Platformdude

I live in a pretty conservative, closed minded sort of place, and given that I'm a short small guy, I hafta be selective. Usually will wear platform shoes with 2-3 inch heels. Once while visiting brother in LA, wore pair of monster Steve Madden platforms with 4 inch heels out to dinner. Nobody cared, but such is LA. Also, when visiting sister in NYC years ago, went to shoe store in Greenwich Village, ended up leaving store with killer pair of platform ankle boots. Two young women applied heavy sales pressure, and in the end, I couldn't resist. Again, walking in NYC, nobody noticed or cared. For me, the reality is that I can only handle big heels for so long. On the other hand, 2-3 inch heels with a moderate platform are comfortable all day, much more so than anything with a thin sole. My feet are too thin themselves; need the shock absorbing power of a platform sole.

Lessee, with all the sales on fall styles (basically the look I like best) I picked up a pair of Mudd ankle boots, sz 10, w/3 inch heel and 1 inch platform. Also found a killer pair of Candies ankle boots with a 5 inch heel and 1.5 inch plat. Very cool. Also found a pair of Steve Madden "Georgia" loafers on sale. Even though not a high heeled shoe, I liked their funky, flanged styling.

Wow, amazing. The model train thing is intriguing. I have a big pile of train stuff. I have HO, HOn3 (3 foot narrow gauge in HO, like the prototypes in the mountains of Colorado), and N. I mostly model US prototypes, altho have some British stuff. I'm a big fan of the fabulous streamliners of the 40's and 50's, especially the EMD E and F units. Currently in my ranch is a tiny 2 foot by 3 foot N layout. It's so small I actually "finished" it, and it looks like a slice of Nevada: sort of bleak and desolate, with a dusty mining town, mountains, and lots of sagebrush.

Truly a provocative topic. I believe most have already hit on the answer. Men and women should be able to wear whatever they feel comfortable with. I also agree with those who say that men are painting themselves into a corner in the fashion world; as women take over every look and style, men will be relegated to either gray flannel suits or battle fatigues as the only acceptably masculine clothing. This is definitely a problem in the USA; most young men affect the "generic minority" hiphop look, with the super baggy oversize clothing that seems to have become almost a uniform. So much for "individuality"... Be different, think for yourself, wear what appeals to you.