Shyheels

It’s very unusual not to like music, that’s for sure - I mean if I understand you correctly in that you dislike all forms of it. I will readily agree though that it is being forced upon us by constant advertising and social media. You can’t look at an Instagram post any more - even one that is primarily text-based - without music being blared at you, or some pretentious chords being played. It’s a nuisance and insulting to have it assumed that this is necessary. I find myself muting even songs and music I would normally like because it’s distracting and annoying and being forced upon me.

I see your dilemma perfectly! I’m muddling along in my own fashion trying to lift my abilities in 12cm stilettos but going for long walks - while it would no doubt lift my skill level - just doesn’t seem workable

I much prefer almond toes myself

I know exactly what you mean! I too have my own very particular aesthetic when it comes to boots. In a nutshell clean lines and classic styling. I know it when I see it

A trick to photographing interiors so your perspective looks right is to crouch down a bit and have the camera lens at what would be about mid-chest level instead of standing fully upright and holding the camera up to your face

I’m impressed! That thing is huge! My musical talent is limited to playing the iPad, which I do rather well, even in 12cm stilettos!

Go-go boots certainly evoke an era - one that was bright, colourful and optimistic. For those of us who love fashion boots they were also a major cultural stepping stone. When Andre Courreges came out with the go-go boots in 1964 he very neatly tapped into the mod Sixties zeitgeist - the space age was one of his influences - and his sassy white boots became one of the defining looks of the decade. Boots were also given a basic boost by Roger Vivier who reimagined a 17th century musketeers cuissardes as the modern thigh boot in 1963, and by Nancy Sinatra whose hit These Boots Were Made for Walking in 1965 boosted boot sales dramatically on both sides of the Atlantic. By the end of the decade boots were a fashion staple for empowered women and they've remained so ever since. And yes go-go boots typically had lower heels - about twi inches and some even lower. I think Correges original go-go boots had pretty much standard heels of an inch or so. My attraction to them is not for their heels but for their styling and their evocation of an era and because when I was a kid and saw them being worn I really, really wanted a pair. I've never bought myself any because I can't find nice ones, alas - I'd be happy to do so if I could, but the only ones I find are in costume shops. There is too, as you point out, a difficulty in figuring out what to pair them with. Back in the 60s it tended to be mini skirts but I wear jeans and have not figured how I can make that work with shiny white patent go go boots!

I think that were a kind of special group - in terms of interest, passion and knowledge when it comes to heels. We’re far more likely to notice nuance and subtle differences than the average heel wearer

People should really mind their own business.

I agree as well - nothing about them appeals to me

Exactly! I don’t think in terms of numbers but in the aesthetic. What I see as stylish and wearable heels are probably going to be around 10cm and what I see as imperious and elegant are probably going to be around 12cm. Specific measurements don’t come into it. I want to learn to walk gracefully in 12cm boots because they’re imperious and elegant, not because they’re 12cm

I like to cook too and tend to do it in my 12cm boots. I’m up and standing and moving around the galley so it feels more productive than simply pacing back and forth. Standing for an hour though, while working at my laptop, was challenging. I could really feel it in my calves. I felt like I’d been hill walking all afternoon! I think of it like taking up ice skating - new athletic challenges. As to why, well we all wear something in our feet and high heels are elegant. I love the aesthetics of a 12cm stiletto boot and would like to be able to wear them with the kind of panache one needs to carry off heels that high. It’s one thing to admire the aesthetics but if you can’t walk in them well you might as well stay in the sidelines. To walk in them well requires a lot of practice and dedication - and if you’re as lucky as we are, friends to help and encourage you along the way. I feel very fortunate to be sharing this challenge with such experienced heel wearers as you and @higherheels

I definitely want to buy a pair. I've wanted go go boots since I was a child.

I put in an hour of working standing up in my 12cm stiletto boots. It was a challenge in a couple ways, not least of which was the extra height it gave me, which made my kitchen counter feel awfully low and so rather awkward to write at my laptop. on the brighter side, standing in them for an hour was a great way to become used to the height, steeper angle and to develop the balance needed to walk gracefully in them. It’s not putting in the miles like @mlroseplant but I think it will be useful. I certainly felt it in my calves after an hour of standing in those boots!

As a child I was a huge fan of go-go boots! I wished I could have a pair of those shiny white boots - it’s what set me on the course to liking women’s boots snd heels! I still fancy a pair of go-go boots if only I could find nice ones …