HappyinHeels

Mlroseplant,

Love those platform sandals you posted on 21 August with the 1.5” platform and the 5.75” heel. I own a number of those and have worn them to different venues. The last time you saw me I was wearing some dark brown wedges of that same height with bootcut jeans.

chesterx, 

Those are a classic spring wedge sandal which I’d consider wearing shopping, visiting a friend, or attending some social function. It could work well with some nice jeans, slacks or even a dress if you like. I see a lot of sandals at weddings in spring and summer. Just some ideas for you. Don’t let them collect dust. HinH

Fortress

Protective

Good topic. Whilst a love of heeled fashion is the common link among us the spectrum indeed extends beyond just footwear. Whether mixing certain articles like wedge sandals and a handbag with bootcut jeans and a polo shirt to go shopping or dressing fully en femme to visit some city friends or attend an outdoor wedding this experience is thoroughly relaxing and exhilarating at the same time. It’s simply a way to create another canvas. Some write or paint or play sports. I do all three of those, spend time outdoors and know what’s edible and to make use of what’s around me. But I also adore women’s fashion. Dresses,skirts, skinny jeans, wedge heels, pumps and boots, nail color, women’s watches and rings and makeup it all interests me. And none of it makes me gay nor on the road to some surgical solution. Women don’t have to check a box nor justify why they wear what they wear they just do it. As I’ve said before we are here for a limited engagement so we had better enjoy as much of it as we can. HinH

Howdy Melrose, 

Having visited you gives me some insight into your life and environment. You are like Iowans, courteous and unpretentious but quirky enough to express yourself with your shoes in a small town. That town wouldn’t be the same without you…and your heels. Whether it’s the mental tapestry created when people interact with you or the actual heel prints in the snow or dirt you are undoubtedly leaving “Impressions in Iowa-One man’s heeled journey in the Hawkeye State”. 
They are as much a part of your identity as they are a part of the background where you live. I’ll check it out no matter what you name it. Keep your heels on the ground and your pen on the paper. HinH

Mlroseplant, 

Agree with those who like your outfits. Those Bellafina pumps are just like my Bakers “Peyton” nude pumps with 6” heels. Never wore them with a hot pink jacket but have with dresses, some slacks like Mr Krenzer, and just recently with some bootcut jeans. Keep your part of Iowa stylish by doing your thing. Your townsfolk are counting on it! HinH

REFUGE

Discovered site in spring of 2009 and joined very shortly thereafter. 14 quick years have gone by and I’ve added some 175 pairs of heels in that time. I should have a sale! HinH

Whilst I agree one does not see heels in most of the USA as often as say 2008-2012 I would add it does matter where one is living or traveling. Heels are a much more common sight in areas such as southern Florida or Arizona where I’ll be headed in a month. If you then add a notable Hispanic element to the population like Yuma for example you’ll see heels are alive and well. I have seen some historical info which says heel heights go up in recessions and go down during economic expansions. What I think has changed is many many heels are being bought and worn by men. I say this after talking to various retail outlets, talking to my Chicago friend who is an independent shoe retailer and combing different shoe sites and checking availability in sizes above 10. All signs point to a sizable number of men buying women’s style shoes. If you tire of seeing too much frumpiness just travel to places in Latin America, Montreal, Paris or even NYC and you’ll see plenty of heels. I say no matter current economics or geographical location just dress for your own success. HInH

Much prefer hose with pumps and knee high boots but like bare legs with wedges. HinH

Great topic Cali. I can remember two times I spent a day in heels,went to bed with the same heels on, the wore them the next day. The last was in 2018 when I wore bootcut jeans and a tunic top with my NineWest “Leggy” wedges in SF just before I met you. The other was I attended an outdoor wedding fully dressed wearing wedges then wore the same wedges shopping the next day. Around 30 hours both times. I do think it’s better to sleep without heels and give your feet a rest. HinH

A topic resurrected from past years but this time I pose a question. I do have a lot of shoes many of which are still in their original boxes. While I have striven to wear as many as possible I know I could sell some but am curious what methods worked best for our members. I do like JKrenzers idea of selling inexpensively as I conclude he doesn't want to make money rather pass along something he's not really using. HinH

I agree that Melroseplant looks fabulous in those skinny jeans with the tie and the heeled sandals. AS I have worn more skinny jeans with sandals or wedges he reminds me I should post some photos since I haven't done it in a while. HinH

Good topic! Like logjam I wear toenail polish nearly all year with just two no polish periods of about a week so they can rest and I can check for any fungus which I started to treat 2 years ago. A few times a year I will do my fingernails for a day trip somewhere or a special event like a wedding where I’ll likely dress completely en femme. As for brands you can’t go wrong with OPI and I have found Kleancolor also to be quite good. It’s seen more in the salon industry than a regular retail brand. HinH

Saw this thread and found it interesting. Did a project in Yuma at our winter home by putting an outlet along a brick wall and didn't have the needed 3/4" grey electrical conduit. I remembered something an electrician told me a few years back and simply grabbed a section of white irrigation pvc and painted it grey. It comes up from the ground into a metal box and looks authentic. It was a quick workaround. HinH

Chester,

 I tried on that brand + style in a Nordstrom Rack a month ago. Charles David is always one of the cheapest brands there. Adhering the strap to cork with glue is a recipe for failure. Since most of these shoes are made on a plastic last (called a unit) a screw could be used to affix the strap to the unit. You can also apply a drop or so of Loctite or gorilla glue as an extra step. I ended buying a pair of Vince Camuto chunky heel sandals called Rohnlee. Hope my tip might help you as nobody really wants to lose some nice heels over just a strap issue like this. HappyinHeels 

Mickeyunc, 

I used to like thigh highs but have seen them sag more than before. Have worn them with jeans, dresses and skirts.  Given your height I would look for control top hosiery in queen 3 size. There is a site called hosierybox dot com and they carry a  queen 4 size among the brands they carry. I do keep my legs smooth but do like the look and feel of hosiery. I have often advised to wear hose if one is going shoe shopping. I hope this helps you. HappyinHeels 

mlroseplant, 

I’m not surprised you were running out of room as I remember your heels neatly arranged in a small basement. Those heels look fantastic on you and is definitely something I would wear. The bottom reminds me of my Jessica Simpson “Wenda” sandals which are 5.6” high and make some noise in the pavement just like yours. I have worn them with jeans quite often a few times while shopping and it’s a thrill interacting with people who like my sandals. When you wear something like that you gotta own it. Pound the Iowa pavement with those heels my friend. HappyinHeels 

Hiddenheels,

Had to review this thread and saw my detailed reply as it related to shaving. Now you’re curious why the urge to try skirts has taken over. You think that it is “out of your character.” I’m here to tell you it is in your character but you didn’t know it until now. Just about any of the members could describe their journey and a common denominator is they all, we all, eased into it and figured out what we were comfortable with. Many enjoy their heels or other fashion choices completely in private yet others will try their outfits in subdued settings or at night yet others like me have worn heels with other items in various settings and have met several members here. I have also attended some functions such as weddings and a few parties completely en femme. Each has to find their place and have the confidence to make it happen. There’s never been a better time to be alive if you want to express your character via your own fashion. We all like heels and that’s why we’re here but it’s only natural to see what else you want to wear those heels with. We’re here to cheer you on. HappyinHeels 

Lawn mowers are so cool! I’ve seen some of the mowers at Mlroseplant’s place and yes his son is very mechanically inclined. As to museums there are some choices like the lawn mower racing museum in Marion, Ohio the John Deere Tractor museum in Waterloo, Iowa or the British Lawn Mower Museum in Southport, England, UK. Or you could spend some driving the rural highways in the Midwestern states and will all sorts of lawn mower and agricultural artifacts. As for me I have a 22hp 2018 Cub Cadet rider for our house and 26hp 2011 Craftsman rider for our land in northern Wisconsin. Nothing in Arizona since there is no grass at all at our house. HinH

TallandSexy, 

I like the shiny look of your leggings. Curious where you went with them and if there any feedback. Always like to hear about trips and experiences our members had while blending certain articles of clothing with heels. HinH

Hello All,

Haven't posted in a while as I just got back to Wisconsin after being in Arizona for 5 months. Saw the posting by spikesmike and would offer this:

I believe, not positive, I met you in 2013 when a group of us got together in Chicago at a restaurant on Halsted St. in early March. A fellow from Grand Rapids, MI, two or three from western Canada, and a few others were there. I wore bootcut jeans with my JS Carlow platform sandals (6.7" stiletto heels) while everyone else wore boots perhaps because it was 32F. We had a good dinner then later split up. Many of us on the forum wear heels as high as yours but many also don't. We have varying styles and tastes not all of which are reflected here in the form of posts. As to declining membership or the perception of it within this forum I would say that this forum helps foster communication and the ensuing confidence which comes with it. We all develop our own style and then go out into the world to enjoy our surrounding dressed the way we like with the footwear of our choice. As time goes on we don't feel as much need to come here to the forum so we move on. The forum has essentially performed its function. We're not her to judge just to listen and offer perspective.

HINH

Cali, Still a snowbird in Yuma, AZ. Got here just after Thanksgiving. Lots of golf and hiking this trip. CA has had loads of snow and in unusual places. Whilst hiking I filmed some snowmobilers enjoying 45” of snow and saw a 100 foot waterfall as well as a normally dry wash full of swiftly moving water between saguaros and realized I never left the state of Arizona! It’s been a windy winter too. 
Really liked those JS boots you showed us. Not much new with me. Only bought a pair of wedges and a pair of Imigdia knee high boots last year. Haven’t been to any Giants games in SF since you and I went in 2019 but have seen them in Milwaukee and Chicago. Take care buddy! HappyinHeels 

mlroseplant, 

you’re worrying over nothing as you look quite good indeed. Classy male fashion with heels in the middle of Iowa. Way more than corn and windmills! HinH

Cali rocks everything he wears! I met him in 2018 + 19 and he lives wedges and boots as do I. I like the JS brand as it is always eye catching and her heels are higher than the majority of the dull footwear out there these days. I don’t have any JS boots yet but my favorite heels for a social event are her JS “Carlow” sandals with 6.7” stiletto heels. Several of our members have seen me in them. Keep up the great work on the Central CA coast! HinH