Via We Heart It
I own a lot of shoes. (No more than any average woman, I’d argue, but still quite a few.)
But I’m really bad about actually wearing them.
I love my shoes– I love owning these beautiful pieces of art in my closet. I love looking down at them and thinking, “Those are mine!” in happiness. But there are many pairs that sit, unworn, in my closet.
In many ways, it has to do with laziness (as with most things I do or don’t do). High heels are my Achille’s heel, but they don’t always feel practical for my daily life. A 4″ heel makes me feel wonderful, powerful, and Amazonian… but that 4″ heel may not be comfortable for doing an hour of filing.
Then, with my laziness… for me, heels just require dressing up more. They require more thought … it’s easy to throw on a pair of slacks, a colorful shirt & necklace, and a pair of comfortable flats when I’m half awake… but add in a day when I think I should be wearing heels? Then suddenly coordination’s and style are so much more important.
In general, it’s probably harder to find a great heel that is comparable in comfort to a flat or lower heel. So while my Fluevogs are amazing and comfortable… the heels just aren’t as much so as a wedge or as my flats.
Then there’s protection…when I buy a pair of heels, I buy them with the intent of having them for a long time. When I buy a pair of flats, it is with the hope that they will last as long as possible. As such, I’m more inclined to be particular about the weather & occasion when I wear my heels. Is it raining? Best not to wear the suede & velvet ones. Or worse, is there snow on the ground? Maybe it’s time to break out the Ugg boots that don’t look like Ugg boots.
There you have it. I have an amazing shoe collection… and I can think of several excuses as to why I don’t wear them on a daily basis. I can refute myself (if you wear them more often, they’ll be more comfortable… you can wear a 3″ wedge easily and comfortably, but you don’t…), but somehow the comfy/lazy factor wins out.
Am I alone in this habit?
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m *useless* with heels, I simply can’t walk in anything high and narrow, so I don’t own any, yet I still manage to go entire seasons in the same pair of shoes! This year I’ve spent all summer in the same pair of leather flats from Dune, this winter I’ll probably buy a pair of comfy boots and wear them to death! I love shoes, but like you, I only seem to wear anything other than my “everyday” shoes when I’m dressing up for something in particular.
my life story.
.-= Betsey J´s last blog ..Daisy Lowe to Launch Jewelry Line =-.
You are not alone, I always stuggle with choosing what shoes to wear on practicality, weather etc.
But then sometimes I just ignore logic (haha). Like the other day… 5 hours constant walking in 5inch strappy stilettos, and all day in a midi heel the next. My feet were not at all happy after the first day, but did I then think to wear my most comfortable shoes? Of course not…
Ah well. Tis all my own fault :)
Love the photo with the post!!
Florrie x
Heels are so pretty but so tricky! I am useless with shoes in general though, I see people with row upon row of immaculate heels and I think ‘how?! How do you keep them so nice?’ I do wear heels quite often, but they are always as scuffed and horrible looking as my flats no matter how long I’ve had them, or how careful I’ve been.
.-= Harriet´s last blog .. =-.
I have the same issue, but not for the same reasons…
I also have A LOT of shoes. Probably most than the average woman, i am ashamed to admit. I don’t count them because last time my hubby made me count them I was too ashamed.
I wear them, but never enough. And I don’t wear my favorites often. Mostly for fear of ruining them or scuffing the heel, so they sit pretty in my closet most of the time. The proof you can find on my blog: I don’t usually post outfit photos, but the few I have put up this summer feature the same flat sandals, which I own in 3 colors… sad. so sad.
I wear heels more now that I work close to home (less walking) and i feel they are easier because you automatically look put together. But shoes wear out so quickly in nyc… and i can’t bear to part with any. So in the boxes they stay. Which means I end up buying nice but cheaper versions / pairs that I don’t mind trashing, while my Loubs, Miu Mius and Valentinos gather dust…
How wrong is that?
Nope! Not alone. I want my gorgeous heels to last and I break them out for special occasions – though I do wear those 80%20 wedges all over the place.
I feel like it’s important to have low key heels or go-to heels and then your art-shoes. For the longest time my Minnies were my go-to’s, but they are prized, loved and $$, so I have kind of… cycled them out, so they’ll last longer.
I’m starting to think I should display them (à la Nubby Twiglet) as the art pieces they are, so if I’m not wearing them, I can still enjoy them.
.-= birdie´s last blog ..Fringe Benefits =-.
DEFINITELY not! I love heels, but I’m convinced that I buy them only to admire, because they rarely enter my daily routine. Ballet flats and boots just seem like *so* much more of a practical item for schlepping it around the city, and my poor heels get relegated to nights out or when I know that I’ll be driven to and from a certain location! (I.E. Minimal wearing time.)
.-= x Corrine/Frock & Roll x´s last blog ..A Touch Of Whimsy ? =-.
I totally understand! I have been known to neglect my heels for months at a time, but that’s mainly because I’m a student and have very little opportunity to wear them. I’ve made a resolution this semester though — since I’m teaching a class, I actually have an excuse to wear dresses, skirts, AND heels again! It’s only twice a week and for a few hours a day, so it seems do-able!
.-= Tara´s last blog ..Room for Love =-.
so true… i have so many pairs, but when it comes down to it, only if i know they won’t kill me, i bring a back up, and soon, i start with the back up, and that’s just it. nothing else.
also… a while back when i was wearing heels every day and walking all day in them, i had something happen to my feet, and it was really painful, since then i’ve been very mindful about the hours i’ll wear heels, and only for short periods of time, because heel height trends come and go, but healthy feet and bones you can walk in, that’s always in style.
.-= jennine´s last blog ..Shoe D’Jour: Buckle Up =-.
I know how you feel – since I work at home I don’t have an occasion to get dressed up every day, I usually just end up throwing on a tank and a skirt or whatever is comfortable, and then if we have to run to the grocery store, I just throw on some flats. I do, however, still have my old habit of getting ridiculously overdressed for when we actually go someplace other than the grocery store – I put on my Miss Aprils, makeup, and a cute coordinated outfit to stop by two thrift stores a few weeks ago. Yeah. I do end up wearing heels sometimes though even to the grocery store, as I only own 1-2 pairs of flats – and honestly, the Fluevog slingbacks are much more comfortable than either.
I am with you in that I’m super hesitant to wear some shoes out when it’s wet or nasty, not only because of the shoe damage but you know, slick ground, heels, not a good idea! I just won a pair of nice basic black boots on eBay that I have a feeling I’ll be wearing out a lot this winter, as I hear it’s super rainy during Texas winters.
PS – those tights, second from over? I WANT them. Super cute.
Girl, you must be reading my mind. I have tons of shoes, high heels, mostly and I rarely wear them. It’s the same thing with comfort. When I wake I’m thinking of the most comfortable outfit that will carry me through the day, and that doesn’t often include 4′ heels!
Oh well, can’t be runway ready all the time! We’re real women and our feet hurt in heels all day, so I opt for flats mostly when I’m trying to be comfortable and heels when I want to be SWEXY!
Great post Ashe darling!
.-= Fajr | Stylish Thought´s last blog ..Old Soul, New Heart =-.
No Ashe, you aren’t. I’m the very same way.
.-= Alicia´s last blog ..Littering =-.
You are definitely not alone in this! I have some lush heels, but I live in my flats. Same with my jewellery really – I have some really elaborate pieces that I never wear! It’s kind of like owning art, I guess x
.-= Frankie – Swell Vintage´s last blog ..Swell days =-.
For one, I’m SO grateful I’m not alone in this! Sometimes it overwhelms me with guilt to think of all these beautiful shoes in my closet that aren’t getting as much wear as they should…
Frankie, I love the comparison to jewelry, as this definitely pertains to other accessories in my life.
Fajr, this comment is PERFECT: “Oh well, can’t be runway ready all the time! We’re real women and our feet hurt in heels all day” <— SO TRUE!
Jennine, this is perfect too: “because heel height trends come and go, but healthy feet and bones you can walk in, that’s always in style.” I absolutely totally agree! You also bring up a great point about the damages that can be caused if we do wear heels for regular 8-10 hours on our feet…
Market Publique, I don’t think that’s sad at all! I’ve heard about how worn out shoes can get in NYC & especially how quickly it can happen. Who wants that for an expensive pair of shoes? It’s like Carrie Bradshaw led us all astray, because she never wears hers out….
Harriet, if you find out from someone how to keep your shoes pristine, please let me know!!!
that is exactly how I feel about heels, Ashe! Seriously, I wouldn’t change one word of your post! I also blame the fact that I work for others as part of the reason I need to compromise my style on a daily basis. “If I owned my own boutique and could make my own hours, I’d dress in heels every day!” Since that won’t happen any time soon, it’s pretty easy to commit to.
.-= tina´s last blog ..the global takeover of Forever XXI =-.
Right here! *raises hand*
Sadly, I too, do not wear my heels. For the most part, they are mostly in another city on a rack, collecting dust, while I am living in another city, with half the collection.
If I had them here, I may wear them more :P Like to work and out… But sometimes being lazy/comfy is way more important.
I have the same issues too!
I love owning adorable girlie beautiful shoes but end up wearing the same pair of ducky shoes all the time. I too feel obligated to be all done up to don such lovely footwear.
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