Cleaning out my closet ~ *gasp* Pruning shoes???!

I am a shoe addict.   There is no doubt about it.  I like belts, hats and bags but if you are to add those up against shoes ~ my shoes win: hands down.

No, I do not have any designer shoes {Ah, Jeffery Campbell…. One of these days…}.  And no, my shoe closet is not as large as it could be, nor as large as I would love it to be! 

But at a healthy 30 + figure {Of course I am not including speciality shoes such as riding boots and snowboarding boots} I think I can put myself firmly in the shoe lover camp.

And just like any shoe lover I tend to collect, but never throw out.   When do you prune your shoe closet?  Should you ever throw out any of that precious foot wear out?  Well, I have actually thrown shoes out {once in a blue moon!} and these are the guidelines I have used in deciding what to keep and what to toss or donate.

When do you throw your shoes out?

~  Space & Storage

Okay, I admit I am a shocker with this one.  No, I do not have enough space in the bottom of my wardrobe for all my shoes.  No, I have no idea how I am going to fit them all into my new closet.  However, shoe addict as I am, even I admit there is a certain point where you have to draw the line.

• When you cannot put all your shoes away; now is the time to reassess your shoe collection.
• When you do not wear certain pairs of shoes for an extended period of time {about a year in my case!} because you have forgotten that you had them and they were buried under all the other shoes.

~  Wear & Tear

• When there are holes in the soles, top, lining or other significant structural damage to the shoe.  If they are a favourite pair, you might like to take them to a cobbler; but consider the cost of repairing them over finding another brand new favourite pair of shoes.
• When they are uncomfortable and you do not want to wear the shoes.  So far I have met few pairs of shoes that cannot be broken in, but if you do not have the time or the inclination to break them in, it is time to get rid of them.  Guaranteed you will pass over them every time for a more comfortable pair!
  

~  Out of Style

• When the shoes are out of style.  This one is tricky ~ your personal style may not be in fashion at the moment, but you still love your shoes.  For me, if the shoe is out of style and I do not like it any more ~ then it is time to get rid of them. 

I hope you found the last segment of Cleaning out my closet useful ~ as always, if you have any of your own tips and hints, let me know! 

xox,

bonita