A study found that over the course of their lifetime women will spend more than $24,000 on heels, pumps, boots, sandals and wedges. They buy their first pair at the age of 14 then go on to purchase seven pairs a year for the rest of their lives -- a total of 469 pairs. The study of 3,000 women found shoes are bought for a purpose. The average female owns three pairs of heels for formal functions and special occasions. Women usually have six pairs of flip flops, sandals, ballet pumps and wedges for the summer months, and three pairs of warm boots for colder weather.