Shoes

I used to have a ton of shoes. As a teenager I had perhaps 45-50 pairs. I found a photo of them recently and realized I hardly wore any of them. It was mostly just a collection! Since I worked at a second -hand store I had easy access to used shoes. I thought for fun I'd catalogue my current collection. I wear every shoe I own regularly. A few are seasonal. I bought three of them new. One pair not pictured are slippers, which are new with tags from the thrift store for $5. 

Boots. These are LL Bean and I've worn them almost daily in the winter for two years. They have slight leaks now, unfortunately, but I wear them mostly  when biking to work, as it drizzles constantly in the winter. $89 new. 

My starting -to -look-ratty flats. These are New Balance and are great every day shoes. They are getting old though. They look a little better in person than in the photo! This is my old casual winter shoe. I'm going to keep them as backups to my new pair of casual winter shoes, which are pictured next. Thift store, well worn in already, $3. 

These are the same exact model as my work shoes and they  are going to be my winter shoes. Super psyched because they'll go great with a dress and tights and they are very comfortable. They are Alegria's Paloma. $120, new. 

These were in my neighbor's free pile on the spring and I've worn them all summer, unless I was wearing clothes that clashed. It's amazing how many red or things I own! (Although the shoes look pink, they're actually a true red.) The only shoe on my wishlist is a classier looking, neutral colored summer shoe for next year, as these will probably be too worn to go another summer. $0. 

My other go-to summer shoes. This is my third summer wearing these, and I wore them daily for the first two summers. They were on sale from LL Bean for $20 - worth every penny! I've never gotten Walmart flip flops to last that long.

  My old work sneakers (soaked in bleach!). I use these only for biking in the summer time, and I wear them as often as I go to work. Thrift store, like -New for $12. 

These were my first pair of heels that I ever have found that actually fit me. I had seen a pair of shoes in this brand that I really liked but couldn't find in stores anywhere. Then these popped up in a thrift store. Vey exciting day. I wear these with any kind of outfit that these don't clash with and have been my dress shoes for about a year. Trotters, $12, thrift store. 

Black pumps! I just got these on eBay, which are also Trotters and the same size as the previous pair, but unfortunately this toe shape is  bit tight. It would be impossible to get such an elegant line if they were super wide, though, so I'm more or less happy with them..they are my go-to dress shoe now. $40 delivered, eBay. 

I guess I have one more shoe wish which is a pair of wider Trotters in nude for next summer, and with a fairly low heel so I can wear it with all of my dresses as an every day shoe.

There you have it, a working collection of 8 shoes. I feel like just about all of my needs are met. I have lived with this many shoes or less for 6 years now and I don't have any regrets. It's a lot easier to take care of the shoes I have and I can invest in a good shoe that will last me a good number of years. If I get my shoe wishes taken care of for next year I will get rid of one pair and gain two, and then I will have 9 pairs. 

If only I could do this for my clothes! This does make me have hope that I could minimalize my clothes and be happy with the result. Not that 8 pairs of shoes is really minimalistic, but it's a lot closer than I used to live.