Shyheels

I’m afraid I simply take the easier option and go with my 3 to 3.5” chunky heeled boots - although to be fair ease is only part of the reason. I genuinely prefer my chunky heeled boots - aesthetically, speaking and in terms of my own personal style. They seem more “me” if you know what I mean. That said I really do love the lines of 120 stiletto boots and keep meaning to put in the effort to learn to wear them

I have a pair of 120mm knee boots from Italian Heels, who scale their heels according to size to keep the lines and proportions correct - so at my size (their standard is a 38) my heels are somewhat higher than 120. I love the elegant lines on boots at this height (but no higher) but don’t get nearly enough practice in them to walk well - indeed do much more than totter.

Yes, that's a good point - you don't use your stiletto as a fulcrum to lower yourself down, but as a guide. I do have good ankle flexibility - although not what it once was. And I know that certainly makes a difference when it comes to walking in heels. Mind you, I do not walk in heels as high as yours, but more generally 3 to 3.5" chunky heeled boots.

An interesting post. What exactly is it you are doing that is making such a change in your mileage? How are you coming down more gently? A change in gait? Shorter strides? I tend to wear chunky heels so wear and tear is less of a worry, but I’d like to know how to reduce wear anyway.

Yes, thank you for your kind words. Like @Bubba136 I am grateful for the civil tone that exists on this site, such a contrast to so many internet forums! I recently joined (but have never posted on) a canal boat forum whose members are astonishingly vicious and backbiting to each other and especially to any newcomers foolish enough to try to join in any conversations. It’s positively staggering and makes one appreciate all the more the genteel tones, tolerance and friendships displayed here. Long may it continue!

Good points - although I think you could also say that the third, secret, persons is one that in many cases people don’t admit even to themselves. I suspect this inner unease is what brings out the anger against those who not only are in touch with that inner persona but are willing to indulge it. We are fortunate here to be able to discuss frankly and with good humour these foibles of ours and provide support and encouragement. It’s a valuable site

I think owning whatever look you choose to present - whether its heels or an idiosyncratic hat or waistcoat or livelier than usual colour combination - is the key to passing unnoticed. If you make it natural, that's how it will ultimately appear to others, even if they are momentarily startled

That’s quite a commute

Rare as hens teeth over here

Yes, I love suede and gave several really nice pair of suede boots that I hardly ever dare to wear outside because of the way our fickle English weather can go from sunshine to showers in minutes with no predictability at all. My suede boots have become office wear.

It isn’t just teenagers. When I was walking around Leeds yesterday I was struck by how many people are either staring at their phones or else staring rigidly ahead, seeing nothing A little of both - they were urban in style, not the equestrienne style you might expect in the country, and a kind of electric blue. But sturdy enough for the uneven ground

Yes the more you do, the more second nature it becomes. It feels quite odd to me sometimes taking my heels off at the end of the day

Taking a leaf out of @mlroseplant book I measured my steps yesterday as I made my way around the city of Leeds, and was pleasantly surprised to find it came to just over 7000. I was wearing ankle boots with 3.5” chunky heels - thicker heels being a necessity here in the old part of the city with its brick streets and irregular paving tiles. I might start keeping better track

That would have been funny. A couple of years ago I was out for an early morning bike ride and was churning my way up a long steep hill. The driver of the car behind me was furious at being held up - gunning his engine and tooting his horn - and the very second he could pass me he swept by within inches, on full acceleration, and screamed something at me. He was still accelerating when he reached the top of the hill where the speed camera flash went off. Instant karma. i couldn’t stop laughing

I thought I'd start this thread as a bit of a finger on the pulse of what is being worn. I was thinking of this the other night when I was in a busy pub having dinner and noticing the boots and heels being worn by my fellow patrons. I was wearing low-heeled OTK boots myself - bluish-grey suede over skinny jeans. I was not the only one in OTK boots. There was a young lady in black shorts (this in winter) with some very tall black leather boors - actually more like thigh boots than OTK. I'd never seen anything quite like them. The shafts looked to be made of very nice leather and fit her well; that part was elegant. The boot part though was like a pair of exceptionally heavy Doc Martens with very thick clod-hopper soles. I don't know if contrast and aesthetic tension was the point of this, but it looked like hell. My other outing this week was to go to Leeds, an old city in the north of England. I saw a lot of people (all women) wearing heels - typically chunky heeled knee and and ankle boots with 3" heels. It was almost the norm. I was wearing black leather knee boots myself, again with low heels (my circumstances at the moment do not lend themselves to wearing heels - not because of the fear of censure but risky footing and the ruination of nice suede high-heeled boots) Again, my black leather knee bots, for over skinny jeans, passed without notice.