h.heelman

Great story and advice Acin75. 2 beautiful women running around the house in 7" heels! You have my envy......

Here's another idea to help Cassandra: I just read two great articles about regular guys in heels in this thread (started by Shafted)

http://www.hhplace.org/everybody/21774-most_promising_article.html

She could accelerate her research quite a lot by talking to the women who wrote these articles if she hasn't seen them already. They have already done their own research and may have other contacts, thoughts and ideas as well. We should make sure she has seen them. Perhaps one of you guys that have already been in contact with Cassandra could forward the links to the articles to her.....

Awesome! Go gentlemen. I won't be calling but just want to express my support for you guru's out there in public on the cutting edge giving her a call. I would really like to see more publicity (any actually) on hose, heels etc. for regular guys. With enough good feedback maybe something will happen. Steve: I didn't know you were associated with G. Lieberman & Sons. I recently bought several Activskin products for the first time after having found them a while ago. They're great! I especially like the Hi Glide pantyhose with the fly. I will definitely be buying more and would recommend your products to anyone......

A note from the other side of the pond..... I'm usually a US13 which I find is usually about an EU44. If you take Dr. Shoe's figures and manufacturers conversion it looks like maybe they are off by one. So maybe the thing to do is to add or subtract 31 when converting: EU = US + 31, US = EU - 31. So an EU41 would convert to US10. Are we onto something here? Need more real experience feedback from people with different sizes. On trying them on in the store, I too have never done that. But if / when I do, NYC would be my #1 choice on where to do it. I have been there many times. Everyone there has seen and heard everything. They're used to it. It's one of the few places in the US where people are least likely to care what you're doing and just accept it if they even notice. You may want to think more about seizing the opportunity.

Hot indeed especially for half price! I noticed Samanta shoes last year or so when they first came out since I'm always looking for larger sizes (US 12 / 13/ 14). But, I haven't tried any mostly because I think they are overpriced. If you get them, please let us know what you think of them. BTW - Endless is very good if you haven't purchased from them before. I have ordered several pairs of shoes from them and even made returns 1 year after buying. No questions, free shipping both ways, can't beat that.....

I don't wear compression hose / socks for medical reasons but I recently got some "full support" knee-highs because I wanted some very thin, tough "socks" to wear in skates and other shoes. The regular sheer nylon nylon knee-highs I was wearing would run or get a hole on the first wear. You may want to check these out:

http://www.glieberman.com/categories/Knee-High-Socks/

I got the A2100 full support patterned socks and the A169 full support "sheer" socks. Both have a fair amount of compression and I think they feel great but may be a little tight in the toes. I may try the "light support". The sheer socks are great. Got them in tan. They look just like regular hose, just a bit thicker but can still see through fine. They have about a 3 inch band at the top for comfort. The toe is not reinforced so they probably look great in sandals too.......hope to try that soon......

You mentioned stockings needing garters. Note they also have "stay up" stockings in opaque and sheer here:

http://www.glieberman.com/categories/Stockings/Stay%252dup/

I haven't tried them yet but they're next on my list.

Also, something I didn't realize until I got them, but the socks come 2 pair per package. So the real price per pair is US $7.50 for the $14.99 hose. I was willing to pay the higher price per pair but now I'm really happy that they're actually half that price.

I have had an interest in shoes, all types, for as long as I can remember. It probably has something to do with the special shoes I had to wear as a baby while sleeping in the crib to straighten out my curved feet and legs that I had at birth (all good now). Figuring out a connection here would probably take some deep psychotherapy or hypnosis or something. But why ask "why" and possibly spoil a good thing...... "First heels" you ask though? When I was about 8-9 yo, my brother and I were staying at my grandparents house for the summer where they had a few acres of land and my grandfather had a garage 10x bigger than the house for all his construction equipment, shop etc and lots of old cars, boats and equipment out behind. My grandfather was away working during the day so we were there with my grandmother mostly who let us run all over and do whatever we wanted as long as we didn't get into too much trouble. Little did she know how much we really got into but we always found interesting things to do around there. One day we were upstairs in the house picking through a hardly ever used closet, I found a pair of navy stiletto pumps with a 3-4 inch heel which I later somehow figured out were my aunts shoes that she wore when she was a flight attendant for a time. I don't remember what I felt or was thinking at the time. I just remember that I had to try them on though and walk around. However, I knew that I couldn't get caught by my grandmother or they'd be taken away. So, I convinced my younger brother, who I could usually talk into trying anything, to help me get them out to my grandfathers garage. The only way to get there though was to go through the kitchen where my grandmother was most of the time. So we each put a shoe under our shirt, tucked them in and went downstairs. We waited around the corner for the right time and when my grandmother was busy with something on the counter we marched right in with the obvious bulges under our shirts and started to go behind her when she, never looking directly at us, said "What are you doing?". In unison we said "Oh, nothing!". We ran out the door straight to the garage. I put my bare feet in the shoes. My feet slid right down to the end of the almond shaped toe and I realized they were way to big for me. There was an inch or two of space between my heels and the back of the shoes. I didn't care though and tried to walk in them. They kept twisting off my feet and falling over or they would come off when I lifted up a foot. I finally just dragged them along the floor and scuffled along for a while. That was fun but it wasn't good enough. I really wanted them to stay on my feet. So I thought about it, looked around and, wallah! I found some rags on a workbench (you know the old red ones mechanics used to use). I stuffed one or two behind each heel in the shoe until they were tight. By this time my brother got bored and wandered off to find something else to do. The shoes were awesome! They were staying my feet, kind of. I could lift them up and when I put them down and the heel would make a clack on the hard cement floor. Mostly I shuffled around though dragging the heel on the floor as I lifted up the front, with toes curled up to help them stay on, as I took a step forward. I walked all over the garage for at least a half hour almost falling over a couple times but catching myself before hitting the floor. It was just good basic fun. I was having a blast. I remember feeling happy and maybe even grown up in a way. I didn't know why. I'm sure I didn't feel "sexy". I didn't even know what that was then. It was just fun and that's all that mattered at the time. So it was time to find my brother and something else to do. I had my fill so I hid the shoes in the garage. I went out almost every day, put them on, stuffed the rags in the back and tooled around the garage for a time. I got pretty good at walking in them although I'm sure it wouldn't have looked pretty to someone else. I did that for a couple weeks until one day I went back to get them out. They weren't there. They were gone! Did my grandmother figure out what I was doing? Did my grandfather find them? I couldn't ask them. I asked my brother but he didn't know. I remember feeling worried that I was going to get in trouble. Nobody said anything that night so I relaxed about it a bit. Next day, nothing. No one has ever said anything to this day. And, I still wonder what happened to them. Time passed. I forgot about them. My brother and I went home again. Next heel story not until 3-4 years later...... H.

I happened to run across these today in my endless search for large sized womens shoes:

http://www.designershoes.com/takera-asjha-chocolate-red

And, was quite impressed they are available in sizes USW 10.5-15! Looking into it further I found someone is trying to start a new company, just last year, specializing in large sized, quality, designer womens shoes.

Her name is Asjha Jones: http://www.designershoes.com/WNBA

An interview: http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/sports/ct_sun_wnba/gotta-be-the-shoes-for-asjha-jones

And, the company website: http://takerashoes.com

What do you all think of the idea and the shoes?

PS - I'm not associated with the company in any way and not trying to sell anything. Just really impressed to find a company actually specializing in this area as there has been a lot of discussion around this forum about how to get manufacturers and retailers to make / carry large size womens shoes. Also, I searched HHP and can't find any mention of Takera Shoes. Enjoy!

I have a really nice pair of stiletto pumps with a 6.5 inch heel and no platform that I can wear all day.....but only if I'm in practice. If I don't wear them for a long time, it takes at least a week or so of wearing them on and off to get back to wearing all day again. Mostly the calves need to get back in shape and some stretching (feet and legs) helps. I wish I could wear them all time...... Going to a 7" heel right now is impossible because my feet just don't bend that far. Wearing very high heels more often I could probably get to a 7" eventually......like years. I'll keep trying though!

The boots in the link above shouldn't get much attention when worn in public. Especially if they don't make alot of noise when walking.

I have a pair similar and wore them to work without comments.

Good to know. They are very quiet with just a bit of the clack / hollow thud noise that jwhite44 mentions. With any kind of background noise, I'm sure you wouldn't hear these at all esp. with the rubber on the bottom and plastic, simulated stacked heel. I've worn them around the garage (cement floor) for at least a couple hours total now trying to decide if I would wear these in public. Basically the answer is "yes". The only difficulties I have with them are:

1) The heel from a side view looks great. It's wide and "chunky" enough to easily be unisex. Actually the whole shoe from a side view (the only one given on the website) is in the unisex zone in my opinion and would easily wear it anywhere based on that look alone. The difficulty is that when I got them the heel actually tapers down (viewing from the rear) from a bit over 2 inches to about 1 inch. The shoe overall from a rear view has a very feminine look with the tapered heel and the ankle strap. I absolutely love that look.....just not sure I want it on me yet for a first public outing. The actual heel height is 3-1/4 inches (measured on the back) but it doesn't look that tall really on the 13W size that I have.

2) I got the brown since I wanted to try the 13W size and black wasn't available. The color in actuality is really a milk chocolate brown. Not a color I would choose even on a mens shoe.

So, I'm ok with the heel especially with pants over the top to start. I think I'll de-fem the overall look a bit by going to black. Going to order 12W in black and then I'm very sure I'll be street heeling in them soon!

Got to pack and go. Happy New Year all......

H.

Just want to say a quick, but big, thanks to jwhite44 and Charlie for your last posts before too much time goes by. Have had very little time this Holiday season for writing but not too little to consider your advice and encouragement as well as order 3 new pair of ankle boots. I got a really nice pair of Blackstone boots with a traditional mens heel, another boot with about a 2" riding style heel and pair of these (which I'm wearing right now):

http://www.avenue.com/clothing/Natalie-Buckled-Boot-Wide-Width.aspx?PfId=194480&DeptId=19963&ProductTypeId=1

These are awesome! I have lots to say but have to go again shortly. New plan though is to have a live shoe / heel show sometime next week for my wife. Forget the pictures. I decided the best way to make the sale is with the real thing. We're going away this weekend and I'll be mentioning that "I did something crazy" (bought some womens shoes) when the mood / opportunity is right. I may order a pair of Giddy's too for arrival on Monday or so. Hopefully I'll be able to report some good news soon. Thanks again for your input......

H.

No problem Bob!

http://www.auctiva.com/stores/viewstore2.aspx?id=575689&styleid=65

It's an ebay store. Miguel is good to deal with. The quality isn't up to the same grade as the Western Ranch boots of the past, but good enough IMHO. As a little rain must always fall, the drawback with Miguel's boots is that the sizing is sometimes a little off. I've observed that anything with greater than a 3" heel height tends to run small. It starts getting hard to get the vamp right I suspect at the increased heel heights? Vamp is critical in that too large or too small makes for a difficult (if not darned near impossible) walking. I ordered the boots pictured a size larger than norm and still had to stretch out the vamp with my vamp stretcher to get that glove-like fit I now have. The good news is that if you're patient, Miguel is very good about accepting returns. When I get boots from Miguel, I try them on while on carpet and if the fit is too far off to correct with my vamp and basic boot stretcher, I return them and choose another pair in exchange. I think he'll get better as time goes on and I don't mind financing that with the occasional purchase as it's for a good cause (my high heeled boot obsession - LOL). His prices are lower and appropriate.

Charlie

Charlie, thanks for the link and additional comments. I'm really liking this guys work and do believe he may get some more business. And, I like the way he lists virtually the same boots in "mens" or "womens" sizes. Your boots........very nice indeed!

The title of the thread is really where I'm at personally. I have yet to make a debut in public (or even in front of my wife) in any shoe other than standard mens fare (with a heel, of course, no taller than 1 inch) - except for the disco platforms I had back in the 70's. I've decided life's too short and it's time to "up the ante"....pun intended! My plan, like many others have expressed in this thread and elsewhere, is to first find some "modestly" heeled shoes, perhaps with a neutral style, that I would feel reasonably comfortable (still confident but pushing my limit) wearing anywhere in public. And, perhaps more importantly, involve my wife in the decision. She already knows very well that I love high heels......on women. The approach will be basically "I want my own heels, what do you think of these?" Ultimately, I want her to be ok with them too......I'll be lining up an array of pictures for her, hopefully, soon. Life will be good if I can get something I'm excited about AND get her buy-in.

So, I've narrowed the range considerably. I'm committed to ankle boots for now - besides really liking many of them (mens and womens) there's the option to hide them under pants or show them completely like when sitting etc. depending on how I feel. Heel Height: 2-3 inch range maybe higher since an actual 3" is going to look more like a 2" heel on my US mens size 12 foot. It's the angle of the foot that I'm after where a 2-3 inch heel on an average size shoe is the look that I want. Actual height is not as important. Heel Style: Cuban for sure (probably more on the blocky side). Style (other than heel): Could easily go from neutral to a somewhat feminine look with round / almond toe and a buckle / strap or two around the ankle area or even across the vamp but a simple design not too extravagant or far into the feminine side to start. Color: ok, just black for now but something in a fine grained, softer, thinner leather is a must.

My problem is, as I mentioned, I have big-foot syndrome (USM 12, USW 14, UK 11, Euro 45/46.....). To get what I really want I will very likely have to have it made. And, if I'm going to pay that kind of money, I am going to get something that I'm sure I will really like and wear anywhere and my wife likes them too. So, I'm either going to find something online that I really, really want (regardless of size or availability) or just design my own. To that end, I've spent the last month or so looking through every mens and womens ankle boot in common places such as shoes.com and zappos as well as higher end and less common places like YSL, Luisaviaroma, Archie Eyebrows and some others. I have a decent collection of pictures to work from and all this (having to put your money where your mouth is) has really made me think about what I really want and will wear. The process has been fun though.....and cathartic. I will be doing it.

If I had to pick from what I have right now, this would be the number one contender (perhaps with a solid heel rather than stacked):

http://www.naturalizer.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=EC0224309&pg=3007540

The reason I mention all this (sorry for the length), is to ask you guys if you have any other suggestions for sources. If you've seen something basically fitting the description above in some off-beat place that I probably haven't looked, that would be great to know. Or, if you know of a place that could make something similar at a reasonable price (like the guy Charlie mentions), I would love to know.

All the places that I've seen that will do shoe duplication seem to specialize in very high heels. And, fully custom, made to measure shoes of any sort I understand can easily exceed US $1000. A bit steep for my budget but will do it if that's my only choice.

Thanks for any further suggestions you might offer,

H.

I can understand you being annoyed.

For years I had the opposite problem. I have small feet and I could never

buy proper mens shoes. And if they would have my size, they had only

horrible shoes and very little choice. Either that or I would have to go to

the childrens department which I consider really degrading.

Then I started looking at womens shoes and now all my problems are over.

I rather go to the women section than to the children section.

There are some sites with very big sizes with heels, but they concern mostly

relatively extreme heels. Shoes with 3 inch heels which are good for beginner

street heelers, in the very large sizes are really rare or expensive (like YSL).

Y.

Y., Sorry you had to go to the children's department. I had not considered the opposite problem. Glad "all your problems are over" in the womens dept. I've seen many "womens" shoes that look like "mens" too. Interesting you should mention beginner street heeling because that's where I am: trying to find something in a modest height heel that I would be pushing my limit in but still confident. I found one pair that I like but could only get in a 13 (likely too small in closed toe). There's a great pair of ankle boots I would love to have from Naturalizer in a 3-inch Cuban heel. Largest size is US 12W. I wrote to them to see if they could make a larger size......no reply. To have them made, a quote from a custom shoemaker here in the US is custom boots start at US $950......

I think the real question here perhaps should be "Are you happy with the shoe manufacturers?"

H.

NO!..."I wish I had a smaller foot"...but, back to reality I guess. I'm a US 13/14 and there are so few shoes available in that size that it's a constant disappointment for me to see all those other great shoes I would love to have and just can't get because the largest size is a 10, maybe an 11 and sometimes a 12 (just out of reach). Very frustrating! But, at least, some manufacturers are making larger sizes (Pleaser, Ellie and a couple others) and I'm very glad for that. On the other hand, if I fit into commonly available sizes, I would probably be in big trouble in many ways! I hope all you guys that can get whatever you want right off the shelf really appreciate being able to do that. If you're not familiar, here's how it feels: Go to shoes.com or zappos.com, click on womens shoes, maybe pumps perhaps or your favorite style, look through the pages and pages of shoes and notice the ones you'd really like to buy.....spend a little time, wait until you see a pair of those "gotta have" shoes when your heart rate goes up and you don't care how much they cost.......NOW, go click on size-14 in the "Narrow you choices" column and see what you have to choose from! Anyway, just venting a bit I guess. Hope my envy wasn't showing too much. I would really like to have some better quality shoes and am thinking of upping the game and spending much more on something I really want like at Burlesque Blue or even try made-to-measure, duplication or maybe even fully custom (which is very pricey I understand)......

Congratulations on your public debut. I was riveted by your recount of the adventure and think I held my breath until I was finished reading all the chapters. Your story gives me hope that I can one day do something of the like. Mrs F is clearly a wonderful woman and you are both great parents as well. All the best. I hope to hear more adventures in the future. And, I do really love the shoes you wore on the outing..... H.

These boots, modeled by Bianca Beauchamp, are part of the Pleaser Xtreme series, but I can't find them on the web anymore. I own the slides in this series and they are among the most comfortable shoes I own (not the most comfortable high heeled shoes, but most comfortable shoes period). I'd love to get this pair of boots. If I do, then the NYCers here will here of many more sightings of men in heels!!

jazzymj,

Thanks for the awesome pics! I think they melted a whole in my screen!.....

In return for the favor, I looked around the web a bit. The Pleaser website does not have the boots like the ones in the pics. I did on the other hand find these:

http://www.pleaserusa.com/ProductDetail.asp?div=1_PLEASER&dpt=A_BOOT&ctg=&STYLE_CD=XTREME%2D1020&PROD_CD=XTM1020%2FB%2FM

The Xtreme 1020. They don't have the stripes but I'm thinking you could put some on yourself if you're good with that kind of thing. Looks like they are available from several stores online.....including Sears! Yes, Sears! I couldn't believe it when they popped up in a search. Looks like they've come a long way since the last time I checked their shoe dept. Anyway, hope that helps.

H.

Very nice. I like the long slim D heel stiletto and the lower cut sides. The covered platforms are really growing on me too. Don't have any myself but it really seems you get that very high heel look without the torque on the foot. Something you could wear a lot longer otherwise. Honestly, not something I would buy for myself as a first choice but I wouldn't be kickin em off too soon either. I'd probably go for the black. Like Dr. Shoe said, if you like them, get them. Hope to see you in a pic with them on......

Amazing! I don't think I have ever heard of this particular problem before. Us guys usually have the opposite one. Please keep setting a good example for other women out there. And, although I'm new here too, welcome......

Tell you what I'd most love... I'd love a pair of suede wedges in my size. Black, or burgundy.

sharpLeather,

I too have large feet (13/14 USW) and have bought most of my shoes from Snaz75 here in the US.

It took me a few minutes of Googling to remember where I had seen alot of what you're looking for: "Shoes USA". Perhaps something like this:

http://www.shoesusa.com/Products/Bella-Wedge__BELLA415L.aspx

Very pricey though! But I guess that's the going rate for customized, handmade shoes. The prices here are most of the reason I have no experience with them. From all the options though it appears you could get these, for example, in your size, color, patent / suede etc. And, they ship international (for a whopping US $49).

I noticed they wholesale. Maybe you could write them and ask if there's a retailer / rep in Australia.

H.

Hi All, So, it all started when I was about 2-3 years old when I got hold of my Moms fuzzy slippers, managed to get them on my feet, put a couple of my wooden building blocks in the back of each one to help keep them on and proceeded to prance around the house......I've been fascinated by womens shoes ever since and have developed a strong appreciation for a great set of heels. I have lots to say about the latter but will save it other threads...... Hopefully as my info shows, I am a guy in my upper 40's and am in New England, USA. I am married to a great woman who, among other fine qualities, knows how to wear a pair of seriously high heels and knock 'em dead (incl. me) although not that often anymore. I have my own small collection (12 pairs, size 13/14 USW all with heels 4-7 inches) that I wear at home as often as I can. I've never been out in public wearing heels (unless the driveway, at night with no one else around counts.....not). I'm hoping that talking to you all in a "public" forum, perhaps I'll loosen up and extend my range a bit. I actually joined a couple years ago or so. As it turns out, I signed up for a new account, went back a couple days later to read / submit a first post etc. and found the whole website had been re-vamped / updated and my new login was deleted. I figured it was a sign I should wait a little longer. So here I am again (been really busy). In any case, it's been great to read all your stories and adventures from time to time and to know that many others have similar interests. I look forward to sharing good conversation, stories, pics etc. with you all, H.