The question of how many pairs of shoes are too many comes up often. If you have 50 pairs in your closet, that might feel like a lot—but is there really a magic number?
To put things in perspective, having hundreds or even thousands of shoes, like Imelda Marcos, is definitely excessive. Many of her shoes reportedly ended up ruined by mold and termites from sitting unused for too long. Even my own collection of 27 pairs feels like too much, especially since I don’t wear all of them.
The key to a great shoe collection isn’t about quantity—it’s about quality. Many of us take pride in having a large number of shoes, even if we rarely wear most of them. But if you only reach for 10 or 15 pairs out of your 50, the rest are just taking up space, possibly deteriorating over time. Selling the ones you don’t wear could free up room in your closet and put some extra cash in your pocket.
Ultimately, the number of shoes you need depends on your lifestyle. Some women can get by with just a few stylish sneakers, while others need a more varied selection. If you go out, work out, dress up, or dress down, you probably only need about five essential pairs:
That said, I have more than just those five. Sneakers are my weakness—I own multiple pairs, from Converse to Pumas to Stan Smiths. It’s not the most practical habit, but I like having options, and I’m sure many others feel the same way.
If you want more variety, you might consider adding a few extra styles to your collection. These can help expand your wardrobe and ensure you always have the right pair for any occasion.
Of course, everyone’s needs are different. If you’re on TV every morning and your feet are visible, you might need several pairs of pumps and boots. In general, though, a well-rounded shoe collection for a balanced lifestyle might include around 12 pairs.
So, how many pairs do you have in your closet? And do you think it’s too many?