William

Both look great and should give no cause for concern.

Those four guys are a boy band / dance group... Katasky (sp?) They're incredible. Look them up on youtube.

Just wondering... If/When high heels become more of a trend for men, will more men embrace a simple elegant heel, or will more men try a more slutty/skanky look? I ask because I also check out "high Heel Passion" website, and a lot of men submit pictures of themselves looking pretty slutty. Any thoughts?

"Catch the Gay" ... interesting concept! Funny!

Happyinheels -- I agree with what you've said. I am not advocating that we ask society for permission to wear heels. Maybe my post didn't come across as it should. Maybe I was just thinking out loud, and maybe I still am. I used to wear a lot of cowboy boots, more then than currently. I'm not a cowboy. I don't work or live on a farm. I don't ride horses. When friends would say, "Dude, why are you wearing cowboy boots?" My response was very simple, "Because I like them, they get me eye to eye with all my taller friends, and they're comfortable as all get out -- you should try them!" It was often that my friends would say back something positive, or say maybe they will try them out. Easy! With high heels, it is more than "just a shoe". Aside from your correct statement that "people are sheep" -- they're very observant sheep. They notice the people who set themselves apart from the crowd. Obviously indiscreet heeling isn't as noticeable, but for those who wear thigh highs and pumps to WallyWorld, you know you're being noticed. There are days I like the attention. However, I probably wouldn't wear "attention-seeking" clothing or footwear and also expect to be taken seriously. For example, if a male friend of mine came into work Monday morning wearing a see through shirt, revealing a lace bra underneath, I don't imagine I'd be able to take him all that seriously. If the same friend had confided in me that although I couldn't see it, he was wearing a bra under his business shirt and tie, it wouldn't matter as much. No disrespect intended to those men who do wear ladies undergear, but I think it's silly. If someone were flaunting their silliness, I might think he had a real problem that needed some professional attention. However, should the same man wear an unbuttoned shirt or no shirt, he may still get some attention, but provided he had a rock solid build, some would probably think he was a cool guy. He gets a pass to cross the shirt boundary. If the same guy wore a speedo to the beach, he might get a pass if he was a serious swimmer (most guys don't get the speedo pass). If the same guy were going clubbing in some cities, he might even get a pass to wear heels, afterall, it's a party. While I don't advocate the need for societal approval (maybe I come close) pulling the look off AND being taken seriously was the main concern I was trying to express. More hours of the day than not, I need to be taken seriously -- it's a matter of urgency to make a good first and lasting impression for me in my job. Anyone else relate?

Interesting thread. Let me say upfront that I have no problem with the guys who choose to dress partly or entirely in fem mode. However, as someone who most would never suspect as a guy who enjoys heels, I think I'd be right in thinking that most of our society would lump all men who wear heels with the guys who wear dresses and who do drag shows. (I really do believe we're that ignorant as a whole.) Most guys I know would say that Gene Simmons (KISS) totally rocked his boots back in the day. Most would agree that Prince pulled it off well and his look is "cool". I think most of the 45 and up crowd will say that men's 70's era shoes were cool, funky, sexy, etc. But I think it's going to take a lot more work before our society embraces men wearing feminine looking shoes, forget about skirts and dresses. Men in strappy sandals and skirts will continue to be a free freak show for most of the people of our society. (I don't endorse such a view myself.) Personally, I enjoy a well-groomed masculine look. I would see nothing wrong with most guys pairing a traditionally masculine look with a nice pair of 4" cuban heels with such a look, or a pair of 5" cowboy boots -- from my perspective, the look totally rocks. But then again, I think society would throw most heel wearing guys into the category of Drag queen, gay, freak, etc. That's my answer to the question of "So what do we look like???" More importantly, how do we make the changes that need to be made in how people view us?

Exciting choice. How's practice?

I voted no. I prefer a more structured look in general. Regardless of heel type or height, I prefer something more solid looking -- more masculine than feminine. For me it should be made of leather and wood and metal (not satin, not strappy, and most mostly NOT plastic). But to each his own. Enjoy what you wear.

I agree. Respect your environment. Just as there are some clothing choices that would be disrespectful to a wedding or a funeral, or a business meeting, there are bad choices within the context of certain communities. While I would choose to respect your right to wear whatever you wanted to wear, I would also learn something about you from the choices that you make. What you've just told us is that your friend enjoys any attention she can get, at any cost, with no respect for herself or those around her. Not cool.

I think Dr. Shoe just nailed it. Your interest in exploring high heels, may trigger something that was already going on inside you, nothing more. For example, when I speak of my sexuality, it includes my sensuality. High heels absolutely increase my sensuality. I love the way they make me feel. They bring about a certain level of arousal. Most of that sexual energy is very naturally directed to my wife. Sometimes, it leads to self pleasure. I suppose that if I were locked in a room with anyone who was as turned on by high heels, and loved wearing them as much as me, some form of mutual pleasuring could happen. I doubt that wearing heels alone would make me want to have a sexual encounter with another man, though I suppose I might get turned on by a man who would enjoy servicing my boots. I've never had such an encounter, and it is doubtful that I ever will. Still, I would make the distinction that two men, enjoying a common passion toward heels, would not be the same thing as turning, or being either gay or bisexual. Some of my boot friends might say, "It's just a boot thing." I hope this helps...

Everyone has seen me in 3" cowboy boots -- and no comments ever. Other than only a few very close friends and my wife, no one has seen me in really high heels.

I saw the article, read it and thought very little about it. To be honest, I was a bit bothered by the photo. To me, it would have been a more positive photo had they put up some men who are dressed in a more masculine look wearing heels that more men could actually pull off. Does that make any sense?

Hotels are one of the easiest places to feel comfortable in heels -- after all, no one who wants to keep their job is going to give you a hard time. Go for it!

For what it's worth, you looked fantastic! Keep it up.

I'm not sure about this. American Outfitters has a certain image to convey. I think they have a right to choose an employee that fits their image. That's not to say that if a male employee shows up at a Christmas party in thigh high boots and a long pvc trench coat that he should be fired. But, at work, expecting a certain level of conformity and deemed "appropriateness" is okay with me. I would guess that this viewpoint might trample on the notion of workers' right, but what about employer rights? Shouldn't a company be allowed to set standards of their own choosing? Hey, if you work at McD's, your going to have to wear the outfit...

What size do these come up to?

In general, I've found mature women to be the most informed about the shoes they sell. I've also found young women to be annoying, questioning the seriousness of my intention to buy heels for myself. I've had the best experiences with younger men (below 40) who have told me how cool it was that I'd wear heels. (Maybe they're just trying to make the sale?) I don't remember ever buying shoes from an middle-aged or older male sales clerk.

Now, I'm really confused... a "real woman" thinks men in heels must be gay? Wow, dudes, never considered that scenario!! C'mon! Ignorant people are going to have ignorant ideas. Get over it. Wear what you want to wear. What's the point of worrying who likes your choices and who doesn't?! "What if my friends think I'm gay?" Who cares? Admittedly, I'm more of a heel fetish guy than a public heel wearing kinda guy. So, even though I've worn heels in public for fun, I'm not at all interested in wearing heels 24/7, nor am I looking to join a campaign change society's thoughts on fashion. (I wear my fair share of out-of-the-ordinary clothing and accessories. I think I understand taking risks, too.) So, my advise: grow up and wear what you want to wear -- and stop whining about the acceptance of others! Work on acceptance of yourself. Wil

What others do, you cannot control. How others think, you cannot change. What he did could have some negative consequences for you down the road. It was not right for him to take that risk on your behalf, regardless of his good or bad intentions toward you. On the other hand, what anyone does can only bother you to the extent to that which you allow it to bother you. Personally, I might be a bit embarrassed that pictures of me are being sent to who knows who. But then again, I'm not you. You are free to feel how you feel and to express your concerns to your friend. If it were me, I might send back a picture of myself in stripper heels, or better yet, blow it up and stick it inside his locker for everyone to see... hehehe.

YES! I love women -- especially those who want to share in the discussion of our common passion for heels.

Glitter boots don't do it for me, but maybe they'll help broaden society's mindset about footwear for men. Now, throw some heels on those bad boys and watch out!!!

I'm guessing you're still not feeling confident. Cowboy boots really don't get much attention, except from those of us who really enjoy seeing a sexy pair of cowboy boots. You're probably a lot more aware of yourself than anyone else ever will be. Practice will help a lot. Any boots that you're not yet comfortable in will take a while to break in -- they have a very different feeling than ordinary shoes, and a very different walking stride. Some, are quite slippery on some floors. Take some time; it will come. Slow down your walk and get comfortable with the swagger of your boot walk. You may want to practice next time your farther away from home. I've worn 5" heels a few times when about an hour away from home, so I wasn't afraid of running into people. As to heels in general... the same will be true. Right now, I've got on a pair of 7" sandals. My walk is slower and stride is smaller. I'm not one to wear these heels out in public. Mostly in public, I'm comfortable with 4" block heel boots or my 3.5" cowboy boots. Stilettos are really fun to wear, but I save them for indoor use. Most of all, if you're putting out a solid confidence, you can wear what you want anywhere you desire. Enough said... Good luck!

maybe fun, but ugly!

I know from reading so many posts here, that you are a lucky SOB to have a wife who indulges your love for heels. In that spirit, I say share your shoes anytime she asks. That seems fair to me.