Which came first? The chicken or the . . . ?

Marley

In the process of going through my entire closet and making decisions to Keep, Donate, or Toss - I've discovered that there were many times in my shopping escapades that I bought a pair of shoes first, and then tried to find an outfit to go with it. Do any of you do that? Is it a good way to build a wardrobe? I am just such a sucker for a cute pair of shoes, and always tell myself that I will buy something to wear with them - and then sometimes I do, sometimes I don't - or I just buy part of an outfit - never get it completed - and so I end up with not only an orphan pair of shoes, but several clothing orphans as well. It just doesn't seem like a very good way to shop! I am assuming that once I get a more efficient and organized wardrobe - one that makes sense - that when I see a pair of cute shoes that I fall in love with I will already have clothing in my wardrobe that I can wear with them? Is that the way it works for those of you who are smart shoppers?????

15 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from tarzy

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I'm a sucker for cute shoes, so I can't help you there.

15 years ago

Anonymous

Since discovering YLF, I'm more likely to be looking for shoes of the proper height for a pair of pants to be PPL or to bring the level of dressiness of outfits up or down. My wardrobe has been seriously lacking in shoe choices. The orphan shoes are the ones that aren't comfortable.

15 years ago

Kate

Veteran

I don't have a lot of shoes, so I'm probably not much help in the other direction, but I can say this: If I don't already own several outfits that an item will go with, I don't buy it because I won't wear it much. Shoes are almost always an investment, and I can't afford to invest in things that won't be workhorses. I can afford to buy costume jewelry or a knit top with limited mixing potential. I'm also a big fan of cost per wear. If I spend $10 on it, I better wear it at least 10 times. If I spend $150 on it, I better wear it 150 times.

15 years ago

LoP

Veteran

I'm a shoe lover and have more shoes than anything else in my closet. I love having options and hardly have any orphan shoes. In time, I found that the best way to use all my shoes is to organize them in a way that I can see them all. In this way, I don't forget about them. (I use the shoe boxes from container store on the top shelves of my walk in just above the clothing racks: http://www.containerstore.com/.....d=10001753)

My rule is, if a pair is not worn for two seasons (we only have slight weather variation in SoCal so I can wear any shoe anytime), give it a serious consideration to keep or toss. I also push myself to rotate shoes and make new outfits since it is healthier for the feet.

15 years ago

Sally

Veteran

I've just weeded my wardrobe and I'm trying to incorporate the concept of having very few clothes and just changing the shoes and accessories. I am often short of shoes as I want to change the look of an outfit so I think I should buy more shoes and less clothes.

15 years ago

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I think, if you are a shoe lover it's a natural approach. My work life is demanding on my shoes (I walk between building and the bus all day, but I work in fashion retail...), so I have to be very strict about my shoes or they end up taking up space and not getting worn.

15 years ago

Sharon

Veteran

I do this too, but it's an expensive way to build a wardrobe in my experience! I currently have two pairs of shoes I love, but really don't go with much and I spend a long time trying to work out ways to wear them! No real answers, although I can report that a pair of tan, square-toed heeled loafer style shoes I bought ten years ago and hardly wore are finally starting to work with my wardrobe, so maybe patience is the key!

15 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

Marley, I do love me some shoes and use them as a very important accessory in a finished look!

I keep a list of shoes I'm seeking to enhance my wardrobe. Leopard flats are at the top of the list. If I see a great pair of flats, I'll get them!

I have one of those 15-pair shoe cubbyholes in the bottom of my bedroom (main) closet with shoes, all flats, organized by color. Boots are in front, ready to wear.

This way, it's easy to see both the shoes AND the clothes (also organized by color) right there in my closet. I can then determine if I need more black shoes, a different color, etc. No more shoes, though, is not an option!

15 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I'm a sucker for a cute shoe and have more than one orphaned or one outfit only pair of shoes.

15 years ago

Beth

Veteran

I NO idea what you people are talking about. No sirrreee.

OK, fine. I admit to meeting all the criteria for having Compulsive Shoe Disorder. Hey, they nearly always fit and they make me happy. I'll work an outfit around a good pair every time:)

15 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

I have really fussy feet - most shoes hurt, so this really limits what I can buy. As a result I think my shoes end up being fairly basic and I worry more about other outfit details.

15 years ago

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