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On one of my early trips to Antarctica back in the 90s I spend several weeks on an icebreaker and during that time obviously came to know everyone - about 90 or so people (crew, scientists, tradesmen working at the bases) After spending time on the base, and changing over the staff, we headed back home again. One night at sea I found myself talking to what I thought was one of the new guys - returning home after a winter in the ice. I introduced myself and asked his name. He gave me a funny look. It was one of the marine biologists, a guy I’d played scrabble with many a time in the preceding weeks at sea - only he’d had a great bushy beard then. He’d shaved it off while we were at the base and I completely failed to recognise him.

I saw that article too - or an article anyway. Perhaps there were others. I liked the tolerant tone of the one I read (on the CNN website) It was far from disparaging the notion of tall boots for men. I’m not a fan of the style - too much like waders - but to each their own. It was not outlandish. A positive response to them, as in the article I read, could well help to normalise the idea of tall boots on men. And that would be a great thing!

Not sure if anyone saw this but there was a rather public event regarding a male wearing OTK boots (but without a high heel). Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård was recently photographed wearing a pair of Saint Laurent thigh high boots (designed for men) on the red carpet at Cannes in the recent past. There was an interesting article that accompanied this "story" about how this may be the next logical step in men's footwear trends. I did some research on the boots but information was limited. Given the designer name, I am sure they cost as much as a small automobile. Just to clarify, the picture is not mine but posted for purposes only related to this discussion.

Yes, as someone who wears tall boots a lot I always wear skinny jeans so they can fit nicely in the boot shaft instead of ruching up and/or having the fabric billow out over the top of the boot. His boots are so high though - much too high for my tastes - and so loose (again, much too loose fitting for me) he could probably get away with wearing even zoot suit trousers under them.

I wonder what he's got on underneath those boots? I personally find that I cannot wear traditionally tailored suitpants with tall boots, because there is too much fabric there to stuff in, and it ends up billowing out in unflattering places after a bit of movement.

The "once-over" was not what I would consider a negative one, it was a curious one. Realize that my assessment is based upon a split second impression that was made before I realized who the guy was. lHad I not been in a hurry, I would have said hello, and the conversation would have been pleasant, if not brilliant. He is also in construction, though he is now retired. How we have not run into each other in the last 10 years, I have no idea. I see his sons around town often, and I still to this day do not call them immediately by name, because they are identical twins. From a distance, they still look very much alike, even though they are now approaching 50. And I can attest to context being everything. It is very jarring, and sometimes downright confusing to meet one of my colleagues outside of work. For one thing, people can look very different without a hard hat!

They are nice boots, but sure don't fit his legs very well. The important thing is that he is wearing them, perhaps helping to normalize guys wearing great boots

OK, so the guy that "gave you the once over" was the same guy at the counter, correct? When you say "once over", did you feel it was a positive once over? Any curiosity as to how the conversation would have gone had it occurred? I have reacted the same way when encountering fellow crewmembers on a layover.

My wife has larger calves and had many a pair of Duo boots, the first coming in 2012. I can attest to the fact that any pair of boots from them are very well made with high quality materials and worth the price to get them. Duo used to have great models every season from flats/low heels to 4"/10cm heels in many wonderful styles. Some time ago, however, Duo, for completely inexplicable reasons, changed their name to "Ted and Muffy" after the owners of the company (as I understand it). This, seemingly, soured with customers and led to them just about going out of business. A buyer for the company was found and changed so much, and in my opinion, not for the better, upon taking receivership of the company. The name was changed back to Duo, and styles became more basic to the point of being almost "frumpy." Likewise, taller heels were gone, and varying calf sizes for each model were reduced. Boots became the sole focus as pumps and other styles were no longer offered. Yes, all stores across the UK were closed (and I think the one in Bath was one of the larger stores) and now, they are only an online retailer. Although the product lineup for the current season has some nice styles, they are nowhere near the jaw-dropping models they once offered. I have a pair of 4"/10cm ankle boots from them, and my wife may still have a pair or two of their boots and pumps. If Duo were to return to making the boot styles they did before the whole Ted and Muffy flop, I would be more than willing to sign over every other paycheck to them for new pairs every month. Yes, wasteful but worth it regardless of the price. FWIW, a retailer that I have come to love is Noe (there should be an umlaut, my favorite diacritical mark, over that "e" but my computer does not have a number pad...) in Antwerp. I just ordered a pair of custom knee high boots from them and should have them around the start of March. I currently have four pairs of ankle boots from them, and have two pair of pumps on order. Although they are not at all a fancy design, the color selection is amazing. The price of the boots I ordered was actually slightly less than those offered at Duo. If Duo ever started making this model again, I would be the first in line to get a pair!