dr1819

DR1819

Excellent posts. Basically the members of this board just need to get out there and do it. Mind you, I gather from all your posts that you do not go for the overly femenine styling and IMHO, this is how we should proceed.

Take a leaf out of the ladies book, wear the appropriate shoes for the outfit and time of day. No woman would wear heels, stiletto or otherwise, to go walking in the countryside! Yet if we wish to wear stilettos, but have yet to come out in such style as Kneehighs, that is where we go. Here in the UK, it is rare to see women doing their normal daily routine, shopping - school run - and so on, wearing thinner heels. If they wear a heel at all, then it will be a block type. Thin (and high) heels seem to be reserved for partying when they come out in force. Even women working in offices wear conservative heels in the 2-3" range and with a femenine style, but not too thin or too high. They do not like the label of "Tarty" that can be easily assigned to them by their colleagues.

Sure you can wear stilettos if you desire and can carry it off, but get yourself a pair of 3" block heel ankle boots and wear them under your pants (and they don't have to drag in the floor either, and you will get used to a higher heel whilst avoiding the inevitable wobble from the less than perfect surfaces.

Through the various contributions to this board I took the descision about this time last year to wear my shoes and boots all the time. I wear from 3" to 3.5" thick heels shoes and boots to work every day and enjoy the lift but relish the stability that comes with the wider heel. I have enjoyed every minute of it and has taken the edge of the desire so that I wear what is appropriate, either mans or womans footwear.

It is about time more of us stopped just talking about it, and just got on with wearing. This is how change comes about, talking about it just wont change attitudes, seeing it done well does as has been proved by several of the board. Join in and come out of the closet, it is less stuffy outside.

TB2

Dude. Thighboots2. Wow, awesome. This is exactly what I've been talking about over the last several years.

A pronounced, yet subtle approach that says "men wear heels" but "not in your face."

Excellent!

And Thank You! A tribute to more of us who should just "do it."

I've eagerly read and enjoyed your outings, dr1819, thanks for sharing them here. Judging from how you've been approached and conversed with strangers says to me that you not only maintain confidence, but have an easy to know type of personality. Traits that will only favor you as you continue wearing heels wherever you care to. As you stated earlier on, one man you saw in heels appeared befuddled and gave off a kind of vibe that did not invite conversation, too bad for him, he's missing out. To me, like most here, wearing heels out of the house is fun but far more enjoyable when there's some interraction with others. BTW, I have yet to see another man in heels or skirt in public.

I'm grateful for the information passed by talking with the salesman at Payless as well. They consistently come out with new styles in at least a size 12 and some in 13. Hopefully, their market analysts will conclude they have a market to tap with larger sizes.

Please keep this thread going with your reports. I'm glad kneehighs talked you into relating some of your adventures.

Thanks for the comments. I'd like to think that those who're condescending are the ones more prone to wear heels if they had half a chance and the one's who're more supporting are those who already do!

Air Fare - What to Wear for Halloween?

Halloween came late for me, last night, to be specific. Sure, I had the parties last weekend, which were a lot of fun. But the real test, the real Halloween came when I wasn't trying to disguise myself but rather, to simply be myself.

However, I'm male, so "myself" isn't female. Nevertheless, it's Halloween, so I crossed the line, just a bit, hoping to have some fun without it getting flipped back into my face.

Just for tonight, I re-pierced my ears (ouch, but oh, well, as I'd soon be drinking), and stuck in a pair of dangles. Next, the hair - a little gell and uplift and it looked like that of half the progressive girls in town. A good shave (yeck), some very light makeup (I've a small nose and large lips - the most work I need is with my eyebrows which are decidedly non-feminine, but are very light and not necessarily masculine, either). Eyeliner, shadow, and some of the rest of the gucky stuff that guys are very smart for not having given into using to any significant extent outside of theater and stage!

Next came the shirt - a simple black long-sleeved polo-collared shirt. Covering a bra, of course, with two small "boobs" created from my son's squishy toy, cut in half (he won't miss it). Waist nipper, courtesy of some company I'd ordered from long ago, my black denim and belted ankle-length skirt, one of my wife's more girly interlooped belts (which now fit me thanks to my weight reduction). My nails were still done since last week ("barely" past the tips of my fingers - can't even tell they're done without polish), so I re-applied Revlon Pure Peal 020, another of my wife's leftoevers, and walla - I had nails again.

I "topped" it off with my black leather boots with 4" heels. Kind of worn, these days, but still fit well, and a known entity, so I went with them. I borrowed a small purse from a girlfriend (she's a good friend, a girl, so she's a girlfriend, just not a "girlfriend," if you know what I mean (although, to be really confusing, for a short time she really was my girlfriend)), loaded it with an ID card, credit card, cash, taxi card, and headed downtown.

Right through neighborhoods of parents excorting their kids for Halloween.

Nary an eye turned my way, as they probably thought I'm just some woman escorting her kids through the neighborhood or walking point A to point B. Plus, it's Halloween, so more variations from normal would certainly be allowed...

Then I arrive at my favorite bar, down which I have to descend two flights of stairs into what looks like an old underground bunker but which the owner assures me was built prior to WWI simply as a cold storage of wine and beer fermenting casks.

Quite the most cool place

These days it holds about fifty people max, tons of conversation, a pool table, three semi-private rooms for less rocked (stereo) conversation, a pair of bathrooms, the proverbial bar, and the stairs which get you into and out of this crypt.

Tonight - totally packed, which means I'm rubbing everything with everyone, guy and girl, just to get to a squizzle between two people seated at the bar.

I ordered a beer, and about three minutes later, it was delivered, and the two guys on either sides were replaced with girls. Very lovely girls. As I mentioned in another thread, they didn't know whether to make me as a guy or girl, at first, so I tended towards the girl (I have some feminine features, including a short, turned-up nose and wider than average hips). They were iffy at first, but I joined in the conversation fully when I raised my voice about two-thirds of an octave, and their acceptance passed the passable line. Woe is me!

I conversed about all the things girls normally talk with girls about for about 35 minutes before I'd had enough (I'm not a gyrl), so I ordered a second beer and started talking with one of the guys who was dressed as a "hoagland" (whatever the heck that was - looked like a walking breadloaf). When he began hitting on me I called it a day and sailed out of there, finishing my second beer and walking home. Not my idea of fun, as I'm not of that persuasion.

I stopped by my recent girlfriend's, as she knows of my penchants and wanted to give her a show. She was non-plussed, a bit distant, and after about five minutes, called it a night. At least the hug was there.

Disappointing. But realistic.

There are others out there...

Yeah, especially since Dawn's done so in less than half the time! Then again, Dawn, you're definately a "one-liner" poster most of the time. My paltry count is due to the fact that I'm given to much introspection and verbosity.

4' 23" bare foot...

Funny!

I love subliminal humor...

Ah... We'll get there!

Guys N. Heels, that's an excellent suggestion.

WELL SAID, DR1819!

Wow. Well said, Guy N. Heels. And thanks for the nod.

Yes, I believe personal respect for others is universal, and it doesn't matter whether we're dealing with our parents, our children, those who work for us, or for those whom we work. I called my boss on the carpet today about an issue, but I did so in a respecful manner, outlining his options/alternatives, and let him make the final choice, with my input.

Hey, that's life, whether in extended families, work, societies, whatever.

You have a good link to the maker? I would mind having a pair...

Huh?! I guess that's statistic talk. After delving through a few encyclopedias and some dictionaries, I managed to translate that into: There appears to be an average height of 5'5" and 5'6" probably due to the women voters.

I do prefer plain English.

Actually, the primary modality is 5'11", while the secondary modality is 5'5" to 5'6", indicating it's because the women are voting, too - which is just fine.

However, far more men are voting than women (about 6 to 1).

And a couple of years later, the phoenix has risen. Please continue...

I think the owner's taste is paramount. If there's a particular style and fit that you're searching for, then pay whatever (within reason) it takes to obtain it. You may only have one pair, but at least you have what you want. I wouldn't break the bank on obtaining everything the custom store has to offer, though...

Perhaps they were alluding to the fact that they also sell men's style sandals and not women's sandals to men....which would go without saying because, as we all know, what seller is usually aware that the heels we're buying are for ourselves?

Perhaps. Then again, I think most shoe salespeople are wise to the fact that when a 5'11" guy walks in asking about a size 13, it's probably for himself!

I've found Lazarus Long's character to be very near and dear to my own heart. Over the years I've been a burger-flipper, a sales clerk, a camp counselor "Pathfinder specialist!", statistician, navigator, pilot, network security specialist, technical writer, fashion admirer... I'm sure it hasn't stopped there. I know I've made an impact on the world, as I see the changes I've recommended come to fold. Very mild and moderate, but an impact nevertheless. But Lazarus changed entire worlds! No, I'm no meglomaniac. I simply enjoy righting wrongs, a difficult, and highly underpaid profession.

Well shuckey dang! Think I'll dab a little cow manure behind each ear tomarrow morning!

And I'll be steppin' a bit more to the right as I pass ye by!

Hey - it was a fun thread - I had to revive it!

Well, there's a lot of them here! Heelmet in New York this weekend, too. Perhaps you can make it up there. You'll find it in the Real Life Meetings discussion. Kneehighs does a great job organizing them - I'm sure qutie a few attendees will be there, particularly on that evening!

Perception is reality. My counter: Perception isn't reality. It's merely an abstraction thereof, and quite often not a very good one at that. My other counter: If perception were reality there'd be no magicians. My third counter: Ok - I perceive that you need to get out of my face. That's reality, so make it happen. My fourth counter: Ok... How do you perceive this? (and slap them - hard) My fifth counter: Ah, but is reality merely a perception? My sixth counter: Then misperception is unreal, and therefore not possible. My seventh counter: Reall! So what do you think of my new heels?

Thighhighs, I'd be willing to bet no one's going to even give those a second look, even with a higher heel. I've a pair I bought from Payless (wearing them now) that never draws any attention, either, unless I sit down on the train or in a restaurant. It's got a narrower, tapered heel, about 3-1/2 inches. But standing with my pant leg hanging down, they look like cowbody boots. One of the things I like about them the most is that they're quite when I walk! I know some of like to sound like a freight train, but I'd prefer to heel with no more noice than a sneaker, if that were possible.

I believe all of the links have a shoe size converter that equates sizes from all countries, as well as between men's and women's sizes.

If not, click here.

Oh, and to answer your question, the only wedge heels I have are a pair of black sandals with two straps. I've worn them out only on two occasions. Beneath long jeans they look just like men's sandals, although they have a 4" heel.

Within a gnat's of 6' in bare feet. Why?

Chris

I'm doing a proportionality study.

Welcome, DGMurdock.

Currently there are exceedingly few companies making high-heeled boots specifically for men, while there are quite a few making high-heeled boots for men who're cross-dressing or are into transvestism.

However, many men who've rejected the notion that a higher heel equates to femininity are buying the more masculine styles of women's high-heeled boots and shoes in ever-increasing numbers, as reflected by recent and rather significant increases in the variety of styles offered in larger sizes.

The following companies specialize in larger sizes, and can offer you pretty much what you want through ladies size 13 (about men's 11 to 12, give or take brand):

Shoes at Zappos.com - The Web's Most Popular Shoe Store! Our shoe store features dress shoes, casual shoes, and athletic shoes for men and women!

Nordstrom.com – Shop From Over 500 Brands

Payless ShoeSource - Women's Shoes, Men's Shoes, Children's Shoes, Sandals and Boots

Womens Shoes, Mens Shoes, Prom Shoes, Merrell, Diesel, Clarks, Cole Haan - Free Shipping - 6PM.com

ShoeMall - Free Shipping on Women's and Men's Brand Name Shoes

Shoes - Free Shipping & Return Shipping - Mens Shoes, Womens Shoes has quite a few offerings in 12 and less, too.

The rest of the "size 13" and above crowd are largely fetish shoe makes, with correspondingly "incredibly sexy" but not very practical wear for males in our society type offerings.

You can occasionally find some good deals on eBay, but first check to ensure that the same shoe isn't available on Payless for half the price (some jerks buy cheap and jack the price).

Any more questions? Just let me know.

The most amazing thing about this survey (and it's a very good survey, Scotty!), is that about two-thirds of the responders already wear heels outside, while the other third would eventually like to. Of those who do street-heel, the discretion level is fairly equal across the board, with a third showing serious signs of discretion, a third showing moderate signs of discretion, and a third not caring who saw what. Micha, you're right over yonder in Frankfurt. Gotta get together for lunch, sometime. Yes, I'll wear heels, but I'll probably be discrete about it... Daylight, you know. Causes these vampire heels to melt away into block heeled goo...

Ok, Guy N. Heels - any links to where I might find some of these silicone quieters/floor protectors? I do have a few pair of stilettos, and if I could walk down the street at anything less than 100 decibels, I just might do so! Any observations/experience on how long they'd last?

Reminds me of walking into a Payless in a major metropolitan area, and encountering not just one, but three other guys, trying on heels. When I asked the manager what percentage of his high heeled customers were men, he replied "oh, about 40% to 50%." I was dumbfounded, but he said that even in rural America, where he'd been a manager before, it was upwards of 20%. Go figure. Lot's of guys in hiding, folks. The trend is way more prevalent than what we see out there on the streets.

Well, I'm not exactly wearing "diminuative" sizes...

Agreed. While this one was a great idea, the preliminary results showed the response range was too wide. As a result, 95% of the data is lumped into 2 of the 10 categories. My "Take II" was an attempt to better arrange the response curve (successful, from the curves), but people keep posting here, instead. Should I lock this with a polite note asking that those who've voted here please re-vote on Take II so the board can obtain more accurate results?