What footwear is essential for a capsule wardrobe?

[Charles_A]

I’ve been trying to pare down my wardrobe to a true capsule collection, but I keep getting stuck on shoes. I own about twelve pairs and I can’t seem to let go of more than two or three, even though I know I don’t wear most of them. How did you decide what footwear was actually essential when you went through this process?

[JeffreyW]

I did a quick edit last weekend with a pile of shoes spread across the floor I asked myself will I wear this in the next three months and if the answer was no it went to the thrift pile or to the back of the closet I kept a black dress heel a white trainer and a sturdy boot that covers most days everything else moved out

[MichaelFT]

I started from my morning routine and watched what I actually reach for The kept ones were a clean white sneaker a brown ankle boot and a flat black loafer If a pair felt dusty or pinching it was out no drama just decisions

[Harper.L]

I admit I clung to a favorite pair for comfort and kept a few that did not fit as well just in case The process taught me fit beats color on a hanger and I still feel unsure about the balance

[Zoey_S]

Maybe the real problem is not the shoes at all and I am just stuck in a habit of collecting what is easy to justify?