Bubba136

Speaking of Nike, I just read an article on U Tube where the star of the University of Iowa’s women’s basketball team, Caitlin Clark, signed a huge endorsement contract with Nike shoes worth over 50 million dollars, even to a point where Nike will produce a “signature shoe” with her name on it.  I am wondering if mlroseplant has any interest in getting a pair when they become available?  If he does, he might be setting a new trend by wearing a pair of women’s basketball shoes by men.  A new thing for sure, but it just might catch on.

On 4/22/2024 at 9:25 PM, Bubba136 said:

I guess I must have fairly normal feet when it comes to shoes made by the the more popular brands.  Over the years I’ve worn heels manufactured by many different companies and although some fit better than others,  I can wear most styles without any problems.  It’s true that some brands have better arch support and are more comfortable for longer periods of wear, especially if you are walking any distance.  Over the past few years though, I’ve found shoes sold by Nine West seem to fit me better than other brands.  Their lasts seem to be formed perfectly for my feet and the arch support on their higher heels give me the comfort I desire.  I like their offerings.  Stylish and moderately priced, easy to wear.

 

On 4/22/2024 at 9:25 PM, Bubba136 said:

I have never worn or owned a pair of heels with metal heel tips. When ever the heel tips on my shoes need replacing, I either did it myself using a set of tips that came with the shoes when I bought them or took them to the local shoe repair shop. Same for my wife’s shoes.  As for what the tips were made of,  I really don’t know for sure.  Hard rubber or some sort of rubber/plastic compound, I would guess.  Don’t know what I am going to do now since the only local shoe repair shop has closed.  The closest one that I have found is 50 miles away from me.

 

My wife and both daughters loved kittens heels.  My wife tried to get me interested in them,too.  But I managed to put her off without without expressing my opinion on how hideous I thought they were.

Speaking of kitten heels, I opened a commercial browser a couple of days ago and saw a advertisement for women’s shoes which featured a pair of Penny Loafers with square toes and kitten heels.  Now I love my Penny Loafers.  I have two or three pair that are my favorites.  Especially the black leather pair with 4” block heels.  I just laughed out loud when I saw the pair in the picture.  I can’t imagine anyone buying them.

If anyone is interested in these shoes, they are being sold by Nieman Marcus.  Look on their website.  

I have never worn or owned a pair of heels with metal heel tips. When ever the heel tips on my shoes need replacing, I either did it myself using a set of tips that came with the shoes when I bought them or took them to the local shoe repair shop. Same for my wife’s shoes.  As for what the tips were made of,  I really don’t know for sure.  Hard rubber or some sort of rubber/plastic compound, I would guess.  Don’t know what I am going to do now since the only local shoe repair shop has closed.  The closest one that I have found is 50 miles away from me.

On 4/19/2024 at 5:37 AM, mlroseplant said:

I have been getting this persistent advertisement in my social media feed for the last couple of weeks. It is a 30-something woman telling me that the staple of my shoe collection should be kitten heels. Every so often, it seems to happen that somebody, somewhere, thinks that the kitten heel is the greatest compromise ever, and that the fashion vs. function problem has finally been solved once and for all.

Luckily, hardly anybody falls for this nonsense. I submit that the kitten heel is the worst of the worst. Not because they are actually the worst looking style ever, but because they pretend to be something that they are not. Yes, Crocs look way worse on an absolute scale, but at least they have no pretense of being anything other than what they are. A 2 inch spike heel has no place in this world. If you need to wear a 2 inch heel, get shoes with block heels, pretty please!

My wife and both daughters loved kittens heels.  My wife tried to get me interested in them,too.  But I managed to put her off without without expressing my opinion on how hideous I thought they were.

Speaking of kitten heels, I opened a commercial browser a couple of days ago and saw a advertisement for women’s shoes which featured a pair of Penny Loafers with square toes and kitten heels.  Now I love my Penny Loafers.  I have two or three pair that are my favorites.  Especially the black leather pair with 4” block heels.  I just laughed out loud when I saw the pair in the picture.  I can’t imagine anyone buying them.

How would the material that the heel cap is made from affect the wear? I would guess that a heel cap made of metal would outlast any heel cap made of a less sturdy material regardless of how a person walked.

32 minutes ago, Cali said:

I agree 100%!

I agree 110%.  Who is offended:

1)   Not those who feel they have to prove they feel,treat, try harder or their remedy is more affective thanyone elses. (As in advertising)

 2) Those that recognize others failing to understand that there is no such thing as more than 100% of anything. 

In the final analysis, it doesn’t matter because we all know what is meant and that there is no such thing as more than 100% of anything.  So, as they say “down south” if you’re offended: “Go scratch your mad place!” 🙂

Sorry for probably misposting/misplacing my comment in this thread.  But, given the state of affairs existing in our existence today, finding the right thread would not have been easy.  Likewise, in my opinion, any man appearing in public wearing a pair of dainty “Barbie” girly shoes obviously is making a statement that would probably be received in a similar manner- One of surprise and total “wonderment.”  Not that I don’t like the shoes because I really think they’re exquisite and probably would wear them around my house but not outside in public.  Because, they are way too girly for my taste and I don’t feel any need of making a statement.  Like I posted before, this is the time for being “Offended.”  However, I chose curiosity over offense because if I am comfortable wearing my girls shoes in public, why shouldn’t anyone else wearing anything they want to wear, as long as it is legal, also be?

I had an interesting experience this afternoon. I went to my local cell phone provider to get a minor malfunction corrected.  While I was waiting for my technician to finish waiting on another customer, I was sitting in the customer waiting area when a large transgender person entered and sat down close by.  (S)he was wearing full face makeup as well as a black female warm up suit and red feminine tennis shoes.  A really unusual appearance.  Not the clothes or makeup because the clothes were tastefully selected and the makeup nicely applied, but the sheer large stature of the individual’s appearance left everyone in the room in “open mouth wonderment” as to why anyone so constructed would ever want to appear in public adorned in such a manner.  My technician called me for service While I was still trying to untangle this picture and even now, I am still unable to get the image out of my mind.  I am not criticizing, just wondering.  🤔 

On 4/16/2024 at 5:56 PM, Mr. X said:

Here are my latest. They brand is pleaser party and prom. And the heel measures 4 and 3/4 inches. They are in mint condition, and they don't look like they have been worn even once. I believe these shoes would qualify as "Disney Princess" or "Barbie" shoes. And the best part is I got them in a thrift store for $20.

Very feminine looking.  Where would you wear them and how would you dress?  I don’t think they would look good with my “laid back fashion” preference.  

Offense is in the air.  Any one  can be offended by anything at anytime.  Whether it be a person’s nail polish is too red or they don’t like the color you painted your toes, someone somewhere is going to be offended.  Now, (trying not to be too political) you’re in double trouble if the offended individual is a member of a minority community.  They can climb on top of their grievance and scream “race” at the top of their lungs, making the entire incident “headline news”.  People are stupid.  Seeking their fifteen minutes of fame is a very strong incentive.  So, if they are willing to complain, I would just turn the tables on them by citing their actions of not supporting my rights to dress as I choose.  A clear case of “pure sexual discrimination” could be made if a complaint of that nature is made. 

2 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

Yeah, I seem to remember that one, but wasn't it a billiard ball? I did a quick Google search, and was unable to come up with it. There are many similar images, but not the one you're talking about, and I'm pretty sure I know which one that is.

This is where our opinions diverge. While such images are kind of cool, it is never just about the shoes, it's about the total package, and I'd much rather see if he or she (in my case, probably a she) can actually walk in whatever shoes are being publicized. According to reporting, Zendaya's limit is Louboutin Hot Chicks. Evidently, those about broke her. Probably sensational reporting, but that's what I heard.

You are right, it wasn’t a tennis ball.  In fact, it was a pool ball -  a nine (9) ball if I recall correctly.  At any rate, it sure was a “provoking” picture.  And you are also right in that this particular picture is the focus on the total package.  My bad 😞 

Shows there are some individuals still willing to exercise their fashion boldness, out there. 
🙂

From our perspective the girl wearing the shoes isn’t the focus.  It’s the shoes.  I’m surprised that nobody has mentioned the similarity between this photo and the famous older picture of the black panten leather pump with the 7” heel through the tennis ball 🎾 .  I am certain that it still is around on the internet somewhere and might even be in the Hhplace archives.  

14 hours ago, mlroseplant said:

Being as it's Saturday, I guess it's time for a more substantial statistics dump. I did try to do an estimate on how many of my heels are dressy vs. how many are casual. I have decided that this is too subjective and difficult a task to get an accurate number. I think it is clear that clogs can never be dressy, but how about wooden heeled sandals? I think usually not, but my Alaia sandals surely come close. Can a wedge sandal ever be dressy? Yes, but under what circumstances? Anyway, that's a fool's errand, so I all I can say is that roughly 40% of my shoes you might call "dressy," and the other 60% are more "casual."

The more normal statistics are heel height and footbed steepness. For absolute heel height, as measured up the back of the heel, but perpendicular to the floor, we have the following:

Less than 4": 14.2%

4" to including 4 1/2": 31.1%

Over 4 1/2" to including 5": 28.3%

Over 5": 26.4%

Over the past several years, there has been a shift from the third category to the second. This is because a smaller percentage of my shoes are platforms than was the case before, so absolute heel height has shrunk in certain categories. However, in the next batch of numbers, you can see that this has caused the number to shift in the footbed steepness category even more dramatically. Steepness, for those of you who don't know, or who use a different definition, I measure steepness by subtracting out the height of the platform, if any. For example, my Nine West Plantera pumps have an impossibly tall 5 1/2" heel, but they also have a 1" platform, so the total steepness is a less impressive 4 1/2". I started at 3 1/2 inches because that is where to my mind that heels start feeling like heels.

Less than 3 1/2": 15.1%

3 1/2" to including 4": 28.3%

Over 4 to including 4 1/2": 46.2%

Over 4 1/2": 10.4%

As you can see, there is a big increase in the more than 4 to 4 1/2" category. If you included steepnesses that were right at 4" in that category, the number would be even more overwhelming. I guess this is where I like to be, but there is a variation even within this category. With 4 inch or less, I can just slide/pull them on and go. With 4 1/2 inch, that is highly inadvisable without preflight.

As always, if I have a shoe which has no footbed liner or cushion, which is often the case with wooden heels, I "discount" the heel/platform height by 1/4" so that we are comparing heights more equally.

If the foot bed has a varnish coating or two covering it do you consider that thickness, also?  

3 hours ago, Puffer said:

I too have received Temu e-mails.  It is a Chinese marketplace (somewhat like Amazon) with a wide range of products, mostly at low competitive prices - especially where the same item is offered by several sellers.   Although some customers have complained about missing, damaged or incorrect items, the general trend is of satisfaction.   I recently bought a selection of small tools and workshop items with a total cost of about £17 (with free delivery for £15+) and they arrived within a week exactly as ordered and with no apparent defects.   There is a free returns service if needed.

I  did search more widely on the Temu website and there are many footwear items offered - including a large number of high-heeled shoes, boots and sandals, including stilettos.   So, I am surprised that Bubba could not see any; maybe the offerings to US customers are different?   I don't know what the quality is like; the low prices (typically £10 - 40) may be indicative.

That shows how diligent I am at actually reviewing unsolicited websites.  I rarely go beyond the first page of any unsolicited website.  Once I have satisfied my curiosity as to what it’s all about, I usually just press the “Spam” option and delete it.  Since I sold my house and downsized my lifestyle over the past two years,  I find that I am not in the market for anything these days, which doesn’t mean that my curiosity has been diminished, just that I am living on what’s remaining.

Over the past several weeks I’ve been receiving emails from a Website called “Temu.” I guess the IA feature built into the browser I usually use, has honed in on my interest in women’s shoe sites and automatically shunted this one to me.  

Now, this seller features casual clothing and shoes for both men and women.  The selection of shoes available on the women’s side are a mixture of trainers, canvas slip on, and leather loafers. All low heels but very attractive.  

While I doubt not many of our members here would find this site interesting because it doesn’t feature “high heels,” it does present many interesting and different good looking styles that male wearers of girls shoes will might find attractive.

At this moment I am not in the market for any more shoes.  However, should the need (desire) arise over the next few months,  I believe I will definitely take a second look.
 

On 4/4/2024 at 5:57 AM, mlroseplant said:

I blame Janet Jackson for almost singlehandedly ruining pop music, but that doesn't make it so, init? In other news, I have completed analysis of the shoe inventory data. I'm thinking about doling it out a little bit at a time, in an attempt to create more traffic on this forum. Or am I thinking crazy? If that is a dumb idea, I'll just dump all the numbers at once this weekend, when I have more time.

As a movie trailer equivalent, I'll recap from above and confirm that indeed, I have 106 pairs of high heels, but add the recent revelation that 60.4% of them are sandals. That is an incremental increase from last time, but not a dramatic one. It's not surprising, being as you don't catch me in an enclosed shoe from May to December.

One more interesting statistic--I decided to quickly count how many pairs I hadn't worn outside in over a year, and came up with 15.7%, so therefore, if I feel the need to thin the herd, there's about 1/6 of them right there.

At one point about midway into our marriage, after clean out one of our clothes closet, my wife told me that she would be embarrassed telling one of her friends that her husband not only owned more pairs of heels than she did but that he wore them more frequently and for longer periods of time.

4 hours ago, Puffer said:

I can certainly identify with Bubba136's view that a lot of civilisation went downhill from the mid-60s, as the rock-n-roll era was replaced by the hippie culture.   And recovery has been impeded by the fact that (i) the majority of the hippies are still with us; (ii) the next generation or two have been directly influenced by their hippie ancestors.   However, we must be careful if trying to establish a causative link: arguing post hoc ergo propter hoc ['after this and therefore because of this'] often results in a fallacious result.   But I still blame the disciples of flower power!

Good comment. 

On 3/30/2024 at 5:23 AM, mlroseplant said:

Ah, we've started a whole new thread on this subject, which is probably a wise decision. Without getting into great detail about it, I have found that yes, indeed, the "push off" is probably more important than the step forward. After all, other than momentum, the leading foot, which we all tend to focus on, provides no energy at all to get us from Point A to Point B. So it is really these series of pushes from the trailing foot that keeps us moving.

The question is how to transfer the energy from one foot to another. It is my belief that the best looking way is for the bottom of the trailing foot to be perpendicular to the ground at the time of power transfer. This may also coincide with being the most efficient way to walk. Your mileage may vary. What I do not find efficient, though somewhat attractive, is excessive movement of the opposite hip immediately after power transfer. It might be more natural for biological females to walk this way, but it is mostly an affectation of models and beauty queens. Which is not to say that we can't take cues from these people, but their example needs to be toned down for the street.

The main thing I have found is that there needs to be fluidity and relaxedness when walking in heels, however that presents itself. While at the same time retaining an upright posture to an almost rigid degree. Particularly, pay attention to your head. As we get older, it for some dumb reason becomes easier for us to jut the head forward, ahead of the neck, instead of keeping it on top where it belongs. That doesn't make any damn sense to me, but I only know that it is so. I have to consciously fight "turtle neck." That alone can completely ruin the effect of heels.

Pay attention to all of these things, but relax. I know, nearly impossible, init?

On 3/30/2024 at 5:23 AM, mlroseplant said:

Ah, we've started a whole new thread on this subject, which is probably a wise decision. Without getting into great detail about it, I have found that yes, indeed, the "push off" is probably more important than the step forward. After all, other than momentum, the leading foot, which we all tend to focus on, provides no energy at all to get us from Point A to Point B. So it is really these series of pushes from the trailing foot that keeps us moving.

The question is how to transfer the energy from one foot to another. It is my belief that the best looking way is for the bottom of the trailing foot to be perpendicular to the ground at the time of power transfer. This may also coincide with being the most efficient way to walk. Your mileage may vary. What I do not find efficient, though somewhat attractive, is excessive movement of the opposite hip immediately after power transfer. It might be more natural for biological females to walk this way, but it is mostly an affectation of models and beauty queens. Which is not to say that we can't take cues from these people, but their example needs to be toned down for the street.

The main thing I have found is that there needs to be fluidity and relaxedness when walking in heels, however that presents itself. While at the same time retaining an upright posture to an almost rigid degree. Particularly, pay attention to your head. As we get older, it for some dumb reason becomes easier for us to jut the head forward, ahead of the neck, instead of keeping it on top where it belongs. That doesn't make any damn sense to me, but I only know that it is so. I have to consciously fight "turtle neck." That alone can completely ruin the effect of heels.

Pay attention to all of these things, but relax. I know, nearly impossible, init?

Oh, come now.  It’s really very simple.  First you put the right foot in then you take it out, then you put your left foot in and shake it all about —- that’s what it’s all about!

This is a pair I could wear without difficulty almost any where.

11 hours ago, Jkrenzer said:

Actually the legal issues work both ways despite popular thought. So since they opened the door to playful behavior he can follow suit. 

The key is he has no quidproque. He's not their boss or subordinate. They playfully suggest fashion to he can to them.

I think I would tread lightly here because if these women are as unattractive as described, any suggestion of improving their appearance could be taken as insulting and might be considered inappropriate by your company’s anti discrimination policies. 

Reading from posted responses to my remarks,I realized I had missed making my point which was nicely made by mlrose above.  The purpose of my reflection on changing female dress habits was to underscore the point that women are more likely to attend minor social events not as formally dressed as they would have been thirty years ago.  It is relieving to know that there are still individuals out there that are willing to set required standards that have to be met if you are going to participate.

The “grunge” aspect was ment to demonstrate how much choice girls have these days in appearing publicly wearing clothing that in the past would be worn by the “lesser advantaged or lower loser class”  Any girl wearing a nice party dress with combat boots 30 years ago would raise a question about the girls mental association with the “hippie culture” carryover from the 60’s , which in my opinion, is responsible for the entire lowering behavioral standards and lack of respect for anything or anyone, these days.

It’s obvious that women today, while still wishing to remain fashionable, are no longer willing to endure uncomfortable attire which really high heels can be considered.  I believe that the grunge look is popular because it combines something feminine looking while  being comfortable to wear.  For dressing up, girls shoes can be “oh so sexy” and feminine with low heels and fancy adornments.  Block heels and over the vamp sandals are noticeable these days at church, weddings and other gatherings where being nicely dressed is appropriate because they maintain a genuine feminine appearance while being comfortable.  Now, if men were as foregoing, they would find suitable attire to replace the traditional suit and tie.

I agree.  I would wear the shirt and boots at first and wear the skirt and the rest of the outfit after your coworkers get used to seeing you dressed that way. Your ear rings and nails polished, along with a nice necklace and other accessories should set the mood for the skirt. 

2 hours ago, kneehighs said:

This guy in this conversation always told me "trust the FED" and constantly mocked me buying Bitcoin

Bitcoin was at $5K USD at this time. This was March 2020. Bitcoin never went back to $5K ever again after this.

Naturally I playfully have to occasionally give him a hard time for his decision to not buy Bitcoin back then.

Per usual, most don't understand risk to reward is in your favor when the rest of the world is fearful. Now that Bitcoin is consolidating near 70K, most are becoming greedy. 

And that my friends has me playing defense now. 

 

Is anyone buying it at this price?

Now, back on topic.

Seeing a man wearing a pair of high heel shoes evokes impressions of a man dressing as a woman which could be considered as being mildly sexually deviant in today’s society.  

 Since high heels have been associated exclusively with the female gender over the past couple of centuries, any male sporting a fashionable pair of elegant Black Patient leather pumps with five inch heels on his feet would be an unusual sight and could become subject of intense conversation when he’s wearing them in public. While the practice has become increasingly accepted these days, it still largely remains controversial. 

It seems that in the past decade people have become more likely to discuss the pro’s and cons of crossdressing (which some psychologists believe wearing only heels to be) than to openly condemn the practice.  Those men that have been wearing their “girls shoes” openly in public for years can attest to this measurable change in attitude, having personally experienced the “slings and arrow” rebukes, insults and criticisms intensely directed in their direction in the past.

The degree that any male desire to wear female attire, whether it’s 100.% passing as a female or occasionally mixing items of women’s clothing, such as shirts, blouses, jackets or shoes, is immaterial.  For the most part, the person dawning the clothes is usually doing so to satisfy their own desires and not to try to deceive or fool others into believing they are something they aren’t.  

The accepted norms for female fashion is much more complicated and complex than male dressing as those of us that have female partners are aware. The choice of clothing to match the event, color and proper accessories accenting “the look”, among other attributes, is intensely important. 

The main accessory that can “make or break” the overall appearance of the “look” is the shoes.  The choices for men are is severely limited - work, play or dress up.  Women’s choices, on the other hand, are as numerous as the different species of flowers. Fashionable dressed women work over time selecting “just the right pair” to succeed in accomplishing their dream appearance.

The aspect that is most common to both genders, when it comes to wearing high heels, is walking while wearing them.  Whether you’re a man or a woman you have identical problems.  You have to learn how to walk properly while wearing them.  Some men/women are natural wearers.  They pop on a pair and trot on off about their business unaware they are even wearing high heels.  Others encounter physical difficulties they cannot overcome.  It’s those in between that need training and proper instruction.  

For those “first time” wearers, it is only to human nature to try them on the first time they get their hands on a pair.  Once they have satisfied their curiosity and decide to continue wearing them, it would be a good time to talk with an experienced wearer, comparing and discussing sizing and professional instruction, should they feel it would be helpful.  

Keep in mind that acquiring professional instruction early on would be very beneficial before developing harmful practices and hard to break habits that could lead to physical discomfort.  Thoroughly reviewing websites on the internet and using email evaluate course content could be very helpful.

Most importantly, be aware that wearing an absolutely beautiful pair of high heels is an enormously satisfying and thoroughly pleasurable sensation that there is. Once you’ve began, you’ll never quit.