What's in and out of my shoe collection

My shoe collection post has to start with my favourite shoes, or strictly speaking, boots. They are my Solovair boots, a lesser known but better quality brand than the more famous Dr Martens. I've posted about it before if you're interested to read about the background of Solovair.

It's been two and a half years since I got them and I wear them nearly everyday. They've travelled around the world with me, to America last year, to Taiwan a couple years ago, all my cruises and trips around Eurooe. It's even been to a Hivefes and two Hive meet ups. Very well travelled for a pair of boots! The only downside of travelling with my Solovair is that I'm often asked to remove them when I go through luggage check at the airport because they have quite thick soles. I hate when I'm asked. One, do I look like a terrorist? Two, it's a lot of hassle to take the off and put them back on. And three, which is the most important thing, I have to walk around in my socks. Do you know how dirty public areas are?!!

They're quite aged now compared to when they were brand new. See how pristine they used to be. The pattern on the heels have started to wear out. I'm a bit surprised about that, but hopefully they still have a lot of life in them.

These are my comfy lazy trainers when I'm too lazy to do up the laces on my boots, or if I know I need to remove my shoes because I'm going to visit my family. Yes, we remove our shoes when entering people's home, it's an Asian thing 😄. Even though I'm brought up in UK, I still can't get my head around people walking on carpeted rooms with their outdoor shoes. Both pairs are very chunky, and I want to buy a pair of slim fit ones which are more girlie, I just need to find a pair that I like.

I very very rarely wear heels nowadays. I only got this pair of 4cm heels for when I went on a cruise the other year. Cruises normally have a formal night on board where you have to dress up pretty 😃 The utilisation for these heels very low, I think maybe I have worn them two or three times only.

This pair of kitten heels is from my work days. They're Tod's, a premium Italian brand of shoes. I used to buy a lot of their products when I was working, they're very good quality and last forever. I've given most of my other Tod's away as they were more formal work shoes which I don't wear anymore. I kept these because I can wear them as part of a smart casual outfit.

Nowadays, I only wear flat heel shoes. The Keds are my go to summer shoes. They used to be a very nice navy colour when I first got them. Not the canvas has faded, and because they were in storage for a long time, they've gone a bit cooper as well. It think that's fine, and adds a bit of uniqueness to it.

These pumps are also Tod's, bought when I was going through my Tod's phase years ago. Back then, I wanted to change my fashion style and move away from t-shirt and jeans, and figured I should have some shoes to go with my new style. Alas that never happened. After sitting idle for so many years, I finally sold them for £11 this week. That a very very good bargain, they're normally sold for a few hundred £ brand new!

Fast forward many many many years. A few years ago, I figured I should move out of t-shirt and jeans and into something a bit lady like. And again I should get some proper feminine pumps. Nowadays, I rarely buy new clothes so changing my wardrobe was even more difficult. These are really comfortable, but they don't go well with jeans. I'm going to keep them, in case I change my fashion style in future (so she says).

I love these boots, they're Tod's, I've had these for probably 20 years. They're super cool, look very sophisticated with winter attire, and are very comfortable. I don't wear them that often now because they look a lot better with dresses or skirts which I don't wear that much. I really should remember to wear them more in winter.

My trusted walking boots have been to many countries and hikes with me. They are starting to show their age, particularly on the fabric, but the soles are still fine. As long as I make sure I clean off all the dirt and mud and let them dry properly after each walk, they should still have a good few years left in them.

Have you noticed one type of shoes missing from my shoe collection? I'm quite OCD when it comes to my feet and like to keep them clean when I go out. Plus I'm very low maintenance and lazy and don't do pedicures. I will never wear sandals or open toe shoes and like to keep my toes under wrapped 😁 Last year when I was in Dubrovnik after HiveFest, there was a flash flood one morning and I was drenched through and through, including my jacket and favourite boots. Luckily, I always have my flip flops with me when I travel ... remember it's an Asian thing? No outdoor shoes indoors, hence flip flops as slippers. I had to wear my flip flops that afternoon, and luckily I had received a covetted Worldmappin hoodie during HiveFest and that came in handy. Very un-me, now immortalised on the blockchain forever.