How Many Pairs Of Shoes Do You Need In Your Collection?

 

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Studies show that the average woman owns around 19 pairs of shoes at any given time. That number fluctuates from year to year, but it has actually been surprisingly consistent over the last thirty years.

The question for many women, though, is how many shoes you actually need. There’s often a big difference between what’s enough, and what we really want. 

Interestingly, many shoes go unused. We wear some of them, but after we buy others, they just sit on the shelf or in boxes, collecting dust. 

The trick here is to choose quality over quantity. While having a lot of shoes keeps things interesting and, for some of us, is a badge of honor, it also creates clutter and we wind up spending more than we should on replacements. 

In many cases, you’re actually better off selling shoes and just keeping the ones that serve you. 

The Essential Five Pairs Of Shoes

If someone told you that you only needed five pairs of shoes to meet all your needs, would you believe them? Maybe not. But in this section, we prove that you don’t need a large number. Again, what counts most is quality over quantity. You need shoes that perform various functions at different times of the week or year.

1. Running shoes

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People call these “trainers,” “sneakers” and plenty of other things, but basically, you just need a pair of shoes you can be active in. You want something that can cope with your gym workouts, running sessions, and jaunts to the park. 

2. Flats

Next, you’ll want a pair of flats. These are good for work or just casually hanging around depending on the style. If you find wearing flats a little uncomfortable, then you can get shoes with small heels. 

3. Sandals

On hot days, sandals are a godsend. And they make sense when you go abroad or to the beach. You want something you can wear with light dresses or when the temperatire climbs above 77°F. 

4. Plain pumps

Plain black pumps are another work option and they work well as a neutral addition to most outfits. If you don’t have any plain pumps in your collection, you can shop here or go in-store.

5. Black Boots

Lastly, if you live in an area that gets cold winters, you’ll want a pair of black boots to round out your collections. Brown is also a good color. Make sure that they are tall. You don’t need thigh-high, but halfway up the shin can look good. 

Non-Essential But Nice To Have

Those are the essential shoes you need in your collection. But, as you can see, the list is quite bare-bones. You could get away with having just those five pairs of shoes, but only just. There will be occasions in your life when none of them are really appropriate. 

Therefore, in this section, we take a look at some non-essential shoes for your wardrobe that are otherwise nice to have. 

Flip Flops

Sandals are good for the beach, but you can’t exactly wear them in the pool or go in the sea with them. That’s where flip-flops really come in handy. Most manufacturers make these out of foam, so you can take them anywhere. Plus, they’re super simple to clean. You just rinse them and that’s it. 

Trendy Sneakers

Regular sneakers get beaten up quickly if you exercise in them and wind up looking dreadful. They’re not the sort of thing you want to wear on a nice occasion. 

However, trendy sneakers can look fantastic if you get your outfit right. They make you look cute while you shop. 

Brown Boots

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You’ll also want a second pair of boots if you live in an area that gets cold or muddy in the winter. You may need to wear one pair and then wash another. 

Snow Boots

Snow boots are great for people who live in northern climes. These keep the toes completely dry so you don’t wind up feeling soggy and wet all day at work. 

Pointy Shoes

Having another pair of trendy, pointy shoes, makes it easier to customize your outfits. You can mix and match more so that you don’t always look the same every time you walk out of the house. 

Sexy Shoes

Lastly, if you’re someone who loves going out and socializing, or you’re looking for love, it can help to have some sexy shoes in your collection. Think stilettos, peep toes and so on. The choice is really yours. 

In total, that’s about 11 shoes, so a little off the 19 average. 

I, myself, own quite a few pairs of shoes, but have been downsizing a lot. This guide has helped me to decide on the ones that I really need. How about YOU? How many pairs of shoes do you own? Let me know in the comment section below.

Disclaimer: This is a partnered post.