HappyinHeels

Mlroseplant 

Fascinating and I believe I have an idea what initiated his question after all these years. Faced with increased age, mid 50’s I believe based on your age, and his current health issues his curiosity about your heels got the better of him and he reached out albeit without customary greetings. I believe he has always wanted to wear them and is clinging to his distant connection to you. It could’ve been been far more personal and fun to meet in person. He could’ve met you for coffee and seen you in heels and his questions would’ve been answered. His approach doomed it to failure. Honestly I’m surprised it hasn’t happened more often given how visible you’ve been in your small Des Moines suburb. Btw that outfit of red jeans, pink shirt, and red pumps looked spectacular. 
HinH

Hiddenheels,

Very well described indeed. Seems a realistic representation of what one may face as you venture out semi-dressed en femme. The girl peering into the men’s bathroom is crossing a line I mean imagine vice-versa you’d hear screams! Just keep getting out there and enjoying your own fashion. I bought my first maxi dress a few years ago and wore some Bakers “Peyton” pumps with it and loved the look. I should post it sometime. Thanks for your stories. HinH

Hi All, Posted new gallery pics of different looks in wedges, chunky heels, or boots. Had trouble adding comments to each pic so I chose this way. My phone camera tends to enlarge the file size so when I resize it to meet the guidelines some detail is lost. The one style I’d like to post is of pumps which I don’t have in AZ. Maybe I’ll look for some past pics. HinH

I agree stilettos are not likely seen in very informal places like fast food joints or normal stores. It’s much more likely in a large city on the weekends or in other parts of the world such as Latin America or SE Asia. HinH

It’s been a while since I sat on a stool and hooked my stilettos on the crossbar but yes that is a thing to mind. I’ve worn stiletto heels various places but only once was I seated on a stool. HinH

Hi All, 

Interesting topics indeed. As to your son’s car the mechanical issues don’t surprise me but it is quite the chance for him to show his ability to work through it. As for inspection Wisconsin nor Arizona have vehicle inspections. There is an emissions check every 2 years in the counties bordering Lake Michigan but not elsewhere. There is an emissions check in the Phoenix area but not out here in Yuma. 
As to shoes which formerly fit but which now feel different let me offer a possibility. I have noticed over the last five years or so some of my heels fit a bit differently and I believe it is because of water retention in my feet and ankles. Not terrible but subtle differences that the vamp and certain types of straps seem to fit more snugly than before. I have used a shoe stretcher on those I really liked but have worn knee high hose or even trouser socks recently. It is worth considering this may be the cause for some of you.

HinH

They look good on you whatever you call them. I realize nearly all of my heels which I consider more stiletto than not fit your description of “near stiletto” because at first glance that is what they look like. I think a near-stiletto or stiletto-like heel has become popular as it offers much the same look with more stability. One thing I’ve noticed over the years is heel wearing has strengthened my calves which has helped me whether playing baseball or football from time to time. It’s nice to still have decent footwork at 64. Keep your stride buddy. HinH

Whatever the case may be she likes heels and you do as well so an amicable encounter may well occur. Your curiosity will be satisfied and questions answered. I know you’ll make great strides in finding out 🙃HinH

Gige,

Thanks for trusting in us to hear your story and get to know you. It is surprising how much we have in common like our choice to also wear things from the other side of the aisle. Your connection to O’Hare Airport made me smile as I worked at Terminal 5 with INS/CBP for 16 years. Finally, my mother was born and raised in Springfield and much of immediate family resides in the city near Jerome. I have many childhood memories of trips down US66/I-55 between Chicago and Springfield starting in the mid-sixties. 
I live 250 miles/400 km from Springfield in SE Wisconsin. Thanks again for sharing and please keep posting. Our forum always needs new faces and voices. HinH

Mlroseplant,

Your curiosity as to the bank lady “may be one of us.” It’s more plausible than you think. Banking is a more receptive environment for either trans people or maybe just someone who wants to present a more feminine image. Iowa is an interesting case of a big farm state which is fiscally conservative but is quite open-minded on a societal and policy level. These factors will bring out more diversity than Iowans have seen in the past. The difference is, as in Wisconsin, these people will be largely be treated with respect.

If you went to the bank dressed impeccably with the required heels my guess is any interaction with this bank employee will be good and, since your wearing the goods, your question will be answered. I saw a black trans woman in Menards a week ago walking alone in ankle boots with I’d guess 5.5” heels headed straight to the building materials counter. I simply said “I love your ankle boots” and this person smiled and thanked me. I purposely mentioned the footwear style to send the right message. There’s an opportunity here for a nice interaction and meet one of your fellow community members. Let us know how it goes. HinH

Mlroseplant,

Spent some time looking over your posts and offer this;

You’ve always been a fan of, and have looked nice, wearing the mule style of heels so keep it up.

A remedy to the show glue degradation , as someone mentioned, is a commercial/industrial type of epoxy like Loctite adhesive. Having used it for years on various projects it bonds like nothing else but withstands extremes of temperature. I have glued a pair of wedges and a pair of chunky heels using this adhesive and wood clamps overnight and it has worked fine so far. The adhesive has withstood -25F/-33C at our cabin and 120F/49C inside our shed in Yuma, Arizona. Highly recommend.

Agree if you wore heels into the bank then a question posed about footwear to the bank employee would go over much better. I equate it to shopping for heels as a guy when interacting with sales staff. When one wears the merch it leaves little doubt as to intention.

Give it some thought. HinH

Mlroseplant,

Was that the son I met who had once lived in California? 
Nice to see someone else here has worn heels to a wedding. I’ve done it a number of times with pumps and boots but especially wedge sandals for the outdoor weddings.

Perhaps your son stayed close by? 
Been busy with different projects and just returned from trip to Turkey, Morocco, and Spain all places I spent a lot of time in the 1980’s. HinH

Mlroseplant,

Don’t second guess yourself neighbor. Your footwear choice had minimal effect on the off chance one or two people surfing the net saw you and decided not to join that church. In times like these those regular members should probably give more of their money or time. Bubba136 makes great points about church attendance being down and it’s been documented that it’s down worldwide. Some religions have been plagued with scandal or created a perception certain behaviors are tacitly condoned despite laws against them. Many remember the scores of tv evangelists who succumbed to greed and temptation. It certainly didn’t help the faith community when certain states decided to close churches while casinos and liquor stores were open. All these factors drove people away. Precisely why it’s important to keep forging ahead. Even in heels. HinH

Mlroseplant,

Started to make an effort to do more outside in shorts to get a tan. My shorts are quite short and have run many errands in them with no issues. Have tried shorts with wedges a few times and really liked it. Don’t think I’ve gone as many places as you in shorts and heels. However I’ve never worn open toe shoes without a pedicure and I do my own 95% of the time. You do look very natural inside your church so keep it up. HinH

Whilst the novelty of buying something worn once, or so the sales pitch goes, is inviting I’d shy away from something that couldn’t be worn practically outside of a wedding. I’ve worn both wedges and pumps to weddings but wasn’t a part of the wedding so no lacy white shoes for me. You could go the eBay route though and see some benefits for your effort. HinH

Mlroseplant,

Always enjoy your material. Though you knocked this shoes aesthetic I think you just liked the way they were easy on + off hence all the wear. As I see Iowa has seen lots of rain I wonder if rubber boots can be far behind. 
Big heat dome over the East now. Was very hot in PA and in Quebec for days and hot as Hades in South Carolina where I’m visiting my sister. 
Wore some simple wedges posted here with jeans on trip down here. Stay dry neighbor! HinH

Here’s two looks with the JS Dany in black which I don’t think I’ve posted. Had the black ones about two years now. Quite high at 6.25”/16cm in sz11 but very stable. If at an outdoor event this would a great choice if not wearing wedges.

This is JS Dany in the sand color I’ve wanted for a while. DSW still has this at $110 but typing Dany in the Dillard search box shows these and the black at just $35 as they’re on clearance. Got the 11 and they arrived in just 52 hours. Fit like a glove. This Dany has a 6.25/16cm heel whereas the Devalyn has a 5.5”/14 cm heel.

mlroseplant,

Just transited the Des Moines area this past week so I wonder if that was me???? Sounds exactly like many wedges I do have and you saw me in a typical pair a few years back. Always nice to see a pair like that as a surprise since there are so many boring and ultra casual styles out there. She obviously is embracing warmer weather. HinH

I don't have a ton of heels in red there are some killer ones among them. Not long ago I posted some pics of my Emigdia kneehigh boots with 6.25"/15.8cm stiletto heels which feel amazing. Did get a pair of red/black sandals recently with towering heels but haven't posted them. Red is a color of confidence and it will garner attention. But that's exactly what the wearer wants. HinH

You are both correct. It should have read 14cm. 5.7” x 2.54cm=14.478cm. Silly me. Thanks for the compliments. These are the latest variation of the Jessica Simpson “Dany” style which stretches back to at least 2010. I think the line is popular because it is stable and cool looking and actually tends to be a little large so larger feet may be happy. I’ve like so much of her line but this Dany line is particularly pleasing. HinH

Here’s a better view of JS Dany in the chocolate brown. These are size 11 and have a 5.7”/11cm chunky heel.

This pair of JS Dany sandals was the last time I wore heels away from home when I went shopping then to a movie. Apart from that wore wedge heels quite regularly at home or outside. HinH

Don’t like it when a company makes a shoe which does fit me but it comes with an ankle strap 1-1.5” shorter than normal. It’s relevant if one has to perforate some extra holes in the strap. Don’t see a lot but it’s annoying. HinH

Glad to hear the collective value of members’ heel-wearing experiences inspired you to take that first step outside. As I’ve said before, but it is worth repeating, the world is utterly neutral towards you but will look approvingly upon anyone who exudes confidence. Thanks for placing your trust in the community here. It validates the site. HinH