Designer shoes are an expensive, but essential, part of any designer wardrobe.

Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik are the names that come to mind when you hear the word shoes.

Fashionable but not always comfortable, designer shoes have long been a break from the usual. Instead of wearing shoes out of necessity and for function, high-end shoes are meant to be a fashion statement and artistic expression. Bold colors and styles are just as popular as classic and timeless looks.

You must have some disposable income to be an aficionado of designer shoes. Movie and music stars have walk-in closets dedicated to shoe collections. Even politicians such as Imelda Marcos are not immune to the draw of a beautiful pair of shoes: her collection of 2,700 pairs was discovered after her exile from the Philippines.

Imitations are a popular market, in the US and all over the world. Visit your local Pay Less Shoe Store and you are likely to find aisles of shoes that were manufactured to look like the ones unveiled on the runways of Paris and Milan.

Impractical? Maybe. But we think there is good reason you should start on your designer shoe collection this year.

1. One pair of shoes can be worn with so many different outfits. You wouldn’t be caught dead wearing the same designer shirt every day of the week, but wearing your designer shoes with slacks on Monday, a skirt on Tuesday and leggings on Wednesday mean you will get good use out of those pricey investments.

2. Quality designer shoes are built to last. Yes, you are paying for the designer name and look, but expensive shoes are also made with high quality materials and designed to be functional for years. Try getting that kind of use out of a pair of Wal-Mart shoes.

3. You deserve a pair of designer shoes. Even if you have to save to treat yourself to one pair, that pair will give you a mood and confidence boost that will keep you smiling for a while. Splurge every once in a while!