Human beings have been wearing shoes for thousands of years. Archeologists have uncovered sandals that date back to 8000 BC. Early footwear was entirely utilitarian. Its only purpose was to protect the feet from injury. In time, however, more decorative shoes made their way to the stage.
The first shoe to make a fashion statement was the sandal of ancient Egypt. Because few could afford them, the sandal became a luxury item, a sign of wealth and power. The ancient Egyptians even allocated colors to each class. For example, only the king and his court could wear gold, while dignitaries had to wear pastels. Members of the middle class were only allowed to slip on red or yellow sandals.
As they had with many things, the Greeks learned about shoemaking from the Egyptians and took it to another level. Not only did they use many different colors, but Greek shoemakers introduced new styles that were designed for different occasions and activities. These were truly the world’s first specialty shoes. Footwear was also designed for certain occupations. For example, a soldier wore a certain type of shoe, while a priest or actor wore another type.
The 15th century was a defining period for women’s footwear. Heretofore, most of the shoes women wore were the same or similar to the ones men wore. Then the patten and the chopine were introduced. Both were platform shoes that were designed to give the wearer some height. The only problem was that they were bulky and uncomfortable. Shoemakers continued to work with them and eventually came up with high heels and pumps.
Where are we now?
The footwear industry in America is enormous. Depending on whom you ask, annual sales are between 25 and 50 billion dollars. The reason everyone seems to have a different number is because the industry is highly fragmented. There are manufacturers that sell athletic shoes, dress shoes, designer shoes, casual shoes, kids shoes, etc. And all of them track the trends and statistics of their own particular market segment. But one thing we know for certain is who is doing most of the buying: women.
The average American woman owns 19 pairs of shoes, compared to just 9 for the average man. But even that statistic is a bit misleading. You see, women don’t wear shoes past their prime. They won’t wear pairs with holes in their soles like the guys. They simply buy another pair. At some point, of course, space becomes an issue.
Shoes are probably the most difficult fashion accessory to find room for, especially for the girls. Because they tend to have a lot more of them, properly storing shoes can be a problem. It is also important to note that women’s shoes are, on average, more expensive than men’s pairs. Not only do they use pricier materials, but they are also more delicate and easier to damage. As a result, many women simply store them in their original boxes and stack them on the floors of their closets.
As you might imagine, nineteen stacked shoeboxes can take up an awful lot of room. And unless the closet is enormous, the entire floor might be spoken for. One simple space-saving solution is to purchase a few inexpensive shoe organizers.
Clear Shoeboxes
Like the cardboard originals, clear shoeboxes take up a lot of space. But they do make things easier on the owner, since she won’t have to go opening 19 shoe boxes to find a particular pair. She can simply look through the lid. If space is the issue, we strongly suggest that you purchase only a few clear shoeboxes for your most expensive pairs. Less expensive shoes can be stored in one of the following organizers.
Shoe Racks
The average shoe rack for the closet can store ten to twelve pairs. We prefer adjustable racks with separate tiers, because they can be expanded to fit any closet. The advantage of the shoe rack is its high visibility and storage capacity. A woman can find the pair she wants in seconds and replace them when not in use. The drawback of the rack, when compared to the shoe box, is that it does not protect shoes as well. Pairs that are left unused for months on end may become dusty or dirty. Still, the closet rack is a helpful organizer for women who own a lot moderately-priced shoes.
Shoe Cubby
Shoe cubbies aren’t just for kids. In fact, the shoe cubby might just be the most complete organizer on our list. Not only does it hold as many pairs as the shoe rack, but it protects them better. The opened-faced boxes also let you find what you need immediately while freeing up valuable floor space.
Affordable shoe organizers for the closet can make your life a lot easier and free up tons of space in your closet. Find the right products to get your collection in order now.