Nov 7

Nov 7 HOW I BUILT MY DREAM SHOE COLLECTION ON A BUDGET

The first thing people ask me when they find out I blog about shoes usually goes like, "So how many pairs of shoes do you own???" By any normal person's standards I can say I have a lot, but it didn't come easy! Over the years I have searched and discovered every little trick in finding shoes that I adore AND can afford. I am definitely a girl on a budget that needs to feed her shoe obsession so I've put together the 5 incredibly easy steps that have worked the best for me. (Click image to enlarge and scroll.)

STEP 1: Navigate to sites that allow you to filter by percent of discount. Like 6PM, StyleBop, ShopStyle, or Nordstrom.

STEP 2: Click on the sale or clearance page immediately! (Before you see anything you love at full price, haha)

STEP 3: Filter by the highest discount available, usually that's 70%.

STEP 4: Always filter your shoe size! This is a must to avoid disappointment.

STEP 5: If you're looking for something specific, filter the other options available like width, color, type, etc. If not, forget about this step and explore everything available like I do :)

That's seriously it!

With sneakers, these 5 steps are all it takes. But when it comes to heels, quality and measurements are big factors.

QUALITY: Obviously always look for 100% leather. If the product only has a leather "upper" that means only the outer layer is real, but the inner layer is made of something that's usually not so great. This sucks because your foot will be rubbing up against the material that hurts, get me?

MEASUREMENTS: Being able to really move around in my heels is VERY important to me. I sure don't want to be looking like a slow penguin that is awkward and tripping over itself. So my personal preference is heels with no more than a 3.5" instep (how high you are standing on your toes). This means if the shoe has no platform, the heel height is not to exceed 3.5" (3.5 - 0). If the shoes do have a platform I simply subtract the platform height from the heel height to understand how high I will really be standing. Example: (5.25" heel height) - (1.25" platform) = 4" instep

Searching by percentage rather than filtering by 'price low-high' is SO much better because it allows you to find the better quality products at amazing prices. Case in point these L.A.M.B. heels I found on ShopStyle (eeeeeeek!). From $400 to $100 for a well designed, 100% leather high heel that is hot?!?! Yes, please, thank you, purchased, goodbye! Such a great find!!!!

So basically over the years, this is the main way I've developed a large collection and I still rotate each and every one of them. I was picky and only chose designs I adored, therefore I was in love with each shoe and because of the good quality they've lasted. Not to mention buying at a majorly discounted price makes my heart throb so happy!

Let me know if you guys score with these tips on the comments below, xx.