sm

I know. It was a bad attempt at a joke! A masterclass, as you said.

I reckon England will win 3-1 and break all sorts of records! ;o)

I'd be up for something like that. I've been quiet on here of late, but have ventured out in the past wearing black thigh boots with a four-inch plus heel and have also attended a couple of international meets in London over the past three years or so. It's a bit of a confidence thing with me. Despite happily buying boots over the counter - I tried a pair on in Marks and Sparks on Oxford Street a month or so back - I occasionally 'lose it' when it comes to going out; I think it's something one needs to keep doing regularly or the knack disappears! I'd be open to the idea of a house meet, or a safe rendezvous spot in or around the Surrey area. I'm sure there are many more of us than we actually see out and about. As far as comments go, most people do just stand open-mouthed. Teenage girls are the most aware. They don't seem to miss a trick. Or kids. Most adults just walk around zombie-like, not noticing/or caring what goes on under their noses!

Hi - saw the New Look thread re size 8s fitting a size 9 foot - I've generally found that to be okay for Faith and M&S boots (no experience with New Look), but had to return a pair to Office the other week that just weren't going to go round my calves no matter how long I tried. Anyone had any experience with Topshop boots - are they a generous fit? Cheers SM

Some good moments - really good, in fact - but still think they're a bit derivative of Iggy Pop, Bowie, Joy Division and many others that went before. Thought the last album saw them open up the sound a bit - liked Mammoth and Pace is The Trick. Still think Magazine are the most interesting band of the last 30 years indie-wise - fantastic reunion gigs. I'd waited all my life for those! SM

I'm in, too. I'm aiming for about midday-ish - looking forward to it! SM

Name: Steve Age: 40 Gender: Male Location: Surrey Occupation: Writer Height: 5'9" Weight: Too much Shoe size: 43 What's your favourite heel style: Stiletto What's your favourite shoe style: boots, knee or thigh Do you wear your heels outside: Sometimes What is: (a) Your favourite heel height: 3 or 4" ( Your highest heel height: 5" How often do you wear: (a) Your favourite heel height: Most days ( Your highest heel height: Rarely Do you wear socks, hose, stockings or bare feet with your shoes: No preference Anything else you wish to add: Give us shoe equality now, or we'll dig our heels in!

I had the horror a couple of months back when I had to return a pair of boots to Next that had a faulty zip. The assistant didn't quite know what to do when she opened the box - which I wasn't really expecting, her having filled out a sticker and all already. She said 'Wow, that's a lot of boot' and went red. Of course, my embarrassment had then transferred to her. So, I said 'Yes', with all the dignity I could muster. The thing is, though, it's the thrill of wanting to be seen while not being seen that makes it all so exciting, isn't it. I went out on Monday to Sainsbury's in a pair of four-inch heeled boots under my jeans, desperate to be noticed, but worried that someone might point and giggle. I seem to have lost the bottle to wear my thigh boots over my jeans, though, which I did two or three times last year. It wasn't that I had any hassle, other than a couple of flummoxed looks, but I just don't seem to be able to deal with that kind of openness these days.

Thanks for the tip - sadly, Faith's online range at least only goes up to nine, although I did once buy a pair of size 10 knee boots in there with a decent square heel - still got them in fact. Worn regularly for days when I'm feeling less brave. Thanks to everyone else who replied to this thread, too - I'm happy to say the shoe-stretching spray worked. The left boot is a little tight, but nothing that can't be put up with by your average heel aficionado.

Stretching, even. Damn those over-eager fingers!

Anyone got any advice on this, please? Just bought a pair from Faith that need stretching a bit - I can get them on and get the zip up, but considering they're supposed to be a size 9, they're very tight! Should I stuff them with newspaper, or just wear them in gradually? Any suggestions gratefully received. SM

Really. Can't you tell at all. I'd have thought the dye would wear off, or show tell-tale signs. I remember once dying a pair of previously dark-brown courts to black, but you could see the original colour. Maybe I didn't put enough on. Thanks for the tip!

After all the offer of blowing a cash windfall on some boots, she turned down my offer of something extravagant. With the credit crunch now looming, probably not that bad an idea really. Oh well, can't fault the effort. In the meantime, I have just blown what remains of my budget before financial meltdown on a pair of thigh-high (or over the knee, as they've been rebranded these days) tan boots from Faith. They were out of black and I thought white might be going a bit far! £30 off in the sale. I guess tan goes fairly well with most stuff - and I can always return them if they're yucky. I started off my boot fascination with a pair my mum had in brown, so I've come full circle (no pun intended!).

http://www.faith.co.uk/productdetails.aspx?pid=240376&language=en-GB&cid=boots_promotion

Whaddya reckon?

Ooh, I love questions like this. I'd say about 15 pairs of boots and another seven or eight pairs of shoes, but it's nearly always boots as first choice. I started off buying all black, but have branched out as more styles and colours have become widely available - many stores now go up to a size nine (Next for one), and it's worth trying the size eights at Marks and Sparks, because they fit me like a glove (got a particularly nice grey suede brogue style knee boot pair with quite a high heel for M&S). One thing's for sure though, the heel can't be lower than 3 inches. My fave all-time boots are my black thigh boots from Cover Girl Shoes, which I don't think is around anymore, sadly. I'm even lucky enough to be able to wear these in the bedroom, for which I am eternally grateful! I've even worn those out and about, though I don't know how I plucked up the bottle to do that now. I'll go out with boots under jeans, but I think my confidence at tucking them in has suffered - not for any reason other than my own self-doubt, I hasten to add. Never had any comeback yet. I'd urge people to go for it at least once if they choose a safe environment and time.

Having recently had a decent freelance windfall, I was thinking of ignoring the credit crunch and blowing my hardearned on a really nice pair of winter boots for my missus. Opinion seems to be reasonably divided between Christian Louboutin (good, but a shade tight on calves), Jimmy Choo or Blahnik. It needs to be something that she will go 'Blimey, these are like trainers' to convince her - especially at the price they seem to go for! She wears boots and is happy for me to do so too, but as a matter of course generally prefers a lower heel. Whatever it is needs to be spot on. Can anyone help, please? SM

Hi - I've been toying with the idea of buying a pair of custom-made boots, which is something I've always promised myself I would do one day. Having done a bit of internet research, I fired off an email to a firm in London (J Taylor of Baker St). They replied, telling me that an order for a pair of bespoke boots would cost from £2,550 + VAT. Think that could be a bit out of my price range for the minute (and then some!). So, my question to you all is - is this to be expected in a want quality, you have to pay for it way, or does it sound ridiculously expensive? I guess you're paying for the craftsmanship, measurings, choosing the leather, etc, which I must admit is something I would greatly enjoy. Any thoughts? Steve

Hi - does anyone have any experience of having a pair of thigh boots made for them, or any idea what I might reasonably be expected to pay for a pair of custom-made thigh or maybe crotch boots? I've been looking at some websites for shoemakers in London, but they look quite posh! Would I expect to pay as much as £1,000 for something like this? Anyone got any ideas, or advice where to look? Steve