DudeInHeels

I have had about 7 or 8 pairs of heels with rear zippers, including one pair of Maddens. I love them especially on the very strappy sandal types, for ease of putting on and taking off. The zippers on two of the pair did break, I think one brand was called "Classified" and the other was "Hot Tomato". Never had a problem with the Madden zipper, and I spent more time in the maddens than all the other zipper heels combined. -- my two cents Dude

Shoe Show and Shoe Dept are the same company, as you probably guessed if you found their website. Shoe Show has the discount shoes variety, and like another post stated, they don't tend to hold up too well for daily use. I actually bought a pair of heels from shoe show last week, the Hot Tomato "Rebecca" heels in sky blue color. I love the look of them and they fit pretty well, but I wore them for three hours this past Monday (three hours standing and walking, not sitting) and the next day my feet were hurting terribly. I have worn heels for years, and the day my feet hurt so bad, I actually didn't want to wear any heels that day ... And that is the first time that's ever happened to me! Also the first time I have ever bought gel insoles to put in shoes too because they are too cute to not wear. As far as sizing, it can be pretty hit or miss for sizes larger than 11 US. Kind of like payless I guess. And then again sometimes they will have a large selection of 12s and some 13s. I guess they may have a shoe theft problem too, because some styles will have only one shoe out and you have to ask for the mate to try them on. Shoe Dept generally carries a better shoe, as well as some name brands. The bigger stores have Steve Maddens, Nine West, etc. and I have also seen some 12s in shoe dept, usually in the Nine West brand or some of the cheaper off brands they carry. I will also say that I have never had a problem trying on shoes at shoe show, even with having to ask for the mates from the Sales associate. I guess I have visited close to 15 different shoe show stores, and probably about the same amount for shoe dept as well. If you shop there, try them on in store. The sizing across the same brand but different styles at shoe show seem to vary largely. Dude

Personally I am not sure where my desire to wear heels started. For me and the world I grew up in as a kid, there was no "one event" that sealed the deal for me. I am inclined to agree with the "High Heel Gene" idea that I have seen somewhere else on this forum. I know in her younger days my mother wore heels and had several pair. My desire to wear them happened when my age was still in single digits, and able to fit into moms heels. I wear heels in private around the house, me and the wife have agreed that I will not wear them around the children or even talk about it for that matter. My youngest daughter is 7, and walks around the house in any of her dressy shoes that have a heel (no more than half an inch or so, something that is age appropriate). She is told by other siblings to take them off, only for them to reappear on her feet within minutes. After getting a bath at night, right after putting on clean clothes she will have the shoes on again. And she refers to them as her "high heels" whenever she talks about them. My wife wears heels only when occasion dictates, and would rather be in some sandals or tennis shoes than heels anyday. My daughter prefers "high heels" over any other type of shoe for any occasion, even play time outside. Obviously if the "high heel gene" theory is true, it applies to my family. I had a friend that loved wearing heels growing up and all through high school. In fact, she is one of the few girls that wouldn't kick off her heels at a school dance to dance barefoot like most of the other girls. She never complains about wearing them. When me and the wife have had dinner with her and her husband at their home, she is wearing heels. Come to find out after having met her mother that her mother is also an avid heel wearer. My friend told me that her mother wore heels so much (and loved them) that she couldn't wear anything flat anymore after years of heels. And my friend has a 13 year old daughter that looks like she will also get the "high heel gene" from her mother. Just a little rambling, sorry. To me, it seems to point to the "high heel gene" theory as plausible. I had a good life growing up, with both a mother and father in traditional roles. I can point to no "one event" that started it for me, it just seems like something I was born with. Dude

I have stumbled across a small "Mom and Pop" type of shoe store chain in Tennessee. They buy store returns and resell at lower prices. I bought several pairs in the past few months. My two favorite are both by Jessica Simpson. The "Jodette" style in black leather, and the "Calie" style in black patent. Both pairs were under $20, with neither pair showing any signs of wear (when I bought them anyway!!) A year ago I would have bought before trying them on, but thanks in part to this website and reading posts by everyone, I tried on both pair in the store to make sure they fit. "Calie" "Jodette" Also just the other day, I was in Payless. I tried on a nice pair of heels and walked to a different section to check for other sizes while wearing them. The sales associate appeared seemingly out of thin air and I didn't have time to take them off and put my work boots back on. She asked if I needed help to which I replied no thanks. She pointed at the shoes I was wearing and told me those are very pretty shoes and were a popular seller. She didn't seem fazed at all that I am standing there in high heels, a button down shirt, baseball cap and a 4 day old unshaven face. This is all new and exciting to me as I have only recently gotten bold enough to start trying shoes on in the store. Anyway, after our interaction, I tried on several other pairs and finally settled on these They are by American Eagle, style "Landry". It is so funny to me now that when looking at boring guy shoes, I never spend more than 6 minutes or so shopping. But when shopping for heels, it takes me a good 30 to 45 minutes. I understand now why my wife takes so long to shoe shop and why she has 20 pairs of shoes! Dude

Name: Dude Age: 35 - ish Gender: Male Location: Southeast USA Occupation: IT Height: Weight: Shoe size: US Womens 11 or 12 What's your favourite heel style: Stiletto What's your favourite shoe style: Peep Toe Stiletto Do you wear your heels outside: Occasionally but not around others...so far What is: (a) Your favourite heel height: 4 in ( Your highest heel height: 5½ in How often do you wear: (a) Your favourite heel height: Almost Daily ( Your highest heel height: Rarely Do you wear socks, hose, stockings or bare feet with your shoes: Bare Anything else you wish to add:

I have had a few experiences in the store. The one I was the most comfortable with was about 2 years ago, and it was one of those sexy lingerie shops (the kind that has DVDs in another part of the store, where you have to be 21 to enter). I walked in, and the very cute twentysomething SA told me they had a special on DVDs. I told her I was not interested in DVDs but wanted to look at shoes. I looked for a few minutes before she approached me. She said, "what size is she"?  I replied that they were for me. With a smile, she said, "No Way"! and immediately started to help. She sized me up on the foot sizer, and told me not to go anywhere, she would be right back. She returned with about 6 different styles of shoes in my size. She told me to sit down, and proceeded to try the shoes on me. I was nervous, and said "I bet this doesn't happen very often". She said "lots of guys buy shoes, and lie about them being for their girlfriend. You are the first to admit to me they are for you, so I want to help you". I made some comment about guys in heels being strange. She looked at me and said, "No, I think this is too cool. And you are one of the more 'normal' guys I have seen in here. Dont feel weird!"

She made suggestions, one being "absolutely not, those shoes are hideous". When we got to the pair I had my eye on, she said "those are perfect! I love them!" She encouraged me to walk around the store and ignore any other customers. I seen her looking back at me as she was putting all the other boxes away. She said she absolutely loved those shoes, and was going to get a pair for herself. I paid for them and thanked her for making me feel "not so weird".  She told me "Weird is all the guys that come in here wanting porn DVDs. I wish more guys would come in here wanting shoes -- besides, I think it is a cool look".

She was awesome and absolutely made me feel comfortable trying on and buying shoes.  Another interesting part is where she said she knew most of the guys were lying about the shoes not being for them. That experience has given me confidence when I go into Payless or DSW. I can now try on shoes without shaking or sweating!

The shoes the girl sold me were by pleaser. If i can find a link I will post it here later.

--Dude

I started around age 5. I remember asking my mom if I could wear her white high heels she had recently purchased for an easter outfit. She let me for a little while. I had a blast walking up and down the hall in them. Throughout the rest of my adolescent, high school, and college years, I would try on lots of shoes from my mother, cousins, aunts, girlfriends, etc. LOTS. I liked getting my cousin to "dare" me to wear her heels for the afternoon when we were at my grandmother's after church on Sundays. I did this quite a few times until she told me that she thinks that I like wearing her heels. I denied it and it stopped. I also remember spending the night several times with a friend. He lived with his mom and younger brother, and his mom worked most nights. When everyone else was asleep, I would step into her closet, which was a high heel paradise. She must have had close to 30 pairs. I would wear her shoes for hours at a time since my friend was a heavy sleeper.

These types of things would continue until I bought my first pair of heels at age 19 at a place called "shoe city" which has long since gone out of business.

I have always liked the look and feel of heels. And I could (and still do) walk better in them than many of the females I was around.

Guess it is something I was born with.

--Dude

Sorry it has taken a while to post a little about me.

As you can probably tell from the name, I am a dude, and I like heels.

I have done a little crossdressing at home, and it was fun. But that was on my way to figuring out who I am, and I have come to realize that it isn't really my thing. I am just a guy that has always had a fascination for heels as long as I can remember. In fact I have purged all my dresses, a wig, and makeup amongst other things several months ago, and haven't missed them at all. I will say that I still enjoy painting my toenalis though! I am just your average manly looking, football watching, straight married guy that wears heels sometimes.

I have not ventured out in public wearing heels (well, not around other people anyway) yet -- Although I have walked through the post office late at night in 4" heels several times...and collected my laundry late one night at the laundromat in heels...and pumped gas once wearing heels (again, late at night). I have managed to go to several stores wearing "flip flop" type womens sandals with an obvious wedge heel. Strangely I didn't see anyone do a double take when out in them. I am not against myself trying to wear heels in public, I am just not there yet. And may never be. That is yet to be seen.

My wife knows that I have a stash of shoes, but doesn't like discussing it. Guess it is a DADT relationship, which I am fine with for the time being.

It is good to know I am not as weird as I thought. Looking forward to joining in a few conversations.

--Dude