How many shoes is too many?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (29082)
May 3, 2023 11:16pm CST
A friend of mine is downsizing her belongings, she says she has way too many clothes and shoes. She got out all of the shoes she owns and counted over 200 pairs! Heels, boots, sneakers, you name it and she has it. She said she just kept buying them and not getting rid of any, and now they have taken up an entire, very large walk-in closet.
Another friend sent her an article on Celine Dion's shoe collection, and she sent it to me. Celine has over 10,000 pairs of shoes. She has so many, she bought a warehouse to store them in. In her Florida home, she has a rotating digital system that she can view her shoes by color and choose the ones she wants. If she wears 2 different pairs per day, she could go over 13 years without wearing any of the same shoes, they claimed.
I realize she has the money to do what she wants, but does anyone besides me find this ridiculous? So many people in the world have no shoes at all...maybe I am just too logical. A person can reach the point where they really don't own their belongings, their belongings own THEM!
Do you have a lot of shoes, or other items you rarely, if ever, use? One of my aunts had a lot of handbags--when she died, we found way over 100 and we thought that was bad, but it was nothing compared to 10,000 pairs of shoes, requiring a warehouse all of their own for storage.
https://footwearnews.com/2019/fashion/entertainment/celine-dion-shoes-carpool-karaoke-james-corden-las-vegas-1202783640/
24 people like this
28 responses
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
4 May 23
I own ten or twelve pairs of shoes... I wear one pair in the warm months and one pair in the cold months. It's really none of our business how Celine Dion chooses to spend her money, in my opinion.
7 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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4 May 23
Yes, it's up to her how she spends it. I realize that. Personally, if I had her money I think I would buy an island or something more tangible than shoes, but hey...it's her money, I get that.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
4 May 23
@MarieCoyle A private island would be nice.
5 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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4 May 23
@DaddyEvil
And something for her huge family to enjoy, and her children, and herself, But hey...she likes her shoes I guess. Me, I would buy the island instead, LOL.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (459538)
• Switzerland
4 May 23
@MarieCoyle - It makes no sense to purchase a warehouse to keep shoes. Some people go too far, instead of wasting all that money they should try to help those in need.
I kept many of my shoes for years. Last summer I said to myself that I was doing something really stupid. Why to keep shoes that I will never wear again? I even donated my wedding shoes, I only wore them the day of my wedding, someone will be happy to buy them at the charity store.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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4 May 23
I can't imagine purchasing a warehouse to just keep my shoes in. Beyond my comprehension, Anna.
I think it is more than just shoes, in a way. She said in the article she didn't want to part with any of them at all. Ever. That just made me think, why? What is missing in her life that she feels she has to fill it up with things? Most of us near or close to her age know that things don't make us happy, at least not for very long.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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4 May 23
@LadyDuck
I cannot wear high heels now, ever again, so they are long gone. I do not miss them. I think high heels are the dumbest shoe invention ever. But the doctor said never again about 20 years ago, so I gave all the high heels away.
For some stupid reason I still had my wedding shoes and wedding gown when I moved here. I thought they were long gone. I got rid of them the day I discovered that I still had them.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (85734)
• United States
4 May 23
I have six pairs of shoes, and I wear two pairs regularly. Two more pair are boots for fall and winter. I don't have the money to buy a lot of shoes, but if I did have the money, I don't know that I wouldn't just have three or for more pairs anyway.
On the other side of the spectrum, my sister has about 45 pairs of shoes. That is certainly not an insane amount, but it is far more than I can afford, or that I find sensible. I remember with her first child, a daughter, she bought her a pair of shoes in every color of the rainbow. I attributed it to not having a budget to abide by, and the excitement of having a new daughter. And by golly if Amyra wasn't so cute I could almost understand the insanity of it all. 
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (85734)
• United States
4 May 23
@MarieCoyle Yes, exactly. The only positive is that my sister had the foresight to save about half of Amyra's clothing and shoes, and then ended up adopting another daughter about eight years later. Everything picked out so many years ago was so mainstream, style wise, that most weren't even out of fashion.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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4 May 23
@AmbiePam
That was wonderful that she saved so much of it all and it got to be enjoyed again. Yes, when you buy classic and basic, it never goes out of style.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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4 May 23
You sound like me, less is definitely more. And no, 45 pairs of shoes is nothing compared to Celine! Still more than I would want to have to keep track of and store.
Buying a child a lot of pairs of shoes, the problem being they often grow so quickly they might just wear them one time.
4 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (80018)
• United States
4 May 23
10,000 pairs of shoes does sound excessive especially if she could wear 2 pairs a day without repeating them. But being in the entertainment industry I assume that she doesn't like to repeat what she wears. If she has that many shoes I wonder what her wardrobe is like.
I had quite a few pairs of shoes when I was working but have donated many pairs since I retired. I still have more than I need so I can easily go through mine and get rid of more.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (80018)
• United States
4 May 23
@MarieCoyle isn't it funny how feet shrink when you lose weight.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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4 May 23
I had to get some new shoes when I lost weight. My feet shrunk! So I got rid of all the extras then.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
@Marilynda1225
I didn't expect that. All of a sudden, my shoes were just falling off, and I was pretty much forced to get new ones!
@moffittjc (118625)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 May 23
I probably own more than 50 pairs of shoes, between work shoes, casual shoes and dress shoes. My previous girlfriend’s brother was on the US Olympic sailing team, and they were sponsored by Sperry. He used to get free boat shoes from them all the time, and he would always send them to me (we wear the same size shoes). So a lot of my shoe collection is from shoes given to me.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118625)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 May 23
@MarieCoyle I think so. I wear them all the time, but I have so many it seems like only wear the same pair maybe once or twice a year. At that rate, they probably will last for life.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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4 May 23
Sperry shoes last a long, long time. Sounds like you are pretty much set for life in that regard, Jeff.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
@moffittjc
The best thing about Sperry's, and some other similar shoe brands, is that they are basic and classic. They don't go out of style.
1 person likes this
@Kouponkaren (5495)
• United States
4 May 23
Yes that does seem ridiculous. She could sell them on eBay and feed a lot of hungry and homeless people with that money. Or buy them all NEW shoes! I haven't counted but including dress shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals and everyday shoes I probably have a dozen pairs of shoes.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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4 May 23
I just can't imagine having to buy a warehouse for that many shoes, for one person. But to each his own, I guess. I've never been a big fan of owning too many personal items, so that may be why I think it's silly, but still...that's a lot.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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4 May 23
@Kouponkaren
I go by the theory that if I haven't worn it in a year, I'm probably never going to wear it again, so it gets donated. Like I said, too many of something and it owns you, you don't own it. I want to spend my time on other things than just belongings.
@Kouponkaren (5495)
• United States
4 May 23
@MarieCoyle Yes it is, and that's coming from me, a clutter hound! I am very sentimental and have a hard time throwing things away or getting rid of them. But shoes are more practical to me so I don't have a great attachment to them which is why I don't have too many.
1 person likes this
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
7 May 23
@MarieCoyle I usually go for comfort for my shoes. I have more pairs of sneakers and rubber shoes
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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7 May 23
@rakski
Feet do not last forever. I opt for comfort as well, for sure!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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4 May 23
And that's no doubt just enough. I try to alternate my wearing of my everyday shoes so they will last longer, and when I am home I have some shoes I just wear here in the house and nowhere else.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73803)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
4 May 23
In mu younger days I had about ten pairs of shoes but then I had to keep changing outfits for work and needed the shoes, Now all is have are about five Crocks in various colors,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
I have an ancient pair of Crocs that I use when I work in my tiny garden. I really need to toss them; they are so worn out. Then I have another pair that are a lot newer, if I am going anywhere near a beach, I take them along if the sand is hot, and wear them. I like Crocs for stuff that's dirty or sandy, because they are so easy to just wash off and wear again.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73803)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 May 23
@MarieCoyle I wear my Crocs every day an old pair for inside and any other kind of pair when I go out depending on the color clothes I wear, For Florida heat they are the best with bare feet,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
@RasmaSandra
They are so very easy to keep clean, as well. Very comfortable.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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4 May 23
Sort of like, ''oh, I'm bored. I think I will go through my shoes via my digital shoe finder and admire them''...
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157489)
• United States
4 May 23
I currently have 2 pair of shoes and some flip-flops. I have about a half dozen purses...everyday and dress. I don't get the need to have 10,000 pairs of shoes.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157489)
• United States
5 May 23
@MarieCoyle Yup. That's the way to do it with everything, not just shoes.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
@LindaOHio
I agree, most really cheap items do not last long at all. In the long run, on many items quality reigns over quantity (or cheap!)
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
I can't wear flip flops. I don't own a lot of handbags, either. I buy the best ones I can afford, always real leather, and get a very basic style that won't go out of fashion. Then I use them for years until they fall to pieces!
1 person likes this
@ihasaquestion (8274)
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5 May 23
I guess it is a hobby for some people to have more than a pair of shoes; maybe like twenty to thirty pairs or so. I guess if it's less than a hundred will be fine but if it's too many, It may seem like a bit of a waste of money and will take up a lot of space too. It's definitely different strokes for different folks.
I don't have a lot of shoes, to be honest. I am more of a practical person and only keep the best ones. The worn out ones I will use until it cannot be used anymore and will throw them away.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
Yes, I completely understand. I wear my shoes out before replacing them.
1 person likes this
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
4 May 23
You are right in your observation. Some people have too much and others will be happy with one decent pair
1 person likes this
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
5 May 23
@MarieCoyle This mindset has made me appreciate what I have. I could have lived with less but with the currency issue rumor going on about it makes me want to buy more of what I need just in case. Contrary to minimalism LOL.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
@yoalldudes
If a person has the money, it's not a bad idea at all right now to at least stock up on some things a person has to have. The state of the world in general is very uncertain, so I do understand what you are saying.
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
Like the old English quote by Mallory--''Enough is as good as a feast.''
Enough is more than so many people have.
@Virtually2021 (827)
• Southend-On-Sea, England
5 May 23
We have 5 pairs of shoes each in our house.
1 person likes this
@Treborika (17339)
• Mombasa, Kenya
5 May 23
That's quite alot of belongings one may have.
I would still be contented with one to two pairs of shoes, since there are so many people that stay without.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
@Treborika
I'm sorry, I am not sure I understand your post here.
I am not rich, nor do I live excessively, if that is what you are saying here?
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
Most of us know what it's like to have too many of one item and not any of another, as well.
1 person likes this
@Treborika (17339)
• Mombasa, Kenya
5 May 23
@MarieCoyle You ought to know better than us
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157692)
• United States
5 May 23
I am almost to that tipping point again. I have a sturdy pair that I wear for working in hard conditions because it protects my feet. I have some dressy shoes, but the ones I need the most are tennis shoes because the tie up shoes give my feet more support.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
I am completely in love with my Sketchers. They are so, so comfortable. They don't look like what I would call ''tennis'' shoes. They slip on and off easily, yet fit perfectly. Oh, I really do love them!
@allknowing (130210)
• India
5 May 23
That is called obsession and obsession is not normal. They need treatment
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
I have to agree. While I know it's her own business to spend her money however she wants to. it still seems very foolish to me.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
Comfortable shoes can make a day a lot better. If they don't feel right, they remind you of it at every single step.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
She is a famous singer from Canada. She is famous for singing the theme to the Titanic movie. She is not one of my favorites by any means, not to be mean or anything. She just doesn't sing many songs I enjoy.
@MarieCoyle (29082)
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5 May 23
I try to keep mine weeded out. If I am no longer needing them or wearing them, I give them to someone who truly needs them.
