How many pairs of shoes does a person need?

*The most exciting thing about He Said, She Said is wondering if we’ll still be married by the end of each post! We both write on the same topic but only get to read the other’s work after it’s published.*

He said:

How many feet do I have?

She said:

At least one more pair than they currently own.

How many shoes does one person need

What’s more, he says:

How many blood cells a person need? How many eggs can someone carry at one time? If you’d asked me either of these questions instead, I would be just as stumped. And before I met Mrs Romance, I’d have been even more stumped. My shoe collection at that point was a daring total of two: sneakers and black work shoes.

Meanwhile, Mrs R was well into forging the foundations of her collection. When we first started going out, my guess would be her collection was in its teens. Or twenties. Actually, I have no idea. You see, men don’t automatically know about shoes.

Women, on the other hand, seem born with an inherent understanding of footwear. If asked, my mates would announce a man only needs three pairs of shoes: black, brown and sneakers. And the brown option is exactly that: an option.

My shoe collection has since multiplied to gargantuan proportions. Two reasons: I’ve had years of tutorage from Mrs Romance and I’m a hoarder. I’m embarrassed to say my shoe stash has grown to about 15 pairs of rhythms*. But how many pairs do I need? Three… No, four: can’t live without my flip-flops**.

How many pairs does Mrs R need? This cannot be given a quantitative answer; it is beyond numerical limit. A qualitative answer, however? I can do that. The answer: “all awesome.”

*Cockney Rhyming Slang for ‘shoes’ as in Rhythm and Blues.
**Flip-flops are also known as ‘thongs’ in Australia, ‘jandles’ in New Zealand and ‘sloppies’ in South Africa and Zimbabwe!

And another thing, she says:

What a loaded question.

I’m no Imelda Marcos. I’m probably more of a bag person than a shoe person, but I do have a fair number of shoes.

Shoes are not just a practical item of clothing that stops your feet from getting dirty, they are a fun accessory that really make a statement.

Didn’t your mother tell you that you could judge a man by his shoes?

Boys, keep your shoes neat and clean; girls notice these details. And another thing, please don’t wear a running shoe with jeans. Oh and to girls in super high platform stilettos, please practise walking in them before you leave the house.

I suppose I’m avoiding talking about the number of shoes a person needs, but this all depends on their lifestyle. As a minimum you need dress shoes, everyday shoes, fun shoes and sports shoes. Plus flip flops for the beach and pretty sandals for the beach bar. And maybe reef shoes. Or snow shoes. See? It all depends where you live and what you do each day.

I stand by my original statement that a person always needs at least one more pair than they currently own. I like to keep my options open. Plus have you seen the latest Marc Jacobs? Want. NEED.

4 Comments

  • Reply January 6, 2013

    Nikki @ Styling You

    The answer to your question? A woman can never have too many shoes 😉

    • Reply January 6, 2013

      Mrs Romance

      Ha, so knew you would be on my side with this one Nikki! 🙂 Christina x

  • Yay a new blog from you! *add to Google Reader*

    Unfortunately when it comes to shoes, it’s the other way round for my husband and I.

    She said: I like this pair of ballet flats but I already have something similar so I’ll pass.

    He said: I like this pair of runners. I already have 5 pairs of runners but I can always do with one more because [insert jargon-y running speak]. Right, add to cart! Ah look at this pair of leather shoes! I could do with yet another pair of work shoes.

    This is why, in my house, the husband has more shoes than the wife >.<

    • Reply January 7, 2013

      Mr Romance

      Hi Tine,

      I suppose you’re the exception that makes the rule! The growth in my shoe collection is mostly down to following Mrs Romance around the shops more; as a bribe to keep me from complaining, I’m able to negotiate a new pair of clod hoppers!

      Awkwardly, there has been more than one time when I’ve been the only one coming home with stuff!

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