Ladies-how many pairs of shoes?
 

I will admit it, I love shoes. I have tons of them, and wear many throughout a week. I am having a hard time narrowing it down for our trip. I always take an athletic shoe, a sturdy black walking shoe, and then an assortment of sandals based on my clothing. I like to dress up in the evening. I am trying to pare it down to a total of five. Or maybe six...How about you? Guys--no snide comments, it's just easier for you...

I posted on my packing method a few posts back, and I believe in packing light, but basically, whatever shoe you take, make sure it works with at least 2 of your outfits, ideally 3-4. Unless there are exceptions (1 beautiful gown requiring just the right heels, for example), you should not need more than 3 pairs of shoes. . . thinking that with 3 pairs you have up to 12 outfits covered and that is a lot of options on very little material.

At least 2 pairs - no more than 3.

Well, I myself always travel with at least 99 pairs.

To avoid hastening back to the hotel every half hour to change shoes, I carry two pair in my backpack, one (foldable) pair in my fanny pack, and then duct tape a few pairs of lightweight sandals to the hem of my skirt where they dangle most flirtatiously.

To get the utmost use out of the 99 pairs, I switch them about, some days wearing a black suede high heel on one foot and a sneaker on the other. Or a snowboot with a flip flop.

Wearing shoes of differing heights lends an air of raffishness, I think, that distinguishes one from the average tourist and injects the usual weary trudge up the Metro steps with a bit of hilarity.

I'm taking 2 pairs of shoes for 16 days in Scandinavia. One pair of hiking/walking shoes and a pair of black shoes.

Croque Madame, LOL, LOL

Croque-Madame--Merci, I needed a good laugh! I actually have made my DH carry an extra pair of sandals in the camera bag for when I tire of the walking shoes--usually at lunchtime...

It depends on what kind of a trip it is. If it's business or a combo of business/vacation I have to take at least 5/6 pair to cover all the options.

If it's vacation I try to get by with 4 pair (one of which I wear on the plane) two sturdy - but cute walking shoes, and two cuter, dining out shoes - but usually flat sandals or a low wedge to account for coblestones and long after-dinner walks. (Even after so many trips I have never been able to learn to walk on cobblestones/uneven pavement in really high heels.)

Yea she's bacK.!!!
I've missed you CM.

I'm a regular Imelda Marcos at home...but when traveling I never take more than 3 pairs: one sporty comfortable walking shoe, one pair of attractive flats that can take me on 10-mile jaunts through Paris, and one pair of elegant but amazingly comfortable strappy heels. If it's not a trip that involves elegance, I take only two pairs.

treble, I'm with you, at home I have a different pair of shoes for almost every outfit, how does one pare(pair) down;;) I am really going to hate leaving my darling lavender slides at home. They would look just perfect for walking around Paris but would not serve me well in the Alps ;;) Deborah

treble,
You didn't need any snide guy comments. Fodor's Forum has the inimitable Croque_Madame. What a blessing. Funniest I have read in weeks.

On my visit to Florence last year I think I took.....5 pairs of shoes - 1 pair of runners (which after day 1 I wore everywhere!), 2 pairs of smashing pointy toe boots, 1 black boot, and 1 wedge sandal.

I wore the black boots once..and almost killed myself...didn't even try the pointy toe boots after seeing the cobblestones, and switched b/w the runners and sandals for the entire trip.

Next time....I will bring thicker heel boots, and nicer walker shoes....but will try to avoid the runners if I can to avoid the "tourist" look.

I bring 2 and buy 1 or 2 during my trip.

Madame,
my regards......

Too bad Thin has been banned again. I would have loved to read his comments(thet were always tongue in cheek but certain posters too them seriously and complained)

Again? Oh,no!

yes, again, sorry for all the typos, this terrible weather has me in bad shape.

treble, I feel your pain. Sometimes I take along a bag just for the shoes!

Miss Polly/Thin is gone? No, say it ain't so! :(

yes he was last here as foruny pleats

fortuny