried it on in the store now, would you buy it again" (i have to create a copy of that quote and post it in my closet!) really spoke to me! You are making room for an awesome new purchase!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

I think those shoes are gone, by now, but I would have to agree that upon seeing your style, you've evolved and those pretty little shoes may deserve a new home. p.s. I'd love to see a thread on eBay pricing and selling, because I've got some items to sell, but have no idea about pricing.

Heather

Veteran

Keep them in your costume closet!!! They are lovely.

Marie

To answer your question, I sell them on Ebay & this includes everything I will no longer wear TODAY"......& that is key for me......no more "maybe someday." I have never regretted selling/donating/tossing anything.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Well, in my case I can't even give them away on YLF. If it makes you feel any better I'm going to consign two pairs of shoes that I bought in NYC and never wore.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Janet, I really love what you said to yourself: If I tried it on in a store would I buy it? That is a GREAT nugget of wisdom there. Thank you.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, everyone!

Anna, I understand. In my purge yesterday are two pair of nice, expensive shoes that were each worn exactly once.

I kind of have this mental threshold on the value of an item and whether it should be donated or go on eBay. Generally with shoes, I figure if they're worth maybe $40 or less, I'll donate them (we itemize everything at tax time). So I only go through the hassle of photographing/listing/sending packages for higher value items.

Armed with all of your encouragement yesterday, I filled a big bag with 7 pairs of shoes and 3 pairs of boots, and I have three more pairs sitting in a probationary area. I totally reorganized my shoe and boot storage so now I can actually see what I have, and the process also gave me an idea for helping improve my handbag storage. It's so ridiculous how much happier I am when I open my closet now!

teri

Veteran

I've had to put myself on a strict buy a new pair, get rid of one pair rule. I have wayyyyy to many shoes. You should have no trouble selling thos shoes as they are cole haans. I think they are beautiful. What size are they??