Getting rid of surplus shoes - how do you decide?

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

Clothes I find easier as I wear through them, my weight has fluctuated over the years, stuff becomes dated etc but I need to decide, out of the shoes I've hoarded got why some should go (to recycling of course).

Please can you help me by telling me what criteria you use for getting rid of shoes?

Thank you!

No idea. Placemarking for inspiration. I have dozens of pairs of shoes, and can't or don't wear the majority. But I am a hoarder and can't bring myself to throw them or even sell them.

Start with the ones you can't wear - they rub or pinch, or you've never felt quite right in them.

The only shoes to keep that no longer fit are ones you wore to your wedding.

Also get rid of any that are scuffed/stained.

Then look and see which shoes you have that are essentially the same and that you have at least 3 pairs of. Reduce these down to no more than two pairs per style/colour.

How many do you have left?

Thanks AuntieStella, sounds very drastic - 2 pairs per style - (hugs gazillion pairs of converse and trainers like a favourite teddy bear).

• Agree on pinching, rubbing shoes.
• Not fitting properly (I wore a pair of sandals yesterday that had obviously stretched over the years (prob during pregnancy) so now not firmly fitting enough so they can go).

I laughed at the comment about wedding shoes! That's why this is going to be difficult!

trainers need to go if they are over a year old....

Is there (a very compelling ) reason for that?

You don't need gazilions of old converses. (I must be weird cos I don't like them) or trainers. If they are worn out or have holes, photograph them and bin them.

Unless you are a runner or fitness fan, you don't need many trainers.

Old shoes with barely any life in are creepy.

Get rid of ones that don't go with the trouser/jean/skirt cut you wear or are awkward to style. So, those ankle boots that are too low-cut to tuck in trousers but look wrong with cuffs, or knee high boots that are too tight or the wrong height. Anything you know needs new heel tips but you don't want to spend a tenner doing it. Dirty pale suedes. Things bought to match a dress you no longer wear.

And then there is the option of selling things that you know will get a decent price. I recently sold some barely-worn Docs for 60 quid.

I need to do this. I've got a few leather pairs that have hardly been worn - and I haven't worn leather for a few years now. Mostly boots I think. I'll get sorting.

I think I was in an easier position when it came to excess shoes. I used to have tons of shoes that I once loved very much but no longer wore. It was easy for me on the one hand because I could count the years since I last wore them, however, they were lovely leather ballerina-style flats and so cute (at one time!). For me I realised that if the time came for me to want that kind of shoe again, for an event say, then I would want a new pair. I had other miscellaneous things that I kept because I bought but never wore, so in the end I did a clearout of what I wear now (over the last few years) and promised myself that I could have new if my style changed in the future. I kept 2 ankle boots, two knee length boots, 4 brogues and 3 loafers, 2 sandals, 1 pair of trainers. I have a pair of random boots that are for snow. I have always lived in southern England... I can't get rid of them.

They fall apart or stink too bad is my criteria, but I don't have many shoes at any one time!

Wear each seasonally appropriate pair this month. Didn't find an appropriate place/time/outfit? They can probably go.

Caveat. Keep something funeral appropriate just in case

You could pick what types of shoe you need first and then select ONE pair for each type, e.g. one pair of sandals, one trainers, one work-smart, one evening-smart, one pair of boots.

I own:

1 pair of sandals
1 pair of ankle boots
1 pair of DMs
1 pair knee length boots
1 pair seriously warm winter boots for alpine holidays
1 pair trainers
2 pairs of smart flats
1 pair of heels
1 pair of wellies

Still feels like a lot but they all have a purpose.