Collecting shoes?

The Sunday NYTs ran an article on a woman who collects high heels. She owns 1200 pairs, 700 of which are Louboutins and many of them are unworn. I posted a bit ago on wanting/buying yet another pair of Valentino studded sandals and that Jennifer, jokingly, advised me to view myself as a collector in order to allay my guilty conscience. I have 4 pairs, this is a far cry from 1200.

To me, collecting implies that the items are cherished and preserved and I have a hard time thinking about clothing and accessories this way. I certainly try to buy carefully with the intent that my purchases will go the distance. A classics fan, I love when I pull out a piece and it still looks fresh and relevant although it is years old. And it is no secret that I often buy two identical items to insure their longevity. But this does not mean that they will live on a shelf to be adored from afar.

Shoes, like anything, can be collected. But in my opinion, they should be worn to be truly appreciated.