mikeheel

I have not had any negative reactions. Apathy is the general response but, of course, I'm not flaunting my heels. If you were looking then you would see them. Most people do not look. I think I have noticed the sound of them bring some eyes down, men and women. The women either smile and raise eyebrows or perhaps just raise the eyebrows. I remember on lady who dropped her jaw too, at an airport when I removed my boots to go through xray. I am not so sure what men do when they look down. I don't tend to look them in the eye, just walk on. I really don't like the idea of my shoes being some kind of 'gay come-on'. This perplexes me the most. I am cool with gay people but, being straight, I am aware of the possible confusion. It is a problem. M

Well, I can chose to wear whatever shoes I wish without being judged (too severely)

Aside from that, I always imagined that freedom is like being male.

Why do you have to imagine freedom? You just described having a choice.

I hope you don't subscribe to the antique idea that women are subordinate to men?

Is this going OT?

M

I find that my female friends say "wow" when they see what I wear. They want a close look and talk non stop about shoes for a while. After a few encounters they always seem to loose interest. It is as if they have an initial rush of interest combined with amazement and then I can turn up in quite outrageous high heels and they just accept it...fine, whatever. Some men have the same reaction but others withdraw...they can't quite make it out of the box so they crawl back in. I do not expect people to rave about my shoes and boots, although some do, but I expect to be granted the same freedom that I would wish on anyone else to wear what they like. Do others here find that the initial ...wow...thing is soon past? M

Amanda, I think GWL has pretty much covered the ground on this. If you want to discuss even deeper levels of desire then I think I might have more to add. I think there is always going to be a spectrum of reasons why people are attracted to wear high heeled shoes, with as many details as there are wearers. I dare say most women, given that society finds nothing odd about their freedom to wear nearly anything ever made with either gender in mind, do not know what it feels like to be DICTATED TO in this way. Like the smoking ban.....it actually makes me want to smoke... So there is an element of this going on too!! So, Amanda, tell us what freedom is really like!!! I try hard to do my own thing.... M

err... because I am one of those people? meaning I would still want to wear heels even if she did too. Come to think of it, years ago, I had girlfriends that wore heels but I had not identified my preferance at that stage, OR tried some on........it makes a difference! Or did you mean WHY do people find heels gratifying? M

Amanda, this is an interesting point. The only problem I have is rationalising the common assumption that long slender legs, enhanced by high heels, is only a female attribute. I find both sexes are attracted to this look. The devil is in the detail though....womens fashion is generally far less conservative than mens so it only works if the whole outfit is co-ordinated, unlike some women I observe. My wife is not into heels so perhaps I am drawn to experiment for that reason. She thinks I look great. I don't feel my 'look' is a substitute for her preferance for flatties. You must know that the feel of a heel is gratifying and partly erotic to some people, male or female. M

Well I have discovered that, although goths look sinister,they are charming and warm, peaceful people who accept whats on the 'inside' and embrace our liberal ideas about 'rules'. I am not 'into' it as such but the spikey theme is co-ordinated. I think this is critical. If you are worried about sending signals that say 'I wish I was a woman' then carry some stubble or a short beard. NOTHING GIRLIE ABOUT THAT !! M

I only have one pair of REALLY beautiful shoes (with leather soles) Soft leather and strong with 6.5" heels. A plain black court ...beautiful with a long point. THEY FIT and I need a size 42 and they came from Elite-shoes. They were not the most expensive either so I can recommend this supplier. M

Funny thing is...if you are going to get perplexed, because somebody thinks you are weird, for breaking the 'rules' then what difference does it make how 'pink' 'spikey' or 'flowery' the shoes are. If you have high heels on, make them as high as you feel is practical, if height is your thing. My logic is that if you are going to wear high heels then the most important thing to do is CO-ORDINATE THE OUTFIT ...have a definate 'look'. This idea that fine stilleto heels are for girls only is nonsense. For instance ... Have a 'goth' look in mind? Keep it all black, nicely cut shirt with detail, tight trousers with detail...buttons maybe down the seam? Use a little eye shadow ,maybe lips if you really want the goth thing, but here's my point....wear some oxford shoe-boots with 5" spikes and you have a look that works. #

I have read some of the comments to the article. The main tenor of the fears expressed was that children were in the resturant. Is it right to sugggest that children should not be exposed to people who are unconventional in their dress? If people are not happy with allowing their children into the real world, to see and interact with it then they would presumably keep them at home. We should not loose sight of what is truely a threat to children's development such as exposure to violence or racism etc. It cannot be healthy to react against unconventionality because it takes the spotlight away from the real threats to family life. In the UK anyone is free to dress however they wish, although people are not as free to be as biggoted as they were before the legislation concerning sexuality and gender discrimination were adopted. The laws are designed to protect people's freedom and encourage understanding and acceptance . I imagine that large businesses have inertia that prevents them keeping their employees up to speed on such matters. PS. I make my own pizza bread in one of those counter-top bread machines that is useless at baking loaves of bread, as they get stuck in the thing, but great for prooving pizza dough. I am suprised Pizza Hut freeze the stuff but then I never go in unless I am really hungry! M

Amanda, We all wear shoes to protect our feet and the shoe designs can become part of a coordinated look that pleases us and those who gaze upon us. Unfortunately mens shoes are very dull because the last 200 years of fashion has dictated mens attire be sombre to say the least. I am not satisfied with the choice in men's clothing so I buy womens jeans and other items that fit and look better, including footwear. I have discovered that high heels feel fantastic and enhance a persons figure in a way nothing else comes close to. My wife, along with all other women, has a vast array of choice in clothes and shoes on the high street and she makes the best of it. She knows the benifits of higher heels and when she feels like it she will wear them. I would not have it any other way...she does what she wants. I am not the slightest bit interested in changing her look, it is up to her and this liberty is precious to her. I wear what looks and feels good for the same reasons with the caveat that I will be judged critically, as a man, because dullness is accepted as normal. I have never considered her choice of footwear influencing mine. I hope this does not sound like a rant and please note that I enjoy your posts and am very interested in the opinions of others! regards M

Just a quick question. How do I contribute to the costs of the heel meet? Is it pay on the day ? Is it per head? thanks M

Well, this is good news. But if I park close by I will want to wear some really high heels and consequently want to promanade first, so '15 feet away' is a bit sad !! Perhaps we will go out later on and 'show off' !! Might even persuade to stay for the evening although this means a drag of a drive down the M4 in the dark (yawn). Looking forward to making some new friends anyhow. M

Hi Puffer, Don't worry about what you may feel is acceptable for men as it depends on the whole outfit. You can't easily just stick high heels on a man who is just wearing drab mens clothes and expect it to look good. This forum ought to be more concerned with our looks from the ankles up if we want to wear higher heels. PS. Pumps are superb. I have loads !

I Agree Dr Shoe looks FAB Is an avatar complicated to post? M

Dear friends I think the two of us will be coming up from Bath in the car and will park then use the Underground. We will not be there until late morning I guess. Can we have lunch at the venue? I will have to think hard about what to wear as any serious heels will have to be carried with me. I hope its ok if I turn up only in 4 inch heels ??!!! Mrs Mikeheel is ok with my passion but I hope she will find other women there to chat with ,as a room full of men in heels might be overwhelming.....dont want to spoil everything and 'freak her out'!! cheers M

WHAAAAT ! This is crazy. I would have been in to do some Christmas shopping but it is a bit late now ! Such a shame they have no website to clear up this kind of problem. Oh well i will have to drop by to confirm . Thanks for the great news!! M

Interesting and rewarding accounts of being 'out-and-about' in high heeled shoes. I am quite confident when accompanied by various female friends (who love me in heels) but a little nervous on my own. I tend to cover up with longer jeans but as I love very high heels it often looks like I have no feet at all! I reckon the thing that worries me is mens reactions . The idea of being followed had not occured to me (am I naive) and of course if this happend (due to their wanting to pick on a man that has the balls to wear what the hell he likes) then I would have the least suitable footwear to be able to run off. I have travelled on the Picadilly line several times with high heeled boots. The tube is a very good test of confidence as we are all sitting around doing nothing much in a brightly lit ,sitting opposite eachother position. Quite a different situation to a busy street where everyone is about their business. Most people are not the least bit interested in footwear which is a shame. If they are, then they look and this often means a knowing smile or a little comment like 'love those' or where did you get... etc. I have never had a problem with anybody being aggresive. I think we should focus on the whole look....this is where we seem to have a problem in terms of direction as far as fashion goes. Ok , I know what I like when it comes to footwear and understand what makes a beautiful shoe but somtimes trying to coordinate a look is a problem. We should focus on our whole look or face another 200 years wearing heels at home only !! regards to all here. M

YES. Dr.Shoe hits the point square in the middle. I wear my heels more and more every month that goes by. This community has certainly helped me along the way. If we all gain in confidence ( and never forget to look in the mirror at the whole outfit) we will achieve the equality we desire. I shall not leave this community until that is achieved and I feel completely at ease in nothing less than my wonderful 5" heeled shoes.

Hi , Love those boots !

I often visit my girlfriend in Paris . I use the Eurostar and walk to her place from Gard du Nord , about 20 minutes.

I wear high heels the whole time but have to take them off for the xray at Waterloo (have not been through St Pancras yet)

I will be going up again on December 14th for the weekend.

Regards

a picture of my heels http://img17.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=91937_heels3_122_881lo.JPG

Is it true? Has she shut this wonderful shop? It was such a treat to visit Peachys and if she has finished I need to know. I was planning to go in again before Christmas. If it is bad news can I be the first to say thank you to the Peach for having such a fantastic shop. Off to hide and cry now !

Thank you for directing us to the other thread. I can confirm that we intend to come. Kind regards to you all. M

Sorry If I sound dumb, but reading through the main thread I don't quite see what to do next. I would love to come , with my wife, but who do I book with/pay etc. There must be an overnight stay option perhaps?. My position is :I love high heeled shoes and boots and wear them out and about plenty... (and wear them out plenty ) !!:

It must have been about 3/4 of a mile from the car park to the hotel. This was to a 'theme - wedding' in the summer.I was a witch in those 6 inch courts from Elite Heels, soft Italian leather. I was still ok at 3/4 of a mile (20 mins-small steps) so I guess a little further would have been OK but I was tired as you do have to work a little harder to walk in really high heels but no discomfort. I would love to take part in a challange!! reckon I might even win !!!

Dear Gina The grey MJ shoes are the same as Pata's blue ones? I would love to buy some of these? They seem to have a small platform. I find a platform is not necessary for additional height as I can deal with any height of heel, and I am 5'10 tall anyway! What is good is that a platform means you do not feel every stone and grit on the path, as you do with a normal thin soles...I HATE that! regards Michael