Shoes - what are the 'essentials'?

[Alwaysworthchecking]

OK, so nearly all my shoes have decided to fall apart at once and, of course, they all waited until I had very little money to replace them. So I'm looking for those 'essential, entirely functional but still make me feel good' shoes. Do they exist?

I have a perfectly good pair of black leather, knee-high boots which I adore. I also have a pair of walking boots (I know - not stylish at all, but they get the job done) and a pair of black ballet pumps, which I don't like wearing because they pinch, but I needed them for for the plethora of funerals I've lately attended.

My Converse-type things are on their last legs, I got dh to superglue the sides of the walking boots to the soles, my trainers fell apart long ago and I pale at the thought of buying more. My Chelsea-esque boots with the annoying wrap-around buckles (they were ankle-height and brown) have just progressed beyond a cobbler's ken and we're leaving sandal-weather behind us (which is as well, because they have fallen apart too). I dream of owning a pair of red shoes, but think I would look an fool in them.

I wear jeans, smocky or jumpery dress-type things, a just-above the knee denim skirt and some fuller 'twirly' type skirts. If I could find enough of them, I would live in dresses, but I have yet to find enough of them. I have small but awkwardly-shaped feet: wide toes, narrow heels (think 'shovels'). I cannot walk in heels, try as I might. Sometimes my feet hurt...a lot...due to an arthritic-type problem. I am very nearly forty. I don't like to wear non-leather shoes (apart from Converse-type things and Crocs) because they are soooo uncomfortable. I need my shoes for walking to and from school in, for going shopping in, for going to college in, for working at a nursery school in. Mainly. Occasionally I go out somewhere more interesting. I am not very good at shopping and I keep things for ages, which is why they are all so knackered: I need your help! (I don't belong here, do I? I'm hoping to acquire some sort of 'style by osmosis'.)

So, go on: humour me. Tell me what kind of things to look out for and where to go for them, and I will be eternally grateful.

Ballet pumps, ach. Great for those lucky people who can wear them. They tear my feet to shreds. My Converse aren't comfy enough, either. Too hard.

I just can't do uncomfortable shoes unless it's for a wedding or soemthing, where I know at some stage I'll be able to take them off under the table . I buy at least one pair of gorgeous shoes that I'll never wear every year. I have to bloody well accept that if I can't pound pavements with children in tow in a pair of shoes, they aren't the shoes for me.

My essentials are:

Some 'slouchy' leather boots, about 3/4 length rather than knee-boots, in tan or brown and also some cowboy-style boots. Both look good for casual/smart casual wear with jeans or dresses and tights/leggings.

Some smarter black boots with a small heel.

Some warm winter boots. I like Uggs, but I know they get blasted on MN and lots of people hate them. But I'd need some sort of ultra comfy and warm boot once we're getting into Nov/Dec.

I also have a pair of kind of pale gold high heeled peep-toe sandals that go with everything - black, white, bright colours, muted shades etc. I wear them to weddings with a dress or on nights out with skinny jeans. You need a good 'all rounder' dressy shoe.

I am also of the opinion that we should all have one pair of really gorgeous, frivolous shoes (maybe your red shoes?) that you buy just because you lurve them, and find an outfit to fit around the shoe. But I am too poor to live by that motto at the moment, sadly!

Ooh - loving the idea of cowboy boots! Ds would think I look like Woody, so that'd be a bonus. Obviously he'd rather I looked like Buzz, but I do have some standards.

Thanks for the tips!