Can you have too many shoes?

(In Style Home, Spring 2006, I believe this is Mariah Carey's closet)

Oh, according to my hubby, yes you can. But, at least I don’t have this many!

Me and shoes go WAY back. My closet has always held its share of shoes, especially when I was younger. Now, I try to keep only the shoes that I know I will wear regularly and it’s still hard to pare them down. I have one of those shoe cubbies that holds 25 and it’s overflowing, so I really need to get in there and decide which ones to keep. I mean, how many pairs of black shoes do you need? Apparently, a lot. Casual, dressy, heels, flats, and everything in between.

So, I just added 3 more to the collection. A cute as a button pair of Cole Haan black and white flats. I wore flats years ago when they were really popular and now they are back again and looking really stylish, so I really needed a good pair (or 2) and with my love of all things black and white, these will be so versatile for the wardrobe. A TJ Maxx special, they were even on clearance for $25. You sure can’t beat that.

Never one to like old lady shoes or those “comfort” shoes that so many older women wear, if a shoe looks strange on my foot, I am not gonna wear it. Pure and simple, I don’t care how comfortable it is, if it is clodhopper UGLY, there is no way in the world that I’m going to like myself in them. Are you like that too? Shoes can make or break an outfit. When I was in my 20’s, I couldn’t imagine ever wearing ugly shoes just for the sake of comfort, but now that I’m older, comfort has become more important with the bunions I’m now sporting (never thought that would happen either!). Even now, comfort does not totally override style and fashion. I still have to feel and look cute in them! Take for instance, the ever-popular Crocs. I think those are the ugliest shoes known to mankind. Now don't take offense if you love them, that's just my opinion.

This pair (above) I picked up at Rack Room and they are really comfortable. I’d never heard of the brand (Bjorndal), but they feel great on and they are just right for a casual look without looking old-lady. Perfect with jeans and I think they may become my favorite casual shoes. With socks in the winter, without in summer.

I couldn't resist this pair of flat Aerosoles either, on clearance at TJ Maxx for $15. Whatta deal!

I’m not even going to count how many shoes I have, but it’s probably around 40 or so, counting the boots. I’m sure many of you have way more than that. Some of them have to go, my closet just isn’t big enough to keep hoarding them like I do, especially since I don’t wear them all.

So, do you love shoes too? Come on, fess up! Do you have a favorite brand of shoes (for comfort) and do you only wear shoes that you FEEL good in? How important are comfort AND looks? I’ve had great luck with Aerosoles for both style AND comfort and find them quite often at TJ Maxx.

So, go ahead and tell us how many pairs YOU have, while we're talkin'! And excuse me, while I clean out my shoes to make room for 3 more.

Edited to add: Julia at Hooked on Houses is having her linky party today & since I seemed to be hooked on shoes, I'm adding this post. Go on over and take a look at all the other things people are hooked on!