Minimalist Shoe Possessions - How Many Pairs?

[try2bfrugal]

Like many other posters here, I am trying to declutter. Most of my shoes really need replacing so I have been thinking about how many pairs I really need. Here is my list - what do you think?

1. Sandals for everyday. I live where it is warm most of the year so I mainly wear sandals.
2. Dressy sandals
3. Casual walking shoes
4. Hiking shoes
5. Dressy shoes
6. Slippers
7. Water shoes for the beach

I have been just been buying one color in each category. What would you do? Too minimalist? Not enough? Do I get two colors in each category? A couple of fun colors? Twenty pairs would be minimalist compared to many women I know. My list of is probably three more than my husband owns. :) How do you decide?

[Minz]

I think that's a good list, however since you wear sandals most of the time, I don't think it would hurt to have a few different pairs of everyday sandals....but it's whatever you think is best for your situation.

[SteveinMN]

Well, I'm a guy :~), but here's my list:

- tennis shoes -- my "default" shoes;
- a pair of insulated waterproof ankle-high boots -- what I wear when it's super cold or snowy out or if I am hiking or working in the yard (snakes);
- a pair of plain black dress shoes for suit/sport-coat wearing occasions (frankly, they're not comfortable enough for anything else, but they were a cheap and brand-new thrift-store find, so I can put up with them);
- a crummy pair of old slip-on shoes that I can wear for quick-and-dirty jobs (washing the car, etc.) so I don't damage good shoes.

At the moment, I do have a very-little-worn set of tennis shoes that I had at work so I could walk around over lunchtimes (yeah, that didn't work out.... I should give them away but I'm picky about tennis shoes), the casual-but-newer brown and black pairs I used to wear to Corporate America (they definitely should go), and a pair of non-soled slippers for wintertime (most of the year I'm barefoot inside).

My thoughts are that a couple of categories of shoes in your list could be consolidated, like maybe dressy shoes and sandals, but, of course, there are fewer reasons for me to dress that nicely. :D

[Life_is_Simple]

try2bfrugal

Your list is very similar to my list. I have 9 pairs of shoes. I wear sandals and tennis shoes all the time, and boots sometimes in the winter. The rest are "just in case," and are dress shoes (3) back-up/sport shoes (2), and slippers (1).

We may be the only women around who have less than 10 pair of shoes.

[try2bfrugal]

try2bfrugal

Your list is very similar to my list. I have 9 pairs of shoes. I wear sandals and tennis shoes all the time, and boots sometimes in the winter. The rest are "just in case," and are dress shoes (3) back-up/sport shoes (2), and slippers (1).

We may be the only women around who have less than 10 pair of shoes.

My husband and I were looking at open houses the other weekend. We would like a new house but many of the newer ones are so big! One had a closet that was literally about 40 times the size I would need to hold all of my clothes. Even now I have books and exercise equipment in half my dresser drawers because I do not have enough clothes to use up all the space.

I like Easy Spirit shoes and their online site has a big sale going on right now, so I am debating how many pairs to order (minimalist, long term thinking versus Wow nice shoes for $25 - I should really hoard a bunch of these while they are on sale)

[Miss Cellane]

Shoes sometimes feel like the bane of my existence. I need to wear them, because of a foot problem, when I'd rather go barefoot. And I have a small closet, so they don't all fit in the closet and I have to figure out other storage for them.

My shoes:

1. House shoes for wearing around the house.
2. Walking shoes.
3. Hiking boots. Double as snow boots.
4. Good shoes for work, for wearing with pants.
5. Good shoes for work, for wearing with skirts & dresses.
6. Sandals.
7. Waterproof LL Bean slip-on shoes, bought on impulse but incredibly useful in snow or rain.
8. Dressier, work-appropriate snow boots.

Where you live and where you work factor into the shoe equation. If I were to get rid of a pair of shoes, it'd be the sandals. I have to have footwear that can handle snow and ice and rain. My job requires a step or two above business casual, so I can't wear sneakers or walking shoes there.

I keep thinking 8 pairs of shoes is a lot. But then, last week, I watched an episode of Clean House. The woman on the shoe had 150 pairs of shoes, down from a high of 300 pairs. That makes me feel practcially minimalist.

At one point in time, I had 3 pairs. Snow boots. Sneakers. Work shoes. But it's tough to find one pair of good looking work shoes that can be worn with everything I own now.

[Tammy]

I own 4 pair. :)

[rose]

Six:
Croc sandals that are strappy and look nice...very casual or dressy casual.
Merrell black leather winter shoes.
Lands End casual summer mesh every day shoes
Dansko, which I like but find I don't wear much.
Tennis shoes for walking/hiking.
Boots for snow.

[JaneV2.0]

My husband and I were looking at open houses the other weekend. We would like a new house but many of the newer ones are so big! One had a closet that was literally about 40 times the size I would need to hold all of my clothes. Even now I have books and exercise equipment in half my dresser drawers because I do not have enough clothes to use up all the space. ...


I don't need a bigger house, but I drool at the thought of that closet! I think whoever built this house was a minimalist at heart, because the closet situation is pathetic. The kitchen, likewise. But don't get me started...

I'll be a minimalist when I get to the Last Stop Rest Home, so I don't know much about shoe basics except that it must involve different styles and numbers for every individual. I don't need hiking boots or Louboutins, but someone else might.

[Float On]

Oh I don't even want to count how many pair of shoes I have.
Lets just leave it at lots.

.....and I added three pair of clarks just in the last week. Hit a thrift store and there were 3 pair...brand new...just my size. $1 each. Couldn't pass them up because Clarks are my fav.

[JaneV2.0]

Oh I don't even want to count how many pair of shoes I have.
Lets just leave it at lots.

.....and I added three pair of clarks just in the last week. Hit a thrift store and there were 3 pair...brand new...just my size. $1 each. Couldn't pass them up because Clarks are my fav.


And I thought I was drooling before!

[try2bfrugal]

I think that's a good list, however since you wear sandals most of the time, I don't think it would hurt to have a few different pairs of everyday sandals....but it's whatever you think is best for your situation.

That is a great idea. Maybe sandals and an extra pair of walking shoes for winter is where I will splurge a bit over my current list.

Today I bought some running shoes for hikes instead of actual hiking shoes. It is not like I am going to hike the Andes anytime soon. I just need something with some traction on the bottom for hiking around the local parks and the running shoes were half the price of the actual hiking shoes.

Thanks to everyone else for all the comments so far.

[mschrisgo2]

I have only a few pairs of shoes: black leather sandals that I wear to work from May through about September; black flats for work Oct-Nov, and March-April, and Easy Spirt walking shoes that I wear for work in the cold winter months, Dec Jan Feb. I have a pair of Teva's that I bought 9 years ago that I wear most of the time, May -Sept outside of work. (They are soooo comfortable! I've worn them for 18 hours Disneyland days, and my feet didn't hurt!) And I have a pair of sneakers. That's five pairs that I wear. Hiding in the back of my closet are black, navy and bone pumps- they come out for weddings, funerals, interviews. I'm mostly barefoot at home, maybe warm socks in the winter. So 8 total pairs of shoes.

[lizii]

I have only a few pairs of shoes: black leather sandals that I wear to work from May through about September; black flats for work Oct-Nov, and March-April, and Easy Spirt walking shoes that I wear for work in the cold winter months, Dec Jan Feb. I have a pair of Teva's that I bought 9 years ago that I wear most of the time, May -Sept outside of work. (They are soooo comfortable! I've worn them for 18 hours Disneyland days, and my feet didn't hurt!) And I have a pair of sneakers. That's five pairs that I wear. Hiding in the back of my closet are black, navy and bone pumps- they come out for weddings, funerals, interviews. I'm mostly barefoot at home, maybe warm socks in the winter. So 8 total pairs of shoes.


For years now I've worn the same pair of black shoes I can't remember where or when I bought them.

Being a shut-in, I seldom need to wear them, but prefer to walk around indoors in bare feet. When I do go outside, maybe once a week to buy groceries, it's the only time I need to put them on.

These shoes will last me for the rest of my life.

[Tussiemussies]

Did make it through the summer with three pair of sandals. Two pair I got online from Walnart -- I know but their prices I can afford. On the Internet they have a better selection of their shoes so I got two really cute pairs.

Now that fall is coming I have some old pairs-- two or three -- that I bought in Wallmart when their selection was much better in the store itself. They had a lot of Dr. Scholl's shoes there.

I probably need a dressy pair of shoes down the line.

Glad I'm pretty well set for fall and winter...

[rosarugosa]

I'm with Float On - I would guess I have in the neighborhood of 30 pairs, but I haven't counted them.

[Maxamillion]

I've got:
1 pair of dress shoes
1 pair of tan loafers
1 pair of black boots
1 pair of black shoes
1 pair of brown shoes
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of velcro-strap sandals, which is what I mostly wear

[try2bfrugal]

I have only a few pairs of shoes: black leather sandals that I wear to work from May through about September; black flats for work Oct-Nov, and March-April, and Easy Spirt walking shoes that I wear for work in the cold winter months, Dec Jan Feb. I have a pair of Teva's that I bought 9 years ago that I wear most of the time, May -Sept outside of work. (They are soooo comfortable! I've worn them for 18 hours Disneyland days, and my feet didn't hurt!) And I have a pair of sneakers. That's five pairs that I wear. Hiding in the back of my closet are black, navy and bone pumps- they come out for weddings, funerals, interviews. I'm mostly barefoot at home, maybe warm socks in the winter. So 8 total pairs of shoes.

I really like Teva and Easy Spirit, too. Those are my go to brands. I tried on a bunch of other brands yesterday looking for shoes on sale but most of them just didn't feel nearly as comfortable, even the more expensive comfort shoe lines. I did buy some Avia sneakers, but for other shoes I will just order Teva or Easy Spirit wherever they are on sale online from now on. Tevas are the only sandals I can hike or go for long walks in and they feel as good as wearing sneakers or comfortable walking shoes.

I just realized one of my pairs of Teva's are waterproof so I don't need separate beach shoes and I think I will replace my slippers with a pair of house only Tevas since the Tevas are more comfortable and can act as back up for the outside Teva's if I misplace those. This is kind of cool thinking about what I really need and having a plan instead of buying random cute stuff I see on sale.

[shadowmoss]

Sigh. I'll count mine tonight. They are mostly packed away in a large duffle. I only have about 20 pr out. I'm trying to pare down as I send things I'm not using back to storage in the US. I'm also wondering why I'm hanging onto stuff I'm just sending back to storage, so I guess it is the shoes time in the spotlight.

[bunnys]

I have dozens of pairs. Many of which I never wear. Trying to purge some that are simply taking up space in my closet. This is another reason I want to go 18 months without buying any clothes.

Now what's this about an Easy Spirit website sale?

[try2bfrugal]

I have dozens of pairs. Many of which I never wear. Trying to purge some that are simply taking up space in my closet. This is another reason I want to go 18 months without buying any clothes.

Now what's this about an Easy Spirit website sale?

Your wallet is in luck. The big sale ended yesterday. (They still do have some good clearance shoes and a discount on new styles.)

[rodeosweetheart]

This was an interesting thread, as I realized I had no idea, and I am not someone who buys a lot of shoes. So today, I went through and carefully grouped and counted. I have

2 prs casual crocs, black and teal--this is what I usually wear, but our new puppy has chewed through three pairs since her arrival

2 prs dressy crocs, black and olive, purchased for weddings a couple of years ago

5 prs sandals--this kind of surprised me, since I always wear crocs, but we live in a semitropical climate. They range from casual (dog ate four pairs of super casual 2 dollar flipflops) to dressy enough to wear out to dinner. All cost less than 20 dollars when purchased, most are a few years old. Did splurge on a brand new pair of scholl exercise sandals last week that gave me wicked blisters but remind me of being 16, at my first job

1 pair danskos which I tend not to wear here cause of sand

1 pair of loafers, bass weejuns, purchased on nostalgic impulse at the Bass outlet in Hilton head, packed up to wear someday

1 pair leather clark mule-ish things that I like but haven't worn in 2 years, purchased for a job interview up north

1 pair of sneakers

1 pr of brown go everywhere professional kind of shoes, never worn, since work at home

1 pr of riding boots

and that's it. So I count around 15.

I need a pair of black flats because that is a good go to shoe and I've had to go to 2 funerals this year. They bum me out so I don't buy them.

I need a pair of good running/walking shoes--the sneakers are not very supportive, and not for tennis

I need another pair of riding boots.

So I plan to make a closet eventually for 20 pairs, and limit myself to 15-20.

I would have thought I had about 7 pair. Hmm.

[larknm]

2 pr sandals--1 Teva, 1 I forget the brand but sand doesnt get in because the toes are kind of covered
3 pr hiking boots--2 merril (more flexible sole), 1 Lowa (less flexible)--I hike every day
2 pr plastic house shoes
1 pr woft houseshoes--probably get worn out this comin winter and I won't replace
3 pr merrill slip-ons
1 pr heavy snow boots
1 pr rain boots (it never rains that much here but I keep worrying if we move)

[Wildflower]

Let's see - I have 2 prs. birkenstock sandals, 1 pr. very old, 1 pr. brand new
1 pr. tennis shoes
1 pr. winter boots
1 pr. dressy shoes
1 pr. garden clogs
So 6 prs. total.
I need to buy a new pair for DD's wedding in April. :)

[shadowmoss]

So far I count 27 pr. I had 15 out where I see them often enough to actually wear them. 1 pr. is back in the States, and there may be more, most of my stuff is in storage. So far none jumped out as no necessary. I'm wearing a pr today that I haven't worn in 2 years.

[Kestrel]

I'm more-or-less with lizii ... I have one pair of "goodish" black shoes that I wear any time I go out in public. One pair of sandals that I keep in the RV for "camping". One pair of old old slip-on shoes that I wear if I have to go out in the yard for anything. And I have another pair of black shoes that are too big now but I keep just in case I might need them for something; I don't know what. Around the house I wear socks. Shoes ... eh ... purely fuctional, as far as I'm concerned. ... Oh yeah, I still have a pair of boots from when we lived where we had to have snow boots. We do have snow here in the winter but haven't had to use them, so I'd almost forgotten about them.

[JaneV2.0]

I'm more of a minimalist than I like to think, because--although I have lots of shoes--I wear my black Off Road Crocs 99% of the time. They were hugely overpriced for plastic shoes, but I've had years of daily wear out of them, making cost-per-wear practically free. And I can wash them in the shower!

[Blackdog Lin]

I need to thank y'all for this thread. After reading it this morning I guess I was in a mood and immediately marched into the closet and starting pulling shoes out of my cardboard shoe organizer. At 4:30 am, even! I pulled out 9 pairs of shoes with 1/2" of dust on them - a definite sign that they need to go to Goodwill my next trip.

I am left with the shoes that I actually wear. Too many, but I wear them all. (And I don't count the snowboots and the black rubber choreboots - they both live in the backporch closet, are utilitarian and specific, and therefore not "shoes" to count in my total.)

You need to know that if I had my druthers, and never had to leave the house, I would live in flip-flops (hot weather) or houseshoes (cold weather). But alas I do have to leave the house every day, and am not allowed to wear flip-flops (or any sandal-type shoes) to my workplace. Good heavy sneakers are the default footwear of choice in my workplace.

I am left with:
-8 pairs flip-flops: 1 "dressy" for summer funerals and such, 1 dirty ugly bright yellow for gardening, 3 "old" pairs in asst. colors, but getting ugly and only suitable for around the house, and 3 (new this summer, but cheap ones) asst. color suitable for going out to eat, or shopping with the girlfriends.
-2 pairs "PF Flyers" (I'm old. what do you call this retro style of sneakers nowadays?) Denim blue and black. Really like them, even though both pairs are 15-20 years old, but I wear them regularly enough. I like the messy/dirty/retro/lived-in look of them, and they're broke in and comfy.
-3 pairs "good" sneakers. Black, white, and brown/tan. I alternate between all three for my workadays, to coordinate with what I'm wearing.
-my older white "good" work sneakers from 2 years ago. They still look decent (and I'm wondering now why I replaced them with a new pair).

14 pairs. I'm happy, that's not TOO bad. This list has made me realize I need to find a pair of cold-weather low black "dressies", in case we have a wedding or funeral in the cold season (guess we've been lucky the last few years).

Anyway, thanks again for getting me off my duff and making me declutter the shoe rack! :)

[try2bfrugal]

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond. I didn't think shoes would be such a hot topic. I decided on 11 pairs of shoes in seven categories - every day sandals, dressy sandals, hiking boots, walking shoes, flats, dressy flats for weddings and funerals, and boots. The Tevas can act as slippers and water shoes. We're going to make a day trip to a local outlet mall over the next few weeks and I'll get whatever pairs I need from there or online. It is probably not the most minimalist set but I want to have a back up pair in some categories, like sometimes the hiking boots will get wet or muddy and it is nice to have a dry, clean back up pair. And I like the suggestion of having multiple every day sandals since that is what I mainly wear.

[redfox]

It's been nearly a year since I injured an achilles tendon, making it quite painful to wear many of my dressy shoes. Combine that with working at home, and with the inspiration of this thread, I am packing them all up & haul them to a consignment store TOMORROW!

I know my size will sell, and then I'll have a check to put in the bank. Woo hoooo! Thanks, y'all.

[bunnys]

Ok, just did an official count as I'm decluttering my shoes (inspired by all these decluttering threads.)

I have 54 pairs of shoes and today am giving 13 to Goodwill (at least 5 pairs I've never worn.)

This is absurd! I still have 41!!! pairs of shoes!

[greenmimama]

Ok, just did an official count as I'm decluttering my shoes (inspired by all these decluttering threads.)

I have 54 pairs of shoes and today am giving 13 to Goodwill (at least 5 pairs I've never worn.)

This is absurd! I still have 41!!! pairs of shoes!

Thanks, that make my 22 seem much better ;) I laid out all of my shoes, including the worn out ones I keep for gardening, then I laid out my husbands shoes, he had only 1 pair less than mine, we each gave some up, but we buy really nice shoes, so more than get rid of them, we will wear them out and only keep replacing stuff like everyday shoes and running shoes for him. That is part of the reason he has so many he gets a new pair of running shoes at least once a year, but then he can retire those to his work shoes, thankfully they are very casual!

[decemberlov]

2 pairs of flip flops (one black & one brown)
1 pair of red chinese slippers
1 pair Dr. Marten Boots that I've had for about 6 years now
1 pair of Dr. Marten wingtips that are about 15 years old
1 pair of converse also pretty darn old too but soooo comfy
1 pair of running shoes gifted to me by my 13 yr old daughter that now has bigger feet than I do :laff:
1 pair of black heels...I hate wearing heels but these are for weddings and such.

My feet are pretty small, I wear a 5 1/2 in womens...I suspect I would have wayyyyyy more shoes if this were not the case :~)

[shadowmoss]

Reading these lists makes me remember some other shoes I at least used to own that aren't in my count. I must have a box of them still someplace else. Wonder which country they are in? So far I've been reminded of at least 2 pr, a pr of Birkenstocks and a pr of black chinese slippers. Haven't seen either for awhile now. Didn't miss them till now.

[mira]

If you feel the shoes you have are meeting your needs without being excessive, then I think you're on the right path (terrible pun, I know).

I think there was a similar post to this a while back. As was the case then, the number of pairs of shoes I own continues to make me anxious. I wish I could just have two like my boyfriend!

I live in a place that is predominantly temperate and wet, but I travel to warm places fairly frequently. My shoe-count is something like:

- black sneaker-style mary-janes for nearly everyday wear
- brown leather mary-janes (they were cute and on sale; I do not really need them and don't wear them too often because rain soaks into the leather even with protector spray on)
- tan leather T-bar shoes (I have had these for a few years and wear them only occasionally... rain would ruin them... but they're so darn cute and well made I can't bear to get rid of them)
- black formal flats
- black ankle-strap flats for dressy outfits
- black flat knee-high boots
- turquoise rain boots (used once for a festival... I can foresee them being more useful though)
- canvas flats
- black flip-flops
- brown leather flatbed sandals
- walking sneakers (I don't wear these too often as they make me feel clunky and make my feet far too hot, but they're good for, well, walks!)

[redfox]

I sorted & took 7 pairs to consignment. I scrubbed the soles with vinegar & water, and all were accepted. I saved the summer shoes to take in next spring, which will be another half dozen pairs. Thanks for the motivation!

[shadowmoss]

Found 2 more pr of shoes, boots that were packed away. Ok, I think I'm up over 30 pair now.

[catherine]

My number's 11:

Daily shoes: Ballet flats: 1 pair black and 1 pair brown
Work shoes: (3) black 1-inch heels; black fancier flats; brown 1-inch heels
Casual: 1 pair sneakers; 1 pair flip-flops; 1 pair hiking boots; 1 pair beat-up ballet flats
Dress: 1 pair fancy black shoes
Winter: 1 pair boots

[rodeosweetheart]

Bought three new crocs, in teal, black, and purple sandals. Total is up to around 20 now!

[try2bfrugal]

Well, I have been busy replacing some of my shoes this past month with an actual master plan in hand. I bought 7 new pairs and will get rid of most of the old ones. Most of the new shoes were on sale and 4 pairs were on sale even at Easy Spirit outlet prices so they didn't cost that much.

So I think this will be my final number -

1 pair black dressy flats for funerals and weddings
2 pairs running shoes with a lot of tread for hiking
1 pair Keen sports sandals
2 pairs Teva sandals (one waterproof, one slightly dressy)
1 pair ballet flats
2 pairs of Easy Spirit slipons (one to use in place of slippers)
1 pair of black walking shoes
1 pair boots

Total - 11 pair. I probably could have gotten by with less, but so far this seems to be a nice assortment for now. Thanks again for all of the comments and suggestions.

[mikeyd205]

[Moderator note: Happy to have people explore this topic, but the original post was a commercial pitch and therefore has been deleted]

[oldhat]

I have:

1 pair brown shoes
1 pair black (dress) shoes
1 pair hiking boots
1 pair trail shoes (lightweight hikers)
1 pair slip-on mocs
1 pair gym shoes
1 pair sandals (which I haven't worn for a while and will shortly get rid of)

That's probably all any man needs, regardless of his job or lifestyle. Women might feel a bit more social pressure to show more variety in their footwear. If they can resist, more power to 'em.

I'd like to pare down my shoes even further. I've often said I'd be happy if everybody wore uniforms, and I've been moving in that direction: khaki slacks and a plain shirt with a collar for work, jeans and shorts with t-shirts most of the rest of the time. Ultimately I hope that a pair of hiking shoes, one sturdy pair of gym shoes, and a pair of casual brown shoes for "special" occasions will be sufficient.