metalspikes

I have purchased boots from these people and they are definitely

Little She Box but at drastically reduced prices.Dont know what they are going to do now with the sad demise of TLSB.

This is because women are seen as decoration. Men, who think serious thoughts and do serious business must not have their minds occupied by such shallow issues as clothing and self presentation.

I think Joseph Campbell characterized our traditional gender roles (in terms of division of labor) most simply and completely by remarking that "men are the vehicles of the society, and women are the vehicles of life." According to this view, it is traditionally given to women to be sexy/sensual/seductive, and to men to be practical and utilitarian. Neither of these is more important or frivolous than the other, because the mating game is serious business. If you want to argue that a woman is being frivolous and decorative when she uses artifice to be attractive, then you have to admit that the man who pursues financial and social success for no other reason than to attract a mate is equally shallow. Women who maneuver to show to best advantage at social events are neither more nor less ridiculous than men who attempt to out-maneuver each other in the marketplace. As one wag put it (source unknown), "men go to work the way they go to war; women go to work the way they go to bed."

Rigid, stultifying gender roles are equal opportunity destroyers, favoring neither men nor women. Women have won for themselves the freedom to be practical and utilitarian, to compete in the marketplace and on the athletic field, without being regarded as less feminine and branded with such epithets as "butch," "dyke," and "mannish." Men have not always been restricted to being practical and utilitarian, and have had more freedom to express sensuality in different times and cultures. We are now in process of reclaiming the freedom to be sensual, sensitive, and emotional without being regarded as less masculine and branded with such epithets as "fairy," "sissy," "wuss," and "fagot."

Is pink, purple, fuchsia, or any other "feminine" color a popular color to anyone here?

Do you prefer them to black, white, brown, or any color that would be looked at as "unisex"?

Certainly, the color of the shoe or boot does either make or break them. The style and design sometimes makes a big difference also.

I think its because a lot of men havent the bollox to say hello this is me.

Are wide feet more of a problem than long feet?

The down side is that they are too wide. While I am "okay" in courts, boots, and some sandals, most shoes with open sides (d'Orsay and such) and low-cut vamps (Classic Pumps) cut into the sides of my feet.

"Okay" is relative, though. Courts that are wide enough to be comfortable allow my feet to slide forward enough so that the shoes just fall off, or at least leave an unsightly gap behind my heels. Snug-fitting shoes with "standard" pointed toes will frequently develop unsightly bulges where my big toes press against the sides. I have developed bunions as a result of the "standard" widths in both men's and women's shoes being too narrow, which seriously exacerbates the problem.

I've come to appreciate boots to an increasing degree, as a result. I can get them in sizes and styles that give me a more comfortable width, while the enclosed insteps prevent my feet from sliding forward (and the additional ankle support is very welcome). I have several pair, now, that are comfortable all day long. Also, though I am no fan of the look of the long-point toes that are currently all the rage, the additional comfort (they don't pinch nearly as much) is helping me to get used to them more quickly.

So, while I'm delighted that the length of my feet falls within the ordinary retail range, their width is seriously limiting.

Are attitueds about women's shoes size changing along with the average size of women's feet?

Hy

A lot of women wearing High heels wooden slides, mules, clogs and sandals.

wow...

PS: Betsey Johnson makes them as well...

In the nicest possible way, I've been wearing heels for as long as I can remember, I know what I'm doing in them. :-)

Chris

'Just doing my "mother hen" bit, to stay in touch with my feminine side.

Molly

highheeldude: Well, considering they go well with mitts that are shaped like hooves for your hands and a bit for your mouth I suspect there is a bondage angle for pony boots

You think there is a bonadge angle to pony boots? What other reason to try to make yourself an animal?

You then can be the servant of another.

Metalspikes, we all encourage and support you in your choice of individual fashion expression! However, there comes a time when no amount of external support can make-up for individual initiative. Those first few steps outside on your own require considerable courage. You are to be congratulated on that alone.

But much like riding a bicycle, your initial success should also help bolster your courage and initiative.

Unless you live in a neighborhood where the folks flat-out will not tolerate freestyling, you should be able to see for yourself that most of our worst fears never come about.

The Right to Be All That You Are: An Interview with Larry “Sissy” Goodwin

-- "Fight for the right to be all that you are. " --

Residents of Douglas, WY, are used to seeing Larry "Sissy" Goodwin, 55, one-time rodeo rider, married father of two, and Vietnam veteran, wearing feminine clothes around this quiet, rugged town at the foot of the Rockies that bills itself as one of Wyoming’s "best kept secrets."

But when Goodwin went shopping for a gift for his wife in nearby Salt Lake City on a business trip while wearing a tennis skirt, security guards at the Little America Hotel reportedly ordered him to leave and then tackled him when he refused.

Goodwin threatened to sue, and to stave off a discrimination lawsuit, the hotel has settled out-of-court and provided a financial settlement, a full apology, an agreement to initiate diversity training, and termination of the manager who had been on-duty.

GenderPAC National News interviewed Mr. Goodwin at his home.

--

National News: First, why in the world did you wear a tennis dress to shop for a gift for your wife in Salt Lake City? [general laughter]

Larry “Sissy” Goodwin: Please call me “Sissy.” The answer is, I don't dress any differently in Salt Lake City or in Latin America than I do at home. Just because I go somewhere doesn’t change who I am.

NN: Aren’t you afraid of physical danger?

SG: I’ve never thought of simply being myself as being dangerous. Although I’ve had my share of difficulties.

NN: For example?

SG: I’ve been arrested in Casper and Laramie for wearing a dress. I’ve been physically assaulted twice. Once in my own front yard I was kicked in the head. Several of my teeth were kicked in and bones were broken in my mouth.

The other time was at the Kansas City Airport. This man just walked up and blind-sided me, just sucker-punched me. He split my ear wide open, and I was bleeding down the side of my head. Airport Security was right on top of it, they arrested him immediately.

My plane was held until I could change clothes and wash the blood off, because I couldn't board all bloody.

I suppose those experiences can be classed as "difficulties" when one has survived armed combat and rodeo riding, but they seem fairly extreme to me. Note that his combat training did not seem to aid him when he was being assaulted.

Gender-Based Violence Claims Life of Another Young Person of Color

...and then a radio talk show host put the blame on the victim.

Finally, there is this memorial site. I hope that you will spend some time with the people here, and note that many were in large metropolitan urban areas that have reputations for being somewhat liberal.

Perhaps all of this will give you some idea of why I do not feel safe to express myself.

Just like when I used to ice skate and see people who could not hold their blades vertical, I feel concern when I see someone wobble or otherwise show that they do not have the ankle strength to wear heels, because I know that they will sooner or later twist an ankle and fall, just as the runway model in that video did.

Years ago on the alt.sex.fetish.fashion newsgroup, Ms. Margo used to recommend an exercise for developing the ankle strength necessary to walk safely and gracefully in heels. Stand at the edge of a thick book such as a telephone directory, so that only the balls of your feet rest on the book and your heels hang over the edge, so that you must use your thigh muscles to support yourself. Now raise up on "tip-toe" and then lower yourself back to your original position repeatedly. When you get strong enough, do it on one foot at a time. This will stretch and strengthen your Achilles' tendons and the attached muscles, and strengthen all else that supports your ankles.

Some high heeled shoes are made so badly out of balance these days - and from inferior strength materials - that you can't help but wobble in them as the heels actually MOVE under weight.

i parked my car on grass and walked in the grass i dont know what is worse my car getting dirty or my shoes getting dirty in realestate u have to park on the grass alot. so i was tip towing walking on the lawn.

At least you like to keep your heels looking good. Some women don't care or even get a thrill letting their heels sink into grass and dirt until the coverings are peeled back, making their heels look like half-peeled bananas.

Thanks Chris.

Don't forget that its you that made the first steps through the fron door.

You don't have to thank me for your courage!!

1.Now or in past (high school)?

2.If so what gear? (brand model etc...)

3.What style music?

4. What instrament whould like to learn to play?

Worry not, 'tis only the photo. In any case, these are strictly for indoor wear.

Chris

I once had a metal spiked heel (very thin) snag in a loop of carpet whilst walking down some stairs, indoors. In an attempt to recover, I put my other foot down too hard; the arch could not support that much force, and the shoe split wide open. The final outcome of all this was to give me a severely twisted and sprained ankle, which took months to heal. I was very fortunate though, if one can call it that, to not have suffered an ankle fracture (which can leave permanent damage) or taken a tumble down the stairs. Indoors or out, one cannot be too careful when wearing heels...

That has got to be one of my ultimate fantasies, riding in stiletto boots.

I got to realize my ultimate horse fantasy, riding on the beach. The last thing I was thinking of the entire time was what I was wearing!

Now I know where Baker's came from.

I've always been interested in the history and origins of things. It is impossible for life to become commonplace when one seeks out the stories behind everyday things.

Molly

Thanks for the information. Wild Pair. My all time favorites. I still have four or five pair of their classic pumps in my collection that I purchased back in the late 70's.

As do I, plus a pair of very soft leather thigh-high boots. Many of them, as well as the ones from Leeds/Baker's, are armed with the metal spike heels that I love so well.

Happy to learn Wild Pair might be resurrected.

It appears that Wild Pair has been resurrected (at least for now) as a brand name under Baker's, just as Edison Bros. Stores has been resurrected as a division of Weiss & Neuman Shoe Co.

Molly

Perhaps you've never heard of them. I ran a search of hhplace and did not see their name mentioned anywhere. In the 1990's, they were one of the most powerful forces in the United States retail clothing industry. Edison Brothers Stores, Inc. was a holding company of a number of trendy yet budget-minded chain stores that could be found in nearly every significant mall and shopping center across the country, and in Mexico and Canada as well. Of course, we talophiles knew best their two shoe chains: Wild Pair, which was their premium chain, and Leeds (stores all located west of the Rocky Mountains) / Baker's (mostly east of said mountains), which was their budget chain.

Also in the 1990's they overextended themselves, and began to founder. In 1995, they declared bankruptcy, but by 1997 were able to reorganize, pull through it, and carry on. Those of us who liked the styles they offered hoped that they would become healthy once again.

By March of 1999 they were in the courts again, and things were looking grim, with 50/50 odds given that they would have to liquidate. They were doing just that soon enough after. Nearly all their Wild Pair stores were closed, and the stock from those flooded the eBay listings, where it was quickly snapped up. All the Leeds stores in my area also disappeared. An eBay seller who seemed to know considerable detail about the bankruptcy proceedings agreed with me that it was all over for the Edison Bros. Stores.

They were my main source for beautiful heels at prices I could afford (though I frequently needed to wait for many of them to go on close-out). Soon thereafter, I had turned to the online shops, where I found beautiful heels in quality Italian and Spanish leathers at prices I could afford. My days of haunting the malls and stalking the heels like they were prey were pretty much over, but I had great memories of the finds, and of the sales staff who were frequently very helpful. It was at a Leeds where I saw (and immediately purchased, of course ) my very first pair of metal spike heels. I recall driving long distances to keep an eye on one of the "premier" Leeds stores, which got in styles unavailable in their "ordinary" stores. I had fun shopping for a dress to match the royal blue satin and silver metal spiked courts I found there, the results of which you may see in my avatar.

I recalled reading that Edison Bros. had some bidders lined up, eager to buy up some of their store chains. Baker's turned out to be one of them, but I paid no attention because there were no Baker's shops anywhere near here, and besides, they had carried mostly shoes made of plastics (faux leather and such), which I had found actually decomposes after a few years. What I really missed was Wild Pair, and it seemed certain that they were not coming back.

However, I did hear occasional "noises" concerning Baker's continued existence, and just this evening "heard" one more, which tipped the balance and broke through my curiosity threshold. Sure enough, they have an online presence, as many of you well know. But what really took me by surprise and caught my attention was seeing the old familiar Wild Pair logo among the offerings in their designer collections, with styling and apparent quality in the tradition of the former chain. So I did some research, and was startled and amused to discover that a decendant of the Edison family bought Baker's. Like a phoenix they rose again, this time in the next generation.

Finally, to come full circle, I checked the store finder on the Baker's website, and found one located in the very same local mall where Leeds and Wild Pair used to be. I will certainly be trekking down there tomorrow, when I fully expect to find them occupying the same space where Wild Pair used to be. Just for a lark, I am very tempted to walk in wearing one of the Wild Pair (with metal spike heels, of course) that I bought so many years ago.

Molly

I've just bought these on eBay:

Hi Chris,

Perhaps the photo is deceiving me, but the boot on the left, the one turned so that the buckle does not show, appears to have a heel that is significantly off of vertical. I hope that I am not correct, because there could be the danger of its collapsing on you if I am.

Molly

I bought only one pair at Macy's, my Jessica Simpson "Niva" pumps, and the lady didn't seem all that pre-occupied that i was buying women's shoes. It could be for a gift for someone. Plus, she actually asked me if i wanna try them on. Then she laughed and caught herself, and said, "well, you're a guy. I guess it wouldn't be your thing, eh?" I laughed and agreed with her, but when i got them home, they were on my feet in 5 seconds flat!

I must share one of my two best shopping experiences. I found a really cool belly dancer's belt and matching earrings that were imported from India. The sales rep who was helping me was friendly and talkative, so we wound up in an interesting and fun discussion of fashion after she had completed the sale. Our conversation proceeded absolutely naturally until she offered "Well, enjoy your outfit!" as her parting comment. I was heading for the door and busting a gut before her face had even finished assuming a puzzled "waitaminute..." expression...

I've gone into thrift stores, and gotten strange looks from people. One cashier at one store asked me "what are you doing with these shoes?

On another occasion, I found some gorgeous stretch thigh boots at a tiny thrift-- they were in the style of lace tights with shoes attached. It may have been the first time I had tried on some heels in such a public setting. When I discovered how perfectly they fit (wish I still had them), on impulse I scooped up my trainers and walked up to the cashier to pay for the boots. She was immobilized in shock and doing the goldfish thing at me, so I simply placed the exact change on her counter and walked out to my car in my new boots. I was totally dissociated the whole time; I had this incredible sense of unreality about it all.

The owner of another small thrift totally accepted that I was shopping heels for myself, as though they were ordinary every-day wear for guys. I talked to her about a pair or two, then continued browsing. Another customer then came in, and she got into a conversation with the shopkeeper over the shoes I had just been browsing. She pointed out a pair in which I had been interested to her new customer, and said something to the effect that "this young man" (me) was interested in them for myself. When her customer responded with a shocked "Who?", I immediately on impulse dropped into a squat and disappeared from their field of view. As the puzzled shopkeeper was remarking "I don't know, he was here a minute ago..." and they were both looking around for me, I made a mad dash for the door when their backs were turned. That one was just a bit too embarrassing for me to brass it out.

Molly

Whoops, the questions I raised in this post were already answered a few posts later. In my best Gilda Radnor voice, "Nev-ver mind!!"

Last night, I went to a local Macy's and bought the Nine West "Freda" pump. The male cashier asked me "is this a gift for someone?"

I would most certainly answer with "Yes, it is!" but I would have difficulty in doing so with a straight face while I am thinking about whom the gift is for.

The best ever tip I know is to shop for heels wearing heels. The fact that you walk into the shop in heels shows without saying anything that this is what you wear and thus you are serious about making a purchase.

That is interesting advice. Even in the one shop where the sales staff made it clear that I was not welcome, I cannot ever recall feeling that I was not taken seriously. Though sales staff seldom approach me, this too may well be a result of the signals I send. It takes me only a few minutes to browse the displays, and I usually know instantly when a certain style takes my fancy (it often "leaps out") and will work for me. The only thing I really need the salesperson to do is retrieve a pair in my size from the stockroom (I am totally comfortable in a self-service store), and the way I usually make my request is to bring a shoe up to the counter, show it to them, and ask for my size. If they do not have my size in stock and I really want them, I will frequently ask the salesperson to call other nearby stores in their chain for me. I have never had anyone refuse such a request. I may not always find anything of interest when I walk through a shop, but staff usually gets it quickly that I am not "just looking."

Molly

I agree with Fog, last time I went shopping for heels I was wearing a pair and I felt a lot more at ease. No worrying if people would think they were for me, and no reason why not to try on the new ones.

<scratches head> I still don't get this sort of thinking. As long as the other customers do not harass me (and that has happened only once, in a thrift shop), what do I care about who they think I'm buying for? The same applies to the sales staff. If they get it that the shoes are for me (which they usually do since I usually try them on in the shop), that's fine by me. If they ask me if I'm buying for someone else, I usually just shrug my shoulders (mentally, at least), answer "yeah," and let it go. I don't do that because I'm embarrassed, I do it because I just don't care. Maybe this is because I've been buying my own heels since childhood...

That's not to say that I'm not interested in being social, I just save my time and energy for the people who can both see and accept what I'm about. I have no interest in doing missionary work when I'm out shopping, no desire to convert the heathens. I just don't have the energy to spend on it any more-- I've spent it all on attempting to convince angry women that men are not all a pack of rotters.

Molly

When it comes to wearing heels in public, I have something of a "split personality": I perceive the society around me to be neither peaceful nor tolerant, so that the risk of harassment or assault that my heeling in public may provoke leaves me feeling very unsafe. But, when it comes to shopping in a store where the staff are mainly interested in my money and trouble from fellow customers in front of so many witnesses seems very unlikely, I am just as bold as brass!

My passion for heels began when I was a small enough child to wear my mum's heels; when I outgrew those, I saved up my allowance and bought my own. I was fortunate enough to find a sympathetic salesperson at a local store who allowed me to try shoes on in the stockroom, so that I could avoid embarrassment. When I started shopping at the big chains of the times (anyone remember Kinney's and Thom McCann's?), I did the embarrassed "they're for my..." thing, but I soon found that most of the sales staff and clerks couldn't possibly care less, so I soon dropped it. It was not until much later, though, that I began to try them on in the stores for real.

In the late 1970's, I discovered stores which carried "new old stock"-- vintage shoes from the 1950's and 60's, unworn and still in their original boxes. I stumbled across my first because it was located in the tiny shopping district where I lived, but soon began seeking out others. In each case, I managed to eventually persuade the shopkeepers to allow me to search through their stock on my own, after which time I had an absolute ball climbing about among the rafters and into the small places where they had stock tucked away that hadn't seen the light of day in goodness knows how long (it was quite literally a hunt for buried treasure), and trying on the shoes I found there. None of the shopkeepers minded in the least, and one of them looked as though he might wet his pants in his excitement when he saw how many pair I was looking to buy.

Boots: no problem.

Shoes and sandals only when in Tara mode.

I didn't begin to crossdress until college, but I have done so in public only on a few special occasions. Likewise, I have never gone shopping in heels. Only once has my right to be there been challenged-- it was in a thrift/charity shop, by another customer, when I was shopping for dresses. Otherwise, I've had only the occasional odd look, but...who cares? I have had the occasional fun and interesting experience...

Once, while trying on some ankle boots with gold metal spike heels, the sales girl (she couldn't've been more than 20 years old) on duty at the time was inspired to remark, "Those boots are definitely you." I thought it was ridicule at first. When I could not see the least hint of judgment in her posture or attitude, I realized that she was sincere. It turned out that guys were already wearing heels to the clubs she frequented (this was at least 10 years ago) so regularly that she had totally accepted it as "normal." This was the first I'd heard of what was later to be called "fashion freestyling," and it gave me a great deal of hope.

On two separate occasions, women became interested in the shoes I was trying on, or in the fact that I was trying them on. In both cases, they were impressed with the fact that I had no trouble walking in them.

One occasion was in the Frederick's of Hollywood main store. I was trying on some metal spike heels that had just come in. I wanted black, but they were waiting for another shipment to arrive, and had only a few pair-- one that was fortunately in my size. Nevertheless, I wanted to try them on for fit and stability. As I was walking around the sales area, two dancers arrived, looking for work shoes. They were both impressed with the metal spikes, and my ability to walk in them. One of them took the same size as me, so I took the shoes off and gave them to her to try on. She was surprised, so I explained that I was waiting for black ones. She remarked that I probably had a beautiful collection that she would love to borrow from. Were it not for that, I might've attempted to parley the contact into a friendship, and possibly could've succeeded. So, you never know, you may meet your future spouse or girlfriend while out shopping for heels!

The other occasion was in the Wild Pair outlet that was conveniently located right in my home town. A fellow customer who saw me trying on shoes and became impressed and intrigued, struck up a fashion conversation with me. She remarked on her skepticism about platforms, thinking that they are clumsy, awkward, and difficult to walk in. I pointed out that, quite to the contrary, modest platforms are easier to walk in than single sole shoes because the platforms increase their stability. I demonstrated by taking long strides up and down the isle in a pair, with obvious ease. She was much impressed, and conceded my point.

These are only three of the many fun experiences I've had while out shopping for dresses and heels.

Skirts, female trousers and jeans are no problem either but I cannot try on any kind of dress unless I'm in female mode.

On two occasions while I was there, I asked other (female) customers for help and suggestions about color coordination and style. I did not stutter with lame explanations, but simply started with "Excuse me, I wonder if you can help me figure out..." or "Excuse me, could you please tell me how to..." Both women responded in kind to this direct and open approach, and were very generous with their time and help.

Besides the usual reasons, I love to shop because I feel free and safe to do some of the things that feel too risky otherwise.

Molly

Yes I have tried on many pairs of shoes & boots in various stores, both in the UK & US, only once had a bad reaction , and that was very recently where a small independant shop had a "no men" policy--they were extremely uncomfortable about me even browsing, only allowing it because no-one else was in the store,

I've encountered that only twice. One was a consignment shop that sold designer dresses-- the sort that get worn to a party only once. Incredibly, the front door was locked, they had an intercom outside of it, and clearly posted signs stating that unaccompanied men were not welcome.

On another occasion, I was shopping for a waist cincher. I found a woman who was operating a mail-order foundation garment business from her home, and she was local to me. When I asked her if I might come to try her recommendations on for fit, she became very uncomfortable, even though I offered to come after hours so as not to disturb her other local customers. As I correctly surmised, she had had trouble with someone who she permitted to do that in the past. That one turned out for the best, as I went on to find a local corset shop (highly unusual in my area!) where I was able to get the real thing-- a heavy-duty, lace-up waist cincher in the old style, not one of these elasticized affairs.

When I think about it for a moment, it occurs to me that the extreme security measures at the consignment dress shop may well have been in response to a similar incident. In the same way that we are no longer welcome to post on the "For the Girls" forum, it seems that there are those of us who just must go about spoiling things for the rest of us.

technically I'm sure they were breaking the law by operating a discriminatory policy.

for various unknown reasons, very exciting.

Forbidden fruits, and all that.

I absolutely hate that... I've heard those comments come from both male and female employees. Most of the time I tell them they are for me as I find it so irritating that they assume it's for someone else.

I get that too, from time to time, and it has never bothered me. They are not a part of my life, and more than likely I will never see them again. If they need to make such assumptions in order to feel comfortable, or because the idea that I might want them for myself is too much out of their experience, I see no point at all in disabusing them. Of course, if they see me try them on in the store, it never comes up in the first place.

Molly

I've got four pairs of 'em.

Chris

Are those New Rock? Are they, or boots like them with the all metal spike heels, still available? A mail-order shop that can ship them out would do very nicely. Thanks,

Molly

PAYPAL IS RUBBISH!

I recall reading their terms; unlike most credit cards, I could not see anywhere that they offered any recourse to their customers. All they do is transfer the funds, and that's it. I find it very hard to trust a mail-order merchant who will not accept a form of payment that affords me some sort of protection.

Molly

As I was reading through the pony boots threads in this forum and thinking on all of the interesting twists and turns our fetish takes, I recalled seeing a very unusual Yahoo group dedicated to horsewomen who ride in stiletto-heeled boots. After a bit of digging through Wingman's Adult (Yahoo, mainly) Groups List, I was able to turn it up. Enjoy,

Molly