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That's a very good point about it being evolutionary. Part of it is merely style evolution and part of it is simply getting better at walking in heels over the years. As many of you know, I have walked over 2000 documented miles in heels over a number of years. Although it's not recorded in any sort of organized, accessible way, I can guarantee you that most of the first 1,000 miles was done in what I would consider mid-heels, which for me is 3 - 3 7/8 height difference. The second thousand miles was done primarily in high heels, 4 inches or higher, and especially the last 500 miles. I am pretty sure I never counted anything less than 3 inches, which is the point where a heel begins to feel a little bit like a heel for me, and really I like to be at least 3 1/2" regardless. Someday I would like to master 5 inchers, but probably not with the idea of wearing them every day, just as a personal challenge. That will require a level of commitment that I don't currently have. I should concentrate more on becoming better in the shoes that I already have.

A difficult question for me to answer, if I am to be both honest and constructive. As others have said, or at least implied, there are several reasons for wanting to wear 'high heels'. (I will not attempt an exhaustive definition but, as a working one, let us assume anything greater than a net 2" (after deducting any platform) and regardless of heel style/shape. In other words, a heel that would rarely be found on any male footwear other than some cowboy or Beatle boots.) One may wear such 'high heels' for reasons of any one or more of the following: (a) comfort/health - although Cali's need is probably rare; (b) boosting ones height, if appropriate; (c) style/appearance; (d) feeling - which may or may not include some form of arousal; (e) simple desire to wear 'girl's shoes'. This last reason (e) is the most complex; is it because one gets a thrill from wearing something essentially feminine in otherwise male mode, or as part of a wider (or possibly complete) adoption of feminine clothing and appearance? And is it the feminine appearance of the footwear that is paramount, or simply the fact that it is daring/exciting to wear something 'borrowed' from women? There is clearly a big difference between, say, a man in (i) a 3" block heeled boot (which would often go completely undetected when worn with trousers); or (ii) a 5" stiletto sandal (which would be obvious almost regardless of other clothing). And, whatever the style of footwear, does the male wearer wish to conceal it, or to wear it openly? I can only say that, as far as I am concerned, I have long been an admirer of 'high heels' , worn by women, and of feminine footwear (such as strappy sandals) generally. I have always wanted to wear such footwear myself, mainly for the look and apparent feeling but also, to a modest extent, because it is daring to do so. (I have little desire to wear any other feminine clothing, beyond perhaps a private and experimental 'dressing up' session out of curiosity, which has never happened.) However, availability, comfort and discretion limit my ideal footwear styles and my activity when so shod - perhaps more than I should wish. A heel of less than 3" does very little for me, although I have some men's boots with Cuban heels close to that which I can and do wear openly. I can comfortably (and discreetly) wear boots with a 4" block or semi-block heel, and also, with more care, my Miguel Jones 'cowboy' boots with 5" heels. I would love to be able to wear stilettos (ideally around 5") as man in public but the reality, having tried, is that I cannot do so comfortably or without risking detection and ridicule. And the latter really precludes wearing lower stilettos too. So, I guess I must conclude that, for me, anything less than a 3" heel is of little interest unless the footwear has other attractions, in which case it might be very flat. And anything much more than 4", especially if a thin heel, is mostly impractical, however desirable.

Life is indeed not easy. Sadly we are in the hands of men and women who have led very easy and comfortable lives and who know nothing of struggling other then from a Hollywood movie but who think they know better. That famous saying, hard times create hard men, hard men create good times, good times create soft men, soft men create hard times. We're in for very hard times.

I switched to women's shoes after many ankle reconstructions. I would have to wear 9.5 EEE male shoes and I then my heel would swim in the back of the shoes, 1/2 inch of extra space on each side between my heel and the shoe. While recovering from a reconstruction I started to look for a shoe that would FIT my foot. Every search can back with women's shoes. So, I bought a cheap pair of women's running shoes from DSW and they fit like no other shoe ever did. And they were a women's size 10. I have not bought a pair of "men's" shoes since and have not had ankle issues. Heel height was not an issue then as I wore 1 to 2 inch booties. I had to raise my heel 4 inches to relax my calf so that it could heal. And because of other reasons I had to raise both heels 4 inches. You cannot walk around in 2 plastic medical booties, so I got a pair of high heels. During that time my hip pain subsided and 5 months later when I went back to 'flat shoes' the hip pain returned. So, for the last 10 years I have been wearing heels. It does take away all my pain but makes a tremendous difference. Does height matter? YES. My sweet spot is 3.75 to 4.5 inch difference between platform and heel. Platforms are okay with me. It's the difference that matters. I will wake up in pain and put on a pair of heels (mules) to reduce the pain. Style, wedges, block, narrow, or stilettos are all good. The only important factor is fit. I will wear my shoes (heels) for up to 16 hours a day so fit is extremely important. Wearing heels does not mean you have to pair them with a skirt or dress. I dress in 'male' style clothes. I have many leggings and will wear them as my pants often. Compression leggings are great for many sports, especially when you don't want the bulk. And I love my bodysuits as a base layer in the winter.

To be honest, I’d struggle to get them on without tights. Full nappa leather lining plus slim fit Some others I’ve wanted to share

Hello all; First, as I am new to this forum and recently starting wearing heels (only heeled boots) in public, it is truly incumbent upon me to introduce myself. Recently, I posted my introduction "Greetings from the Midwest" to the "for everybody" area instead of "for the guys." My error! Nonetheless, please take a moment to read my brief introduction if you have not done so or so desire to do so. As I noted in there, I am truly excited to have the ability to finally discuss/chat wearing high heels with other like minded people. I had always believed that my desire to wear high heels in public was only going to be just a dream but now, slowly, I am wearing my heeled boots out in public more and more often. And I absolutely love it! I so much want to share my stories but I do not want to use this forum as my personal blog/website to do so. This wonderful forum is for everyone to share their stories, concerns, issues, etc. about wearing high heels, either in the privacy of one's residence or out in public. Thus, if I started posting my adventures here, such could go against the very idea of a public forum. Therefore, I have started my own personal blog about my adventures wearing high heels in public, The Heeling Chronicles. I decided to write my blog for me as a way to track my growth wearing high heels in public. I quickly realized, however, that much of what I am experiencing may be similar to the feelings of others and felt sharing those moments could be of interest to others. Likewise, I can add larger photos, make recommendations of brands I love, and write about whatever is on my mind without being the center of attention on this forum. My blog is rather sparse at the moment as I have only a few postings but I plan on adding new material every other Sunday and have many short stories, thoughts, and concerns I will be sharing over time. I have included a link to The Heeling Chronicles if anyone wishes to read it. Thanks! G P.S. More info on the boots I am wearing coming soon to the blog!