When it comes to collecting clothing and accessories, it seems that shoes are the item that women gravitate to the most. What is it with us ladies and our shoes?

Perhaps it’s that shoes are flattering. Unlike a pair of pants, a pair of shoes won’t make you look like you’ve suddenly gained 10 kilos. Instead, a pair of killer heels can transform your pins into long, lengthy heavenly creations.

In short, shoes make you feel good. But even if you have several dozen pairs of shoes in your cupboard, there are always a couple that stand out as favourites. They are the old favourites that come to the rescue whenever a wardrobe crisis occurs. They’re the shoes that look good with everything, the shoes that always get compliments; they’re the shoes that make you feel downright freaking fabulous.

But sadly, like all good things, shoes too must come to an end. Most shoes have a use-by date, and if you’re anything like me, then you’re guilty of wearing a shoe long after it was due to be put out to pasture. But holding on to an old favourite shoe when it’s well and truly past its prime can actually be fraught with danger. Loss of support and cushioning can lead to painful conditions like shin splints, knee and heel pain and Achilles tendinitis. And if a shoe’s heel and sole wears down unevenly, the likelihood of ankle twisting also increases. And let’s face it, when a shoe is old, it looks old.

Cracked leather, scuff marks and general decrepitude make them look shabby and can bring your whole look down. A shoe’s life span depends on the quality of construction, how well you care for them and how often you wear them. Here are a few tips for extending the life span of your shoes. If you wear a pair of shoes three to four times a week, you’ll want to reassess their condition after a year. A good test is to set the shoes on a flat surface and look at them from behind. If they lean or tilt to one side, it’s time to repair them or get rid of them.

Leather shoes

If you buy good quality leather shoes and take good care of them – re-soling and re-heeling regularly – you could get anywhere from five to fifteen years out of them. You know a leather sole needs replacing if you put your thumb in the centre of the outer sole at the ball of the foot and the leather feels soft instead of firm.

Heels

High heels are narrower at the heel (obviously) and the soles are usually thinner than on other shoes, so they wear down very fast. If the thickness of the sole has worn down by half, it’s time to re-sole or replace those babies. The same goes for the heel – as soon as you see nail poking through, it’s time to get new heel lifts. Don’t skimp on these, a quality heel lift can last twice as long as a cheap one.

Thongs and sandals

If there are broken straps, worn out heels or the sole of your thong starts to resemble a wonky pancake, it’s time to move on. Remember, although it might be painful letting go of your favourite pair of shoes, the upside of cleaning out your shoe closet is that you’re making room for new favourites.