How Big Is Your Footwear Collection?

There is that old stereotypical joke about a certain segment of humanity that leans toward a closet full of shoes. As the thinking goes, some people – and you know who you are – need to have a separate pair of shoes for each outfit. But wait just a minute. Today, you don’t just have shoes. You have footwear.
Expanding into footwear means so many more opportunities to expand your collection. So how big is your collection? It is a safe bet that there are those among us with fewer than five total pairs. On the other end of the spectrum are those whose closets are bursting with hundreds of pairs.
- Formal and Dress Shoes
Dress shoes might be the first thing you think of when someone mentions footwear. For men, formal shoes include things like oxfords and wingtips. Women have pumps, flats, and so forth. It is probably reasonable to say that nearly every adult has at least one pair of formal shoes that are only worn on special occasions.
One exception is that place where formal occasions and work intersect. For example, a high-powered lawyer might wear the same dress shoes to court and a black-tie dinner. In such cases, having several pairs of dress shoes is reasonable.
- Casual Shoes
Casual shoes came into their own a few decades ago. They were meant to complement dress shoes without being as informal as athletic shoes and work boots. Deck shoes, loafers, mules, and chukkas all qualify as casual. They are what most of us wear when we are not working or engaged in some sort of exercise.
- Shoe Covers and Boots
Before we descend into other shoe categories, let us talk about protecting dress and casual shoes with shoe covers and boots. State-of-the-art shoe covers made from modern materials are one option. Companies like GC Tech make and distribute them around the world. If you are not into space-age shoe covers, a pair of old school galoshes will do the trick. Don’t forget rubber overshoes, either.
- Athletic Shoes
This next category is a big one. Athletic shoes constitute a category that could very well offer the widest variety. You have sneakers, tennis shoes, running shoes, and high-tops. You have athletic shoes made with both natural and synthetic materials. And don’t forget color choices. They are all over the place.
The thing about athletic shoes is that they are all-purpose footwear. You can wear them for just about any occasion except funerals and black-tie affairs. Everything else is wide open.
- Sandals and Flip-Flops
If you were thinking we were all done, guess again. The next category of footwear encapsulates the world of sandals and flip-flops. You beach bums knew exactly what we’re talking about here. Sandals and flip-flops are obligatory for people who live in Southern California, the Gulf Coast, or anywhere along the eastern seaboard.
- Work Shoes and Boots
We still aren’t done yet. Next are the heavy-duty work shoes and boots America’s blue-collar workers wear. You have your steel-toed work boots that are a staple among construction workers and industrial laborers. You have your comfortable gum shoes popular with security guards, bus drivers, and route sales personnel.
That about covers it for the main categories. However, there are some odds and ends worth mentioning. Water shoes are an example. So are slippers, moccasins, and activity-specific shoes for dancers, golfers, bowlers, etc.
With so many choices, it is not surprising that some people have pretty extensive collections. How about you? How big is your footwear collection? No need to say it out loud. It’s between you and your closet.