mlroseplant

Another Megan fanboy here, she was truly a remarkable woman. Oddly enough, we never once talked about high heels, but that seemed perfectly natural.

22 hours ago, Jkrenzer said:

I agree about usually knowing in advance. For the toe box is key. Almond toes seem to be the best for me. Until wearing pumps I never realized the foot fits slightly side ways in pumps. Obvious once you see that the foot bed is wider in the inside relative to the heel. The tip of almond toed pumps actually lines up just inside the big toe. In my case my big toe is the furthest forward so it lines up well with the longest part of my pumps. Round toed pumps actually pinch my big toe more and square toed pumps are even worse as over time with wear my feet slide deeper into the vamp. That's wear I end up with more uniform support across all of my toes. 

I am with you about almond toes being my favorite. I don't find a significant difference between the way pointy/almond/round fits, but maybe that's because although my big toe is the longest, it is by a mere millimeter. As far as square toes go, I've never owned a pair in my life of any style. Not even in the '90s did I succumb to the idea that square toes were ok. I think I can probably survive the rest of my life without square toes.

20 hours ago, Cali said:

I switched to wearing only women shoes in 2011. Haven't purchase "men's" shoes since. After my last ankle reconstruction, I determine the major reasons for my ankle issues was my foot really didn't fit men's shoes. My foot shape fits so much better in shoes designed for a women's foot. No ankle issues since then. But I am very lucky that I'm mostly a U.S. women's size 10.  I enjoy in-person shoe shopping, since I can try on shoes and decide right there and then if they fit, but I purchase maybe 40% on line. I have about a 60% luck with on-line purchases. And I only buy new shoes.

When I first started purchasing heels higher than 3 inches I would hide them under long pants. I never thought I would be wearing knee high stiletto boots over my skinny jeans. Since then I have embraced the fact that I NEED to wear shoes with at least a 3.75 inch rise, so I no longer hide them, but proudly display them.

I have never found a pump that fits my foot, so I don't even look at them any more. 

I, also, have not bought men's shoes for a long while, but it has nothing to do with ankle reconstruction. Since neither of my ankles has ever been de-constructed, there is probably little reason for re-construction. My reason has to do with the width, since my feet are both short in length and narrow in width compared to what is commonly available for men's shoes in your typical retail establishment. Other than width (and sheer choice of colors and styles), I have not found a great deal of difference between the way a woman's shoe fits and a man's, if one is comparing similar styles. A men's size 7 Nike athletic  shoe is going to fit similarly to a women's size 9 Nike athletic shoe, except for the width.

Once you get into dress shoes, yes, I will agree there's a huge difference. The man's shoe is constructed much more sturdily, with thicker materials all around. A man's dress shoe will last many, many years if taken care of. Not so with women's dress shoes. I suppose that's ok with us because we like to switch it up a little more often than every 15 years. A woman's dress shoe is just a little wisp of a thing, init? Not very supportive, which is why we have to have stronger feet than your average person.

Pumps did take me a long while to get right, but I think I've found a few pair that are a decent balance between staying on and not pinching my toes. I still don't understand how many women manage to slip into their pumps no-handed, yet not walk right out of them afterwards. That's one of the mysteries of life, I guess.

6 hours ago, Pumped said:

Ran across a deal on a pair of Steve Madden Brenna platform heels. Yep, another black pair of pumps!

Steve Madden Brenna

1 hour ago, Puffer said:

They are definitely NOT sandals.   I am shocked that you would sully this thread by mentioning them here!   😆

Yeah, c'mon man. What the actual?

Seriously, I think I know how this happened. It's the same process by which guys wind up accidentally posting in the girls' thread. We'll forgive you--this time. 😆

Both pairs are definitely a type of sandal, I would refer to them as open-toed mules, but that's just me. The first pair definitely has some cloggy overtones to it, though. Which is not a bad thing. And I'd keep them the olive color.

Perhaps because I have passed my 10th year of public heeling, I have been thinking about how my tastes have changed in that time, how the styles have changed, and how my methods have changed.

I have never been one to go to a shoe shop. Back then, I was a little shy about it, but at least they had some stuff I might have actually wanted to buy. Today, I don't even bother looking, because also the self consciousness is not an issue, there is never anything I want to buy anymore, and it only seems to get worse with each passing year. Have you seen some the awful stuff Nine West is offering these days? So, I am an online kind of guy, I seem to have about a 75% success rate, that's been fairly consistent for the whole 10 years. Of course, once I figured out that I'm a size 9 and not 9 1/2, that helped.

One thing that I always did back in the old days, one rule that I had, was that if I couldn't walk two miles in a pair of shoes comfortably, they were gone. And I tested all of them out that way. They would have to go through the two mile road test before I'd wear them in public. I don't do that anymore. For one thing, I own enough stilettos now that a two mile road test would take 20-30% of the heel off, depending. For another thing, I pretty much instinctive know now whether a pair is going to work out. Nowadays, I have about half a dozen pair of "walking" shoes that I do my actual walking in, and the rest are for incidental use--going to church, going to the grocery store, going to the mall, that sort of thing.

In what ways have some of you evolved over the years, style-wise?

I have some actual new sandals to show. This is one of those things that came up in my feed on Poshmark, and I had to look them up, as I had never seen this model before. They are a Nine West product, and they are called "How Rude." Who comes up with these names, anyway? In doing very brief research, they evidently came in at least four different colors, this particular example is a combination of silver, yellow gold, and rose gold, a classic combination. The only thing that is slightly rude about them is that they're made out of plastic. However, I have come round to accept plastic shoes for occasional wear, though I would prefer leather.

The numbers on these are size 8 1/2, 4 5/8 inch heel with just a whisper of a platform, giving a 4 1/4 to 4 3/8 inch rise, something like that. Because of the design of the footbed, it's difficult to get an exact measurement, but you get the idea. The diameter of the heel is 5/16 inch, so quite skinny. I feel like the heel is curved the proper amount, i.e., it's not a setback heel. Therefore, I can only guess that this model must be a number of years old. I don't think Nine West has made a heel this high and thin for several years (not counting some of these huge platforms they're offering currently).

Comfort is OK. I wore them for about 3 hours a few days ago, and they were OK. Not the first pair I'd reach for if I were going to Disneyland, but quite acceptable for the length of time I had them on. They seem solid, with no obvious defects or design flaws to prevent graceful walking.

12 hours ago, p1ng74 said:

Nowadays when I look around it seems men and women wear much of the same clothing and shoes too, so maybe we're back to square one.  

I assume that you're making reference to the fact that in this modern age, everybody pretty much dresses like crap to go almost anywhere. I would say that my 13 year old is the worst offender, but actually, he's not. It does get worse than jeans and a t-shirt.

17 hours ago, Jkrenzer said:

Love to hear, well read  anyway, your routine.

I've always laughed at the ultra right Bible thumper. Touting a book written hundreds of years after Jesus's death. Back when Christ walked the earth Men and women wore the exact same clothing and shoes, so I'm pretty sure crossdressing was not on the agenda .

That's how I sort of started the sketch, saying that basically nothing modern in the way of clothing existed back then, and who the hell reads the last 3/5 of the Pentateuch anyway? Nobody. Eating dryer lint is more satisfying. And you know that little sticker that's on a new power saw? The one that says, "Never Change Blade While Motor is Turning?" That came straight from Deuteronomy. Seriously.

7 hours ago, Pumped said:

Both my mom and dad are old school conservatives. I had a conversation about men wearing women's clothing with my mom. Some show with men cross dressing on TV triggered it. I thought she was going to explode! Nothing but hate and vile coming out of her mouth. I mentioned I didn't care what people wear and if a man wanted to wear high heels or a dress I could care less. All I got back was a death stare!

My dad is equally closed on the subject. Any mention of alternate lifestyles and he just gets mean. I mentioned to him I knew a couple gays and I can not repeat what he said! If I wore heels around him I think it would end up in a hospital ER!

My dad is an ordained Southern Baptist minister. He quit that church around the time I was born. That was in the late 60s.

I actually wrote a standup comedy routine about the so-called biblical prohibition against cross dressing. Our public health issue happened right after, and I haven't had a chance to share it yet.

19 hours ago, pebblesf said:

Great heels/outfit, good choice for driving that nice old F150!

Perhaps I have mentioned this before, it might be time to part ways with that old truck, even though I don't really want to. The transmission for that truck is currently sitting on a makeshift table in my garage, waiting for me to do something with it, or not. The problem is, even if I successfully repair the transmission, I'm still stuck with a rusty old truck. My wife kind of needs a cargo van for her business. You see where I'm going with this?

4 hours ago, Pumped said:

I didn't wear heels at all yesterday, and I wear heels pretty much every day. My excuse? My 90 year old dad came over for a visit and I don't want to push his heart any harder than it is already!!🤣

Interesting.  .  . my 83 year old dad (at the time 73 year old dad) was the first to encourage me, he had to convince my mom to get on board later on. Neither of them have managed to convince my wife that I'm actually ok.

10 hours ago, Puffer said:

I suppose that is true if you consider the angle of your feet!

I appreciate your humo(u)r, but perhaps my wife does not! Perhaps I've said this before, I'm really not sure which is true--either she has accepted me, or I've just worn her down.

I don't know that I'd call them "beautiful," but they're definitely really cool. Coolness is in the eye of the beholder. My personal experience mirrors yours. Every time I've been approached by a woman who was with a male companion, the guy always looks as though he'd rather be anywhere else than right there, listening to a conversation he wishes his wife/girlfriend had never started. I usually try to keep it brief for his sake.

SF reminded me that it was National High Heel Day yesterday. Since I missed Tuba Day the other week, it only make sense that I would miss High Heel Day this week. The only significance to me is that I had decided to pick the 20th as my heeling anniversary date. It's impossible to pin down the exact date, as I didn't mark it at the time, but sometime in mid-May of 2012, I ventured outside the house in a pair of high heels for the first time. I don't have a picture of that event, but I have a picture of the shoes I wore under long jeans. By Thanksgiving of that year, I had another pair of clogs with higher and thinner heels. By New Year's, I had a few more pairs. It's been all downhill ever since.

Then and now:

I was celebrating, but I was celebrating in other ways. And believe it or don't, I didn't wear heels yesterday. Most people would say I did, but in my mind, these don't count as heels, and certainly not as high heels.

Not much going on here, so I thought I would post a picture of a casual outfit I wore to attend a junior high band concert. Shoes by MiuMiu, Pants by Buffalo (Costco), and polo shirt by God Only Knows. Excuse the background. I really have to find a better place to take pictures.

I have been experimenting with open toed pumps lately. Not that I have my finger on the pulse of fashion, but it seems like they are coming back into style recently. Naturally, my example is from the last go-round, and therefore not cutting edge. I got these silver snake print Via Spiga "Elora" pumps from Poshmark for 35 USD, plus shipping. They have a 5 inch heel with a 7/8 inch plat, for a steepness of just a tad over 4 inches. The heel is slim, but not stiletto. It is wider front to back at 3/4", than it is side to side, at 1/2" and is in a contrasting color, along with the platform.

Being relatively new to open toed pumps, I figured I might get away with my sandal size, which is 8 1/2 U.S. Women's, rather than my enclosed shoe size, 9. Whereas close toed mules or clogs always seem to work out better for me in 8 1/2, the same is not true when the open part is on the opposite end of the foot. These babies are tight to the point where they are difficult to get on. I probably could have used a size 9. However, it's really more in the width. The length is actually quite right, to my mind. I do not like there to be a lot of real estate between the end of my toes and the end of the shoe. These are just right, and I'm thinking that the shoe stretcher will make them actually wearable.

In my experience, Via Spiga shoes tend to run a little narrow, and when you factor in being half a size small, my poor toes are kind of squashed. But then, that's always the fine balance one strikes with pumps--too tight, and they're uncomfortable. Too loose, and you walk right out of them. I definitely did not have a problem with the latter on my first excursion. I wore them for a little over two hours, and they did seem to stretch out somewhat. Two hours was quite enough, but not in a deal breaking way. I've got them on the shoe stretcher now, and we'll reassess in a few days. If they stay exactly the way they are right now, I will not keep them. If they stretch out a bit widthwise, I probably will.

On 5/12/2022 at 8:29 AM, SF said:

If the roles were reversed and you did that to her, it would be some sort of harassment incident and you would be disciplined.  Strange times we live in these days.  smile...   sf

Given the negative and/or puzzled tone of the replies and reactions I have gotten, perhaps I have failed to supply a key piece of information about these incidents. You see, Squirrel is my name, it's not an insult. Not the name my parents gave me, but it's a work nickname that has stuck so hard that many coworkers don't know what my real name is. As evidence of this, I submit a picture of my hard hat.

If I were to see this security guard sometime in the future, and jump up and down and shout, "Ariel! Ariel! Ariel!"(which is her name), it might be unseemly for an old man like me (plus I'd probably hurt my shoulder doing it), but I wouldn't get in any trouble for it either, not even at the Pinko Commie place where I work.

Here is something that is far less attractive than the Maison Ernest pump/sandal, but was far cheaper, and far more practical. I picked up these BCBGeneration "Quintin" thong wedges some time ago, but have not actually worn them out until two days ago. They feature a 4 1/8" heel with a 1 1/8" platform. Which means, they're squarely a mid heel in terms of steepness, which is fine for many purposes, including hawking egg rolls at the farmer's market, which is where I wore them two days ago. Also fine for such purposes is the damage on the back of the right heel, which allowed me to pick them up for less than 10 USD. I have not attempted to repair the damage yet, and would welcome any suggestions you might have about methods. They are fake patent leather bottoms with canvas straps.

Despite being my correct size, 8 1/2, and BCBG being a brand I am familiar with, the straps are slightly too loose, allowing my feet to slide forward despite the thong toe. To correct this, I installed some ball of foot cushions to take up some room. This works well as far as fitment goes, but I am convinced, after standing in these for five hours, that these comfort aids which so many so-called experts say are 100% necessary, actually make comfort worse. If not for the fitment issues, I would take those cushions out, and I think the shoes would be much better. However, it appears that I cannot have my cake and eat it too, so I don't know whether these will be keepers or not. That and the fact that they've got that big scar in the back. I think the reason that I haven't gotten rid of them is because of the thong design. I am still looking for the perfect pair of thong high heels, and I haven't found it yet. Actually, I did find it, but sadly, it because too ratty to wear in public, and is gone. Anyway, I'm down to two pair now, and both of them have their issues with fit.

In case anybody is interested, I received zero comments, and as far as I can tell, zero looks. Well, zero obvious looks, anyway. We'll see what next week brings.

21 hours ago, pebblesf said:

OK, I'll admit it.  Don't understand the connection between jumping up and down yelling squirrel and your heels....

VH said he injured himself whilst watching an important football match. Not playing, not actually running around. I managed to slightly injure myself while imitating that young security guard. I'm just saying we're getting old, man. It really has nothing to do with heels, other than that VH's injury prevented him from wearing his heels, and mine did not.

On 5/4/2022 at 9:09 PM, Jkrenzer said:

Flown in heels many times. The only thing that matters is your shoes are a bit loose to start. Your feet naturally swell at altitude and comfort is key.

Ain't that the truth! It might also explain why you see so many international flight attendants who are heel popping out of their pumps walking through airports. The shoes probably fit correctly by the time they reach their destination!

On 5/7/2022 at 11:11 AM, Pierre1961 said:

Same for me. But walking in airports wearing heels  is still a great moment! 

I think that is what most people do not understand. We actually enjoy walking in heels. Nobody believes us. I will keep the secret, I promise!

I understand your issues about the surgery, Henri. My mother has had the same issues, and has had to have similar surgery twice, and I think for the same reason. I wish you a speedy recovery.

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.