Shoe Inventory, Fall/Winter Edition

Kayla over on Internal Sequin Issues did a brave, brave thing a couple weeks ago: she counted all the shoes in her closet. Now that I've finished out the final round of new footwear purchases for the season, I thought I would take an inventory myself. It's quite a lot.



There are 36 pairs in the photo, PLUS:
2 more pairs of heavy snow boots downstairs.
1 pair of running shoes
1 pair of aqua socks
2 pairs of flip-flops (for manicure days)
4 pairs of dressy party heels in boxes at the top of my closet

PLUS two containers of summer/spring shoes under the bed (uncounted)

So, 46 pairs so far. I'll do another compilation in the spring; in putting this together I did retire two pairs that I never wear and are not comfortable, and I imagine I will do the same then.

I even organized them by frequency of wear, style, and heel height. Doing so made me realize a very important fact:

I DO NOT NEED ANY MORE SHOES FOR THE NEXT TWO SEASONS.

In fact, I will even declare a shopping ban on shoes for the fall and winter. (I know, Shopping Friend!) I love shoes, and I love shoe shopping, but...I have all the shoes I need for my wardrobe right now. I've actually done a good job getting the right variety and comfort for my needs. So -- and I can't believe I'm saying this -- but I don't need any more shoes.

Let's look at what I have, and let me savor the moment.

The Heels



Comfort is key for me with my heels, and I prefer spending the money on a good pair that will last. I like proven brands, and I loooooooove the oxford bootie look.


-Black oxford brogues with chunky heel, Naturalizer
-Red patent heels, Franco Sarto
-Grey fabric bow booties, Naturalizer
-Blue suede booties with front cutout, Sofft


-Black/grey croc and patent buckled kitten heels, Franco Sarto (these are for pants so they're not getting worn much these days)
-grey patent oxford brogues, Franco Sarto
-same fabulous pair in burgundy
-brown suede oxfords, BCBG (probably my least favorite of all the heeled oxfords)


-brown Mary Janes, Naturalizer (may get donated after this year if they don't get worn; I've evolved beyond this style now)
-black square-toed shoes, Franco Sarto (everyone needs a pair like this that go with everything)
-tan perforated stiletto heels, BCBG (more of a spring/summer shoe, but I keep it out just in case I need a good nude)
-black leather pumps, Lifestyle


-plaid fabric peeptoe heels, Bandolino (summer shoes I kept out in case I wanted to try the peeptoe-with-tights look)
-black suede pointy pumps, Bandolino
-black leather pointy kitten-heel pumps, Circa Joan & David (sentimental favorites: they are the first really nice and pretty shoes I bought with Shopping Friend, and the ones that started me on the road to moving from ugly chunky shoes to my current shoes)
-tan-and-black kitten-heel patent brogues, Naturalizer

That whole row could be donated, I rarely wear any of them. We shall see where they stand at the end of the season.

Flats and Boots


I am cheaper about my flats, and I think I need to become more discerning. The ones I wear the least are the ones I've gotten at outlets or from Target. The comfort is just not there!


-black leather pointy flats with ribbon detail, DSW
-bronze jeweled pointy flats, Audrey Brooke at DSW
-brown patent croc ballet flats, Me Too
-black ballet flats, Me Too

That row is all my go-to flats. I wear those constantly.


-red Converse, Converse Outlet
-grey Converse, Converse Outlet
-grey tweed pointy flats, Ann Taylor Factory
-red patent bowed flats, Target
-brown croc patent pointy flats, Ann Taylor LOFT

I will probably donate the last 3 flats if I don't wear them this year, since I rarely wore them last year either.


-black faux Doc Martens, Grinder (not worn in almost 10 years. Hmm.)
-black leather ankle boots, Nine West
-toro-colored fitted heeled boots, Franco Sarto
-black fitted heeled boots, Franco Sarto

The Grinders should be donated, the ankle boots are new for this season, and the fitted boots are starting to show a lot of wear at the toes and are pretty loose on me now. Not sure if they'll make it the whole season, but I have other boots so they wouldn't be my first choice anyway.


-black leather cowboy-ish boots with brogue detailing, Vince Camuto
-plum patent lined weatherproof boots, La Canadienne
-brown riding boots with zipper in back, Franco Sarto
-patterned galoshes, Target

You all know how much wear the first 3 pairs are getting. :)

Do you see why a ban is in order? I love so many of these and I need to wear them as much as possible, and not allowing myself to buy more will definitely keep me rotating through what I have. So barring any major issues (like I hurt myself and have to wear flats every day) my no-shoe ban has begun.

Until the spring. Then it's every man for himself. ;-D