“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world”
– Marilyn Monroe
So one might say I have a “thing” for shoes.
For some it’s sunglasses (I’m looking at you, dear daughter of mine).
For others it’s handbags.
And there are those who can’t have too many jackets.
But for me? It’s shoes. Always has been.
I believe that shoes make the outfit.
I believe that you can tell a lot about a person by her shoes.
I believe there’s always room for “one more” pair.
That said, my collection of footwear has diminished drastically in the past year, having fully embraced the concept of the capsule wardrobe (you can check out the shoes that I’ve moved on from on Poshmark).
And though I’ll probably always be a serial browser (I’m looking at you, Zara), I really only buy to replace a worn pair (what IS it with Birkenstocks?), or to fill a specific need. This is radically new behavior for me, but – much like the rest of my now-minimal wardrobe – has made life easier and allowed me to truly enjoy what I DO own so much more.
The one thing that has never changed?
The first thing I do – as soon as I buy a pair of shoes – is to take them to the shoemaker to have rubber taps put on the heels. I do this on all my shoes – from cheap to expensive – and let me tell you, it makes ALL the difference.
Taps cost next-to-nothing, yet completely preserve the heels. And should they wear down eventually, they are easier and cheaper to replace than the heels themselves. My local shoemaker will even put them on while I wait if he’s not too busy.
Taps extend the life of a pair of shoes immeasurably, and since I’m buying less these days that’s a good thing.
What do you do to keep your clothes and accessories looking good?
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Hi! I'm Sheri!
Welcome to my little corner of the web where you’ll find easy, delicious recipes, the best kitchen hacks and simple tips for turning your home into a clean haven that is free of toxins. So glad you’re here!
Polished shoes spell class. I am always amazed at how scuffed and crappy most shoes look. But I always notice polished shoes— seems to elevate the whole outfit.
True – what kind of polish do you use/like?
The stuff in the can. I love the smell, too!
Ha! Thank you! 🙂
Weather protector and regular polishing. I actually love polishing shoes – the before and after is amazing! And like Cris notes, it makes a HUGE difference to have polished shoes.
Another tip is to alternate. Have enough pairs to let them air out/dry out (humid summer I’m looking at you) in between wearings.
I’m always afraid of weather protector – thinking it will change the finish of the shoes. What do you use?