A new report by ShopSmart magazine, a sister publication to Consumer Reports

A new report by ShopSmart magazine, a sister publication to Consumer Reports, has unearthed a number of interesting facts and statistics regarding women’s shoe buying and wearing habits.

The Survey Says…
According to the survey of 1,009 American women, women own an average of 17 pairs of shoes and buy approximately three new pairs per year. On average, it seems we’re keeping the purse strings firmly tightened, spending approximately $49 per pair of shoes. However, nearly a third of us admit to doling out more than $100 for those gotta-have-it-shoes at one point or another.

Perhaps more telling, however, the survey found that 14 percent of ladies have concealed a shoe purchase from a husband or boyfriend at least once.

In terms of our buying habits, 29 percent said they like to do their shoe shopping online, up from 14 percent in 2007. However, 39 percent said that they’ve had to return at least one of those online purchases. In addition, one in five women indicated that going shoe shopping is their activity of choice if they’re feeling down.

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Heel Height
As for what we’re buying, the survey reveals that 40 percent of women are keeping it comfortable, opting for flats, while 8 percent are buying heels that are only around 2 ½ inches. However, a quarter of survey takers revealed that if it’s a special occasion, they want to stand head and shoulders above the competition in heels that measure over 4-inches tall.

While 60 percent of us indicated that we’re willing to “suffer for fashion” in sky-high heels, up from 49 percent in 2007, we’ve gotten super savvy about it. About 60 percent of us have learned to tote around an extra pair of comfy shoes for the end of the night.

Commenting on the results of the study, Lisa Lee Freeman, ShopSmart’s Editor- in-Chief, noted that, “shoes never make your butt look big, you don’t have to worry about squeezing into them if you’ve put on a couple of pounds, and they can instantly make you feel sexier. Maybe that’s why, despite the economy, we’re still buying shoes.”

So what do you think? Do you believe this survey has captured your shoe habits, or are you going against the grain?