SHOES - These I have a handle on.

I know exactly what I love when it comes to shoes.  I am very very picky about them, probably because I prefer not wearing anything on my feet at all.

Shoes need to be well made, comfortable, and flat or very close to flat.

Clarks is my favorite brand because they inevitably meet my comfortable criteria and are affordable.

I'm building up from my shoe collection.

My shoes:

knee high pr of boater yellow natural rubber boots.  They have a flat sneaker sole, very comfortable.  I wear them 4 seasons in the barnyard and walking the dogs.  I live in the maritimes so good waterproof boots are important.  I've had these 3 going on 4 years.

pull on brown Blundstone ankle boots.  Low heeled, extremely comfortable, never wear out, weatherproof walking boots.  I wear them 4 seasons whenever I'm not actively intending on stepping ion manure.   They stand up to manure well though.  I love these so much I've been stymied to find a pr of warmer winter boots that meet my new Blundstone standard for comfort.  Been wearing these for 3 years.

red oiled leather Dr Marten lug sole mary janes.  My best beloved pair of shoes. These are wide, round toed, fit beautifully and it would take a disaster fort me to stop wearing them.  Their one weak spot in the elastic that holds on the clasp. It has needed replacing 2 times so far.  I've had them 17 years.

brown low wedge heeled strappy Clark sandals.  I got these for Deb's wedding.  I like them a lot but they aren't as sturdy and utilitarian looking as I usually go for.  They are very comfortable.  I tend to slip around in sandals, but these are quite supportive.  I've had them 4 going on 5 years?

black Lands End flat mary janes.  I got these at the thrift store.  They're actually a little too wide unless I'm wearing thick socks.  Which I'm fine with as I tend to go barefoot in other weather.  These are great comfy shoes.  I've had them 2 years.

tapestry flat mary janes.  Thrift store find.   These LOOK amazing.  They fit great with socks BUT the soles are slippery and I tend to pick my more neutral shoes just because of that.  I need to find a solution to the slippery soles, or put them in the yard sale bin..  I've had these a year or so.

brown polished leather Clark dress loafers.  Very comfortable, and dressy looking (to me anyway!)  These look great with pants and skirts. I got these as "professional" shoes and I am really glad I stuck with my comfort level regarding heels and comfort.  I've had them 8  months or so.

brown distressed leather Clark casual loafers.  Very comfortable and very me.  They have a coconut button detail.  I got them because I was feeling kinda pouty about having to buy the more dressy polished loafers for a court date.   So glad I splurged and got them as well.  They have become a favorite to go with pants.  I've had them 8 months.

and finally, bright red Crocs.  I wear them in the river, at the beach, and in the garden when its too muddy to go barefoot.

What I need to find is a pair of warm tall winter boots I love.  I also want a pair of brown mary janes.  I know the pair I want - they're by Clarks too.  A couple of years ago my 20 year old Birkenstock sandals gave up the ghost.  I'd like to replace them - same style and everything, brown, two straps across the top, one around the heel.

Budget Take Two

Youngest here.

I spend roughly 250 a year on clothes for myself,   Half of that is on thrift shop clothes (Frenchy's) and the other half is on new clothes from a few specific sources Rawganique for underthings, and Tempol's annual end of season sale right before Suzanne heads to India to have her new designs made.  I spend another 150 a year on shoes.

I really need to pull myself together.  Yesterday the neighbourhood watched me streak through a field after some loose sheep wearing knee high yellow rubber boots, a longsleeved red tshirt, a burgundy lambswool men's sweater vest, and a pair of red flannel pajama bottoms covered in running deer. It was around noon.  In winter my uniform seems to disintegrate into what is really warm and dry.  When I picked up my first grader from school I was wearing the yellow boots, an orange floral flannel skirt, an orange hand knit sweater and a black down filled parka.  I'm not fooling anyone, they all saw the jammie bottoms two hours earlier.  If I had to define my uniform it's tights and a long sleeved tshirt with "stuff" thrown on top when I go out of the house.  I want to have a clearer vision than "stuff".

After years of wearing mostly black I now wear a lot of colour.  I love hand dyes so there's a definite earthy feel to most of my wardrobe.  Despite the aberrant red flannel pj bottoms most of my wardrobe is in muted shades of red, orange, brown, green, cream, and grey.

I've made a concerted effort to get rid of things I don't wear, I'll post pictures of whats staying and talk about the alterations I'll be making soon.

Budget

Ok...since I am the oldest; I will go first. What do you think you spend on clothes per year? I am embarrassed to say that I have no idea. If I had to guess, I would think maybe...$4000...not including shoes????

I am not as bad as I was five years ago. As I have gotten older; and heavier...my clothing allowance has shifted (like my waistline) from clothing to footwear and accessories.

I never buy second hand clothes...all new. I prefer wearing new clothes...they fit better. My washing machine has a habit of shrinking clothes, so they always feel best first time. Like the average person, I always seem to resort back to my favorites...I have a whole closet of clothes that I never wear. I have a uniform...black pants and either greym white or beige tops. I do throw the occasional red in too. Summer is brighter...winter is very neutral.

I will post pictures of the uniform and what I feel most comfortable in...along with my "wish uniform" later