shoe math or the importance of good shoes

we're just finishing up the fall season and beginning to think of spring. while we're assessing our current shoe wardrobe and dreaming of new, it's a good time to remember why shoes matter. for one thing, much of fashion is fleeting, which make shoes stand out. a good pair of classic shoes, when taken care of, can last upwards of ten years. 

shoes are one area where quality trumps quantity every time.  i learned this the hard way. all through college, i bought shoes, but hardly any of those pairs have made it to my current closet. most were either low quality, uncomfortable, or not suited of life after college. the one pair of shoes that i started college with and still wear today is my cowboy boots. and the reason why is because they were good quality. they had good leather soles, leather uppers, and could easily be repaired. i've re-soled them three times. 

let's do some quick math. 

$300 boots (original price) + $50 x 3 (repair) = $450/ 6 years of ownership = $75/year 

three things. 

one. there's a vast difference between quality shoes and cheap shoes. quality shoes can be worn for upwards of 10 years with minimal repair whereas cheap shoes will leave you stranded a year or two down the road with nothing to stand on. 

two. it's practically impossible to get a pair of boots for under $75. and i guarantee that even if you could you'd be looking at buying a new pair next season. let's see how this fits in the above equation. assuming you could find a pair for $100 (which you probably can't), you'd already be spending $600 over six years. that's $150 extra dollars and six pairs in the garbage. this path is not good for your wallet or the environment over the long run. 

three. price per wear. i wear my cowboy boots during three seasons. with dresses and tights in winter, with wispy dresses in summer, and light layers in fall. i wear them at least once/week (some weeks upwards of 3 times/week) 35 weeks out of the year. that averages out to about $1.78/wear. 

where do you go from here?  

apply the above knowledge to your shoe wardrobe. if you don't have the bases covered start there. a ballet flat, a high heel and a boot in neutral colors and classic shapes will get you through 80% of life. while most of us probably have those bases covered, the same ideas apply to all your shoe purchases. buy for quality and general wearability. that doesn't mean that we have to be boring, but it's good to keep in mind the wisdom of michael kors: "70 percent of the clothes you own should be meat and potatoes. 30 percent should be icing and fluff— that's colour, pattern, shine." often times, we get the percentages backwards. i certainly did. 

if you need to cover your bases, or want a pair of lucchese boots that will last you almost forever, click here. if you want the same style, it's N4540, and is available in-store by calling 434.296.0040. 

Comments

[High heel Shoes]

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