I realized this today, when I put a pair of shoes on that I haven't worn for awhile and forgot how much I loved them. They are one of the few pair of shoes that have become a staple. The type of shoes that my closet will never go without. Please tell me that there are more out there like this. Don't you have that pair of shoes that even when they are worn out, with holes in the soles, you still can't throw them away? And then you buy the same ones to replace them because you know you couldn't go on without that type of shoe in your closet?
I have 4 types of shoes, that I cannot go without. I have multiple pairs of each type. They are the shoes that I know will always be in my closet, no matter what season or stage of life I am in.
The first shoe that I cannot live without are the classic boat shoes. In my closet, at this very moment, I have 5 pairs of boat shoes. Two brands, Sperry and Steve Madden, they never let me down. In high school this was my main shoe. Pretty much the only ones that I would wear, even if there was 6 feet of snow on the ground. And very fittingly, this was the shoe of choice for my wedding. They never let me down.
Shoe number two is none other than my good ol' Hunter rain boots. I got these shoes my sophomore year in high school.... so about 5 years ago. (wow that seems like a long time ago... 2009!) And they are still as sturdy as can be. They have been there for me at many important moments in my life. I'm not even kidding. I took my senior pictures, as well as some of my bridals in those boots. Graduation and marriage and the boots have walked me through it all. I don't really think that they will ever break down, but honestly if they do, I don't think that I will ever be able to throw them away. I will definitely get another pair, but those will always have a special place in my closet and in my heart. (I obviously have a real problem here, I'm getting sappy about shoes haha)
The next type of shoe that I cannot live without is my running shoes. They are not the cutest pair of shoes at all. Actually, when I got them I thought they were horrific. But after being with me for over 500 miles of running and still going strong, they fought their way onto my list. I love my Asics. Also, they have completely stopped my knee pain (along with lots of stretching and icing) so I don't have to go for knee surgery round two, which I am so so so grateful for. Along with the running shoes goes all my tennis shoes. I love a good pair of tennis shoes. And can always find a good excuse to buy more... I mean you obviously need gym tennis shoes, hiking tennis shoes (that can get dirty), cute tennis shoes (to wear on the sporty lazy days), sport tennis shoes (you never know when someone is just going to call you up and ask you to play wallyball or something like that right?....)
And last but not least is my Steve Madden boots. Yes, they must be STEVE MADDEN. No other brand will do. They do cost more, but they will last longer and look better and I am true to the brand. I have three pairs of boots in my closet right now (not counting the rain boots) and each and everyone of them are Steve Madden. I sacrifice getting a new pair of boots every year, so that I can afford to get the ones that I want. This year I didn't get a new pair, but I'm not even mad about it because my ones from previous years have held up wonderfully! And it is totally worth saving up for them.
I like to think that my closet will have at least one of each of these pairs of shoes for the rest of my life. But styles come and go. And I still love these shoes. And I could't keep moving through life without them. What shoes are you addicted to? I would love an excuse to buy another pair. :)
