B-booted

I remember doing much the same. Long drive through England wearing heels and then I decided to keep them on at the motorway filling station. No reaction - confidence built up further. Congratulations on going for it. People have more to think about than what others wear. Even the most outlandish style will only raise a brief coment then people move on.

I just like wearing heels. So it is my usual male attire (jeans, cargo pants, shirt, whatever) and I have a beard (why waste time shaving?). So, if I decide to wear heels I just add them in. I don't own any male heels though for my work I wear shoes from the more androgenous end of the "female" spectrum (still 2.5 - 3in) which does not cause any head turning. I tend to be conservative with trousers covering much of the heel (especially as I live in smallsville!) but when walking heels are always obvious. My wife accepts this but if I feel like pusing the boundaries / height / style I ask if she is comfortable with the style. I don't see the point her feeling ill at ease. Have three older children who haven't commented adversly despite obvious heel wearing.

I was on holiday in Florida last sumer and during the holiday had bought a pair of brown knee length boots with a narrow four inch wedge heel from Leather is Wilson. Buying these was interesting as someone had muddled up a pair of 9s & 7s so first of all I had to search for a pair of 9s. Then when trying them on the (male) assistant told me they were women's boots. I smiled and said I knew who they thought were intended for. Needless to say we were tight for packing things into suitcases and I asked my wife if she minded me wearing these home (to UK). She didn't agree so I put the boots in my hand luggage and almost forgot all about them. We were the last flight out that evening and when only our flight remained I asked again if I could wear my boots. She agreed and off I popped to change in the toilets. I had just returned when they called the flight early so there was no chance of changing my mind / chickening out. On to the plane was no problem, depite a long walk - I didn't notice any comments from behind. On the plane was no problem though I only got out of the seat a couple of times. However Gatwick was fun... The baggage handlers were at ther best - a two hour wait, standing, till the baggage came through. Not much of my heel was showing and there were no glances or looks. Mind you, by that stage jet lag was hitting hard and attention was directed at the mis-information board! Then came the hardest part. Contolling a fully laden baggage trolley in four-inch heels is awkward! But we made it to the airport hotel via a bus ride. My children (12/14/21) either didn't notice or didn't care. I've alway kept me heeling conservative around them and the occasional comment makes me think they know. I just put it as I like collecting. With an eight hour flight and a two hour wait for baggage that was the longest time I've worn heels.

There is no cure - self restraint needed. But then there is e-bay. And collecting the different colours of the same style... The boots are brill, and Aldo is a good make. Sometimes looking on this site makes me want to buy the styles others have shown. On this occasion I CAN resist - just bought a pair of Topshop lace-ups, brand new... from e-bay! (and at a fraction of the retail price).

It is easy to forget that your are wearing heels if you are comfortable about it. Only today a friend of the wife's came round whilst I was wearing three inch block heel ankle boots and in the half hour she was in I don't think she even noticed. I didn't make any effort to conceal (or show) my heels.

Mainly boots, up to 4in heels, ususally black, occasionally brown. Also clogs and wedges... but not pumps yet! B-booted

Came back from Florida last year. As it happened with the last minute packing I had a pair of brown 4" narrow wedge heeled, knee high boots that were in hand luggage. Went through security fine. About 20 minutes before boarding I asked the wife if she minded me wearing them for the flight home. (I think it is important to respect her limits). Not a problem. Went of to the toilets, put on my heels and travelled home. The heels made the control of an obstinate baggage trolley at Gatwick more difficult. And then there was a two hour wait for the baggage to tuen up. Nobody noticed, not from the family or other travellers! Great experience - will be doing it again.

You can get a startled reaction from the new sales assistant. With those who have worked for longer it can go the other way. I was in Nine West the other day, just browsing when the sales assistant inquired if she could help. I was happy just browsing but she said "If you want to try on any boots just l e t ..." and she trailed off. Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to take her up on the offer of the boots I was looking at. Didn't want to buy them but it could have been fun!

Ever since childhood - alway enjoed high heels, always taken by boots. Sadly my mother's sister's shoes were always too small so it was not until I went to college that I owned my first pair (six inch ankle strap). Then as I "matured" it went onto "everyday" wear. My wife supportive, provided I'm reasonable - if on any day she says no to a higher heel I wear a lower one. I do not own any male shoes now!

I'm lucky. An easy UK 7, EU40 or US 9.5. My feet seem to be "off the peg" (shelf?) size, but I always try on in shops before I buy - some manufacturers have their own sizing! B

Interesting - don't know why I started wearing women's jean - probably a better range of bootcut styles. Once I started wearing them, I just didn;t buy male jeans anymore! Good to see others doing the same. No one has ever noticed or commented, indeed jeans are pretty unisex.

Really like the second pair. Interesting option of heel heights. I remember fancying these when they were around in the eighties - never did get my feet into any! B

Hi Larry,

welcome to the club... If you ever want your wife accepting your heels outside, try a less feminine style first, like block heel boots. You can have the same height feeling without shocking your wife's feeling. Mine's OK with boots and clogs, but not with stilettos. So this is a compromise. Anyway, congrats for your courage and keep walking!

Marc

Would reinforce this advice - gently does it. Initially my wife was not keen but soon accepted two inch block heels. Recently I went out in four inch heels (Faith, on of my favourites). Not on to stilettos yet, but who knowns...

BTW, I don't own any "male" shoes. Work shoes are three inch wedges (Kangarooos). No comments, no problems

Just to add to other comments. Go into the shop as though you were going to buy any other item. I was surprised that when I went to Dolcis the shop assistant agree that the boots I was trying on looked good. OK she was probably going for the sale. None of the other customers seemed to notice. The more you do it the esier it becomes.

Here is my experience. At an early stage I told my wife to be and she accepted my interest in high heels. Just before our first child she went through the stage of "you can't wear those". Those were 4 inch stiletto courts. I've always had some heels around - usually her cast off heels as she now only wears flats. Over the last 10 years I have worn heels more and more often. Up to 3.5 inches in front of the children (d17, s11, s9) and they have not really noticed. All very low key, played down. One comment from a son age 10y was "Are those girls shoes?" (3 inch block heels while doing DIY) Reply "They could be." No further interest. Gradually I've built up my collection and now have 52 pairs (!) Go gently in front of family and potentially difficult situations and I expect it will work out. I'm not trying to make a statement - I just wear heels to please myself. However, when I'm next away on business I am tempting to try something much more adventurous - there are so many stories at HHPlace of this causing few / no problems. Be careful B-booted

I've regularly worn up to 3.5 inches with no looks, interest or comment. All have been black but soon I intend to try colours. I did a 3in tan wedge to an evening out - no commment or interest. I've worn 2.5 inch (boring?) wedges to worj for the last six months, in a small business - again no looks, comments or interest. Be confident B-booted

Not my style of cloggs but enjoy them! I prefer the a more traditional look - with a good heel! B-booted

The first time I went out was silly - 3am and 6 inch heels and a couple of beers inside. I got away with it (age 21) because no-one was around. Driving in heels is good - and then you can carry on as normal refueling / having a break etc. Three inch wedges really go unnoticed - in fact I've never had many glances at any heels so it must be time to be even more adventurous! B-booted

Can recommend the black ankle boots, but then I would! Two inches easy peasy - honestly, if you have not tried going out in there it is a good start. Once YOU are happy work upwards. If you are new to going out, go out with a purpose - to buy someting, go to the library, anything - as you would normally. If you really want to "force" yourself here's an idea that I used. Had to go away overnight on business - dressed up with my 2 inch heels on, put a pair of 3 inch boot in the bag and that is all I took. Whatever happened, whoever I met, there was no choice but to keep going - it worked. As you go out more so your confidence builds - believe me! B-booted

I can understand TBG too. I am less adventurous - up to three inch block heels - partly because I live in a v. small town - but it is disappointing in a way when your boots only get a look and no comment. I would reinforce Firefox's advice about business - change slowly and people will come with you. A receptionist said about a pair of new shoes a few months ago that I always like a bit of heel. I don't think she had registered that they were female shoes. However the female student recently attached to the business gave my shoes very many glances but didn't say a thing!

I thought it was time to be a little more adventurous. So a couple of days ago I moved up from 2" zip ankle boots with a buckle to 3" boots. OK they are chunky with a Vibram type sole, but the heel is clear, even with bootcut jeans. The wife asked if I was going to take the kids to school in them. No problem, I don't get out of the car - she didn't protest. Then it was general pottering around the house and dog walking - no problem. Then a trip round the local supermarket. Met up with at least six people who knew me - no comment and no looks. One girl going round the store was wearing a beautiful air of blade heels about 4" high - she got my looks! Finally into work. Yes, I'm on holiday and I know I shouldn't go in during the evenings. The cleaner was there as expected - chatty Australian girl working here way round Europe. She looked! After glancing down about three time she said "Nice bootcut jeans." Did she miss the heels or was she just coding the message. I'll never know - she's move away, it was her last night. Hopefully I've left her with an interesting memory. Next week I'm going for a haircut - will I be brave enough to wear my heels in full view? Lets wait and see. Biggest problem here is that it is a very small town andeverybody notices (almost) everything. B-booted

Great shopping experience. I found the same here and once was caught out when I hadn't intended to try on a pair of 3 inch heels. I took them to the checkout intending to risk buying them and try them on at home when the assistant asked me if I wanted to try them on. How could I refuse?

Well done for taking the plunge. Don't know how well it would work in my situation - small company, one coffee room and everyone notices (nearly) everything. That said I have been wearing girls shoes for six months now, but I am cheating. They are a pair of Kangaroos lace wedges with a 2 inch heel and could have come from either "side" of the shop. My other pair is a pair of 2" boots with some buckle detail on that. Once everyone is acclimatised it will be time to move up - 3" next? I'm still at that anxious and eager stage so it won't be long now. Was going to do something outrageous for the Jeans4genes day but the atmosphere wasn't right... B-booted

I like platforms but am more into boots than strappy shoes. However, I have some beautiful 6" stiletto hees on 2" platforms which I enjoy wearing around the house. Stability dos not seem to be a problem but I wouldn't like to walk down a cobbled street in them. I seem to rember from the 70's some of the guys at school had platform boots that look identical to girls' platform boots of today. Just today I had the benefit of seeing a girl try on a brand new pair of platforms in a local shop. They fitted, she kept them on, paid for them and left. Was I envious or what! B-booted

Many thanks for all the welcomes. Laurieheels - what's strange about this area of the net?! It seems perfectly normal to me. Good to see we can have disagreements, if we didn't we'd be as boring as the trainer clones! I'll be posting from now on, rather than lurking! B-booted.