Most women own 17 pairs of shoes, are afraid of 4-inch heels

Fashion
Thinkstock
Thinkstock

Finally we've found some poll results that actually seem accurate! A new footwear survey from ShopSmart, a Consumer Reports publication, interviewed over 1,000 women and found that the average American woman owns 17 pairs of shoes and spends around $49 per pair. Of those, only three pairs are in regular rotation. Sounds about right, doesn't it? Some shoe-crazed ladies right now are shaking their heads in disagreement. Well, you may not fall in the norm! 13 percent of women have over 30 pairs of shoes, not including sneakers. Feeling better now? Here are some more cool stats from the survey:

  • Women buy around three pairs of shoes each year

  • 39% of women prefer flats more than any other shoe

  • 33% have spent more than $100 on a pair of shoes

  • only 25% have worn shoes that are 4″ or higher

  • 46% have bought an ugly pair for comfort, while 60% endure pain for pretty shoes

  • 61% have carried comfy shoes in their bag to change into

  • 48% have had shoe-related injuries

  • 19% shop to cheer themselves up

  • 29% shop for shoes online

  • 14% have hidden at least one purchase from their spouse

  • 51% notice the shoes others are wearing

  • 28% feel shoes make the outfit


So many women are obsessed with shoes, and Lisa Lee Freeman, editor in chief of ShopSmart, explains why. "Shoes never make your butt look big, you don't have to worry about squeezing into them if you've put on a couple of pounds, and they can instantly make you feel sexier." That makes total sense! But what about if you have a handbag obsession as well? Sigh.

Check out the full survey here and let us know how many pairs of shoes you have!




Related links:
Women spend nearly $25,000 on shoes
Shoes are a girl's best friend: More women remember first pair than first kiss
Women think fitting into old jeans is better than sex or a promotion