The 80/20 Rule and a Few of My Favorite Shoes

Have you ever heard of the 80/20 rule? The first time I ever heard this ratio mentioned, I was working at an East Village boutique. It was one of my first jobs after graduating from art school. My boss, who left a 10-year career in luxury fashion buying to start her gift boutique, she told me to keep this rule in mind as I went through my day at the shop. Essentially, I could expect that 80% of purchases would come from 20% of our shop visitors. It didn't take long to see this was absolutely true. This ratio holds true in most cases--whether it's people who are part of a community versus active in it (20% of the people are at 80% of the events), how the majority of us wear the clothes we have (20% of the picks get worn 80% of the time), etc.. I like the 80/20 rule. It helps create order to the every day. Believe it or not, I'm a big fan of that.

Those pink heels in the back of your wardrobe—start wearing them more than 0% of the time?

I would say that the 80/20 rule has many applications when it comes to wardrobe. I mentioned that we typically wear the smaller percentage of our things the majority of our time (I hope you'll try to break out of that with me!), but I also think it's worth thinking about this ratio as it applies to what's making up our closets. At least 80% of my clothes are not new. At first, this was dictated by economics--it was so much easier to buy thrifted pieces or work "inherited" pieces (hand-me-downs) into my closet. Over time, I must preferred the "bang for my buck" that I was getting in the diverse range of clothes: by decade, by design, by difference.

With shoes I have always been the exact opposite. Although I now do occasionally buy pre-loved shoes, I much prefer them to arrive in a box from a store. In fact, I initially thought that there was something gross about buying used footwear. I never saw anyone do it until, junior year of high school, a friend of mine picked up and purchased a pair of scarlet leather vintage pumps. At first I was repulsed, but then freshly open to the new idea.

Today, at least 80% of my shoes I buy new. I'm morally alright with it, too. It's worth spending the money on new shoes. It's worth it to get quality, to buy leather (if you don't have a problem with it—there's also decent faux options), and to break the shoes in yourself, to your own steps and molding. I am a 100% proponent of new shoe owning. By the way, whether they're flats, heels, or anything else closed-toe, I always prefer pointed-toe or narrow-toed shoes. They help elongate the leg and give the appearance of more height. Also, with shoes, I tend to like "more classic" colors, so that they can go with as many kinds of outfits as possible. Keep in mind that I often consider eggplant purple and metallic silver—event leopard print—to be neutrals-of-a-sort. But, I do typically default to black, metallic, or red for shoe color.

Below are some of the classics (some universal, some Queen Midas-specific) that I recommend, from boots, to heels, to sandals. They are in a few more colors than I would typically pick, but at the same time, still very wearable. Converse All Stars are the closest I can come to sneakers. The day you see me sporting something like Adidas is probably the same day you can expect the apocalypse to occur later in the afternoon. I don't typically wear anything that can be labeled athletic (shoes, clothes, etc.). Keep in mind that "more extreme" shoes can always be tampered by balance. For example, you can wear clogs with skinny jeans (not a vintage, A-line skirt), all-black, punk-y shoes with a structured blouse (not a buttoned, black vest OR a T-shirt), and the list goes on.

I will try to make a few different scale/line suggestions based on some of my favorite shoe types. (None of these brands have asked me to feature them, either.) It's good to compare different style of a brand to compare scale for the variety of character each of our bodies have. Where possible, I'll pick universally elongating styles, too. Even in footwear, different cuts really do "sing" depending on whose feet they're flaunting. For example, I have narrower, bonier feet, so I typically look for shoes with medium-small straps and details. This is a rule of thumb, not a rule of LIFE. It is helpful, though, to know what lines and scales can make you look your best. It's also a good way to easily see that you can wear any kind of trend or style—but if you keep your own features in mind and use cut and color, for example, to highlight them, you can live your best golden-lined life.

Let me know what you think—if you agree or not, and if you had wished I would expand on/include anything else (because I'm alive, and I can). Each of these images is a link to where you can purchase, too.

---

Here we go, from most summery/open to heavier/more closed:

Sandals - Casual: The Birkenstock

Note: While this is absolutely my favorite way "to Birkin," I never recommend the thick dual-strapped kind that is most prevalent. There are plenty of more flattering cuts for everyone, whether the straps are thinner, diagonal, etc.

My "Birken" pick for narrower/smaller feet:

My "Birken" pick for average size/width:

My "Birken" pick for sturdier size/width feet:

Sandals - Spiffy: Via Spiga

My pick for smaller/narrower feet: The Via Spiga Allegra

My pick for average size/width feet: The Via Spiga Hana

(I'm not a huge fan of "slides" but here's an option for diversity.

My pick for sturdier size/width feet: The Via Spiga Forte

Flats - Spiffy/All Occasions: Melissa

My pick for smaller/narrower feet: Melissa Queen V

My pick for average OR sturdier width/size feet:

Melissa Crochet Campana (obviously in gold)

The Melissa Maisie I

The Melissa Doll Fem (Jason Wu version preferred)

---

Clogs - Casual, but can be dressed up

My pick for smaller/narrower feet: Sandgrens Madrid Clog

My pick for average size/width feet: Sandgrens Rio Grand Clog

My clog pick for sturdier size/width feet: Sandgrens Nice Clog

Pump - Spiffy/All Occasion

My pump pick for all feet: Cole Haan 75 Pump

And if you need a little texture/fun and less height, I recommend these Cole Haan 45's:

Oxfords - Spiffy/All Occasion

My pick for pretty-much-all feet: Mona's Oxfords

Sneakers - Casual, closest-I'll-get-to-sporty: Converse All Stars

My sneaker pick for ALL feet:

---

Bootie - Spiffy/All Occasion: (Doesn't have to be leopard print, but it doesn't hurt!)

My bootie pick for smaller/narrower feet: Sam Edelman Kinzey

My bootie pick for average size/width feet: Sam Edelman Hilty

My bootie pick for sturdier size/width feet: Sam Edelman Keeley

Boot - All Occasion/Hiking (Yes, hiking.): Blundstone Chelsea

My boot pick for all feet:

Boot - Casual, but can be dressed up:

My boot pick for smaller/narrower feet: Frye Melissa

My boot pick for average width/size feet: FRYE Flynn

My boot pick for sturdier width/size feet: Frye Veronica

And that's all for now! Like I said, let me know what you think—if you agree or not, and if you had wished I would expand on/include anything else (because I'm alive, and I can).