I have reluctantly out 2 pairs of shoes on ebay. Both bought at great expense for one occasion, worn uncimfortable and never worn again. One gorgeous pair of mary janes bought for my 50th (red ones!). I have others that i can't quite give up. They have all been worn inside and have unmarked soles and I will only ever get back a fraction of what i paid for them. I take them out of their boxes, look at them, put them on, walk a few steps in my room and think 'that's fine - very comfortable' and then put them back in their box and put on my boots and birkies. I have dreadful feet - wide, fat and with Mortons Neuroma (painful bit under the toes), really I should only wear flat shoes but ballet flats make me look like little squidgy foot and I long for heels!!!!!!

Posted by: Deb | October 1, 2007 12:16 PM

My heart rules above all, but with age came practicality with my love. I suppose I've ended up coming to a happy medium where adoration and practicality are concerned.

I will often buy shoes I don't need, but I make occasions in which to wear them. I own a pair of Red or Dead platforms which are nigh on impossible to wear but they are so beautiful that I wear them defiantly. The only thing I insist upon is fit. If they don't fit, my brain reminds me that I can't really afford such luxury.

Basically, however extravagant my shoes may be, I can still wear them without looking like a total idiot and that makes me feel much better about purchases that many (men) my see as impractical.

Thankfully my boyfriend understands the need for beauty over necessity where a shoe wardrobe is concerned. What a blessing!

Posted by: Orla | October 1, 2007 12:28 PM

you just made me want to buy this red pair...where're they from?!!!

Posted by: anny | October 1, 2007 12:35 PM

Oh, I've bought shoes that were a size too small before, believing that it wouldn't matter and that hey, they'd stretch! I'm a little better now, and a little more inclined to think about comfort (hence the Uggs!) but I do still find it well nigh impossible to resist a gorgeous pair of shoes, no matter how impractical they may be!

Posted by: Amber | October 1, 2007 12:48 PM

I can exercise practicality as well as impulsive defiance at times. I am most attracted to comfort, so I try to choose shoes that will fit the bill of fabulousness and comfort equally. But there are times when I want to wear the fantastic ones that kill my feet. Even then, I tend to wear those when I know I will only be in them a short time or I won't have to be doing much standing or walking.

Posted by: elizabeth | October 1, 2007 2:37 PM

It's a personal rule of mine that if I'm going to buy something impractical, I will not spend much money on it. My Nine West patent black and white d'orsay heels? Yet to wear them, only cost $15. I also have my Michael Antonio Louboutin ripoff crystal-studded 4-inch pumps... they're too big, but I love to look at them. And they were only $10, anyway.
Though I will admit I sometimes make mistakes. Like my high-heeled boots I spent $50 on... they're too big and hard to put on (they're pull-ons) but I love them anyway.

Posted by: D | October 1, 2007 4:41 PM

The red ones are from Jones and they are on sale on e bay now! (try red mary janes Jones as a search!)

Posted by: Deb | October 1, 2007 5:11 PM