How Many Pairs of Shoes Does the Average Woman Own? - The (mostly) Simple Life (2024)

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How Many Pairs of Shoes Does the Average Woman Own? - The (mostly) Simple Life (1)

People often ask me how many pairs of shoes the average woman owns, and how many pairs I personally own. This question got me thinking of my own shoe collection and what general tips I follow.

I like to consider myself a simple woman when it comes to shoes (personally, having too many shoes clutters my closet and stresses me out when picking outfits).

I also reached out to my girlfriends (shoutout to my girls who put up with my surveys and endless texts!) My most fashion obsessed (corporate working) friend said at the moment that she owns about 50 pairs (although she usually donates shoes and cloth every year). It’s not uncommon for women to own 100 or 200 pairs. The most minimalistic (teacher) friend of mine said 11… Good to know I fall somewhere in-between!

Basically, There is no right answer for how many shoes you should have. Rather, it should be based on your lifestyle, needs and budget.

The average woman owns 19 pairs of shoes

A poll of 1,057 women by shopping magazine ShopSmart found that the average woman owns 19 pairs of shoes (Source: Reuters & Shopsmart). On average, women purchase 4 new pairs of shoes per year.

However, 19 is not the right number for how many shoes YOU should own. Here is how you can find out what is the right number for you.

Women use only 4-5 pairs regularly

How many shoes should a woman own? there are several ways to answer this question.

How Many Pairs of Shoes Does the Average Woman Own? - The (mostly) Simple Life (2)

One is that you can own as many shoes as you want until your Significant Other becomes upset 🙂

Another way to answer the question is to look at how many different pairs of shoes women actually wear on a regular basis (and not how many they own). How many pairs of shoes women actually wear could be a good indication of the minimum number of shoes you should have. Both The ShopSmart survey and a survey from VoucherCodesPro (which polled 2,352 women in the UK) found that women only use 4 to 5 pairs of shoes regularly (Source: DailyMail & VoucherCodesPro). So 4-5 pairs of shoes could be a good starting point for a minimalist wardrobe.

I recommend looking at your individual needs and style preferences, as well as your location and work, to determine how many pairs of shoes you should own, and what types of shoes you should own.

Here are some tips and breakdown of shoe categories I follow to reduce the stress of outfit planning as well as simplify my shoe collection to just the essentials (note: I usually stick with neutral colors so that I can maximize the number of outfits I can wear my shoes with)

1. Sneakers (2 pairs)

If I have multiple pairs of any shoe, it’s sneakers. I work out 3-4 times a week and am currently training for a half marathon so my go to shoes must be comfortable. Depending on your lifestyle and budget, I recommend having a casual pair that you can dress up as well as ones for working out or walking.

How Many Pairs of Shoes Does the Average Woman Own? - The (mostly) Simple Life (3)
How Many Pairs of Shoes Does the Average Woman Own? - The (mostly) Simple Life (4)

2. Boots (1 or 2 pairs)

My second favorite type of shoe (after sneakers). Once Autumn in Chicago starts, you’ll find me wearing a casual pair of ankle or riding boots. Again, I still have basic black or brown boots so I can wear them with my mostly neutral wardrobe.

-Ankle boots

-riding

3. Loafers (1 pair)

Third on the list is a comfy pair of loafers or flats. My go-to work shoe must be comfortable and (again) go with many outfit options. I suggest having a pair of black loafers that you can dress up as well as your classic everyday loafers.

4. Sandals (1 or 2 pairs depending on your location)

In Chicago, you can get away with wearing open-toe sandals 3-4 months out of the year. I suggest investing in a pair of comfortable sandals that will support your feet and last for years.

Everyday casual sandal (birkenstock)

Dressy pair of sandals

Heeled sandles

5. Boots for bad weather (1 pair if you live in an area with bad weather)

Living in Chicago it’s important to have a good pair of rain and snow boots. Depending on where you live and the climate (Rain/Snow).

6. Comfortable Heels/Fashion heels (2 pairs)

Heels are shoes I do not wear often. I do have a few types of heels in my closet for when the occasion calls. My heel philosophy is classic chic pumps that must be comfortable enough to wear all day (did you know that 43% of women reported having been at least moderately injured by shoes, and 8% reported serious injuries like sprains or breaks due to shoes? Source: ShopMart Survey).

I recommend having one classic pump as well as a dressier pair for special occasions.

-black pumps

-strapped heels

How many shoes you own is a personal decision and should be based on your lifestyle, needs and budget. I hope my breakdown of general shoe rules can help you simplify the process when deciding which shoes to keep and which to throw out!

I hope my breakdown of my general shoe rules will inspire you to simplify your shoe wardrobe and life!

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How Many Pairs of Shoes Does the Average Woman Own? - The (mostly) Simple Life (2024)

FAQs

How many pairs of shoes does average woman own? ›

The average woman owns 19 pairs of shoes

On average, women purchase 4 new pairs of shoes per year. What is this? However, 19 is not the right number for how many shoes YOU should own. Here is how you can find out what is the right number for you.

How many pairs of shoes should a woman own minimalist? ›

A good rule of thumb for the minimalist lifestyle is to keep about five pairs of shoes total, give or take. Five pairs of shoes that each serve a unique purpose will provide sufficient footwear for all of your daily needs without going overboard.

How many shoes does the average person own in a lifetime? ›

The other day I came across a survey reporting that the average American man owns 12 pairs of shoes, while the average American woman owns a whopping 27 pairs. That would make the national average about 19 pairs per person. Wow! Really?

How many pairs of shoes does a minimalist own? ›

Five pairs of shoes is the perfect amount for my current lifestyle because I have an appropriate choice to wear for anything on my agenda. I don't miss having more than one pair of each style or options for activities that haven't been on my calendar in years, like ballet class.

How many shoes should an average person own? ›

The traditional rule of elegant dressing recommended seven pairs of shoes, that is, as many pairs as there are days of the week.

What is the average female shoe? ›

The most common foot size for the average American female is somewhere between an 8.5 and a 9, which might surprise some people since in the 1970s the average foot size used to be 7.5 until only recently.

How many bras should I own? ›

Most people have between one and four special occasion bras, though some may have more depending on their style and what type of clothes they like to wear. You might own anywhere between five and 15 (or even more) bras. It all depends on your lifestyle and your preferences.

Is 2 pairs of shoes enough? ›

Is 2 Pairs Of Shoes Enough? The number of shoes you own depends on your lifestyle. 2 pairs of shoes can be enough, especially if they're in different styles. An example could be a pair of smart casual trainers for every day wear, and a pair of shoes for dress up occasions.

Is it OK to have 2 pairs of shoes? ›

Alternating between two pairs of shoes can help to build the strength of our intrinsic foot muscles by allowing our foot to have to adapt to different shoes. This intrinsic strength is important for strong feet and prevention of injuries such as plantar fasciitis.

How often does the average person get new shoes? ›

According to podiatrists, everyday shoes need to be replaced every 8 to 12 months – or when they start showing signs of wear and tear. But how do we know when it's time to swap our favourite pumps, trainers or boots for a new pair?

Can you tell a lot about a person by their shoes? ›

Someone's age, gender, income, and attachment anxiety can be determined at an above chance level just by looking at photographs of their shoes. Surprisingly minimal appearance cues lead perceivers to accurately judge others' personality, status, or politics.

How long should you own a pair of shoes? ›

A good rule of thumb is to replace your shoes every 350-500 miles. For some shoes that could mean six months, but others could last longer. If you don't keep track of your shoe mileage, replacing a pair that you use often every 8-12 months is good practice.

How many clothes is considered minimalist? ›

Minimalist wardrobes are more flexible. There is no set number of items. A minimalist closet could have 20 pieces or 200. What matters is you wear all of them – and they all bring you joy.

How many pieces of clothing does a minimalist have? ›

A capsule wardrobe can have as many or as few clothes that work for you, but commonly they have anywhere from 30-50 pieces. The capsule checklist I've put together has room for 44 items, including shoes and accessories, but you can always have more or fewer than that.

Who owns the most pairs of shoes? ›

Geller's record for the largest sneaker collection has allegedly been broken by three sisters from South Florida who have amassed over 6,000 pairs.

How many shoes should I own as a kid? ›

A good pair of school shoes will suit every season of the year while providing the support your child's foot needs and the protection from the elements while they learn and play. And there you have it, the only 5 pairs of shoes your kids will need in their wardrobe.

How many pairs of shoes should I bring? ›

Most frequent travelers swear by the “3 pairs of shoes” rule, which is to pack two pairs of functional and comfortable shoes and one pair that's a little more formal and dressier. Some travelers would say you can make do with just two pairs for the entire trip.

How many people need shoes? ›

We know there are 300 million people around the world who can not afford a pair of shoes.

What is considered small for a woman? ›

What Height Is Considered Petite? Petite sizes are designed for women 5'4” and under, regardless of their size. In the petite category, sizes range from extra-small to plus-size. They also have a “P” label to illustrate a smaller and proportioned fit.

What is the average size of a woman? ›

Today, the average American woman is 5'4″, has a waist size of 34-35 inches and weighs between 140-150 lbs, with a dress size of 12-14. Fifty years ago, the average woman was 5'3-4″ with a waist size of approximately 24-25″, she weighed about 120 lbs and wore a size 8.

What age do feet stop growing? ›

Usually, feet stop growing around age 20 or 21, but it is dependent on when puberty begins. The earlier one starts puberty, the earlier the feet should stop growing. Genetics is a factor as well.

Are you supposed to wear the same bra everyday? ›

Unless you're regularly breaking into a sweat, you don't need to change your regular bra every day. A change twice a week (or at least once a week) is a good guideline to aim for.

Should you wear a bra all day? ›

The Bottom Line

Shapiro, there are no known health risks associated with not wearing a bra. “There is no 'wrong' answer,” Dr. Shapiro says. “If you find that you're the kind of person who's comfortable and confident without a bra, that's fine.”

How often should I change my bra? ›

It's generally recommended that a bra should last anywhere between 6-9 months, although we think that with good care your bras should last a lot longer. We encourage you to look after them as much as they look after you - extending the life of your clothes by even a small amount has a significant environmental benefit.

What color dress shoes should I own? ›

Once you have your shirt and tie put together, you need to match your shoes to your suit. To do this, know that there are three main colors of dress shoe — black, brown, burgundy/oxblood — to go with five main colors of suit — light gray, dark gray/charcoal, navy blue, brown, black.

Are you supposed to have extra room with shoes? ›

Generally speaking, there should be about one finger's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Another way to check this is to slip a finger between the heel of your foot and the heel of your shoe. There should be just enough space for your finger to fit nice and snugly.

Is it weird to wear the same pair of shoes Everyday? ›

When it comes to how often you should wear your favorite pair of footwear, Dan recommends trying to rotate every other day. This not only extends the life of the shoes, but it's best for your feet. “The repetitive stresses of wearing the same shoes day after day, hour after hour, can eventually make us uncomfortable.

Do shoes last longer if rotated? ›

Keep track of your miles in each shoe.

Rotating shoes will make them last longer, but you generally will still want to replace your shoes after 300-500 miles. Once they reach this point or begin to feel worn down, retire the shoe and bring a new pair into the rotation.

What age group wears size 2 shoes? ›

Baby and Kids' Shoes Size Chart
AgeIn.Size (US/CA)
3–9 months2
6–9 months42.5
4⅛3
9–12 months3.5
5 more rows
Aug 31, 2022

Why do people wear 2 different shoes? ›

What does wearing two different shoes signify? Wearing two different shoes in public typically indicates an extreme disregard for social norms, and on National Two Different Colored Shoes Day it means you completely accept being different, unique, and a little bit quirky.

When should you throw out shoes? ›

As a general rule of thumb, shoes should be replaced every 8-12 months for most people or every 500-700 kilometres for running shoes. Some shoes will last longer, and some will wear out more quickly.

How long do unused shoes last? ›

While shoes won't start to deteriorate immediately after buying them, you should begin using them six to 12 months after your purchase. According to Stump, this is when they start to break down little by little. “It may not mean they're completely unusable,” he says.

How often do people clean their shoes? ›

Your cleaning schedule depends on how often you wear the shoes and where your feet take you. To keep them in top shape, aim to clean your shoes every two weeks or whenever they start to look dirty. Regular maintenance can help reduce cleaning time.

How many shoes should a girl own? ›

A flawless pair of shoes can turn basics into an outfit, and with a well-edited shoe wardrobe, your style is unstoppable. But what does a basic shoe wardrobe look like? And what is the minimum number of shoes that a woman can own and still cover all her bases fashion-wise? In my opinion, 12 is the magic number.

What do you call someone who is addicted to buying shoes? ›

Compulsive buying disorder (CBD), or oniomania (from Greek ὤνιος ṓnios 'for sale' and μανία manía 'insanity'), is characterized by an obsession with shopping and buying behavior that causes adverse consequences.

What is a person who loves shoes? ›

A person involved in sneaker collecting is sometimes called a sneakerhead.

How many hours a day should you wear shoes? ›

If you are walking 30 minutes a day or an average of three to four hours a week, replace your shoes every six months. If you are walking 60 minutes a day or an average of seven hours a week, replace your shoes every three months. Plan on replacing your fitness walking shoes every three to six months, or by 500 miles.

Can you get plantar fasciitis from old shoes? ›

Old Shoes - Old or worn out shoes are one of the most common problems we see as podiatrists. Usually people use the oldest shoes to do the dirtiest work or hardest work. This can cause problems such as plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis or other foot conditions caused by a lack of support.

How do you tell if your shoes are worn out? ›

Inspect the Insides of Each Shoe

Worn-out padding in the ball of the foot could indicate a number of foot problems including falling arches. Check the back of the shoe that wraps around your ankle. Your heel should not slide around; if it does, it could lead to a lack of stability that could cause an ankle sprain.

How many pairs of jeans should I own? ›

Depending on your laundry schedule, you might need more than 5 pairs of jeans. But for most people, 4 to 5 pairs of casual pants, including denim jeans, are all that is needed to look stylish and well dressed. Keep in mind that you don't need to wash your denim jeans too often.

How many bras should I own minimalist? ›

If you want a minimalist wardrobe, you can start with 7 bras. This will give you enough options while keeping your closet functional. With this strategy, you can have 4 everyday bras and 3 bras for specialty use (such as going to the gym or for wearing certain types of dresses, etc).

How many dresses should a woman own? ›

In general, aim for 40 to 50 items, including 3 to 5 casual dresses or skirts. Refer to this ultimate guide on how big your wardrobe should be for inspiration. Only keep the essentials and what you truly need to earn more time, space, and money for the things you truly love.

How many tops should a woman own? ›

A woman who is a stay at home mom should have 6 long-sleeve shirts and 6 T-shirts. A woman who is physically active should have 6 long-sleeve shirts and 6 T-shirts. A woman living in a colder climate should have 5 long-sleeve shirts, 5 sweaters, and 3 T-shirts.

How many towels do I need minimalist? ›

the rule of twos applies to towels as well: two bath towels, two hand towels and two washcloths per family member. (have some extras for guests, but not too many.)”

What do retired people wear? ›

You can opt for athleisure attire, a simple jeans and top outfit, or a dress or skirt with a sweater or cotton shirt. For more formal events, you can pull choices that work well for going out. This includes slacks, more dressed up jeans, or a skirt or dress with a nice sweater or top.

Who owns #1 shoes? ›

AND1
IndustrySporting goods, footwear
FoundersSeth Berger, Jay Coen Gilbert, Tom Austin
ProductsAthletic shoes, clothing, sports equipment, accessories
ParentGalaxy Universal
Websiteand1.com
2 more rows

Which gender owns more shoes? ›

Male. According to the graphical data representative of 650 individuals, (348 females and 302 males) it is clear that females own more shoes than males.

How many shoes does a typical American person have? ›

On average, each American owns six pairs of sneakers. Interestingly, eBay's study found that men have a larger sneaker collection than women. Women owned six pairs on average, while men owned one more on average at seven pairs.

Which gender buys the most shoes? ›

Men are becoming less reliant on their "go-to shoe", according to research which shows they are now buying more shoes than women.

How many pairs of shoes does the average American buy each year? ›

Americans buy 7.5 pairs of shoes per year.

Is it good to wear the same shoes Everyday? ›

We define ample time as around 24 hours – so ideally give it a day between wears. If you don't give your shoes a day to air out, the sweat-soaked leather will warp, and your shoes can start to lose their shape — not to mention get musty and start to smell.

How long should you wear the same shoes? ›

As a general rule of thumb, shoes should be replaced every 8-12 months for most people or every 500-700 kilometres for running shoes. Some shoes will last longer, and some will wear out more quickly.

What size foot does an American girl have? ›

Doll Shoe Sizes
SHOP SHOES & SOCKSFOOT SIZE
American Girl (45cm high)65mm (long) x 35mm (wide)
Australian Girl (50cm high)70mm (long) x 37mm (wide)
Baby Alive Wets'n Wiggles (33cm high)57mm (long) x 32mm (wide)
Baby Alive Original (46cm high)70mm (long) x 38mm (wide)
15 more rows

Do shoes say a lot about a person? ›

Shoes can indeed be used to evaluate others, at least in some domains. ► Ratings of shoes correlate with shoe owners' personal characteristics. ► Age, income, and attachment anxiety can be judged from a picture of a person's shoe. ► Shoes convey a thin but useful slice of information about their wearers.

What is the most popular shoe size in America? ›

The most common shoe size in the US is 10.5, and the size increases as your height increases. What is the most common shoe size in Uk?

What shoe size are most girls? ›

The most common foot size for the average American female is somewhere between an 8.5 and a 9, which might surprise some people since in the 1970s the average foot size used to be 7.5 until only recently.

Do girls shoes run bigger than boys? ›

First of all, as previously mentioned, there is no difference in sizing by gender, that is, boys and girls use the same sizing system (unlike women's and men's sizes, which differ greatly). So the answer to the question “What size shoe does a girl wear in boys?” is simply: the same.

What gender buys the most clothing? ›

Women buy more clothing than men: True. Women are far more likely to purchase clothing across most apparel categories than men are.

What age buys the most shoes? ›

In 2021, the 45 to 54 age group was the highest spender on footwear, spending 470 U.S. dollars on average in the year.

How much does the average American woman spend on shoes per year? ›

This statistic shows the average annual expenditure on footwear per consumer unit in the United States in 2021, by gender. That year, the country's average expenditure on women's footwear amounted to 136.62 U.S. dollars per consumer unit.

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