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I have nothing earthshaking to report, but an acquaintance of mine, a younger woman who must be about 35 by now, wore 3 1/2" wedge sandals to Easter service at the church. She has done so for the better part of 20 years (since high school). Never to be seen in ridiculously high heels, but always something in that 3 1/2" range.

Because I have so many used shoes from so many varied sources, when I say "4 inch heel," I mean actual, not nominal on a size 9 USW/40 EU. Besides that, you can't really trust every seller to measure accurately or even use the same method to measure. The Gold Standard for many people is 120 mm, and though I have several pairs of shoes that approach that height, I would assume that I would need 125-127 mm to equal the steepness of a "nominal" 120 mm. Judging only by sight, my Steve Madden pumps, though styled very similarly, are not quite as steep as actual Christian Louboutin So Kates. The Maddens measure in right at 118 mm, but of course on Size 9. At either 118 or 125, uh, yeah, I can feel that!

True - an actual measured 4” heel in a size 5 would be considerably steeper than an actual measured 4” heel is a size 12, but then you’d be buying and talking about completely different style of shoes, with differed billed heel heights. The variations in heel heights according to size can be surprising. I was surprised to see that according to the chart on the Italian Heels website my 120mm stilettos (official billed height) were actually 147mm in my size. That’s a full inch variation. But it keeps the styling and proportions consistent with the 120mm in size 38 on which the design is based

Well, I understand that shoemakers vary an advertised heel height slightly depending on shoe size. I guess what I am saying is that for an actual heel height, having larger feet can make it easier because the angle between your heel and toes is less...

An invitation or suggestion? Quite interestingly, I will be passing through Chicago this Friday as I will be on an Amtrak train from Springfield to Union Station, and then catching the Blue Line out to O'Hare for a flight on to Paris. Sadly, tight connections both to and from will make stopping anywhere else all but impossible.

Shoe size doesn’t make any difference in terms of the angle of your foot - at least not with the better makes of shoes and boots. When they market a model of shoe as having, say, 4” heels, that will be the base line height for a base line size, say, a size 6. As the sizes go up or down the physical height of the heel will vary so that the lines and proportions are identical right across the range of heights. A size 7 would have a 4.2” heel and a size 8 maybe 4.4” but they would still be sold as 4” heels as that is the standard for that particular line. A size 5 might have a 3.8” heel but would be sold as a 4” heel. It’s all about consistency and keeping the same proportions. Italian heels even has a chart on their website giving the exact heel heights for 100mm and 120mm heels each shoe size. I have a pair of their 120mm stiletto boots. In my size the heels are actually 147mm to keep the correct proportions. I think in their case the heel heights are based in a size 38 as standard. Other makers do the same. So having a bigger size does not change anything. Neither does having a smaller size. They keep all the proportions and angles the same

time to come to ChiTown!!!!!!!!!!!

I had an experience on Easter Sunday. I wish I could say it was the first time, but at least it's only the second time this has happened to me in exactly this way. When I left the house and climbed into my son's Big Oldsmobile, I had both heel tips. By the the time I arrived at the church door, I had neither. It seems they fell off almost simultaneously. Luckily, the sanctuary floor is carpeted, or I might have been in real trouble.

OK - you win on this one! I could do 5" (6" w/a platform) but the reason I do not is simply that I have nowhere to wear such towering heels. I have a few 12cm heels that I would love to wear out but I'd have to be in ChiTown for that. Around here, there just is not a place to do so.

Same here, usually between 10-11 in boots. I do have one pair of 5" booties that do fit and feel comfortable walking in though. My nine west black ankle boots, feels so good to be able to handle them well...

I’m in an 11 in heels. Wish it was a comfortable 10 as so many shoes only go to a 10. Prob better for me. Less money spent !

I like single soles also. 5" is your norm, that is so cool. What size shoe do you wear? I still feel that men with larger feet have an easier time with taller heels because the angle of your foot from heel to toe is less than someone with a smaller foot

I also realised this yesterday while I was walking in my sultry boots (5 inch heel and 1 inch platform). When I was in them it was very easy and not any trouble at all.

I like the single soles, 5" for my norm, I do have some 3 and 4" that work out good. My 6" are still doable! I do have my Steve Madden Dejvue's with the hidden platform are my all time favorite!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For me 3” to 3.5” is very “unnoticeable”, especially in chunky heeled boots

I noticed this also sometime ago, my go to heel height for comfort and all day wear is 4.5" , which is high for my size 5uk foot, but it feels so natural. Oddly i was wearing my 4" wedge heel boots recently and they almost felt like i was wearing flats (strange phenomenon 🤣). 5" heels without platform is my upper limit, can only wear those for a few hours. The 4.5" arch is the sweet spot for me 😁

The only comment like that was while I was putting my booties on after going through airport screening. I respond by saying," faster to put my shoes back on" as I zipped both booties on while he was still getting his first shoe on.

Well, again, I am not sure what to make of it other than to say that making something of it may be a waste of breath and time. I agree with@Shyheels that the best response would be along the lines of yes, it is great that such happens in America. I am not sure what the person who utters such comments is intending to convey but I would never take any action that would prevent him from expressing his opinion(s). It is just a shame that my dress, which is so trivial in the big picture of the world, would upset someone. I suppose in a weird way, my dressing like I do has the intended affect I want, which is to be out and be seen. This is not to say that I dress with the intent of making people notice me, but more along the lines of "I'm here and this is how I want to dress." I also agree with @pebblesf that such comments may be a motivated by envy but cognize that narrow/closedmindedness may also be a driving factor. It is a very liberating experience, however, to be out and about in a way in which I want to present/express myself rather than conforming to how someone would like for me to be dressed. Regardless, given how very comfortable I am to be out in a pair of heels and the numerous positive comments and compliments I have received, such a comment just rolled off my back and onto the floor.

I don’t usually have that problem. I’m snappy on the comeback - it seems to be a family trait - but it’s not always a great thing.

I hear ya.... I usually come up with snappy replies about four hours after the encounter..

My intuitive comeback line to a crack like “Only in America” would be -“Isn’t it wonderful.”

There is something to be said about not ever forgetting to put your safety glasses on at the jobsite, because you CAN'T really forget.

`Given 24 hours to think about it, I've had several experiences with grumpy old men which were similar to Gige's experience. I swear I am not making this up--they have all said something to the effect of, "Golly gee, those shoes must be awfully comfortable!" The funny thing about these encounters is that you're going about your business, thinking about something else, just living life. To be suddenly yanked out of your own world and your own thoughts, and be expected to come up with a zinger on the spot, that's a difficult situation, and I'm not usually up to the task. I can remember replying to such people, "Believe it or don't, they're really not all that bad." Which, although 100% true, is not a great comeback to a remark that is obviously meant to be insulting, but whatever. At least I don't freeze up like I used to at the beginning of my high heeled journey.

OK, well I wouldn't try to engage with him for sure, unless he seems to be following you or confronts you with comments. It's hard to know just how his seemingly negative comments should be interpreted. Do you feel like he is going out of his way to find you in the store? Many men are very frustrated, outwardly negative and critical. But who knows what their true feelings are, they probably don't realize it either. Perhaps just super frustrated because others such as yourself have the courage to wear cool gear that he can only secretly fantasize about wearing....

I always say it depends upon your definition of "walk." I have a fairly narrow definition, and sometimes I cannot live up to my own definition, even in 3" heels.