I will confess I am a shoeaholic, I am addicted to shoes and would happily add to my shoe collection on a daily basis, but this would require a whole new house just to store them.  My son recently asked me “Mum, how many pairs of shoes do you have?”, the answer was “I don’t know”, and I cannot bring myself to count just how many pairs I own. Some are in boxes (the more expensive one’s), some are loose in shoe hangers placed over doors or on cupboard shelves and in storage boxes. Until I came up with the solution to make my shoes fit with Sticky Heelz, I had many pairs of shoes that I only wore once before they started to slip off or rub and blister.  I do own one pair of shoes that I know I will never wear!! They are signed on the bottom by my fellow shoe lover idol, Sarah Jessica Parker.

I know that many who read this will know exactly what I am talking about, if our shoe cupboards could only talk what would they say? It is a bit like Michael McIntyre’s comedy sketch where he references our food cupboard that is full of spices that we ‘thought’ we needed but very rarely use, if indeed we ever use! 

Our shoes are probably waiting for that other special occasion that will release them from the box!   

At Sticky Heelz we undertook a survey of 60 women to find out about their shoe buying and wearing habits with some interesting results.   

59% of those surveyed said they had spent between £100 and £500 on shoes they have worn less than three times!! This resonates with me, sometimes we buy shoes to go with a special outfit and when the next event rolls round we ‘need’ to buy a new pair of shoes for the new outfit for the next occasion.

 Also, 45% of women said they would rather splash out on a pair of designer shoes rather than spend the same amount on several pairs of high street shoes.  I would rather have the larger number of shoes from the high street, I do like my designer shoes but when there is such a great and affordable choice on the high street, and as this is an honesty piece, I will admit I am greedy when it comes to shoes and would rather have more.

There was a split between those who found designer or high street shoes more comfortable, with 31% stating designer were more comfortable and 29% stating high street shoes were more comfortable.  I would agree with this statement, not all shoe manufacturers make shoes to the same size profile.  I can be a UK 4.5 in Louboutin’s and a size 5 in Dune, psychologically, I feel more comfortable in the size 5, but love Louboutin shoes so will continue to purchase them.   

Of those surveyed 7% said the most expensive shoes they have purchased cost up to £50 and 12% have spent over £500.   The most common amount spent was between £100-£500 with 59% of the vote.  I think this cost of between £100-£500 is in line with department store prices and many designer brands, 26% of people had spent up to £100.  I have spent more than £500 but it is not a decision I took lightly, and I look on them as an investment.

Shoes seem to be a guilty pleasure for some and just a necessary part of getting dressed for others.  I dream of having one of those Instagram shoe cupboards with rows upon rows of shoes on display so you can see all your shoes to match with your outfits, but I kind of like opening a shoe box and finding a pair of shoes I forgot I owned!