I am a shoe whore, I admit it. One of the many ways in which I am a hysterical woman.

gym sneakers
brown sneakers
black sneakers
brown loafers
brown oxfords
2 pr. black oxfords
black Beatle boots
brown boots
black "comfort" shoes
brown "comfort" shoes
tan desert boots
cowboy boots
work boots
hiking boots
fishing felt-bottom boots
bowling shoes
dancing shoes
patent opera pumps
bedazzled costume shoes
women's pumps
sandals
2 pr. flip flops

That's 24 pairs. And yes, I've worn them all in the past year. And yes, I will probably buy at least two more pairs in the next year.

sneakers for work
sneakers for not-work (they get rotated to work when the current work shoes die)
boots for motorcycle riding and other boots-needing activities
black dress flats
Teva sandals
moccasins (purchased in case my feet swelled up during pregnancy, and worn about 4 times)

I admit to having men's taste in shoes--functional and fits. Fnarf can have my shoe allotment.

I have two pairs.

However what is a problem number of shoes is going to be different from person to person. If you are overspending on shoes or you are out of room in your closet you may have to many. If you shoe consumption is making your life more difficult keep that habit. If you just enjoy it try to diminish the embarrassment or guilt you seem to be conveying.

I have too many shoes. Maybe 50 or 60 pairs. It was a period in my life where I filled the void with shoes...

They are so pretty though...

I'm told there is a scene in SATC (which I didn't watch) where Carrie realizes that she put the same amount into her shoe collection as could have formed a deposit on a house. Ahem. Let me tell you, when I realized much the same thing it was not a source of laughter.

Five. I kind of failed gay class. By stereotypes I'm supposed to have like 50, but all I have is:

Steel toe boots
Hiking boots
Nike Tennis/running shoes
Black dress shoes
Brown dress shoes

I have about a dozen pairs of shoes and one pair of boots; I restrict myself to replacement only and I make sure that the shoes and clothing that I have all fit into the right space in my closet. I try to buy well, but buy once.

Let's see, I have:
Black knee-high boots
Black hiking boots
12-year-old Tevas (re fine in my (admittedly shoe-hating) book.

Ok, this looks like way too much fun.

3 pairs of black flats
1 pair of taupe flats
1 pair of tan flats
2 pairs of grey peeptoe flats
2 pairs of grey flats
1 pair of denim flats
2 pairs of brown flats
2 pairs of brown boots
1 pair of red boots
1 pair of rain boots
1 pair of snow boots
1 pair of knee-high snow boots
2 pairs of wee-heel tan sandals
1 pair of flat brown sandals
1 pair of taupe wedge sandals
1 pair of wood sandals
1 pair of crocheted white flats
1 pair of comfort flip flops
1 pair of fancy red flip flops
1 pair of Converse sneakers

Can you tell I don't work out or play sports?

27 total. And still no high heels.

Shoes wear out, and they need to fulfill so many criteria -- function, comfort, weather, occasion. It's easy to build up a collection.

The problem with flats too is that they can get a little gross from the socklessness ... best to rotate them regularly before finally cleaning them. Alas.

I do need to get rid of some of these though, as I don't wear them.

I have:

*1 pair of nice Chacos I wear every dang day
*2 pairs of Chacos with broken straps (for dirty work)
*1 pair hiking boots
*1 pair trail shoes for when I absolutely can't wear Chacos
*1 pair riding boots

Everything else gets worn maybe once a year each. As a result, I don't have to buy nice shoes often.

*1 pair sexy red sandals with heel (secretly Tevas)
*1 pair Asics (for the gym...very nice, except I don't currently have gym access)
*1 pair shiny red Danskos
*1 pair cute grey ballet flats
*1 pair sexy boots (huge heel, lace up to the knee)
*1 pair brown leather ankle boots

As a dude, I have

2 dress
1 athletic
4 everyday (fluevog, campers & other)
3 fancy boots for costume, and clubwear

These fit my general needs, but I still look for fancy used boots if in good condition.

More than 3 is too many