spiker

David, For me, a good quality box gives me confidence in the quality of what's inside. I would alway prefer a good quality shoe box, and would be prepared to pay just a little bit extra for it. Also, when taking your shots for your web site, include that good quality box, to give an overall more classy presentation. Spiker.

Wowser!

Precisely...

Now that's what I call getting dressed up for work!

Thanks for posting.

Spiker.

where were you guys when i lived there

That depends on when you lived here...

Seriously though, you used to live around these parts...whereabouts?

Spiker.

Dave, Thanks for your posts, why don't you tell us a little bit about your shoes? (Don't get too salesy though else the mods complain.) I'm interested in buying some, but they're still quite expensive (given that they're not actually designer label) so I'd want to know about the quality, materials etc. I'd also like to see those photos when you get to post them, I did feel that was a little lacking in your eBay shop. Spiker.

Hiline, Nice purchases! Can I ask where they were from? Spiker.

I've complimented ladies at work on their shoes before now and always got favorable responses. I've always felt like that's where it ends though, when I wanted to follow up with "where are they from?" or "who are they?" she'd moved on to something else. I guess they're not expecting a follow up. I've always thought there's a big difference between saying "I love your heels" and "I love your shoes". The former sounds just a little bit more seedy than the latter, is it just me? I've never had the confidence to compliment a stranger though. It feels like we're not really supposed to approach strangers are we nowadays? Spiker.

Hi little_gem, I would just like to be able to wear heels every day as part of my daily life. You girls just don't realise how lucky you are just being able to put heels on and go out! I just don't see why there has to be such a stigma attached to it, even a lot of the experienced heelers on here will not have told their friends and family - why should it be such a big deal? They're just shoes! Spiker.

no probs, i'l let you know the next time im out and about, are you ok anywhere locally? i lik to vist solihul, birmingham, coventry, nottingham, leicester and any other midlands shopping centers,let me know

Solihull or Birmingham is best for me...

I live in northfield nd would gladly have a saturday in birmingham with you, thing is if its a shoe shop, GG will have to come too...

Andi

Sounds good....would be nice to have a lady there to offset all the blokes!

Any vacancies?

Sorry, not right now!

Spiker.

Nice shoes Henri...do you find they're comfortable? I rarely wear my Aldo shoes as they're so tight in the toe area (as many posters on here warned me they would be!). Spiker.

spiker

sounds like you are now enjoying this hobby of yours!

its very addictive! did you get the kg (carvela) alert in the sales? they look really cool

bladrerunner,

I did, I got the black patent yesterday, but I already had the teal suede from eBay. Strangely the patent are a lot tighter than the suede - I guess the material's less forgiving!

Spiker.

OK so I took my next TINY step in public heeling yesterday...I had to visit town for some perfume for my SO's birthday, and also because I wanted to pay a visit to the new Kurt Geiger store that's opened in town. I had to wait until after work, so it was getting dark, but not full dark yet. I packed my New Look 5" heels from before into a Jane Norman bag so it looked like I'd just bought something from there and headed in to do my shopping. I knew I didn't yet have the courage to go around the mall wearing my heels, but I wanted to try around the streets in the centre of town. I did my shopping (perfume and a card for her, and a pair of Carvela Alert for me!), and wanted to walk back to the car park in my heels, but when I got to the point when I wanted to change into them, I had forgotten that it was right by all the bus stops. So at this time of night it was packed with people making their way home from work. So disappointed I walked on, then I reached a corner that was very quiet, and kind of secluded by a big tree. I stopped like I was waiting for someone and slipped into my shoes (my men's shoes were slip on too, and I was wearing tights under my jeans so it was very easy to do casually). No sooner had I put my shoes on than two oriental ladies (I couldn't decide whether they were Chinese or Japanese, no offence to anyone) came and asked me for directions to a Bed & Breakfast in town. Unfortunately I wasn't much help as I couldn't think of anything other than hotels in the centre, but we stood talking for a couple of minutes - all the while I was wearing my heels (I don't think they noticed though). Slightly encouraged by this I decided I could walk back to the car in my heels, it was only what you'd call a block or so in the US, but it was a start. So I walked back towards the car, the road was pretty quiet but there were a few people on the other side. Then a lady approached me on my side of the road and I thought "Here we go, here's where I get my first funny look" and even with my heels making a very obvious clip clop sound, she walked right by me and didn't even flinch! So I arrived back at the car (it was right inside the entrance) and placed my bags in the boot and I thought "I've got a bit of time, I'll go out for a bit longer". So I walked back out of the car park, but this time without my mens shoes in my bag and walked back down the road from where I'd come. Unfortunately I lost my courage a little bit as I thought I saw some guys standing outside the local pub checking me out, so I turned back about half way. I did then decide I could walk across the very well lit car park and pay for my ticket though All in all, a lot of fuss over a very little outing. But it's a start. Sorry for the long post, you know how it is - got caught up in the moment! Spiker.

I really wish they'd stop this sale now...I'm spending way too much money! So far I've bought Carvela Adelaide (wearing them now), Astroid, and two pair of Alert (Teal and Black patent). My bank balance needs a rest! Spiker.

I some times wear my thighhi ballet boots to bed. It makes me dream that I'm walking all over the place in them. I haven't been able to walk in them awake.

I used to wear my heels for the same reason, I used to have some lovely dreams. In the end the dreams stopped but I carried on in the hope I could increase the length of time I could wear heels by getting used to them. I almost never managed it through the night, it used to wake me and I'd have to take them off. In the end though it didn't wake me, but I'd wake in the morning with the shoes removed and placed neatly next to each other on the floor with no memory of removing them whatsoever!

Spiker.

What is a "work night out?"

I work in IT for a soft drinks company in the UK, when we finish a project the company pays for us all to go out and get very...very drunk!

Spiker.

Normally I'd have said I'll join you, but on this particular Thursday I have a work night out, PM me if you're going again sometime. Spiker.

has anyone seen the dfs sofa range ads, its more like a boots ad than furniture, nearly everyone on it is wearing a gorgous pair of boots, think i must visit dfs but not for a sofa

I wouldn't bother...I've been to DFS, they weren't there

Just a load of greasy sales blokes!

Spiker.

By the way, my statement here is "tongue in cheek".....I happen to believe this whole philosophy you are spouting is one hell of a big crock. Given what you believe, I guess you should include rapists and child molesters because they're "just people, too."

I'm sorry...much as I don't want to get in the middle of this, did you just compare a man who wears skirts and heels to rapists and child molesters?

I'm hoping not, as we all know there is a big difference between people who are different that hurt other people, and people who are different and do not.

Spiker.

Jeff

No offence buddy, but all that time fluffing about and you cant see that the handbag really looks stupid???

As always Tech, you really do have a way with the words!

Spiker.

next time try some on. The staff are kinda used to it, they have a guy who works there who wears heels although be warned they will make you spend lots of money )

I didn't see anything I fancied actually, not that I would have tried them on if I had. I did buy a pair from River Island in the sale, but I didn't try them on first.

Tell me about the guy that works there that wears heels, may I ask how you know this? Does he wear them in store? Can I also ask if you wear your heels in public?

iv also tried on in faith solihul and every oyher shoe shop in that town for that matter, never had a problem, think im kinda famous in solihul now, they love me there, everybody should go and try on

That sounds interesting - you're obviously local too, maybe we should have our own mini meet sometime?

I've just remembered, I did see a guy in New Look today who was fairly obviously looking for himself (same as I was). He was looking very intently, and I didn't see a partner around. I paid him no mind, and him me none either.

Amazing I'm just finding so many people in my home town of a like mind, maybe times really are a-changing!

Regards,

Spiker (Simon).

Noticed you are in west midlands, the faith store in Solihull is worth a visit very male friendly

I'm in Solihull myself! I was in that store today...didn't try any heels on though

Regards,

Spiker.

Majo, That's a good looking pair of heels, congratulations on your purchase! Spiker.

Chris100575,

Congratulations on having the courage to go in store and try on! I wish I had that nerve, it must help to have a fiancée who's willing to accompany you. My fiancée, although very accepting of me in heels is very much a "behind closed doors" type person. Do you mind me asking which Faith store you went into?

Where's the problem? The assistant doesn't know you from Adam and you wouldn't be the first male customer they've had.

Dr. Shoe, with the greatest respect, you know where the problem is, I understand those are meant to be words of encouragement but that doesn't mean that this is an easy barrier to get one's mind across.

Regards,

Spiker.

Don't suppose you've got a copy in your browser cache have you? Thanks. Spiker.

You really should come to the World Heel Meet. We'll have you whizzing round the shops in no time!

Dr Shoe,

I'd like to, and Knee Highs sent me a PM last year inviting me to the one in London. The problem is my fiancée is very much a "behind closed doors" kind of person. This means I either have to go against her, or lie to her - neither of which appeal to me

Thanks for your support!

Spiker.

Thanks guys, the strange thing is, when I went out I was so scared that someone would see me. But without a doubt the best bit was when the guy walking back to his van DID see me. I didn't feel at all embarrassed, and from that point on, I felt much more comfortable, and even slightly proud

One suggestion I'd make is that you consider starting out in a lower heel. There's something to be said in being able to go out in "women's heels" without that feel if being seem in them (there's no easy way to hide a 5" stilletto heel). I've regularly recommended to start in a 2" or less chunky heel, which gives you some lift, but really doesn't look feminine.

Yes, I probably should buy some more discrete heels, I just can't seem to get interested in them. The one thing I was proud of, is that even though it was a tiny step, they were very obviously women's shoes, and they weren't hidden at all under my skinny jeans.

Thanks for all the support again, you guys are amazing!

Spiker.