Shyheels

My! Rather touchy, aren't we? The historical link with men and heels is rather well known, as are the 17th century paintings you posted. If you like I can give you chapter and verse on the introduction of heels into Europe - the envoy sent by the Shah of Persia to the court of France in 1599, and the racy footwear worn by their cavalry officers, and how they cut a dash with their exoticism and swagger and made high heels a hot fashion at court for the next century; I can tell you about Louis XIV and his love of heels and England's King Charles II who, at 6'2" hardly needed the extra height yet wore four-inch heels to his coronation (as seen in his official painting); I can tell you about the daring coterie of high-born women in the early years of the 18th century who began wearing men's fashions until heels and bright colours began to be seen as something feminine; I could tell you about what sociologists call the "Great Male Renunciation" in the mid 18th century, the Age of Enlightenment, when gentlemen wanted to appear scholarly and intellectual, rather than preen around like peacocks at court, and forswore adornment in favour of sombre shades and practicality - an imprisonment of thought we've never really moved on from. So there we are. Happy now?

Women don’t need swords - they have stilettos!

It's one to see your new thread launched! I shall certainly be following! I must admit I'd like to do something of the sort myself, but struggle to think of things to sat or write that might be of interest.

I totally agree. Everyone should be free to be themselves but don’t expect the entire world to be focussed on your latest form of self-expression. A lot of people seem to be very precious about themselves these days, quick - even eager - to take offence and claim for themselves some new form of victimhood. The guy taking off his clothes is just weird and any good he might have accomplished in normalising a guy in heels just vanishes. He becomes just another weirdo and only reinforces the stereotype that a guy in heels is weird

That’s a very good point! The NIMBY version of fashion. Also, while the author tries to make a point about feminism and men in heels, it is the feminist women who are most likely to be scornful of men in heels.

Interesting article. It could have used a tighter edit. Some if it was quite repetitive. It didn’t say anything totally surprising, but the fact that it’s being said at all us encouraging

I don’t dispute they are nice looking sandals, or that the back of the hell may be as narrow as some varieties of stiletto, but the stiletto is tapered, pouty and calls to mind the lethal blade of a dagger. These would be more like a cleaver.

That is what I’d call the thinned of the wedge, but not a stiletto. A stiletto gets its name from the Italian dagger. I defy anyone to stab somebody with the heel on those wedges, or any wedges.

Stiletto wedges? Is that not a contradiction in terms?

They do! It’s the leather soles, even with standard men’s heels

I agree with you on the noise. I'm not about attracting attention either. The acoustics seems to depend on the design of the boot rather than specifically a high heel, although of course heels will accentuate it.

I don’t wear sandals but I do think it is a style that particularly suits wedges. I dislike wedge heeled boots though. To my mind the height of a boot calls for the elegance of a more sculpted heel.

We’re all on various spectrums of whatever. As for me, I am not at all confused by my gender or orientation and do not feel the least bit less masculine in heels. I am aware though that there is an element of femininity in my make up - as there is with everybody, merely a matter of degree. Wearing heels has taught me to be comfortable with that, not threatened by it.

I’ve several pair of Jean Gaborit boots both with and without heels. The soles and heels on them are superb - sturdy and stable. I’m sure they can eventually wear out but most unlikely to break

I can understand that too! The delighting in variety

Totally agree! I too like a variety of styles but am also very fussy. I dislike far more varieties of heels/boots than I like. I am increasingly glad that I spent more on my boots, and bought fewer of them. Those I have fit beautifully, wear well and will last for years. A couple of pair are already nearly ten years old and have many years left in them

I could imagine my wife agonising over a neatly undetectable difference in shade, then getting rid of the things and regretting it ever afterwards

A common theme there .. By their very nature heels, especially stilettos, are going to be somewhat precarious and therefore not great candidates for the cheap disposable fashion that is nearly universal these days. We live in an era where firm triumphs over function. As long as it looks the part, no need for structural integrity.

I always wanted a pair of white boots and not long ago when I found a pair of OTK boots with 3.5 inch block heels - very much like taller versions of the go-go boots that caught my eye a a child - I was delighted and ordered a pair. They fit beautifully, had rounded toes - which I much prefer to pointy ones - and stylistically were perfect. And comfortable. But they were made of such cheap and flimsy faux leather! They felt more like part of a cheap costume than a genuine pair of boots. I suppose I've been spoiled by having all my boots up until now made of high quality leather. The difference was startling and unflattering. And so I shall divest myself of these and continue my search for a nice pair of white boots - hopefully someday

Yes, I was intrigued by that as well ...

Yes, there’s always that …

That’s a lovely environment - this casual and conversational acceptance. You’re very fortunate

It’s nice to have company in your misadventures. And very nice to have someone to chat with who shares your tastes and fashions

I wouldn't describe it as an angel on the shoulder but rather an Inner Jailer, instilling fear of rejection and isolation and a neediness to conform and belong to the herd. I would say the percentage of men who would like to wear heels - or at least have the freedom to do so - is considerably larger than 5 per cent. It is not just about a footwear style choice, but about overall liberation of thought and identity and expression. I think there is a great latent longing to be freer than we are.

Yes! Intensely frustrating. Even worse, in a way, than the more usual problem of seeing a pair one really likes only to find they make them in a small range of women’s sizes. There is such a huge difference between good quality leather boots and those made of cheap synthetic. The others feel like I’m wearing a costume.