bootopia

I've had great street heeling experiences in Vegas and San Francisco also, and have to add LA to the list as well, especially the West LA and Hollywood areas. I've received a few compliments (mostly from women) while out and about, and have seen a few other men sporting heels around town (at the supermarket, restaurants, art shows, and on the street). I have had quite a few shoe store clerks ask me if I'd like to try on women's shoes when I was browsing in fetish and mainstream shops. I did have one negative reaction from a sales clerk, who gave me a disapproving "you're not going to try those on" look. I didn't ask her to bring out the goods, but it might have been interesting to see her reaction...

In street heeling mode, I consider myself just a guy in boots. Sometimes I wear nylons for comfort, especially with higher boots, and sometimes I wear women's jeans because they fit better and create a more streamlined look. On rare occasions I wear boots with western heels over jeans, but that is about as far as I take it in public. At home, on the other hand, anything goes!

My best pair of 2007 heels are from Jean Gaborit, which I only wear around the house. They're very comfortable for 4.5 inch heels, and I can wear them for hours without my feet hurting. There are more images of the Jean Gaborits under the thread "boots contest". For street heeling, my favorites are a pair of Via Spiga Blizza boots that I purchased from Gotham City Online back in January. The suede is very soft and broke in quickly, and they are also very comfortable. I'm waiting to receive a pair of Paolo Biondini thigh boots with western heels from this website:

http://www.high-heels-leipzig.de/Shop/

that I was referred to by bootylicious (thank you). So if they arrive this year, I may have a new favorite for street heeling.

My first pair were brown knee boots with 3 1/2 inch heels. I bought them "for my girlfriend" in January 1980, in a shoe store at a mall. I went to the shoe store near closing time, and there weren't any other customers in the store. I measured my foot before buying them, but didn't try them on until I got back to the car. That night also marked my first street heeling experiences, walking around the mostly abandoned mall, buying gas, and at a convenience store. The whole experience was a huge rush, and I remember it well.

You have quite a collection of boots. I especially like the black LSBs and the burgundy Di Marnis. I recently purchased a pair similar to the the LSBs (see the "boots contest thread". The Aldo boots are similar to a pair that I wore out a few years ago - only my pair had lacing on the outer calf and an inside zip, with slightly chunkier heels. Happy heeling!

My wife and I spent the weekend in Vegas about three months ago. I spent most of the time in boots with 3 1/2 inch heels (same ones as in my avatar) and women's skinny jeans. I got quite a few stares, and overheard one guy say "I need to get some shoes like that". While I was waiting for my wife outside the bathroom, one of the casino waitresses looked at my boots, gave me a big smile, and asked if I'd like a cocktail. When I said no thanks, she said "I really like your boots" before walking away. Vegas is a great place to go heeling without the usual inhibitions, and I'm looking forward to going back.

Thanks for all the positive feedback, everyone. The new Jean Gaborits probably won't see any street heeling duty, but they did get quite a reaction from my wife (mostly positive). I have e-mailed the e-store where Bootylicious purchased the Paolo Biondini boots to see if they can ship them to the USA. (Thanks for the link, Bootylicious). Fog - nice boots (look like Jean Gaborits?). Also that's the first six string cello I've seen. It must have an incredible range.

Bootylicious - I really like the Paolo Biondini boots - I want a pair for myself. They look like great street heeling boots. Here's some pictures of my new Jean Gaborit "Emily" boots that I received last week.

Thanks for the photos. Those nine wests are some great looking boots, and look like they're comfortable too (good for street heeling?).

I have a couple of pairs of boots with less than 2 inch heels that could be considered flats. I wear them under jeans when going out to places where I want to be discreet, or If I need the stability of lower heels after a few glasses of wine. Speaking of which, I may have to break out a bottle of the vintage shown in the attached pic...

An old girlfriend of mine had some good advice for walking in higher heels - point your foot as you step forward, and take smaller steps. I tried this and it did seem to make it easier to walk in 4-inch plus heels, as the sole of the shoe hits the ground a little before the heel, and gives you more control while walking.

I am down to six pairs of boots, after the cat clawed its way through one pair, and a pair of over-the knee stilleto-heeled boots came apart at the sole. The over-the knee boots are about to be replaced by a pair of Jean Gaborit "Emily" boots (I'm waiting for these to arrive).

I enjoy reading the zappos shoe reviews as well. In a couple of instances they offered some good advice on shoes that I bought or was considering. I noticed guys reviewing quite a few Pleaser styles, either "for their girlfriend" or for themselves. In particular the thigh high Pleasers seemed to attract a lot of comments from the guys. I have a couple of anonymous shoe reviews up on the site too...

I just bought a pair of Donald Pliner boots online. I went to the Pliner store in Beverly Hills but they didn't have my size. Luckily, endlees.com had a couple of pairs left. Their some of the most comfortable boots I have (suede seems to stretch a little better than leather). I look forward to doing lots of street heeling in them.

Thank you for the link. The prices are considerably less than the custom made styles. I recently ordered a pair of the Elise boots made to measure, and am looking forward to receiving them. I will definitely consider ordering a pair of "off the peg" boots (the eros and anna models are very appealing) in the future. Thanks again and happy heeling!

Great advertisement! If that was my bus stop I'd get there a few minutes early, or just take the next bus.

Thanks for the pics - very nice colllection of boots. Do you have a favorite pair?

Jean Gaborit recently introduced several stunning models - quite a few made with stretch leather. I'm going to have a difficult time deciding which ones to order.

HighBoots - The boots in my avatar are the JLo "Melanie" model. I purchased them about two years ago, and they are now out of production. You may be able to locate a pair on ebay, or at this site

http://www.gothamcityonline.com/product/index.cfm?brand=J%20Lo%20by%20Jennifer%20Lopez&styleid=&Style=Knee%2DHigh%2DBoots%2DShoes&AID=1032&color=&dept=2&MID=27970&Size=&bid=1353&Stock=844797

if they have your size. The closest boots to the JLo's that I've seen recently are sold on this site

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/application/prodDisplay/?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=3C-214245&page=1&cgname=OSSHUBOOOTK&rfnbr=3730

Jean Gaborit also sells three models of over-the-knee western boots. I hope this helps...

Los Angeles, CA

Those are some stunning boots. I agree with Dr. Shoe - more images would be nice.

I have mid heeled (7 cm ) cowboy boots and i wear this with a long jeans and i find this is very discretly , ,, ,,

Those are some great looking boots, and look good paired with the jeans.

Micha - I couldn't find the Emily boot on Jean Gaborit's website, but it was shown on the Glamourboots site. It's also shown on the After Dark Fashions website. I'm waiting for a reply from Euroboots to see if they sell it directly. I like it a little more than the Kelly boot because it has cleaner lines in the foot portion. I like the boots in your avatar - where did you get them?

Glamour Boots has recently added the "Emily" to their catalog, which is a variation on the Kelly. Here's the link:

http://www.glamourboots.com/items/casual/Emily/emily.html

I'm not sure if they can be ordered directly through Jean Gaborit Euroboots, but I intend to find out. Has anyone had experience with ordering boots through GlamourBoots? Decisions, decisions...

I love your avitar bootopia if those are your boots, they are VERY nice indeed!!

Thanks DemoniaPlatforms - they're JLo "Melanie" boots I purchased at a Macy's in the valley about two years ago, and are my favorite street heeling boots. They get a lot of use, and I'm hoping JLo will bring them back this fall. If not, I've been considering a pair of these...

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/application/prodDisplay/?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=3C-214245&page=1&cgname=OSSHUBOOOTK&rfnbr=3730

I've posted a couple of pics of them (and a Pair of Via Spiga Blizzas) here...

http://s185.photobucket.com/albums/x309/herboothoofer/