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I have a whole lot of just shy of 12 cm heels, but very few actual truly 12 cm heels. Here is one pair that measures in at 11.5 cm (or 4 1/2"). Now that we have the challenge going, why do these look slightly stumpy to me? Wish they had another 1-2 cm on the heel.

Releasing pictures of my church OOTW for August 17. I chose to be blue, with my Steve Madden single band ankle strap sandals. Which feel really weird to me. And by weird, I mean they feel weird when I walk in them by their design. I don't know why this should be so, but it's probably because I have so few ankle strap shoes. I tend to stay away from them since my legs are so short, and I've heard that I should stick to mules to have a visually uninterrupted leg. I don't know if I believe that or not, but it's how I justify having so many mules. With the pants I chose, you can't really see the ankle straps anyway, so what's the difference?

I always choose my shoes first, then choose the outfit to go along with them. Sometimes, this ends up being the opposite of what I intended. For example, I was looking through my collection yesterday morning, and I thought, "Hmm, I haven't worn my blue suede single band sandals in forever! Although I based the outfit around them, nobody said anything about my shoes. I got a number of comments on my shirt! Go figure.

I agree that heels are an accessory - a finishing touch, but the act of choosing heels is a statement. By the same token the heels I like are those in which the heels are part of a larger whole. They should contribute to the overall aesthetic, not dominate it. I love the aesthetic of 12cm heels but 14 and up just ruins the look for me. At that point it’s all about the heels

I have several statement pieces, a leopard print sherpa and cheetah print vest. These pieces must be worn with neutral pieces of clothing.

Hi @Shyheels! I will admit that the simplicity of your response made me think about heels themselves being statement of self expression. I agree with this in that, yes, heels are a statement of self-expression but I also see them as being an accent to another piece of an outfit that may be an expression on its own. I would argue that it comes down to what is the focal point of the outfit that the wearer of such intends - is it the heels or is it another part of it? The photograph I have attached is an outfit I wore last November and I wanted the skirt to be the focal point as it is a statement piece on its own. In general, (and in my opinion only) bright colors and prints (especially animal prints) can be a bold statement piece where they would outshine the footwear regardless of what is worn. If I would have worn the skirt with a similar patterned pair of heels (pumps or boots) I think it would have been "too much" and the pop of the skirt would have been lost. Hence, pared with a black outfit, the skirt makes the statement. The 4"/10cm wedge boots absolutely add a superb touch of elegance to the overall feel of the outfit but they do not overshadow it. Thanks for the response! Just to briefly add to my previous response, but I am waiting for the heels pictured here to go on end of season sale and you better believe I am going to be rockin' out these bad boys as soon as I get them! Why? Because I can!

Heels themselves are a statement - they’re about self expression

I agree. While I do not wear high heels, I do try to have a style and choose to match whatever shoes I am wearing to whatever I am wearing for a shirt. For me, this is within reasons, I do not tend to match purple shoes with a purple button up shirt, but for most other colors outside of pastels I do, like green shoes with a green shirt or a blue shirt with blue shoes. It really does not take such details to make a statement.

I don’t have any 11cm heels but it sounds like a great idea to buy some and use them to train for the 12cm height.

Shyheels, do you already have some 11 cm heels? If you've already practiced with the 12 cm heels inside, you'll probably do fine trying your 11 cm outside.

Absolutely! In places where I’ve moored the towpath is doable in heels and there I’ve certainly noticed the difference between that and walking on the hardwood floor in my boat! im not embarrassed by the fact that I like wearing heels - but I would be embarrassed to be seen fumbling around in them.

The problem with the park, and I have this problem also, is that it still doesn't solve the problem of having to learn a difficult skill right out there in front of the public. I suppose there is a case to be made that at our age we just shouldn't care at all, but in this case I certainly do. I'm already presenting myself in a way that is unusual and perhaps a bit shocking, I do not wish to look comical or foolish as well. Isn't that kind of the opposite of what we're going for? I am not sure what the answer is. There are only so many times I can walk back and forth in my garage, and that certainly does not prepare me for the real, uneven, hilly, broken-pavement world.

Whoa! Matching your shoes to the color of your top? That's close to blasphemy. It oughta be the other way round, innit? 😆😆😆

I am not usually a big fan of designer stuff in general, but Miu Miu brand seems to fit me very well. I have three pairs, all of which I managed to snag at a deep discount (used) on either Poshmark or ebay. I wish I could remember what I paid for them, but I'm sure it was well under 100 USD. Those sandals are actually pretty comfortable for what they are. I don't know that they'd be my first choice for wearing to Disney World, but they'd probably be ok to wear to the mall. A parting thought: The other problem with Miu Miu, besides the retail asking price, is that the vast majority of the designs are pretty ugly. Evidently, Miu Miu is Prada's sort of fun, wacky styled line. Also, as I'm sure people are resignedly used to by now, they don't make them above size 42 (which I'd consider a USW 11).

It's an amalgamation of the words "shoe" and "bootie." I don't think they necessarily have to have laces, but they are essentially a very short ankle boot. There may be some debate as to exactly what the definition is, but heck, we can get into an argument here about what the definition of a sandal is. I commandeered a pair of Swedish clogs from my ex-wife, which was my first sort of inkling that maybe I could wear something with a little more elevated heel in public and get away with it. This would have been around 2000 or so.

"Shooties" : lace up booties.

I also went to one of coffee shops in Scotland and posted a photo from it in that tread.

"Shooties"?? I have a few pairs that I have "commandeered" from friends/relatives as well, but most have been worn out by now as well.

OK, sorry, must be confusing you with the fellow you mentioned. Look forward to hearing of your progress, and perhaps seeing some photos.... Don

Because I have to walk a ways down the towpath to do my shopping I have a good sized rucksack for carrying groceries. No problem to put my stiletto boots in and change at the park once I’m off the towpath. The walking surface is good in the park. As for photos you are mistaking me for someone else. I’ve never posted a photo of myself in heels. There was another member who lived in the north of England who used to post pics of himself at cafes. Not me. That said I am thinking of setting up some shots in the park if I can work out some good compositions. Professional pride won’t allow me to post snapshots. So I’ll work out some good angles and backgrounds, practice a bit and see how I go

In the late 70's early 80's, I commandeered a pair of 2 inch shooties from my ex-wife. wore them thru to the mid 90's until they wore out.

A frustrating situation indeed, one I struggle with as well. I also understand your concern about rough terrain/sidewalks damaging your stiletto heels. I have lost many pairs to rugged city sidewalks/grates as well. What kind of walking surfaces does your park have? Decent paved walkways? If so, the heels should be OK. I guess the issue I'm wondering about is having to wear another pair to the park due to poor walkways near your boat. Where will you store/stash you other boots while walking in your stiletto boots? Perhaps you will stash them in a back pack. I'm hoping you will give it a try, you will realize your capabilities/comfort level quickly, so I wouldn't worry too much about looking silly. Make a few short walking trips near the bench, increasing the distance as you feel more comfortable and competent. I'm betting you will do just fine. The only other method that helps me out is having a bootbud or gal pal along for the walk, is this a possibility? I'm thinking that your neighbors are used to seeing you walking in tall boots with heels, so they probably won't even notice the stiletto heels. I always enjoyed your pictures sitting at a coffee shop in your boots as well. D

The "curse of youth" I guess. When we were younger, we tended to be overly concerned with how others viewed us, and thier opinions. Now, that I have racked up some years/miles, I really don't care (with few exceptions) how others view me or my boots. The important thing is that I enjoy wearing them, feel great in them, and feel I look pretty good in them also. Absolutely correct, I have overlooked that issue for sure. Times have changed making it less difficult/dangerous for guys to wear heels.

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