Okay, the 'zen monk' answer would be one, but I'm talking in the modern world
For quite a while I would just own two pairs of shoes- summer shoes and winter boots. Something that could fill multiple functions, but never all of them. I would wear them out hard and fast, then get a new pair.
Now though I take a different approach, as I've learned that footwear really does work best when used for the purpose it's intended for. I try to have multiple pairs, each for a certain purpose, and therefore I can longer in between buying new pairs of each type but obviously have to buy more to begin with.
I'm just not sure- how many pairs are really necessary? are you the first type of shoe person (wear one pair for everything until worn out) or the second (multiple pairs for different things)? If you are the first type, which kind of shoe do you wear as your main shoe- running shoes, sandals, boots? If you're the second type, how many pairs of shoes do you own, and what are they for? And how does this relate to frugality/finances? Well, I'm also wondering- what do you think is the more frugal approach? Obviously it seems it must be option #1 but then you are wearing them out faster, too.
When I was the first type, I would wear clogs in the spring/summer/fall and boots in the winter. Now I have many pairs of shoes (dare I list them??)- clogs for in the garden, running shoes for running and walking, waterproof sandals for the beach, birk sandals for casual wear, one pair of dressy shoes, a pair of cheap flip flops for just throwing on sometimes when I'm lazy, a pair of ugg type boots for cold weather plus another pair of waterproof boots for winter hikes*. Wow, that's eight pairs! And I am going to have to get another pair of CSA approved boots for working on construction projects.
My dp doesn't have nearly as many but he does have one pair casual shoes, one pair dress shoes, running shoes, biking shoes and sandals.
You?
*please note some of these shoes are from the thrift store!
For quite a while I would just own two pairs of shoes- summer shoes and winter boots. Something that could fill multiple functions, but never all of them. I would wear them out hard and fast, then get a new pair.
Now though I take a different approach, as I've learned that footwear really does work best when used for the purpose it's intended for. I try to have multiple pairs, each for a certain purpose, and therefore I can longer in between buying new pairs of each type but obviously have to buy more to begin with.
I'm just not sure- how many pairs are really necessary? are you the first type of shoe person (wear one pair for everything until worn out) or the second (multiple pairs for different things)? If you are the first type, which kind of shoe do you wear as your main shoe- running shoes, sandals, boots? If you're the second type, how many pairs of shoes do you own, and what are they for? And how does this relate to frugality/finances? Well, I'm also wondering- what do you think is the more frugal approach? Obviously it seems it must be option #1 but then you are wearing them out faster, too.
When I was the first type, I would wear clogs in the spring/summer/fall and boots in the winter. Now I have many pairs of shoes (dare I list them??)- clogs for in the garden, running shoes for running and walking, waterproof sandals for the beach, birk sandals for casual wear, one pair of dressy shoes, a pair of cheap flip flops for just throwing on sometimes when I'm lazy, a pair of ugg type boots for cold weather plus another pair of waterproof boots for winter hikes*. Wow, that's eight pairs! And I am going to have to get another pair of CSA approved boots for working on construction projects.
My dp doesn't have nearly as many but he does have one pair casual shoes, one pair dress shoes, running shoes, biking shoes and sandals.
You?
*please note some of these shoes are from the thrift store!