Shyheels

Yes, it is funny how our paths are so similar despite our differences in lives and countries and jobs. You too have a good story. You certainly had some amazing dedication to have continued after that first painful night out. Like you, I found redemption in chunky heeled ankle boots. I'd always wanted a pair of boots such as you describe - I viewed them as racier, edgier versions of the hiking boots I wear as a matter of course (Im the guy editors send off to wild and remote places, not the one they have covering finance or politics) I found a pair of very nice black leather ankle boost with 8cm chunky heels and almond-shaped toes (my favourite style) and loved them. Like you I could them amazingly comfortable and easy to walk in, yet they still gave me the sense of being in heels and the satisfaction that came with that. I now have a couple pairs pf 8cm block heeled boots, including knee boors and an OTK pair and love them. Aside from liking the style they helped build up my abilities and now I'm taking up the challenge of 12cm stilettos!

Yes. I work from home - I'm a writer - and I often wear heels because I like to. It's my office and I can wear what I please. But I can certainly understand someone rebelling against the expectation that they wear heels - or some dress code requirement. I think you've touched on one of the joys of wearing heels - and the source of resentment. They are a challenge. Not everyone can do it, or if they can, are willing to put in the time and effort to make it look effortless. To do a difficult thing and do it gracefully and, what's more, make it look effortless, can certainly spark resentment among those who can't or won't do it. And that's more likely to come from other women.

That's a great story @mlroseplant. I can picture the scene and imagine the circumstances - and the discomfort. I have a standing in heels story too - a couple of them actually. Like yours mine occurred when I was first trying out high heels. I'd always fancied heels and wished it were open to me to give them a try without it being turned into some big deal. When at last I summoned the nerve, I bought myself a pair of very elegant knee boots with 10cm heels - fashion classics, the very sort of boots I'd secretly always wanted and wished I dared to by. All well and good. They arrived and they were perfect. Nicely made, soft leather, perfect fit. I'd gone with boots as my f=gateway into heels mainly because I like boots but also because they seemed the sensible choice - if sensible is ever a word you can use to describe stilettos. In all the how-to-walk-in-heels articles and blog posts I'd read ahead of time, beginners were advised to start low and chunky and work their way up. Somehow I thought that didn't include me, but to be on the safe side I figured to get something at offered decent support. I wanted to succeed at this not end up in A&E with a twisted ankle and a dumb backstory. So boots it was. By all accounts they were easier to walk in. After sitting for a few thoughtful moments, admiring my new high heels and marvelling at my daring for having bought them, I stood up!. Wow. Aside from the giddy rush of finally being in heels, my calf muscles clenched up like I'd done a thousand toe raises at the gym non-stop. That was a surprise. Until that moment it had never even occurred to me that I might lack the muscle tone to wear heels. How could that be? I'm a cyclist. I ride a couple thousand miles a year and live in a hilly town. But taking up high heels was like taking up a new sport, one that not only requires a new skill set but uses your muscles in a whole new way as well. It was my first proper glimpse into the world of high heels. I didn't quit or give up but I look things more sensibly after that. A couple of days later, I managed to eat my lunch standing by the counter in my stiletto boots and felt quite chuffed at my progress. Outside a neighbour went by walking her dog. She saw me in the window, smiled and waved. I smiled and waved back, blushing a bit and wondering if she'd noticed I was several inches taller. A part of me hoped she had.

Yes I agree. Heels are contentious. I have found that women are far more likely to compliment me on my boots while men merely observe - although to be honest I mainly seem to pass unnoticed. with the exception of members here I find it far easier to talk about heels, and men in heels - me! - with women than with men to whom even the subject seems taboo

Absolutely! But the people who want us to be seduced by the altogether more dangerous AI they are promoting want very much for this confusion to remain in place. To believe that this is all just the harmless betterment of all our lives

It really is! The more I read about fashion as a culture and the history of fashion the more I want to know. Heels are especially fascinating. They are such a paradox. On the one hand they are denounced as tools of the patriarchy, designed to hobble and objectify women for the pleasure of men, yet at the same time they are born with panache by many of the most powerful women in the world, leaders in business, politics, arts and entertain,ent who view their heels as symbols of empowered femininity, spend small fortunes on designer help and speak of the emotional lift and sense of empowerment that comes with putting on a pair of stilettos and string into a meeting. Men are expected to admire - lustily - high heels on women but are told from birth they mustn't ever even think about trying on a pair themselves. Who can't help but e fascinated by all this furore and taboo?

I wonder if perhaps they feel threatened or challenged by the look. I think you mentioned once that there is an element of almost being an outlaw or renegade for wearing heels. There seems to be very few neutral perceptions of high heels. As a writer and observer that’s one of the things I find fascinating about them - more than just footwear they’re a part of our culture, wrapped in mystique and complicated meanings.

I was wondering that too.

I'm much there same, but prefer almond-shaped toes. Living along a towpath makes things difficult as I don't are to ruin my boots or break an ankle!

Yes! Would have been nice to have had a coffee in town!

Teetering this morning with the boat on an ever so slight list to starboard - not unusual in narrowboats. You notice it vaguely when you walk along the galley and living space in regular shoes or slippers, but very much more so in 12cm stilettos. I’m looking at it as good training for balance! Yes - I was wondering if you had any good motorbike expeditions planned to make use of the fine autumn weather. I don’t think I’ve heard your standing in heels story, or at least I don’t recall it, so I’ll be interested to hear it!

Epically hideous

It is not the same at all as the arguments against electricity etc. that’s a palliative fed to the masses. This is far more insidious

Those are lovely boots. Well worth the investment

@higherheels I’m impressed! Standing for half an hour in 12cm stilettos is pretty darn good. to say nothing if walking to and from. One if the things I do for practicing on my boat in my 12cm heels is standing to eat my lunch and I can definitely feel it! I’ll get fit calves out of this if nothing else! I take your point about good design making a big difference. My Jean Gaborit boots are so incredibly comfortable and easy to walk in. @mlroseplant Have you any rides planned?

It does sound a little awkward and as though he hadn’t a clue or is unable to comprehend an alternative fashion choice. I’m glad there was no negativity.

It was warmer this morning so I was back into my 12cm heels, doing a few lengths of the boat - a good 15 to 18; steps each way given the shortened steps one takes in such high heels - in between periods of writing. Practicing in heels has the added benefit of getting me up and moving every twenty minutes or so, something I really need to be doing as it is so easy to become absorbed in your work and find you’ve sat hunched up for hours on end. Our high heel challenge lifts me out of that unhealthy rut. @higherheels I am also deeply impressed by your 800m walk in 12cm stilettos, all the more so after my practice session this morning! @mlroseplant It is curious, but nice, that we take things seriously enough to want to walk well in our heels. And sometimes that does mean treating it as a sport that you go somewhere to practice

Yes! I love boot season - which I somehow manage to extend to all year round! Another night of clear skies snd low temperatures coming up, another early morning in heavy suede OTK boots! Perfect. congratulations on the successful outing in the 12cm Louboutins! That’s great! I can imagine that after practicing in the Hot Chicks you would definitely find the Pigalle’s a bit easier. I know I’ve really noticed the difference practicing in my 12cm heels makes when I put on my 10cm boots. Even just wearing them on the boat is making a definite difference

Very true! I’ve been trying to think of where I can go to get some real world practice in my challenge heels. The nearest place is a park about a mile and a half away from where I’m moored - a distance and time commitment that is a serious disincentive. I can practice here in the boat - about 15 paces each way, back and forth - until I get enough fluency not to look stupid elsewhere

It’s definitely been stolen from me as well

I’m think more along the lines of AI taking nearly jobs, the rank and file all receiving universal basic income and living at subsistence level with no prospect for change, while the billionaire class rules the world.

There are so many scary ramifications to this. I see it ultimately as a means of controlling society in ways that humanity has never experienced before

Impressively high for what amounts to a 1.2km - ¾ mile - walk! But to borrow a phrase from a dong near to my heart, those heels look made for walking. You should see the towpath here - most unsuited for walking, even in Vibram soled hiking boots. Fortunately I have some very nice knee high boots with sturdy soles and low heels so I can keep up my style for tall boots. And on the cold mornings, such as today - down to freezing with thick ice firming on the boat - I have my heavy suede OTK boots with 8cm heels. Love these!

I can understand the appeal. It’s seductive. But ultimately it is going to be very, very harmful and there may be no way back.

That’s impressive - a 600m walk in week in your challenge height heels. I’d love to go for such a stroll in mine, but I’m really struggling to find a place. We had two inches of rain last night and now the towpath is unpleasant even in heavy Vibram soled hiking books.