fastfreddy2

Sorry I missed this, otherwise I might have come.

If you want to have a look at the fetish scene I'd suggest Torture Garden. It's £25.00 but you get proper music laid on, bars, dungeon etc etc. And from 9.00pm till 5.00am the next morning so 8 hours of entertainment.

Not so much a look into the fetish scene, more a venue that was a 'safe' place to wear stiletto's if the choice was taken, and have a lunch out with like-minded people. Dodging the camera, and watching people eat plastic-wrapped pork pies wasn't part of any plan I had. You are right though. Meeting up in Camden would have been a MUCH better idea. [Next time ...... ]

Nice to see you about. I'm not the only person who has missed your posts.

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Dr Shoe gets younger every year. Soon we'll be calling her; "Little Missy Shoe".

I've sent the addy to this thread to the LFF web-site. Maybe someone will come along and answer the questions and points raised. Please be assured I have no connection with the organisers and have no other interest other than wanting a friendly and safe place to totter around in. Hope no-one minds?

I think you should have asked first.

Bit late to "mind" after you've done the deed?

Just what good is likely to come out of it? Free entry next visit? [i've already said I wouldn't go again even if it was free entry.]

More likely is that someone will turn up and explain it was an 'unusal day'. The camera's are not usually there, and the Chef is......

Will that contibute to changing my memory of that day? Impossible.

.....

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Sounds great!! I'm sure you've made many people here, very envious. Me included.

demoniaplatforms and a friend were startled the other day while travelling to an ABBA tribute evening. They were both wearing their new silver boots, when a being from another planet with 8 feet, two of them shod with 5" heels, nearly walked right into them.

Apologetic nods and discreet smiles were exchanged, but both parties had been looking downward for too long, and each had almost walked into the other.

The morale to this tale? Watching HH as a sport, isn't without danger.

...

I would disagree with FF's earlier suggestion to avoid black is possible, as long as they are clean and well pressed, then they blend to the shoe, and we mostly wear black shoes anyway, so do not create a contrast that draws the eye. Easier with formal wear of course where black trousers are almost a standard.

Simon,

"out of context" again fella. I've met shyguy, have you? That advise was tilted directly at him?

Freddy, haven't you heard? flares are back. One of my trousers are boot-cut and have a big cuff, but the flare is very well done. Big advantage is you get lots of air round your legs so they are really comfortable in warm weather.

I would heartily recommend the wearing of womens cut trousers, if they fit you. The Aura jeans by Wrangler are really nice. They are just like guy jeans with a bit of stretch and useful pockets and right handed as well. IMHO, Wrangler have always made the best jeans.

Context (yet again ) .... Where did I say I don't wear flares? In fact, of the [currently 16 pairs] I think only 4 or 5 are straight legged. And I mentioned Wrangler Aura jeans myself, some time ago? [From the US?]

It'll be back to 14 by the end of today. The jeans claim to be 34" long, but are actually 33". I've several pairs this size, with much better fitting waist. The N/L Hula's are claimed as 'Regular' waist, but seem a tad lower to me, so while their cost is attractive, the fit isn't. In fact the 12's fitted well to loose. But I don't have a pierced belly-button to justify the slightly lower waist-band and the problem this brings in keeping the ankle hem at the right height. [Low enough to hide a heel, but not so low I'm walking on them. ]

Glad to see some positive input on this matter from some members who are interested in dressing well.

P.S.

Just read this post, which is pertinent because of this picture.

Notice that Johnieheel has a slightly flared jean on. [Look at his right leg in the background, which has not been raised to show his shoe style.] This cut of jean produces a flattering look, and enables more discreet use of HH when out and about.

....

In February this year, New Look announced some of their 'standard' range would have a larger variety of leg sizes. They've had a 'tall' range for a while, but these are REALLY long. 36" if I remember.

I trawled their stores, on and off for over a month in and after April, having been told by their Customer Services, that's when they would be available. None were on sale.

Weather here wasn't very pleasant today, despite yesterdays forecast. Plan "B" involved visiting Hemel Hempstead shops, which for some reason were practically empty by late afternoon. [Herself wanted to look around Coast in Debenhams, who have a sale and she likes Coast clothes.]

New Look offer really good discounts on sale goods, so I always visit. No heels on today, so we got around unusually quickly .... Almost literally walked into a rail of the jeans promised some time ago with 34" leg! Bought a blue pair size 10 (which I expect to be a bit tight) and a black pair in 12. At least one pair will go back, maybe both. Had a bit of a 'fat-boy' dinner tonight, so I'll try them on tomorrow.

Herself couldn't believe I bought another two pairs, and frankly, neither could I. And 'we' thought I had a shoe problem....

These purchases were made only minutes after I had 'fessed up how many pairs I'd bought during the last few months while looking at trousers in Debenhams, which had her immediately telling me to to "stop looking!" [This in contrast to what actually seemed like encouragement over some Jasper Conran MJ's I've been looking at for months that been reduced from £35 to £11. Apparently I'll only go back another day, "so why not buy them now?" ~ Women! ]

So why did I buy the N/L jeans? I have one other 'slim' pair with the longer 34" leg and they make my legs look much longer than they are when I wear heels. They hide the heels better than most of the other stretch 33" versions I have, and at £10 a pair, why shouldn't I buy them?

Men:

Many womens styles look identical to mens unless you look inside them at the sizing label. They have a bias cut to accomodate hips we don't have, so make for a very 'comfortable' fitting where it counts. Add stretch material, and going back to mens styles afterward will seem unattractive, if not uncomfortable.

...

Fastfreddy2 said, "As a side note, my escort told me after we left, a couple of men there had a 'titter' at us wearing HH's." Shame, but they don't sound like regulars in the BDSM scene.

It saddens me to say it but LFF has gone way down in the last year. Last time we were there for 20 minutes, then left. £5 is a bit rich for that and they must try harder if LFF is to survive.

As a matter of interest, what did you expect or hope to see or experience?

I think it fair to say we all expected something for the £5 admission.

There was no security at all. Some years ago I was there when water-bombs were being thrown at visitors. There is still nothing mobile [human] to protect or secure the venue against unwelcome interest.

The venue isn't suitable for people wearing heels. Just ain't safe either for the shoes, or more importantly, the wearer. Again, visitor safety is ignored, or certainly isn't important.

Most visitors are probably misled by the term 'market'. There were perhaps 8 or 9 vendors. Four of these sold a selection of sex toys, and one a 'sex-swing'. Three others sold girls dress accessories. I think one or two sold odd bits and pieces of 'fantasy' clothes. We saw one pair of HH boots. [One style, two sizes?] There was a fire-eating demo, but what has this to do with "fetish"?

On balance, ANY Ann Summers shop has a better range, and is free. Plus they are local to most of us now, and open most days. No trauma for heels either.

There was no consolation prize to be had .... lunches were off the menu!!! The bar had a gig on, and the chef was off 'sick'. What happened there? National shortage on people who can cook?

No advance warning about the video crew on the web-site. Was a PITA. Many people arrived, stayed for 15 minutes (time it took to walk around browsing) and left. We were there for over 2 hours, and I don't remember anyone buying anything.

IMO, a complete rip-off. And worse, a waste of effort on the part of any visitor. A gig best avoided. I wouldn't visit again, even if it were free!

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I have been 'mad' for buying casual trousers this year. So far, I've bought (and kept) 14 pairs. I've taken at least 10 pairs back. [New Look and Marks predominantly.]

Possibly half are girls jeans or trousers. Thinking about it, I may have returned as many pairs as I've kept. [Forgot about girls formal trousers I've returned. Loads of Tesco/ASDA/New Look/Marks.]

Today I returned the two black pairs of M+S waist-high bootleg jeans, [add £31-50] only to replace them an hour later with two other pairs [minus £12-50]. The M+S ones went back because I decided they were a bit obvious.

Tried EVERY pair of trouser with just about every pair of boots I have. I'm beginning to know what boot works (is hidden) by which trouser. So far, the Primark mens 'bootcut' jean work with everything. Not bad for £8.

Big surprise was the purchases made last Monday. One of them was detailed as straight-leg 'comfort fit' girls stretch jean from an Outlet Store. Size 12L and very very comfortable. The bottom of the leg stretches over my heels, with no effort from me! Gives me a very pleasing profile, for the princely sum of £2-50.

The 14 pairs of jeans/trousers, have set me back a total of £86. How? I have 2 pairs of trousers, 1 pair of jeans costing £2-50 each for a start. All from M+S Outlet, all originally circa £20 each. I also have 4 pairs of mens dark indigo straight leg jeans normally £17 each (Officers Club), bought for £5 each. That's 7 pairs for £27-50. Aren't "Sales" wonderful?

Must do some piccies.

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I can understand if other members want to wear block or other type of heels and be more discreet, but theres a part of me that want other people to see me wearing heels. I am doing nothing wrong in wearing heels. As I start to wear heels out more and I worn those stiletto a few times out (get a little use out of them) I be more then happy to buy a pair of less [ more?] discreet heels, but it will be from a shop not from the internet.

Sounds like you want to be a martyr to the cause? This is of course okay if you are alone, but in a group, surely you do what the group does? Or maybe next time, if you want to show off your heels, we'll follow at a discreet distance?

Fred,

My apologies if I have caused offense, I was trying - badly - to express myself. The written word is the hardest medium to express yourself sometimes.

In the bit I quote above 1st paragraph, and purely frojm my own perspective, I find it difficult to make space to attend such meets. Weekends and evenings are inevitably out of the question, and doing the shopping thing doesn't interest me. Doesn't leave much. I have been to a coule of meets for the lunchtime social where it was localish to work, and I have met with a couple of the members just for lunch and once for a beer after work in Covent Garden and that was exceedingly pleasant. Its about all I can manage timewise. Maybe this is one of the reasons why so many are unable to make it. I dunno, you would need to ask the question in a different thread I guess.

Simon,

No offence taken sir!

As I've said before, I flatter myself we are very like minded. [Meaning, you are intelligent, and provide well-thought-out posts. I'd like to think I do my bit too. ]

I'm surprisingly local to you (Cambridge) once a month, as I visit family in your area on a Sunday every 3 or 4 weeks. Next Sunday for example, I have been recruited (under duress) to take photographs at a family wedding in a hotel up by you. Hence my 'hint' at a meet.

One or two here have proposed a mid-week, daytime meet. Oxford St and Covent Garden are all reachable on foot, even in heels. While "shopping" (which for me often excludes spending money) may be the UK's top recreational activity, I can understand why you might not enjoy it. That said, it makes for great exercise, especially wandering around huge malls like Milton Keynes. [Though I don't like the place much for anything other than walking.]

If you are up for a natter over a coffee in London, I would be too.

As for those who (as you say) haven't got time to attend a "meet", I'd propose a counter-position to that notion:

No-one on this planet should be so busy doing things they must/have to do, that they can't find <at least> 2 afternoons each year to meet their otherwise 'virtual' friends F-2-F. If they are actually that busy, (as opposed to being poor time-managers), I would seriously recommend a review of their lifestyle and their life expectancy? In a UK Prison, convicted in-mates are entitled to a minimum of 1 hour every 2 weeks for F-2-F visits, and Prisons are expected to provide longer visiting periods than this minimum figure. Even that time equates to a little over 4 off, 6 hour periods each year.

As with all walks of life, I think perhaps there are those who would like to 'do' something adventuous, and thoe who prefer to be a spectator?

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Fred,

Can't really comment on numbers, but why should attendees wear heels just because it is a heel meet, surely its about meeting the faces and personalities being the handle rather than look at what I am brave enough to wear. Also remember the fear of being spotted and associated with a mean wearing high heels however remote a chance it is. You said back in March this year "I do have something to fear if my whole social circle found out about my interest in wearing heels." So why should it be any different for anyone else. But I think this was before you followed my reasoning on the style of heel and having taken to wedges and block heels that you are now wearing heels. You see the prejudices still exist and I quote another of your posts from February "However, I go out most nights, walking quieter streets. If I go out early, I usually go with a 'lady-friend' who enjoys the walks, but doesn't want her friends to meet us, as she'd rather not have to explain what's going on." this time its your walking partner who is afraid of the prejudices of being with a man in stiletto heels.

A lot of these remarks are out of context with regard to my comments I think, so let me put them back in.

I said I was surprised that more people didn't attend 'meets'. I never mentioned (or suggested) the wearing of HH to be a prerequesite of meeting up? In fact (since you are so familiar with my previous postings) you will know that prior to the meet at Watford which was close to my home town, I wrote I would NOT be wearing heels there, under any circumstances? [Although I did in the evening, as it turned out.] Can't say I was personally over-bothered about being seen with men wearing heels though. No-one wore stiletto's, so that helped.

For my part, I don't expect anyone to meet me in heels nor me meet them wearing them, at least not for the first time anyway. And as a couple of comments in this thread confirm, I actually discouraged one of our group from wearing them publically last time. [Especially since it was their first time out in them.]

As this thread confirms, it wasn't long after the 2008 World Heel Meet, I was out and about in heels during daylight. All of my previous HH wearing was done dressed 'en femme' at night in Clubs, many many years ago. Getting out in daylight wearing heels, was quite an experience. I quickly learned what was 'passable', and have been evangelising about it ever since. [As here.]

During the long dark Winter months, I was able to wear stiletto's out during the evening in neighbouring towns, and sometimes locally. Even under cover of darkness, there was a need to be discreet, as you rightly quoted. Nothing is different, and light evenings have all but stopped my walks out.

I expect the need for discretion is the same for everyone else (for the most part), and it's why the chosen location for the meeting places mean EVERYONE travels to them. London and the anonimity it offers, is good for me as it's only a 30-40 minute journey by car. But I've been all over the Northern Home Counties in heels now. Been 'twigged' a number of times, but no bad experiences .... yet.

I'm enjoying it so much, I tend to evangelise even more!

Of course I'd love to wear heels 24/7 (I think), but it's not realistic. Oddly, I very seldomly wear them at home, and only then, when I'm getting new shoes or boots used to my feet.

So, I don't expect to meet (men) wearing heels, though I hope they do. And I don't expect anyone to prejudice themselves wearing them in their home town, because I won't. Though I have worn the Fornarina's food shopping at the local supermarket.

Now that my comments are less ambiguous ....

So I'm wondering why people from here who are obviously interested in all things heeling, don't meet up more often. I wonder why, given the amount of support a group can provide, more men (who want to wear heels) are not doing it in a group? And if/when they do, why they don't use more 'passable' styles? [Ref our comments above.]

I'm certainly not suggesting anyone else is wrong in what they do, nor that they should be doing something else. I'm just surprised more people are not doing what they want to do? Because it seems to me, it's easily done once you try.

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Harley Davidson Ella

And the same thing without decoration.

There's a knee-high version called Virginia, but I've not seen them for sale anywhere.

Will we never learn. We are men not women. Society is not going to change its perception on a man wearing stiletto heels - ever. So if in our readers minds it is stiletto heels or nothing, then they had better get used to nothing.

Its a shame we are discussing this, which is way of the original topic, in this thread as it would be great to read other opinions, but they would be unlikely to open the thread because it is not relevant to them. mods - help?

Simon.

I agree with the remark made in the first paragraph above. Bit defeatist (of us both) but I think it's a reality that needs to be faced.

That said, I'm moderately happy to walk about in stiletto heels after dark. I wear jeans that cover the heels of anything I'm wearing, and usually manage to walk 'in-step' with my escort. It's hard to know it's me wearing the heels from sound alone.

I dunno this debate needs to be moved. It's entirely pertinent to the expectations and opportunity for UK street heelers.

Some months ago, I saw a question posed that went something along the line of; "Do you want to wear heels, or do you want to wear girls shoes?" I want to wear heels. Girls get a better deal on designs, so girls heels are going to be more attractive to me. While I like the idea of wearing 5" stiletto heels while I walk down the street, they're just not practical unless worn on a smooth floor. [safety to me, and the condition of the heels.]

So what is practical and wearable for street-healing? So far, stiletto's are out. Too prone to damage, and too noisey. Thicker heels last longer, and are more easy to disguise. Not rocket science?

My conclusion, is that just about ANY man can wear 2" - 3" block heels under suitably long trousers, just about anywhere. I saw some men's 'western' style boots in Camden Sunday, and I'm convinced they had 2"+ heels. [Certainly no lower.]

I'm not sure why more of the members here, are not turning up to 'meets', I'm also not sure why the ones who do turn up aren't wearing this sort of shoe or boot? I'm not complaining, I'm just a bit frustrated I suppose, there are not more of us out there wearing heels. Publically, if discreetly.

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roniheels comes from a planet not far from ours. Back home, everyone wears flat boots, on all of their eight feet.

Simon, good post.

I can't see how heels can be removed from (inside) "fetish"? High heels have an almost inseparable association with sex... Looking sexy, being sexy.

Could you remove corsets, could you remove latex?

If any of us saw a girl walking down a street wearing a latex dress and a corset with leather over the knee stiletto boots, would be think "great style statement" or "fetish"?

There is an undeniable association with men wearing heels, and them being gay, or into a fetish look. We may not agree, we certainly don't like it, but it's out there. And with re-educating the general public, how are we going to change the perception of any other group if we avoid them?

In my mind at least, 'dressing to play' may be fetishistic, but it's about style. It's completely separate from people who want to beat other people up [sM] and those that might want to humiliate or be humiliated. [Role play.] I think just about everyone puts ANYTHING unusual into the 'fetish' genre, and sadly that seems to include people here. And why not? It's just what we are expected to do?

I'm trying hard to disassociate clothes from sex. Not easy with the years of programming I've had.

On another note .....

Your boots (linked) look similar to my current 'wear anywhere boot' seen here. [i've removed the ankle decoration BTW.] They are (as I keep saying) the MOST comfortable shoe I own. I'm not surprised you wear them at work, I too find them easy to wear all day.

I walked around Cambridge wearing my Fornarina boots earlier this year. Good place for a walk, good place for a Heel meet ...... I remember thinking at the time.

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Echoing Kneehighs' comments, I would suggest that fetish clubs don't easily fit the bill for our heeling foray into mainstream society.

Xa

Eh?

What was the Porchester gig? I don't remember being pointed at, or the subject of amusement. Ditto the Skin Two gigs.

I think your own experience of this event was more accurate; "the place being mostly frequented by a bunch of male pervs rustling about the place in their rubber overcoats" .... I think little to do with style/fashion statements, and more to do with low-grade sexual tastes.

I'm not at all concerned I'm the subject of some derision by either closet perv's or juvenile delinquents. It's a nuisance and can make me feel uncomfortable for a while, but on balance, nothing I can't cope with.

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Apparently, Johnny Vaughan of [London] Capital Radio read out the article on air this morning, before continuing the programme on how people should or shouldn't behave at work.

His co-presenter, is Denise van "Slapper" [English slang for someone of dubious integrity with regard to their sexual loyalty.] One of the programmes included in her Resume, includes her presenting a show wearing a rubber dress and very high heels ~ no problem there. One of the "games" in the show, had a wife selecting her husband from 4 or 5 men in a row behind partitions ~ again, no problem. The selection process was by each of the men in turn, showing the theatre audience and TV audience their reproductive organs. The wife chose which 'appendage' she was familiar with, in the hope her husband was attached. Ms van Dubious expected the world to take her as a serious actress afterward. [Yeah right!] And may explain why she finds herself as a co-presenter on an early morning local radio station.

Anyway.... Since she is known for her interested in all things heels, she is probably the person who selected the article for airing. Fortunately the accent of the radio spot wasn't the man wearing heels, but why he was encouraged to resign.

Denise the nice girl.

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This might help?

I've just bought a pair your size from an M+S Outlet store: £2-50.

I must do some photo's, as I'm soooooooo pleased with them!

In the UK this would be a small 12 Long or 'loose' (generous) 10 Long.

I take a UK8/EU41 and US sized equivalent of "10" (in Nine West speak: 10W) and I find the sizing very accurate.

But, while a man "needing" to have heels on to accomplish the above dexcribed may indeed have "issues" (be they security, emotional, etc), it's not far fetched to think a guy who wears heels may be just more confident and feel much more "in tune" with their S/O without having "issues". With confidence and awareness may come better experiences with others....

I get what you mean. As would any woman.

Ask a girl of moderate age (say over 25) what she feels like going out without any make-up or brushing her hair? You want an argument with my wife, ask her to leave the house without putting 'her face' on!

It's the same thing. Heels for me are a finishing touch, and for others that will be true too. It wouldn't be the first time a woman has told me she didn't feel "dressed" unless she was wearing heels.

When I'm going out somewhere 'special' I like to look my best, I like to feel my best. As it happens, wearing heels is part of that. I don't need heels to 'perform', and in fact I'm slightly less tolerant with flats on (nod to Scots suggestion about personality). I like being taller. I like the posture heels give me. Hey, what's not to like?

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Hey guys is that why you wear heels, because you can't find any of us hotties in 6" spikes?

No. In fact, only last night .......

As a closing remark on my Sainsbury 'theory'.....

Visited one of these stores last Thursday, close to Mile House/Green Lanes in North London. Dunno how so many poorly dressed people found themsleves in the same place? Shoppers there made my local ASDA look 'upmarket'.

Couldn't wait to leave the place.

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I think the design has to address the fact that the pressures will change as the gas has a chance to expand and slow down. I tend to go with an initial blast chamber that is maybe 50% larger then the final chamber. I believe this helps reduce pressure related stress on the material of the baffle and the outer tube. I also tend to make that baffle thicker then following ones.

I tend to go with a relatively simple monolithic core design as I feel more comfortable being able to maintain baffle position and bore alignment that way.

I'll stop typing for now

Oops!

Read this in a hurry and forgot to respond.

Most designs I've seen have the baffle stack immediately after muzzle, the expansion chamber is beyond that. The baffle stack is usually made of the same thickness material. [Costs of manufacture dictate that.] I'm thinking the baffle stack is placed where it is, to direct and control the gas flow prior to arriving at the expansion chamber?

The subsequent baffles can be made of lighter materials, but the initial baffle needs to be tough, and that often means a high chrome content. Stainless seems to perform better than most plain steels.

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PatentHeel works for MI6. She is the Mistress of Disguise.

We moved onto Camden, I again wore my Mary Janes, against the good advice from Fastfreddy2 telling me not to. To me it seemed silly not after coming all this way and not to were my heels. There were times when Fred had to wait for me, but I was just being careful with the cobble stones and having a look around as we walked past the Thames and the shops. I think I did very well in the way I walked as it was my first time

I suggested you didn't wear them because of the terrain. And a little because you weren't that experienced street-healing. [As I understood.] Other than that, I was happy to support/go along with anything you wanted to try.

I think you deserve a medal for (i) walking around the original cobble-stoned venue and (ii) walking around around Camden Lock, both events in stiletto type heels. Definitely a case of "in at the deep end".

Crikey. You paint a vivid and depressing picture. Our fellow heelers may never want to leave the safety of their armchairs now!

--- snip ---

Aside from one girl in a stretchy catsuit, a bloke in a leather skirt and a couple of TV's, the stallholders were all fairly plainly dressed.

Not many visitors entered into the spirit either.

--- snip ---

Our flying visit to Camden didn’t add much to the day unfortunately. I have probably been there a bit too often now to find anything interesting about that place. Also, Sunday is the busiest day they have and wading through herds of people to look at exorbitantly-priced plastic shoes was never going to be too enjoyable.

No time was left to get a proper meal either (noodles in a tin-foil tray does not cut it!). I’m sure if we had done that, we would have enjoyed the Camden visit much more - there would have been an opportunity for some people watching and a bit more indoor heel wearing for me.

Hey!

Who's idea was Camden?

With 20/20 hindsight, we didn't have enough time there arriving close to 4pm, either to indulge ourselves (meal ~ watch the world go by), or acclimatise to a new location. Certainly, having left home at 11.30am, I was stretching my pass-out staying until 5.30pm as it was. [And with it, getting home after the journey back a tad after 6.30pm].

As for depressing, did any of us wish we hadn't gone? We're all a little wiser, and a little more experienced. None of us spent much money (Loveshiheels didn't even buy a drink ).

Another venue, another day?

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