I learned when getting an Elfa closet that the average woman has 50 pairs.

Was pretty accurate in my case.

Why don't you ask her?

What do the ones she hasn't worn look like? They're likely for special occasions.

Men's attire is as follows:
Business dinners - suit
Chirch - suit
Funeral - suit
Work - suit
Client meetings - suit
Cocktail party - suit
Black tie dinner - suit or tuxedo

You probably don't need a winter and summer selection of appropriate shoes to wear with different suits.

I'm not really a shoe person, but I have plenty of shoes. Why? Because women have different outfits for work, nights out and casual errands/get-togethers. And each of those occasions could involve a skirt OR pants. The same shoes don't always look good with skirts AND pants, or with pants of different lengths. (capri, long, normal.) Then you have seasonal needs - barer shoes for summer, closed shoes and boots for winter. And sometimes your feet hurt so you want to wear flats vs. heels. (not really a guy thing.)

I'm a runner so I also have a bunch of athletic shoes in rotation at any given time. Long run shoes, mid-week training shoes (can't be worn on successive days - cushioning suffers), trail shoes, cross-training shoes for the gym.

Anonymous wrote:I've never gotten into the shoe habit but I could easily see how someone could.

First off, men's shoes just tend to be more versatile to begin with. Even dress shoes are flat and relatively easy to walk around in. Their sandals, casual shoes tend to be sturdier and easier to walk around in.

Women have a greater variety of heel lengths and many sandals and casual shoes that go with their casual outfits are cute but not at all durable.

They are more versatile and sturdy because they are only going to buy a few so that's what they buy to last. If a woman wears her red sandals with 2 outfits, they wont' be getting much use and don't need to be sturdy

I have a male friend that can't seem to control his sneaker buying. Not necessarily the $150-$200 sneakers, but just any sneaker in general. My teen DD also likes to buy shoes all the time. I can do with just a few flat shoes for work, 1 pair of running shoes, and 2 pairs of sandals (I've had one pair for over 20 years - high quality leather that are just now seeing their last days). So as a woman, I also don't "get" the shoe thing.

Because they are pretty and by extension add to my pretty.

Anonymous wrote:Psychologists have found out that dopamine, the neurotransmitter in the brain that releases the feel good factor we feel, goes up when we buy accessories, especially shoes. This high is similar to the feeling of people, who are on drugs.

As they say, when feeling low, women tend to shop more. It makes them feel better that things are not as bad as they seem and when they’re able to buy a cute pair of footwear at affordable prices, they feel world is a better place.

I love this. So there is a real reason for my shoe collection. Sharing it with my spouse.

I've never gotten into the shoe habit but I could easily see how someone could.

First off, men's shoes just tend to be more versatile to begin with. Even dress shoes are flat and relatively easy to walk around in. Their sandals, casual shoes tend to be sturdier and easier to walk around in.

Women have a greater variety of heel lengths and many sandals and casual shoes that go with their casual outfits are cute but not at all durable.

For me, it's children's clothes!

OP, it sounds like you and your wife need to set a budget--and figure out what the shoe shopping is doing for her emotionally.

Anonymous wrote:Psychologists have found out that dopamine, the neurotransmitter in the brain that releases the feel good factor we feel, goes up when we buy accessories, especially shoes. This high is similar to the feeling of people, who are on drugs.

Drugs would likely be cheaper, and additionally take up less space in the closet. Thanks for the suggestion!

Anonymous wrote:Psychologists have found out that dopamine, the neurotransmitter in the brain that releases the feel good factor we feel, goes up when we buy accessories, especially shoes. This high is similar to the feeling of people, who are on drugs.

As they say, when feeling low, women tend to shop more. It makes them feel better that things are not as bad as they seem and when they’re able to buy a cute pair of footwear at affordable prices, they feel world is a better place.

I don't get good feelings from buying shoe, but I do from buying furniture!

Funny. My mom never had many. In fact, my dad wouldn't give her money for new shoes when one of the heels of her only pair of dress shoes broke. He'd spent too much on the 50,000 power tools he had bought. Many of which he'd never used.

Psychologists have found out that dopamine, the neurotransmitter in the brain that releases the feel good factor we feel, goes up when we buy accessories, especially shoes. This high is similar to the feeling of people, who are on drugs.

As they say, when feeling low, women tend to shop more. It makes them feel better that things are not as bad as they seem and when they’re able to buy a cute pair of footwear at affordable prices, they feel world is a better place.

And how can I get DW to stop buying them, especially since there are several pairs laying around that she's never even worn.

I own like, 4 pairs of shoes. How can I get her to stop.

Thanks in advance.