Women and shoes, it remains a golden combination. But how many pairs does the average Dutch woman have in her closet in 2024? Nelson investigated.
From pumps and stilettos to sneakers and sandals: we have a lot of shoes in the Glamial editorial office. Almost 10 years ago, Nelson Schoenen conducted research into the shoe love of Dutch women, and it showed that we are certainly not the only ones with a closet full of shoes. But what about our shoe collections in 2024? Nelson investigated it again.
Shoe love in numbers
It’s been almost 10 years, a pandemic and countless trends, but our love for shoes is still as strong as ever. Okay, the average number of shoes per woman has dropped from 23 to 22 pairs, but that’s still a considerable number. A whopping 50% of women say they buy four new pairs each year. In comparison, men buy an average of only two pairs per year and usually own no more than 10 pairs in total. Only 10% of men have more than 22 pairs of shoes in their closet.
The sneaker reigns supreme
What is striking is the shift in favorite shoes. Where the ankle boot used to dominate the closet, the sneaker has conquered that place in 2024. With an overwhelming 90% of the votes, the sneaker is the undisputed number one among Dutch women. Comfort, style and versatility make this type of shoe a must-have, regardless of the season or occasion.
Shoes and self-confidence
Shoes are more than just a fashion accessory; they give us confidence. Nelson’s research shows that over 90% of women feel more confident when they have a nice pair of shoes on their feet. Surprisingly, 32% of women even buy shoes that are actually too small, simply because they are so pretty. Well, beauty comes with pain, right?
Men are a bit more down to earth about this: for them, self-confidence also plays a role, but for only 70% a new pair of shoes leads to a boost in self-confidence. Nevertheless, quality and fit remain the most important reasons for both sexes to buy new shoes.
Conclusion
Although the shoe collection of the Dutch woman has shrunk a bit in 2024, the passion for shoes remains clearly visible. Maybe a bit too much, because we also have to admit that we could do with a few less shoes. Anyway, shoes remain an important part of our lives. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy a new pair of shoes that fit perfectly and give us self-confidence?
Source: Nelson | Image: Adobe Stock
