Most anti mustachios thing I've ever done? Buy 300$ shoes/boots. 2 pairs of them. 6-7 years ago. (Sooo muuuuch mooooney...)
On the positive side, though:
- the boots are my "warm" winter boots. They've got traction, solid sole, are insanely warm, and have kept my feet toast warm though -30C Quebec winters for 7 years now, and I should be able to get another few years out of them if I take them to the cobblers for mending at the end of this winter. Do I regret it? No. But when these give out, I'll probably buy a good pair of Sorrel boots on sale for 120$ or so instead.
- the other shoes are Cole Haan heels. Ludicrous price, I know. But these are 3-inch heels I can wear while standing for 10 hours straight at a conference, walk to dinner, walk back to the hotel, and do it all again the next day... Without having my feet hurt.
And for those who say "just don't wear heels then", please just take my word that not performing to corporate/feminine clothing standards, in the workplace I was in, has direct consequences to being taken seriously, being considered for promotions, and generally being seen as competent. I have an incredibly competent colleague who got denied promotions and lectured about how she needed to "appear more professional", and was specifically told to wear heels and make-up. This was pretty standard expectations at my last 3 jobs... (Ugh, so glad I'm going somewhere with suddenly sensible expectations...) but, basically: if I have to wear heels, I'm ok with paying more to not be in pain while doing it.
And then be frugal enough to be able to switch industries and jobs and wear whatever reasonable shoe I bloody well like. *rant over*