mlroseplant

3 hours ago, VirginHeels said:

Didn’t get to wear my heels. It appears I injured myself whilst watching a important football match. There will be another outing opportunity soon.

I actually injured myself (slightly) trying to parody how a young security guard used to react to me at the social media site where I work. I didn't think that was possible, but I guess I'm getting old. To be clear and G rated, she used to jump up and down and throw her arms up in the air, and yell "Squirrel! Squirrel! Squirrel!" when she saw my car coming up to the entrance gate. I'm not making this up. Ask my coworkers. This slight injury doesn't affect my ability to wear heels at all, luckily. It only affects my ability to do my job. So, no problem.

20 hours ago, SF said:

Logjam.....  It's all about personal preference obviously, but I routinely wear and prefer the anklet / toe ring combination.  It looks nice and the two compliment each other.  The only reason I do not wear a toe ring all the time is I am afraid of the ring coming off and getting lost.  I wear 14K gold (does not tarnish) and they can get pricy with the current price of gold.  The proper fit is everything, and I had to mess around a bit to find the right size to fit my toe.  

I have had cheap non-gold toe rings come off in the "early days" and I did not feel it slip off.  I now have the right "fit" but am still paranoid that I may loose my fancy ring!   

Have fun experimenting with what works for you!!   smile...   sf

That can happen with anklets, too. My wife once lost her heavy, 18k gold anklet. That thing was like a thousand dollars to replace, and that was a few years ago! For context, this is something she has worn for years, even before I met her, and she doesn't ever take it off. Which is weird. To me, that would be like wearing the same pair of shoes every day. That is something I cannot abide.

23 hours ago, Jkrenzer said:

You need to get yourself a pair buddy.

Even if my income were much higher than it is now, I'm not sure I could ever stomach the price of entry, which is in the $400-450 range. Much more reasonable that Louboutins (and I understand the quality is every bit as good), but still a lot of money.

Which brings us to another subject about sandals, and that is, they are not generally intended to be a particularly durable shoe. I mean, you don't keep sandals for 20 years (I know there are exceptions). Sandals generally last for a few seasons at best, and usually less than that. I can't imagine why somebody would pay hundred of dollars for designer flip flops that will hit the trash can in such a short time.

11 hours ago, Puffer said:

If the vamp of a closed-toe mule (effectively a court/pump with the back removed!) is not perforated or otherwise fails to expose the foot/toes, it can hardly be a sandal by either your reckoning or mine.   Our views differ only to the extent that you consider an open toe to be essential on a sandal (if that is still your position); I don't.

Here is a model that is riding the cusp of sandalism or not. Maison Ernest puts this in with the sandals on their website, but does not actually call it a sandal. To me, it looks like an open toed pump from the outside, but a sandal from the inside. Kinda cool! Model name is Plaisir. It comes in both 10 and 12 cm flavors.

12 hours ago, Puffer said:

They would all appear to be sandals by Melrose's definition or by my wider one.   I'm surprised you have to ask.

Some people might regard your second pair as peep-toe shoes, given that they are not very 'open', but in my view they are a variety of sandal. 

But this is where it starts to get interesting - or difficult:

 Clearly a slingback shoe (court/pump):    

Clearly a peeptoe shoe (court/pump): 

But put the two components together and you have what most would call a sandal: 

                                                                                                                                        

 

 

 

 

I would tend to agree--Cali's first example is clearly a sandal, and the second one is wishing it were a sandal.

As to your instant example, yeah, that's right, that's sort of how we think of it. Funny, isn't it? Now take it a step further with the close toed slingback, and eliminate the sling, making it a mule. Not a terribly popular style, but it had its moments in the early 2000s in my area. But, is it a sandal? Despite the fact that probably 75% of the foot is uncovered, I would say no, and I can't tell you why. Evidently, mainstream culture would agree with me, because the main place I ever saw these "backless pumps" was in a formal office setting, being worn as substitutes for regular pumps. Much lower heeled versions, naturally, but evidently they were allowed at the office.

21 hours ago, mickeyunc said:

I congradulate anyone who can take the plunge and wear high heels in public.  Only wish it was more acceptable.  people just want to judge to much.  Me personally will wear heels outside but not in public settings.   But anyway i applaude those that can and do, and love seeing pics of what you are wearing.

All of these guys who answered before me are right, and I will add that it's different than it was even 10 years ago. Society has evolved in a positive way that affects me personally, even if the politics have not! Sure, there are exceptions, but most places you might go, nobody is going to care. Especially if the rest of your outfit is not outlandish.

Now that I have time to think about this, I definitely have my own opinions about what constitutes a sandal. For one thing, it has to show toes. The phrase, "open-toed sandal" is redundant to me. There are several examples that would like to prove me wrong, but I am entitled to my opinion. However, if some entity could actually throw me in jail because of that opinion, I will recant. I'm not THAT principled.

I have never flown in heels, but I would like to someday. But if it doesn't happen, it's not a big deal. Getting in a tin can with a couple hundred other people is not the thrill it used to be.

The farmer's market season has begun. I have refrained from putting an exclamation point behind that first sentence because the novelty has long worn off, and I am less than excited by the prospect of having to spend all of my Thursday nights hawking egg rolls. However, this does have an upside, and that is I get to wear high heels all evening, as my wife has long stopped objecting. Not only does my choice of footwear not hurt business, there is the slim possibility that it might actually have the opposite effect.

It was not warm. I was better prepared than most, and I was still never really warm the entire four hours. I chose to wear clogs rather than sandals, which turned out to be a good idea. When I was deciding at home, I was waffling between my Dansko wedges (which are super comfortable but boring) and my BCBG wooden heeled clogs, which are also comfortable, but are considerably higher, having right at 4" of height difference between heel and toe. I finally decided to go big or go home, and went with the BCBG clogs, pictured below.

I got two compliments, one of which was probably good for my wife to hear, because the lady came right up to our tent at a time when we didn't have any customers and went on at some length about how much she liked my heels, and how I was better than most women at walking in them, and how she couldn't wear heels anymore. What was my wife to do except smile and nod?

Mostly standing in 4" heels for five hours is one of those conditioning things, and I am out of condition.  I found that a quick trip walking around the block was good for another 30 to 45 minutes of standing comfort. By the end of the night, however, I was ready to get out of those clogs. I wouldn't call it pain, but my feet were very tired.

I can make my favorite word ending/modifier work for almost anything. Ex: Huaraches are not really true sandals, but they are sandalesque.

11 hours ago, Jkrenzer said:

I expect you made some noise in church, or are the floors carpeted?

Carpeted, but it's funny you should mention that, because I make reference to that in the standup comedy routine I wrote a couple of years ago. Hopefully someday, I actually get to deliver it. Our public health issue kind of completely messed up those plans.

15 hours ago, bambam said:

If those actually support you and stay on your feet, I'll buy a pair, they're gorgeous.

I haven't worn them a ton, but they seem to be all right. As far as support, they are what they are, basically they are solid blocks of wood with some straps on them. I have always had good luck with the wooden shoes, I don't think I've ever owned a pair in this general style that I've absolutely hated.

There must be something about the property of wood that absorbs vibration, because in most cases, one's foot rests directly on a wooden footbed, which then strikes a concrete sidewalk with no padding whatsoever, and it's fine. Noisy, to be sure, but comfort-wise, there is no problem. I do admit that I have a LOT of experience wearing this type of shoe, so I am perhaps accustomed to the quirks, but you did ask if they stay on the foot, and the answer is yes, quite easily because of the back strap.

I have wondered what they would be like without the back strap, but I haven't really experimented with it, and I probably won't do any modification in any case. These are too expensive to screw with too much. I have had both good experience and bad experience in the past when I've tried to convert sandals which were not designed as mules into mules. Sometimes, it's brilliant. Sometimes, it is not!

Since I don't post on mainstream social media, here is my church OOTD. One of my few designer shoes, Miu Miu. I think I bought them just because I like the name.

On 4/30/2022 at 8:30 PM, Heelster said:

I can honestly say I have never seen nail polish on a guy

The interesting thing is, I have, and I've seen it on a union brother. It was at a continuing education class, I really don't know the guy (our local has over 1,000 members), but there he was, with his electric blue toenails! And hideous Tevas. You can't have everything, I guess.

OK, task accepted! These are NOT new by any stretch of the imagination, nor are they my oldest pair. Nor are they my most durable pair--just yet. I'm trying to get them there, though. They may be my most talked about and celebrated pair, however, my BCBGirls "Bonny" sandals. Just about the best walking shoes you could ever want, even though you'd never believe it by looking at them. This particular pair has gone 85 miles so far, and is strictly for walking, as their appearance has suffered in several ways, and they are not really suitable for public display. You may observe that the rest of my outfit is equally as casual, as I have just returned from my morning constitutional. I have 3 replacement pairs waiting in the wings.

21 hours ago, SF said:

Ref the video.  Interesting that man man is teaching a woman how to walk in very high heels.  Assuming the man knows and has experienced walking in heels, why is he not wearing heels as well to demonstrate (teach) by example.  Anything less is like teaching someone how to ride a bicycle when the instructor has never ridden a bicycle.  Curious.  smile...    sf

If you go through the channel, the guy actually does wear high heels, and he does well in them for the style they are trying to teach, which is modelling/beauty pageants. There is also a woman who teaches on this channel. My attention was caught by this particular student woman's ankle flexibility. I still have no idea what the bamboo sticks are actually for. Must be an Asian thing.

16 hours ago, Chorlini said:

That argument completely loses all value when you consider that the platform shows and knee high or tigh high boots these womens will still wear come straight out of the fetish scene. I think its less about tarty and fetishy and more about there's no way I can ever walk in those, so I'll give a socially accepted answer instead. Which is something that on average women are prone to do anyway. There's a reason why PUA's say don't listen to what women tell you, listen to what they do.

Giant platforms ARE fetishy. Came straight out of the stripper/pornstar scene from the middle 90's, when every stripper and/or pornstar wore them. Even today they are still part of the bread and butter stripper/pornstar/pole dancer stable. I reckon that the biggest reason why single sole heels are fetishy is because those people are the only ones willing to walk in them.

Some of this stuff came from fetish-y places, but is no longer considered to be so. Just depends on the style. I mean, look at thigh boots. Those are pretty normal now, but probably not in patent leather. That's still fetish-y.

21 hours ago, SF said:

She is.  But I like her pants....   sf

Let's not go there, but pretend that we did. I AM a construction worker, after all. 🤣

On 4/26/2022 at 5:40 PM, Pumped said:

Yes, it is terrible! They did the change last summer some time. I was about sick when I saw the high heels were maybe on row and sneakers have taken over the store. for what ever it was worth, (probably nothing!), I wrote an e-mail to DSW and told them I was very disappointed. I told them I could buy sports shoes in any store, everyone carried them, but DSW had been my go to for high heels. They had been filling a niche that nobody in our area filled.

I suppose they are trying to stay in business and high heels don't sell as fast as sneaker.

My 13 year old commented to me the other day, "Daddy, your sneakers sure are old." I'm trying to think when I bought them. It has to be 6 years ago, at least. Yes, they have long gotten kind of ratty. But they're lawn mowing shoes, so who cares? I'll buy another pair when I am forced to.

On 4/26/2022 at 8:40 AM, SF said:

Apparently there are not many of us "old timers" still active here...  

 

Yeah, I think you're right. Bubba is the only one I can think of who was one of the originals, and I haven't seen him on here in a while. Like I said, I wasn't a member at the time (I had my reasons), but I was around. Back when we used to have women on this site. 😆

18 hours ago, Jkrenzer said:

Nice boots for you and your bo!

Nice boots for you and your dad? Sorry, for a few seconds I was confused. Bố is the Vietnamese word for Dad (at least in north Vietnam). My Vietnamese has fallen off a cliff, but sometimes I read things a little differently than others because of my life experience.

I have no idea why I didn't think of this years ago, I guess I'm just not that creative. I've been posting sandals in the "New Shoes" thread for years without thinking about it. I think you and I are probably the biggest sandal ambassadors on the site, and now that you have created this thread, I haven't anything to put on it! I have promised myself no new shoes for several months, so I might have to do some recycles, or perhaps some other creative thing instead. Perhaps a picture of an entire outfit WITH the sandals instead just the shoes by themselves, something like that. See you on the flipside!

23 hours ago, Jkrenzer said:

Agreed, 5.25 is my true limit to look human while walking on flat surfaces. Get any downhill incline even 5 inch start looking odd, knees naturally bend to keep the weight behind the balls of my feet. Once the weight shifts forward you literally start to roll forward out of your shoes. At least I do anyway. 

I think that's probably about right. I've never seen anybody, even online, who can negotiate much higher than that without major awkwardness. Yes, Alexandra Potter can do some amazing things in ballet heels, but I'd really like to see her in regular 6 inch heels, and see how she does. I think the mechanics are different. In any case, none of that is in my destiny. If I can manage to get up to 120 mm, I should be happy with that.

I ran across this the other day, and it is rather impressive. To have the ankle flexibility to take such long strides and still keep the knees straight. I wonder how this would translate to steeper heels?

19 hours ago, SF said:

What brand are the pants?  Look like the Gloria Vanderbilt's that I wear.  sf

Gloria Vanderbilt? I thought she was dead. Then again, Coco Chanel has been dead for over 50 years, and that whole empire is still going strong. Seriously, 75% of these dressy-ish pants you see me wear are Buffalo brand from Costco. The remaining 25% would most likely be something from Walmart. I discovered that this particular style of pant fit me well (with a little help from my tailor), and was like, 20 bucks, so I kept buying them every time I'd see a new color out there in the pile.

23 hours ago, Jkrenzer said:

Great Photoshoping. All joking aside, you look good in classic pumps, even rounded toed. 

Thanks, Joe. I have been getting into pumps lately, though all of mine are a notch or two lower than yours. Those pictured are Steve Madden "Ronni". 4 1/4" heels in the classic shape, and that's what I like about them best, no setback heel. Whether I will continue to like pumps in the months to come is open to question. My feet get way too hot, especially in these plastic shoes. They may have to wait until fall.

I have bought a couple of open toed pumps recently, which seem to be coming back into style. Open toed pumps were a huge thing in the mid 1980s when I was in high school. As I bring them officially online, I suppose I will provide pictures.

The following photo was faked. This is not really me, and I am not really wearing my own shoes. Do not believe your own eyes, and do not misconstrue the words I write here.

14 hours ago, Chorlini said:

 

This is a weird sizing system.

Suddenly even Aliexpress's sizing system makes sense. And that's next to impossible to figure out as every seller has its own system.

 

I agree, something seems quite off. I'm usually a size 40 in closed shoes, and my foot is <25 cm long.