N-1, where N=number of shoes that would result in divorce/breakup from significant other.
You like living life dangerously, eh?
N-1, where N=number of shoes that would result in divorce/breakup from significant other.
To me, "... should a man have?" is different from "... does a man need?" in that it gets farther past mere need and gets into preference and enjoyment a bit.
LOL! I like your picture because I stole that formulation from the correct number of bicycles to own (see Rule #12 Velominati – Keepers of the Cog - https://www.velominati.com/) But I think it works for shoes too. If my wife ever did divorce me, she'd probably take all my left shoes as part of the 50% settlement. So I try to leave a comfortable buffer. Its cheaper to keep her.
I should mention that I’m in construction. I have no idea if it’s considered average or not, the subject of how many shoes everyone has never came up.8
1 mostly white gym shoes
1 black gym shoes
1 8” redwing work boots
1 8” insulated redwing work boots
1 black leather dress shoes
1 hiker shoes
1 sandals which I never wear
1 moccasins
If you buy a pair every year or two they will indeed pile up as they last upwards of thirty years with not much more than shoe trees and brushing! If you like Alden shell cordovan, I commend their Chromexcel offerings as well. I got a pair of CXL LHS from Shoemart, factory seconds for a $200 price reduction! I was replacing very old Alden for Brooks unlined LHS as my principal loafers and did not want to take time to soften up cordovan or buy another pair at the current price of nearly $800. The CXL was immediately comfortable, and I am unable to identify any flaws despite their being labeled as seconds.I just can tell you that the number will go up when you start buying shell cordovan shoes. They are so expensive that you will automatically care fore them well, so they will last for several decades even when you buy only 1 pair every 1-2 year you will end up with a collection of imelda marcos like proportions before you retire. Oh - and don’t forget: alden shell cordovan shoes call out to each other, similar to simpsons brushes, so it will probably be worse then is described above
Just doing a bit of an "audit", clearing out those that don't get worn, or are ready for replacement. There's a pair of smart steel toe cap shoes*, which have hardly been worn, and a pair of leather deck shoes which don't fit me so well, so they'll both be donated to a charity shop, I think.
* I used to work in engineering, but have no call for steel toe caps anymore.
Not counting those, and after slinging out some battered trainers which won't be replaced, here's what's left:
2 x black Derby shoes
1 x black lace up square toe dress boots
1 x brown slip ons
1 x brown/blue leather/suede two-tones (incoming, awaiting receipt)
1 x hiking boots (soon to expire, soles heavily worn)
1 x hiking boots (new, unworn, and waiting for the others to conk out)
1 x canvas deck shoes
1 x light trainers
1 x laced plimsols
1 x leather sandals
1 x wellies
1 x moccasin slippers
I think you guys have dislocated my brain