p1ng74

Dear Santa,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tall-Paul-Bond-Boots-Custom-Handmade-Cowboy-Western-BOOTS-PRE-ORDER-IN-YOUR-SIZE/273529189465?hash=item3faf9c3459:g:agUAAOSwlJ9bqqef

Welcome!  I agree that there is a lot of fun in taking it one step at a time.  I just joined two months ago and just by getting ideas on this forum I have been able to try wearing new things out by myself.  I do not live in Europe but hopefully you will connect with some others here in person at some point.  

25 minutes ago, Shyheels said:

Yes, the 70s platforms was a brief shining exception. It would be an interesting study to examine the probably rather complex psychological factors and social changes that allowed that brief exception to flourish, and why and how it passed so swiftly and left almost no legacy other than vague quirky faintly embarrassed memories  

And then maybe we can figure out a way to start a renaissance?

Honour

Award

On 12/9/2018 at 4:16 PM, swedeheeler said:

It's eligible to wear heels, so my twisted brain will turn the question round to: Is there reasons to not wear heels?

Depends on how high a heel.  Yes, there are a lot of high activity situations where it is foolish to be in a 4” stilleto, but I’ve been contemplating pushing the limits.  I haven’t worn a pair of lace up shoes of any type in years.  I am constantly in boots with 2 to 2.25” heels, which most guys consider to be a bit tall for constant wear, but I really like the look and feel.  Yes, I hiked through New Zealand and Yellowstone, round up cattle, and climb ladders in my cuban heel boots.  I wonder if I can push to wearing a 3” cuban heel every day, and through high activity situations.  There are probably reasonable orthopedic arguments for 2” being an ideal height, but am I crazy for wanting to go higher?  

Block

35 minutes ago, Shyheels said:

There is something to what you say, but there are plenty of people (alas not enough) for whom quality and taste are important enough to pay a premium. 

The false economy of cheap goods is something we have to evangelize, especially to young people.  Only rich people can afford to buy and wear out dozens of cheap shoes every year.  If I can afford only one pair of shoes, I make sure that pair is well built, comfortable, and looks good.  Whenever I talk to guys about western boots, one common complaint I hear is that they are too expensive.  But these guys have never owned a pair of shoes with a serviceable heel, or a Goodyear welt, and will keep chewing through dress shoes every few months while I enjoy the same boots I have been wearing for years, which fit like a pair of socks.  

It took a lot of ladder climbing last month to secure this string of lights, so I just replaced the plug with the intention of keeping this string on for the rest of this year, and then I’ll toss it when I take it down.  

1 hour ago, jeremy1986 said:

Thanks for that - I knew I didn't have the right terminology
 

I assume most of all footwear (and clothes in general) comes from China these days... and I cant figure out why all wedges and most heels on Ali Express are quite ugly... while their factories (sweatshops?) are churning out lovely looking heels for the chains around the world! 

The People’s Republic is still a developing country.  They have jumped straight into mass producing goods that look exactly what the western designers have asked for, and they will cut corners in the manufacturing process to save money, as long as most people won’t notice and still buy the product.  

But the People’s Republic, not having the long heritage of craftsmanship in western clothing, are still a long way away from creating their own designs and selling them on Ali Express.  That is why what is out there looks so awful.  They are dependent on the West to design a good product.  Design, aesthetics, and craftsmanship take a lot more time to learn and understand.  

This lack of understanding of craftsmanship, to me, is the most significant compromise when buying Hecho in China.  They have no appreciation for using nicer materials that feel better against your skin, looks more elegant, or is sturdier when under stress.  A true craftsman that has built custom shoes has spent so much time in the product that he and she cannot help but think through all these things as they design and create their work.  

Three

I came across this guy’s YouTube channel, which has a small following, but it’s interesting that spending a day in heels was one of the first topics he did:

One Day in High Heels

The first thing I noticed is that the heels he wore are actually too big for his feet.  In spite of that, I think he did well, though he might have more success in better fitting heels.  

He also did a video of One Day in a Skirt which seemed to go pretty well... 

I have a basic electrical question for you all.  Yesterday I got on the ladder wearing my elephant boots with 2.25” heels to diagnose a string of Christmas lights that had gone dark.  I assume the fuse blew, but to check I put the multimeter up to the narrow hot prong of the plug to verify that it was broken.  Then I tested the wide neutral prong, only to discover that it is connected to the prongs at the base of the light sockets... not the tab on the side socket as I would expect.  This is a fairly old string of lights that uses mini screw sockets, and I can find no evidence that it has been tampered with, and I would assume it came off the factory line this way, with the hot side going through the prong on the socket itself, rather than the tab at the base.  Does this seem weird to anyone?  I am particularly sensitive to this detail because I know of at least one light socket in my house that was done completely backwards, and I found out the hard way once while managing to touch the socket while changing the light bulb...

All that said, the plug on these Christmas lights was fused together and I could not get it apart, so I ended up replacing the whole plug.  Unfortunately the local store only had a plug that uses symmetrical prongs, so it is now totally random which prong will end up hot or neutral.  Is this unsafe?   

SWAG

Proxima

6 hours ago, nzfreestyler said:

On a side note too..

Note sure if anyone here goes as far as I do (cause I'm pretty crazy) but having worn skirts/dresses for years, when you're shopping in the womens dept .. the good clothing stores have several pairs of black high heels in the fitting room area so when you're trying a dress on you can see how it looks when you're in heels...

actually quite sensible really, but its fun wearing their heels when trying stuff on. Also get lots of compliments from women shopping who can see what you're wearing when you come out to check in the areas full mirrors etc...

@nzfreestyler the positive interactions with women clearly show that you conduct yourself in a respectful and considerate manner when free styling and shopping in womens’ departments.  I am new to wearing high heels and the like, and I can imagine that it takes time and effort to build that personal brand, style, and confidence to be welcome in that way into the fitting area.  I think interactions like this are earned with time and experience.  Call it crazy, but it’s pretty cool.  

Alpha

Smith

5 hours ago, Peeptoe said:

 

I love your taste in shoes!  I am a sucker for buckles.  

When I started wearing dress cowboy boots into the office a few years ago, people immediately started identifying me by my boots.  I had thought this would be more common in Texas, but I immediately became known as the “guy who wears boots” to people who didn’t know me well.  I am sure most people did not notice at first, but those who noticed talked to people who don’t notice and soon everyone notices.  It’s not an insult - it’s just a way to identity a person to someone else when the name or other identifiers don’t make a connection.  But that is just a beginning, and over time people we build on what they know, and we develop deeper  understanding of each other and the shoes are just a small part of the whole picture.  

In that sense, I know what I am getting into by wearing heels.  Yes, enough people will probably notice and it would not surprise me if I became known as the “guy who wears heels.”  But I don’t expect it to be a barrier to developing relationships with people.  If anything, it may help us all get to know each other better.  

9 hours ago, HappyinHeels said:

p1ng74,

All these photos were taken at a hotel while you're on the road, right? You certainly are bringing your own sense of style to the office...and the hotel. HinH

Yes almost all are from business trips, and when I look back at the photos I feel like I have learned so much already!  

Last week I discovered Tod’s at the Galleria and came across these nice wedge boots.  They also have calf high models.  Fortunately, even the Galleria’s prices are a fraction of what they are listing on their website.  Still, it a lot of money for casual shoes, so I didn’t even try them on.  Would be nice to wear on a cold day like today though.  

13 hours ago, nzfreestyler said:

On a side note - I also find heels truely more comfortable. I run a lot and I have tight tendons etc anyway, wearing high heels for long periods of time does cause shortening of the achilles etc - I know of this and can feel it in my legs - but putting my feet back in say a 4 inch pump is much nicer than in a flat. I do wear flats at home - but standing still in flats is tiring for me.

Now I am curious @nzfreestyler - what height heels do you run in?

Tom

Fish

Tower