Liz Avery's collection of 'about 30' pairs of shoes puts her in the top bracket1 of an ownership2 survey.

The 21-year-old owns "about 30" pairs of heels, but she is by no means a rarity: a survey of more than 450 Australian women found 32 per cent owned between 26 and 50 pairs of heels, while 31 per cent owned between 11 and 25 pairs.

Conducted by American shoe guru Meghan Cleary for two online dating services, the survey found that 80 per cent of women would wear stilettos or strappy heels on a first date.

Of those surveyed, 66 per cent said buying shoes was better than eating chocolate, while almost half of the women surveyed said high heels were the best way to boost³ sex appeal. Black was the colour of choice for 60 per cent of women, while 16 per cent favoured red and 7 per cent pink.

"Australian women overwhelmingly⁴ went for the stiletto as their favourite pair of shoes and shoes for a first date," Ms Cleary said.

"They also named their first pair of high heels as the most important shoe they will wear in their life."

Ms Avery wears "all different types and colours of heels".

Her favourite is a pair of leopard-print, peep-toe heels from Australian designer Leona Edmiston, but the brand favoured by more than any other of those surveyed was Manolo Blahnik.

Favoured by shoe-crazed Carrie Bradshaw of Sex And The City fame, Manolo Blahniks are famous for their sleek⁵ lines, not comfort levels.