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You are right, you will definitely be noticed. Most won't say anything, but you will feel many stares in your direction. So, having confidence in what you are wearing, and how you look is so necessary. We have to remember that many disapproving looks are truly just envy, whether they come from men or women. The important thing is how you feel about how you look. In my case, I have to be honest with myself, no way I can pull off many of the outfits I might like to wear, this old dad bod just isn't up to it. But, I still think I look pretty good in some nice boots over tight fitting levis or girl jeans. So, over the years my confidence has increased. I can honestly say that I think I look good, and that is all that matters. Needless to say, recieving an occasional compliment refuels my confidence, don't mind admitting that. The other thing to remember is it is important to dress appropriately for the occasion/audience. A tight skirt/hose/tall heels probably isn't appropriate for a football stadium or Home Depot. Cali's advice about "dressing smartly" is very important indeed. My best to all my HHP buds for a happy holiday season and healthy 2026! Don

Crawling about the rocks in high heels would be insane. Sneakers are appropriate in this case. (BUT ONLY in this case.)

I’ve had back troubles in the past - a ruptured disc a long time ago - and have found that heels really help. Not really high heels - I don’t think 10 or 12cm would help, certainly not 12cm! But 8cm chunky heels are really good. When I had a kid I had a toe injury that had a very beneficial side effect! I was goofing around, running through the house (aged about 12j and managed to break my little toe on the leg of a table. It hurt. My foot swelled up and I couldn’t wear my shoes. It was winter and my mother had a pair of mid heel knee boots that I could get my foot into. And so my mother lent them to me. I was delighted. I secretly wished I could wear knee boots and here was my opportunity. I had sure to take a long time healing. But then winter ended and I had to give up my borrowed boots. Looking back I realise that nobody - not a soul - commented in my wearing mid heel women’s knee boots. There it was - an open possibility to wear heels

I'm surprised you didn't get clocked on the head with a frying pan!

Gosh, I wish I could be so casual about wearing 12cm stiletto boots ... I'll get there one day, I hope, but I've sure got some practicing ahead of me ...

I ventured into women's jeans and cords 8 years ago and haven't ventured out. In Levi's I have several 311's both red tag and cords. In Express I have many different styles, mostly skinny, size 10 and some 8's. Some are 'short', I like the short versions for some boots because the stop before the ankles and don't give me extra bulk around the ankles. My boots fit better. I have gotten a few 'straight jeans' and recently I have some skyscraper in size 10 and 8. I just got a size 6, I can get them on and close the button and zip them up, but they are a little too tight for now. Hopefully, I will be able to wear them with a little more weigh lose. Several of my cords are JAG. I get compliments in those all the time. Love the new 4-way stretchable materials.

Compliments from guys are the ultimate compliments indeed!

Sounds very festive! And nice to receive the compliments!

I've had shoes that gave me blisters, but that is not what sticks out in my mind as a beginning heeler. Mind you, I was a beginning heeler at age 45, not age 14. I wish I could have worn heels at age 14, but that's another subject for another time. My first journey in heels definitely resulted in muscular fatigue that I had not anticipated, but it was relatively mild, like having overdone it at the gym or something. It is this trip to the shopping mall that keeps coming back in my stories. I doubt I had blisters, because I was wearing boots with actual socks. I do not remember muscular fatigue in the calves or ankles. What I do remember is having to unexpectedly stand in line for about an hour at a mobile phone store. That damn near killed me. The pain in the balls of my feet was close to more than I could bear, and I tend to tolerate pain pretty well. I cannot explain how a person sort of gets used to standing in 10 cm heels, but that is what has always killed me. Walking 3 km in 10 cm heels? No problem! Standing still in 10 cm heels for an hour? Impossible! Well, it isn't today, but I've no idea how I got here. It must have been all of those farmer's markets I did with my wife over the years. I suppose that was my training ground for standing in heels. As an aside, Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! And for those who don't celebrate, I don't have to go back to work until Monday! Naturally, it's unpaid, but it's a much needed several days off from a place where I don't get to wear heels.

I almost forgot about muscle pain/soreness as a factor. For me it was mostly pain in the balls of the feet and blisters everywhere which caused me the most troubles. I also think it's better to start low and slowly get into higher ones. But as I did it the other way around, I can say that it also works to start high and therefor limit the walking time (which I unfortunately didn't!). It's just not the most comfortable way. The good thing is, when I then started looking for well made and well fitting heels, everything with up to a 10 cm heel was immediately comfortable for everyday wear.

I agree with you both on this, as I travel a lot and wear my high heeled boots to many different locations. If you dress for the proper occasion and for the right place, the compliments will come. I luckily have only received compliments from guys and women when I wear my boots. There are a lot of guys and out there that want to and wish they could wear boots and heels like the rest of us.

Yes, heels probably have a bad reputation amongst people of such professions. Although I don't really know why. Is it prejudice or do they really know of many people who have problems from wearing heels? I had my experience(s) with pain, but I don't think they're intended to hurt. In my beginnings I thought it's normal that heels hurt, and that they're only meant to be worn for some occasions anyway. Now I know that heels can be very comfortable, and that's important to me. As much as I love heels, I wouldn't wear them everyday if they would hurt.

New Years Eve and one of my great resolutions for 2026 is to master the art of walking gracefully in 12cm stiletto boots - ideally to take a stroll around a city in them, call in at a cafe and enjoy coffee and cake in my 12cm heels. My other ambition for the year is to take up sketching and watercolours - something I’ve been wanting to do for ages. That too will require practice. Maybe I can somehow combine these two ambitions, wear my heels when I go out with sketchbook and pens …

I spent yesterday afternoon working on an outboard project, wearing my 4" nine west booties. These booties are very easy to walk in and look great. But, will have to admit it, sore feet after standing around at the work bench for three hours...

Indeed. It’s what I would call living dangerously

I’m a boots, jeans and jumper guy and will remain so. It’s nice that the English climate accommodates me so well although even when I lived in Australia it was still boots and jeans as a rule. It’s more fun still when the boots have a 10cm - and more exciting still, a 12cm heel!

I don't remember foot changes with pregnancy with my wife, but I have heard of it happening. Interesting that they never returned to pre-pregnancy size though. I remember getting into trouble during that time period with her weight. I teased her and called her "whale belly" because she was into workouts and fitness when she got pregnant. I asked the OBGYN at the time how much weight a woman should gain during pregnancy, and he said between 15-25 pounds. I thought my wife looked huge, so I asked her how much she had gained and he said, "15 pounds". That was when I knew I was in trouble! 🙂 But I also teased her about the baby-weight not coming off after the baby. She wanted to prove me wrong so bad that after giving birth it was 22 days before she lost her baby weight. She had to modify her exercise routine, so she did not cause damage to parts of her that had passed a baby, but I thought 22 days to pre-pregnancy weight was pretty darn good.

OK, so I felt guilty about slacking, so I pulled out my highest regular heels for church yesterday morning. I actually had the morning off from musical duties, so I could sit with my family in the congregation like a normal person. These particular pumps are some off brand called Elisabet Tang. There is another brand called GenShuo that is exactly the same. They are inexpensive shoes, but appear to be well made for what they are. They are slightly higher than the similar Steve Madden shoes of that ilk like the Daisie, but still clock in at a mere 11.3 cm when translated to size 38. I thought I did ok in them. I didn't have to walk more than 30 meters at a time, though, so I can't give a real assessment. At the time this photo was taken, the wind had picked up to about 40 km/h, and everything was starting to ice over. Therefore, I switched to boots to after that to run errands.

I understand that foot size often changes during or after pregnancy. My mom said she used to wear size 5 back in the 60s and before. By the time I came along, all I can remember in her closet is 6 1/2 or better. And yes, I did try on her shoes when she wasn't around. My ex-wife's feet swelled up something terrible when she was pregnant with my older son. Luckily, it was summer, and she bought a pair of single band leather slides, and that's all she could wear for a couple of months. Amazingly, only a few short hours after giving birth, her feet shrank back down to normal size, and that's where they've stayed ever since, as far as I know. My current wife's feet increased a whole size after giving birth to my younger son. This was kind of disappointing to me, because we had gone to the great trouble of bringing about 50 pairs of shoes from Vietnam, most of them heels, and none of which fit her within months of coming to the U.S.

Absolutely, I can't imagine wearing flats all the time

I think regularly wearing heels is simply a great idea all around

Incredible to see that hhplace and some of it's members exists for so long! I was still a child at that time and the Internet wasn't even really a thing for me until the early 2000s. However I do remember that when first looking for information about high heels I found hhplace 🙂

This may anger some on here, and it certainly is not meant too, but my wife switches often between wearing a particular dress with high heels and maybe sneakers. They are a specific type, what we call Keds here, but other call plimsolls in other countries. It depends on her mood because what she wears for shoes changes the whole meaning of the outfit. High heels just naturally look more formal, whereas the Keds give her a more youthful, informal look. I give her my opinion on what she should wear, but it's just a suggestion: I am not the Shoe Police that is for sure. Here is an example. She is wearing a sundress and Keds (plimsolls) in this photo. She thought Keds would look more informal because it was her maternity photoshoot for our daughter. I am in no way saying high heels would have been inappropriate, but it was one of those fashion decisions that she made. But she likes her high heels and will wear them too. Does the shoes work with the outfit for the scope of the photoshoot? Please: be the judge of that for yourself.

I was back a member in the late 1990's... but then left for many years. Not upset at anything or anyone, just lost interest. I recently came back but had forgotten my username and password so I started all over. I am not sure that counts anyway. But I do remember the early years!

Well, having to find a 38" inseam is surely not one of my issues. It sounds like you have a long and lean physique, which of course, is perfect for tight fitting women's jeans. Is the inseam length as much of an issue if you wear your boots over the jeans? In other words, can you get away with a much shorter inseam if you wear the jeans inside the boots? For me, I have just experimented with thrift shop girl jeans. I didn't want to spend big bucks not really knowing what size/length would be right for the old "dad bod". I found a pair of "lucky brand" dark blue "hayden" 12-31 stretch jeans that fit nicely. They are low rise, so it seems important having the old butt in decent form to keep them from drooping down, I just wear a belt. I have a dark grey pair of the same lucky jeans/same size, probably donated by the same person. I like these jeans because they stretch so fit fairly tight without feeling constricting. Definitely look nice with my nine west blank stiletto ankle boots, or most any boots for that matter. A few years back, I ventured into the levis store in Vegas, looking for a pair of women's jeans. It seems like styles have changed, most women's jeans now seem to be "high rise", saw no real "low rise" styles. Not a fan of the high rise look though. My go to for years was always the levis 511s, they fit fairly nicely. Tried a pair of 510s years back also, had to face the fact that I am not 29 anymore. The sales person in the levis store was quite pleasant and helpful, I'm sure she realized she had a sale if she just stuck with me while I pondered several styles. Finally, she recommeded levis 512s. These seem to be a combination of 510s, nice tight fit on the legs, combined the a slightly more "dad bod" fit around the waist hips. I really like the way the fit and bought a pair, probably should have bought two pairs, they might be discontinued now!

Same here! Again a combination of winter weather, a muddy towpath, and frankly a bit of holiday laziness. Like you, I’ve worn mid heels as a kind of maintenance heel to keep myself in some kind of heel wearing condition. I’m making mastering 12cm heels a New Year’s resolution though and going to get right back into practicing.

The business does seem to be defunct, with no active links that I can see. But this one may indicate a new (or intended) business, although it is unclear whether that is an active advert: https://www.instagram.com/cowboybootscustom/ I bought one pair of MJ boots several years ago and was pleased with the quality and fit. A shame if he is no longer in business.

I still have my first pair of hh cowboy boots that are Western Ranch. Have had them resoled twice. The toe and heel show wear, but a good polishing hides a lot. All of my MJ boots and shoes were custom from my measurements, so have been blessed with a great fit!! As to the Wranglers, I find the pockets are great!! After Levi’s did away with the ‘original spin’ custom jeans, I tried American Eagle jeans as well as Vanity, BKE, Miss Me even Cruel Girl. Miss Me were great!! But very expensive. American Eagle tends to run thin, but fit great, but finding 38” inseam was hard. Vanity was my go to low rise boot cut until they shuttered. Cruel Girl I loved but could only find 36” inseam. BKE were great too but again ran thin and 38” inseam has been difficult. So for the last 5 years Wrangler has been my favorite. I’d love to hear other guys experiences with women’s jeans with their hhboots!! tightlevishhboots!!!

What pair of heels I choose to wear on any given day entirely depends how I feel when I roll out of bed in the morning and what fits as my feet tend to swell a bit while sleeping. Christmas Eve was a "normal" work day for me and when I was deciding what to wear that morning, I felt a strong desire to do "something adventurous" as part of my outfit. I anticipated that the office would be fairly empty for obvious reasons and thus, I decided that the choice of footwear was going to be a "killer" pair of 5" (~12.5cm) beige, block heeled knee boots. I had purchased the boots during the time when I erroneously believed that the higher the heel, the better. It should be noted that the opportune word here is "killer" as that was what they almost did to me! I put together my outfit and following the "normal" morning selfies to document such, I headed out to my car. As I stepped out of my place, I could feel the stress on my knees and ankles from the tall heel but I brushed it off thinking, "I'll be fine as I will not be doing much walking." The walk to my car was a slow one as the heel height very much restricted the length of my stride. I encountered a neighbor along the way and we briefly chatted about "having" to work on Christmas Eve. Admittedly, however, the brief meeting was intoxicating because of the fact that I was wearing a pair of such tall heels out in public and the person who noticing me doing so really did not care about it. This was that which I always wanted to happen. I made my way to my office and took the long and slow walk across the parking lot to the main entrance. Again, I could feel the stress on my knees and ankles, and realized that such tall heels need a slower cadence. The morning when well but at lunch, I decided to head out for a short errand. The first store at which I stopped did not have that for wish I was looking, so I moved on to a second store. As I walked through the aisles of my second stop looking for an item (and noticed some "old-timer" taking a photo of me!) I was in heaven but the discomfort was starting to build. Rather than walk around the store aimlessly as I would normally do so that all of the other shoppers could see me in heels, I found what I needed and headed back to my car. Although I have a habit of parking my vehicle at the rear of any parking lot for many reasons, that day I was regretting doing so as the walk back to my car was rather tough. I made my way back to my office and desk certainly feeling the stress on both knees and ankles. The remainder of the workday was marked by limited walking and by the time I was ready to head home (and after taking two pain relief capsules) my knees and ankles were not "so bad" but now, my mid/lower back was feeling it. At that point, all I wanted to do was get home but I remembered I had a minor error to run while en route. Following such, and a wonderfully given and received compliment from the cashier on my outfit, I arrived home and the boots immediately were removed from my feet. Seemingly, every part of my lower body, as well as mid-back ached from the heels and my back continued to ache for the remainder of the evening. Sadly, I had to promise myself that 4"/10cm is the limit of heel height from this point in time onwards - I just do not think I can handle a heel much taller than that. What is interesting about all of this is that on the previous day, I had a visit with my nurse practitioner and brought forth the issue of joint health and preservation, knees and ankles in particular. I had mentioned that I had been frequently wearing up to 10cm heels, without any problems, and was concerned about the stress that doing so may place on my hip, knee, and ankle joints . The nurse practitioner took a look at my heels, and after expressing her opinion about how ridiculously cute my heels were and that I was so well dressed that day, noted that the best course of action is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight, so as not to place extra stress on the joints. So, as much as I may want to continue to wear 5"+ heels, that most likely will not happen any more or only for very special occasions. I am not sure what I am going to do with the boots...they are size 42 if anyone wants them. Here is the outfit I wore on Christmas Eve and that to visit my nurse practitioner.

Same here, love wearing women's jeans, just fit better. My only complaint are the useless pockets! It is great to hear from you again here for sure! Always dreamed of owning a great pair of Western Ranch boots from years ago, should have sprung for a pair back then. I do have a few pairs of MJ boots, not overly impressed. To be fair, they were "returns", or orders that were never shipped. Love my light colored pair with the 5" heels, but they are tough to walk in for any distance, should have stuck with 4" heels. I would give MJ boots another chance though for sure. They were reasonably priced, well constructed, good leather, and looked great.

I can see where high heels would actually be good for the foot. I recently had to get some work boots and decided to get professionally fitted for them. It was found out that my feet have gone from a size 9 to size ten. When I asked how that could be the guy told me its because my feet are flattening out and so my feet are getting longer, but also thinner. So I could see where with heels, and your arch being formed solidity, it might actually help your feet, especially against backpain. I once worked at a job where we had to wear steel toed boots with steel metatarsal plates and EVERYONE went to a chiropractor. It protected your feet from dropped steel, but also kept your foot from flexing with each step. Add in 10 hour days and something had to give and for all of us, it was our backs.

I think you did great! For not being used to them, spending a day in them with all the walks you had is quite an accomplishment 🙂 I'm not surprised that you felt it all over your body. I'm fine in 13 cm heels, but I never wore anything higher than a 11 cm heel to the office. Sure I could wear 12 cm heels, but with all the walking before, meanwhile, and after the office I definitely also would feel it! I'm sure with just a little more practice you'll be fine in your 5" boots. You can join us in the "aiming high" topic 🙂 If you'd rather stick to the "normal" heels that's also fine, there's no need to push the limits all the time.

Hey hoverfly!! just logged in here today after a many years hiatus. Still wearing hhboots after all these years! Still wearing Miguel Jones boots and a few pairs of Steve Madden boots. This past week I bought myself a new pair of boots…. Nothing outrageous. Just a pair of Torrid block heel chunky lug ‘hikers’ boots. I’ve always liked chunky heels and cowboy heels all in the 3-4.5” range. I remember a few of the other guys, most with a penchant for wearing heels and other clothes deemed feminine, but who were not trying to be or look like a woman. I still only wear ‘women’s’ jeans because they fit my tall slender body type better. When Levi’s sold out over seas, I finally found Wranglers Q-baby then Shiloh and Willow in 7/8x38 inseam. Also wear 9/10x38. Good to see a few others still at it decades later! tightlevisandhighheelboots!!

I will stand and lecture for 3 hours at a time. The balls of my feet will burn by the end, but I will go to reflexology and get my feet worked on every once in a while.

The muscular fatigue really came as a surprise to me. I’d expected the burning in the balls of my feet - I’d heard that was a common issue - but instead I had cramping and achy calves. Considering all the cycling I do, I couldn’t believe muscle tone was an issue when it came to wearing heels. If anyone had fir calves it was me - but wearing heels really was like taking up an entirely new sport! I’ve not yet had an occasion to stand for several hours in my 10cm so I don’t know how I’d managed but for a couple of hours I’m certainly fine. I have not tried standing for a long period in my 12cm heels - I shall start building up, see if I can manage an hour standing in them.

Starting later with wearing heels and skipping the youth's foolishness has it's upsides as I can read from you both. Otherwise, muscular fatigue wasn't really a topic for me, maybe that's an upside for adapting quicker at a younger age. Standing for a long time in heels really is the worst, it still gets me until today. In 10 cm heels I can stand for a few hours with a little bit of movement in between, but in 12 or 13 cm heels that's a different story... Merry christmas to everyone 🙂

Let me second those Christmas wishes! I know what you mean about the muscular fatigue. I was not in actual pain, and don’t recall much pain in the balls if my feet, but my calf muscles felt like I’d dine about a thousand toe raises at the gym. It wasn’t exactly painful, but tight and achy. I took the next day off - frustrating, as I was so keen to put them in again!

Just to let everyone know that I had to go out on Christmas Eve to do some last minute shopping. I wore my Land's End , green with white stripes rugby dress which goes to just above my knee, with white tights, red patent knee boots with 3-1/2" chunky heels and a red puffer jacket. Got a couple of compliments, even from a guy on my ensemble. Great day to be out in a dress and heeled boots in a Holiday festive color scheme. Merry Christmas to all my fellow heelers! Happy Heeling, bluejay

I was lucky - having waited so long to try wearing high heels, I decided to splurge and treat myself to a really nice pair of boots. A heel wearing friend, to whom I confided my plan, had also urged me to buy well. And so I did. They were expensive, but really nicely made and fit perfectly so I escaped some of the usual discomfort and blisters that most experience.

I figure at least 10% of the guys who compliment me on my heels wish they had the cojones to wear high heel knee high boots.

I went from 1.5 inch heels to 4 inch heels in ONE minute. Found my balance no problem. BUT I had done years of ankle lifts, so my ankles were ready. An added incentive was I couldn't walk without 4 inch heels. I had a 26+ inch circumference on my calf, a level 3-4 tear.

I’ve no doubt at all about that. I think guys in general are weary of the stifling rules for men’s fashion regarding colours and styles, and would like to inject a bit of theatre into their personal style

In early November I flew in a pair of faux leather pants and knee high JS 4 inch boots. Only one at the airport in leather pants and one of the very few in heels. Be aware @Shyheels if you wear this look, you WILL be noticed. So dress smartly.

In Germany they're worn quite frequently, also by me. But only by women, men here only wear them for riding a motorcycle as you say 😉 What a pity. Nowadays I also immediately have a look if I hear a pair of heels somewhere. It became a rare occasion.

It is so frustrating to have a quick glimpse at what may be a great pair of heels/boots, only to have the person take off in the other direction, or have the heels covered by long flared pants. I have been known to covertly follow someone to get a better look, but very carefully, never want to seem creepy or rude.

I'm trying to think if I've ever seen somebody around here wearing leather pants who wasn't riding a motorcycle. Skirts, yes, but I can't recall having seen somebody in pants outside of PPE. I'll be on the lookout. Speaking of looking out, I was at the grocery store yesterday (in heels, of course), and I spied a woman at some distance walking away from me. Soon I noticed heels sticking out of the hem of her pants. She had long hair, and was wearing a camel colored wool coat. At that moment, one of the clerks stepped out of the checkstand area and said, "I can help you over here, sir." I couldn't really say to hold on for a minute, I need to check out this woman's shoes first, could I? So I will never have any context for the heels. Ten years ago, I wouldn't have cared, but now I kind of want to know why someone besides me would wear heels to the grocery store.

I took a bus to a nearby town today to do some shopping. I had thought about bringing my practice heels and practicing but I knew I was going to be doing a lot of walking and carrying a rucksack full of shopping so I went in my chunky heeled knee boots. As you say, both for men and women trainers seem to be de rigueur these days That said, winter - boot season - is the time of year when you will see the most heels. As I was liked around the town I did see a number of women in heeled knee boots. The men, with the exception of me, were universally in ratty trainers. Although I wasn’t practicing in my 12cm stilettos, it was nice to walk about the town in my chunky heels - it’s all good grist for the mill!