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I don’t think it will. Fashion has always been cyclical and I can’t see that changing. Heels, like skirt lengths, go up and down. The whole business model of fashion is one of near constant change although that change is more typically evolutionary rather than fast and sweeping. At the moment heels are in a lull, but the market and the people who move it will eventually become restless and start shaking things up.

That would be a vicious circle. I hope it won't come that far.

Nope! Its like saying you want a sensible pair of stilettos

The rational way would be to start with 10 cm, but we're not all that rational when it comes to heels, are we? 😀

An explanation of my "giant" shoes, and why I called them that. Those are really my mom's words, and for whatever reason she decided to comment on the height of my heels this week, and not other weeks. I have several pairs of 14 cm heels with 2.5 cm platforms. In fact, looking back at the last few months, I have worn shoes that are equally as tall as the most recent pair on at least two occasions. I think the reason why these appear to be super tall compared the other 14 cm in my collection, is because the color of the heel is darker than the color of the rest of the shoe. This is not true of my other vertiginous examples.

And that is the real shame because it becomes so circular. People not used to wearing heels; lets say at a wedding venue or something, wear them. Their feet hurt because they are super cheap in quality, so they swear off wearing high heels. Then because they do, there are few future sales, and what few sales there are will based on price. No one is going to buy really expensive, high-quality heels for a one-time-only event, so soon it is just accepted that wearing high heels is painful. Around and around it goes causing less and less people to wear high heels.

Thanks! Like you, I love the astonishing variety one can find in heels - even just within the category of boots! Colours, shapes, styles and heights. I've been looking at pumps, even thinking of being daring and picking out a pair in some pastel shade. Also trying to make up my mind - do I go for 10cm or do like what you did with your Hot Chicks and buy 12cm for the sheer elegance and worry about how the hell I walk in them later?

Hopefully that won't happen! I think there will always be a demand for stilettos - the worry is only the real cheap and nasty or the really expensive will continue to make them, with very slim pickings in that mid-range price and quality bracket

The same here in Germany. Close to citys like Munich I see them a bit more, but only chunky lower heels. Especially now in autumn/winter they become more. Stilettos are very rare. I'm happy that they are still sold, not that if it goes on that way they'll even stop selling them because there's no market 😅

I can recommend to try out these styles, that's what I love so much about heels - the variety! I think it's best if you start with pumps as they're generally easier than sandals. In difficulty I'd say they're close to boots, the only downside is the missing ankle support. The biggest difference is in comfort. Pumps must have a very tight fit, which isn't necessary to the same degree in boots. But don't worry, pumps can still be comfortable once they're worn in. Many of my everyday shoes are pumps, so no big deal 🙂

That was actually my first thought - that they were part of a clown costume

Somewhere out there, there must be a clown missing their shoes.

Neither of my grandmothers were exactly storybook characters either - unless you're thinking of a wicked witch. One was a psycho and the other was in the rackets.

Yes! Here in England, even in London, one seldom sees stilettos out and about. You're more likely to see them up north in Manchester, Leeds or York, but even so, not many. Knee boots with chunky 7-8cm heels are relatively common - although nowhere near as common as trainers - but stilettos or tall slender heels of 10cm and above are rare.

They remind me of my Grandmother's Tole Painting endeavors. A lot of people hold fond memories of their grandmother, but not me; mine was abusive and full of pure hatred. Yet, she could not stand people praising someone else up. That included my grandfather who built amazing working wooden toys. To get in on the act she would paint them, and it looked like those shoes. Like a five year old painted them in art class. Yep, she sucked at tole painting. So did whoever painted those shoes.

I agree with @pebblesf . Intrigue arises when we cannot deduce the two most difficult questions of life: why’s and how come’s. A man wearing high heels answers the question very simply: because I want to, and I do not really care what other people think of me. Living today in a culture where social media posts would lead you to believe everything is just ideal in a person’s life… then two weeks later they announce they are getting a divorce… you just realize, people are really only being fake. They know it, so people everywhere are teeming with imposter syndrome. A pair of high heels worn by an unapologetic man might as well be a mirror because it reflects what is in the viewers heart. They may, or may not want to wear high heels, but the real truth is they really wish they did not care what other people think about them. The mirror image the high heels reflect back to them? They do care what people think of them and that contrast is overwhelmingly defeating. The intrigue? Why @mlroseplant does not care about other people's opinions, and yet they do. That causes introspection.

I’ve never worn pumps or sandals - I have to admit now that I am practicing so much in my 12cm boots, and hearing about you, @higherheels and @mlroseplant in your sandals and pumps and Hot Chicks I’ve become kind of curious to try lofty stilettos in these styles as well! I’ve even been looking at a few 12cm styles … I expect I'll find them a bit more challenging than boots, less ankle support for one thing, but I am kind of fascinated by the additional challenge ...

I think he was secretly intrigued...

The painting titled "An Elegant Company Playing Music by Hals Nicolaes has a man not only wearing heels, but rather strappy heels. Not a huge high heel, but they are heels. I thought one of the numerous reasons Luncheon on the Grass was so scandalous was because of the men wearing heels, but my memory is bad I guess and getting worse, because they were not. I did have to go check the painting to see however. 😞

In such a climate I can also imagine wearing boots all year. In Germany the summers mostly aren't that hot, so it would somehow also be possible to wear boots all year - but when should I wear my sandals, wedges etc. then? 😉 Yes, 12 cm stilettos definitely are timeless classics, I love them so much. Doesn't matter if boots or pumps. I realize that even though I'm actually practicing in the 13 cm Hot Chicks, I'm also really looking forward to the benefits I can get in 12 cm heels. It would be so nice to wear them for some shorter trips maybe.

I had a very professional lady here at the house today. One of those careers where even ten years ago she would be wearing high heels. Maybe she would swap them out in the car, but definitely have them on as she came in to conduct business... Today she wore flats.

I can definitely see that trend in my environment. Almost everybody is choosing flats, even for dressier occasions. I don't mind. I'm old enough to know what I want and will do that regardless of current trends.

Very interesting story. I am from the USA but love woodworking and metal work have dreamed of, but never actually made a pair of high heels. I would love to though. I have read articles and watched videos of those in Holland making wooden shoes and while not the quite thing, what you have DONE is what I always wanted to try. Good for you and even better at wearing high heels.

Yes! I grew up in boots! Hot summers aren’t a thing over here in Britain - 25°C is considered a hot summer day. But I used to wear hiking boots as a regular thing even when I lived for many years in Australia and I’ve often worn them on assignments in the tropics. (Knee boots not so much!) I guess hot weather just doesn’t bother me much. I still love proper boot season when I can bring out my more fashionable tall boots Thank you for the encouragement. I really love the lines and imperious elegance of 12cm stilettos and would love to be able to walk effortlessly in them. Our little high heel support club has been so helpful. Im starting to imagine it now

Ah, so you basically grew up in boots 🙂 How du you deal with summer temperatures and boots (or don't you have hot summers at all?) Please don't feel dispirited! You're doing fine by even wearing your 12 cm heels at home this often. It's just easier for me because I'm used to this height for more than a decade already. One day you'll be wearing them and they'll feel like your 10 or 11 cm boots do now 🙂