OK, you've just bought the most fabulous new outfit and you really need a pair of shoes to match. Whether you're on a budget, or you have a bit more financial flexibility, you still want to get your hands on that perfect pair of shoes.

They need to fit just right, and not fall apart the third time you wear them.

Look for the perfect fit.

There's no point in buying shoes which pinch your toes and cramp your feet. They'll end up pushed to the back of your closet, and the only time you'll think of them is when you have a clear-out for a charity drive - what a waste of time and money.

So take the time to try out your new shoes thoroughly before you walk them out of the store. Make sure you're wearing the kind of hosiery you're most likely to be wearing with the shoes in the future. It’s impossible to get a clear idea of how an elegant pair of evening shoes will feel with those designer stockings, when you try them on over thick winter tights. Similarly, trying shoes like this on in your bare feet won't give you a realistic feel for how the shoes will mould to your feet when you're dancing the night away at your annual formal work function. Slip a pair of sheer stockings into your purse before you set out to track down the perfect pair of heels.

Don't be tempted to settle for a pair that are just a touch too small, or too loose either. They need to be snug, to hold your feet firmly, but allow room to wiggle your toes. Walk around the store for as long as you need to, until you're sure that these shoes won't fall off as you move, and the heel height is comfortable and wearable.

Quality counts.

What are the shoes made of? Is it a high-quality material, with a minimum of synthetic fabrics? If so, your feet will be allowed to "breathe”, and as air circulates around your feet, you minimize the potential for bacterial growth, perspiration and their inevitable byproduct: foot odor.

A good quality pair of shoes is also more likely to hold their shape without stretching. Quality will stand up to more punishment - you can run through a rain shower, get splattered with mud, or even get your toes stepped on once or twice without affecting the shape or fit of the shoes.

How much does the perfect pair of shoes cost?

Those with a shoe fetish will have noticed that really good shoes don't come cheap. But there's no need to miss a rent payment just so you can get your hands on the objects of your desire which rest provocatively in the window of the most exclusive boutique in the street.

First of all, shop around. Think about how much you're likely to save if you go across town to a store with may have the same shoes at one third less. Will you save enough money to bother spending the time and effort of checking out the other store? If so, don't hesitate - check out Store B and save yourself some unneccesary financial recovery time.

Consider all the different payment options open to you. Can you pay the shoes off, after leaving a deposit? Can you borrow the money from a friend and pay her back next payday? (You should only choose this option if the transaction is not going to strain the friendship.) Can you save up for them over two paydays and reward yourself for a particularly hard week?

There are always a range of ways of getting around the money barrier. Take yourself off to a coffeeshop and consider them all before you automatically charge the shoes to that dangerous little plastic card - and bear in mind that this is always the most expensive option.

 Now you will recognize the perfect pair of shoes when you see them: they fit just right, they're made from the highest quality material you can afford and they're

paid for by a method which doesn't send you straight to bankruptcy court. With all this going for them, you'll want to wear these perfect shoes every chance you get.