HappyinHeels

Will not be making the trip there but will avidly follow the games on TV. Will be closely following and supporting the USA and Brazil teams as I have for about 33 years now. I may be in a position to attend the 2014 Cup in Brazil as I may have bought property there by then. I wish SA the best as the host nation-you've earned it! HappyinHeels

Hi ALL!!

I had made mention of wanting to get dressed up and enjoy some of my shoes in mid-May. Plans to "go out" in Chicago didn't pan out since I couldn't find anyone to pair up with and I decided against driving all the way to Detroit. Instead I drove up to my land and one rainy Tuesday, the 11th exactly, I drove to the Twin Cities as my alter ego/femme fatale. It was cooler than it had been the rst of the month and showery but I made the most of it. I scoop-neck top under a tan cardigan, Pierre Cardin dress watch, some bootcut stretch jeans, and my 5.5" "Reilly" wedge sandals from Bakers are what I wore to the Mall of America. Spent about 4.5 hours there. To be honest it would've been so much more enjoyable with someone else but it is something I had to do. I left that mall and headed back north towards my land but stopped into another suburban St.Paul mall along I-35E. I then put on my "Teagan" sandals with their 6" sandals and strolled into the Macy's entrance. I had he same jeans on and perhaps 2-3" of heels were visible. My makeup wasn't particularly great but I had NO negative or bad experiences either. On the way back I went through the McDonald's drive-thru and no problems.

http://www.bakersshoes.com/product.aspx?c=296&p=144037

http://www.bakersshoes.com/product.aspx?c=396&p=155406

All in all a worthwhile trip but I wonder how COOL it could have been with others along. I did buy some Jessica Simpson stiletto-heel sandals in DSW at MOA but I don't seem them on their website so I can't include them here. I'd encorage ANYONE to get out and enjoy your heels whether all dressed up and just in guy mode. It's awesome!!!!!

HappyinHeels

Hi All!!

Just bought these, my first pair at Macy's today!! Wesbite doesn't show them in sz 11 but the store I was in had them and they fit really well!! Very well made and comfy as I drove home with them adorning my feet!

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/index.ognc?CategoryID=35287&PageID=151557737035953&CURRENT_PAGE=5

http://www.hhplace.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=9803&stc=1&d=1274491847This would be a great shoe to wear to the mall or to the movies under your jeans. Macy's is as helpful as they say!!

HappyinHeels-Blissful in wedges

I think Bubba136 has the right perspective; a professional driver has his PRIMARY responsibility on transporting his passengers safely to their destination-this is probably why you don't see any genetic women wearing high heels while driving busses and the like. As far as driving in high heels, I do it all the time usually in 5" wedges but have driven home in 8" platform sandals after a party. The salient point here is I own the car and was not driving in a professional position transporting others. HappyinHeels

I read the threads and try to post thoughtful and apprecaitive replies but am compelled to start only my second thread because I wonder how many do this and the effect it would have if we all made the effort. I notice the vast majority of us talk about our experiences alone, or perhaps with a wife or girlfreind. Why don't we shop, investigate, and learn together as the widely spread-out community we are?? I wonder how much quicker the dynamic could change if we guy-heelers made a habit of shopping in pairs or threesomes much the way the genetic girls do. This would eliminate much of the mental stigma for those who are wary and shy and would make it even more enjoyable for all concerned. Think about it...every movement that demanded change, equality, and ultimately acceptance was bolstered by people acting as small groups ad occasionally as large ones. This would raise our profile not only to the world-at-large but also to the stores we wish to patronize. As others have said, the frequency of exposure leads to eventual accustomization. If we choose to operate on the periphery or in the shadows that's how we will be viewed. What are your thoughts?? HappyinHeels (no matter the venue or the height)

SHedevil. Very sexy and feminine boots indeed! Add a short skirt, long polished nails, and a long freshly-lit cigarette and I'd be living the fantasy!! I can only imagine the clicking noise they make on floors and pavement!! HappyinHeels

I watched the video with interest, unfortunately however, I believe the woman anchor/show host found it more drole than interessante as her laughing again demonstrated the utter depth of the double standard. I doubt she would have cracked a grin had a women strode in wearing the latest in designer basketball sneakers. And this in haute-couture and tolerant France. The hill is long indeed! HappyinHeels Voila mes talons!

Firestorm

High Heel Pleasures=HappyinHeels

MESA, Congratulations on your first outside experience in heels!! As everyone else here says the first experience will lead to more for sure and will feel an enormous sense of peace and accomplishment in doing this more and more. If it helps you I would remember that the Netherlands is home to Amsterdam which enjoys quite a reputation for different attitudes. Let the European thing work for you!! happyinHeels

Tiffany, This is a great thread and a topic I don't ever recall seeing before. I suppose that the same means and effort expended to claim our right to fashion freedom, wearing high heels for the purposes of his thread, on the sidewalk also extends to public transportation, it's just another venue. The more we go out and about the more society EVERYWHERE gets used to guys wearing heels, girls wearing tattoos, etc. etc. whether it's on the sidewalk or in planes, trains, and automobiles. Your rights to decency and fairness don't end at the subway door. HappyinHeels:smile:

danielp6406, COngratulations on your 1000th hhplace post, that's a lot of typing but, like DawnHH says, look at all the fun you have had sharing all your experience and thoughts spread out over those 1000 posts!! "O Canada...our home and native land..." HappyinHeels

Hi All!!

Subsequent to my "Victoria" purchase a couple weeks ago I had a Bakers coupon valid 23-29 April for 25% off any sandal so I went by partly for redemption of the coupon but also to say farewell to an associate there who is returning to school in Arizona. She showed me a new sandal called "MISTY" which I tried in size 10 and it fit very nicely, almost like it molds to your foot. The heel under some fem jeans or so would resemble a stiletto heel but it is actually a wedge heel, 5 3/4" from toe to tap in this size.

http://www.bakersshoes.com/product.aspx?c=274&p=150602

These would be great with bootcut or skinny jeans or capris. So, here's the MISTY for summertime enjoyment.Great shoe, cool smokes.

HappyinHeels

WAYTOGO BEAZTHEELZ- Nice to see you finally got your first set of heels-all for yourself! I understand you were scared but you did it and the world didn't sneeze. Perhaps one day you can go into a store and just look for yourself, try on shoes with confidence, and buy them without saying they are for someone else but this will take time. It takes time for you actually act on your urge to buy something you have wanted. I takes more time to spend time in stores trying on shoes, just like the girls do, to ensure a proper fit, and it'll take even more time before you might wear them out anywhere. I do suggest putting them in your car under your seat perhaps with some knee-high pantyhose or thin trouser socks so you can wear these new sandals while you drive. You'll love the feeling of seeing your feet in your new sandals and will learn one of the many of life's activities that can be done (and enjoyed) in heels. Very stylish first choice!!! HappyinHeels

The "surveillance security state" that has spread across Western Europe like a cancer is one thing ,but if you alter the way you would like to enjoy life, whether fully-dressed or just in your favorite heels, then you are allowing a camera to control you. Turn the situation around-if you know the cameras are on the put on your HIGHEST heels and paint your nails in the colors of the French flag! Liberte,egalite,fraternite! None of these ideals mean anything if you don't practice and enjoy them. HappyinHeels:smile:

Hi All!

danielp6406-Thanks for the TRISTA upload assist, I appreciate that!

DawnHH,Bubba136,heels4toni,roniinheels-

Thanks to all of you (and others I missed) for the nice compliments as I feel it at least validates my choices and sense of style. I'm still working on where I'll go exactly that second weekend of May. The trouble is I don't want to go alone. We'll see how it actually works out.

HappyinHeels

Just curious, are you sure about those heel heights:

You Baker w/s

Trista 5" 5 3/8"

Sweetheart 6" 5 1/4"

Victoria 6" 5 1/4"

Seems like some significant differences.

jwhite44*****

I guesstimated the Trista since I didn't have the shoe in front of me as I posted. It is very close to 5 3/8" as you say.

The SWEETHEART measures 5 11/16" toe to tap and with the heel cushion the effective height is 5 3/4".

The VICTORIA measures 5 3/4" from toe to tap and with the heel cushion the effective height is 5 15/16" which is pretty darn close to 6".

The shoe industry frequently publishes heel heights for shoes in sizes US7 or US8. If you wear a US11 or 12 then YOUR heel height may be 1/4 to 1/2 or more higher than in the smaller sizes. It is one benefit of having a larger shoe size than the average person the shoe industry is targeting.

Hope these updated "shoe specs" answered your question. But, don't take my word for it----order one or all of these three today and have your own adventure!

HappyinHeels

Hi Everyone!!

I have three new pairs to tell you about all of which came from Bakers in the last 20 days.

The first is a wedge sandal called "TRISTA" which has exactly a 5" heel great for taking walks, driving around, etc.

The second is a platform pump in pink (actually more of a salmon color) with a wide ankle strap and a 6" heel which I got to match an Apt.9 dress I got at Kohls that has lavender and salmon in it. This shoe is "SWEETHEART".

The third is the patent white version of "VICTORIA", a classic closed-toe pump with a 6" heel. I have this same shoe in electric blue suede.

http://www.bakersshoes.com/product.aspx?c=396&p=151592

http://www.bakersshoes.com/product.aspx?c=318&p=158954

http://www.bakersshoes.com/product.aspx?c=295&p=140391

I'd sure like to know the way to easily upload pictures instead of links because it looked confusing to me. I tried to save pictures into MyPictures then move as attachments into my message and I kept getting more and more screens! ANyways, here's some more choices from Bakers I hope to be wearing next month when I get the chance to dress up and step up.

HappyinHeels

Ulyssa, Those all sound like very mainstream places so I'm curious how high your heels were and how obvious. Open-toed with your toes polished? The Target security guard thing is interesting. They may have been at the entrance and saw you from the side as you entered the store which makes any heel more detectable. Please note, however, that the Dayton Hudson Corp. which owns Target has a very GLBT-friendly policy so these two guards are treading on thin ice. Keep us up on your adventures! HappyinHeels

DDWW, Great piece, great advice! I, like most here, initially bought nearly all my shoes online with only a few returns and the one place I went in person was to my buddy's store in Chicago (Skyscraperheels). I did buy some very high platform sandals at Maya's in Los Angeles in 2005 but nobody bats an eye there. But, in a mainstream environment and beginning at a Target in Phoenix, Arizona in 2006, I bought some wedge sandals there and by late 2008 I was buying almost exclusively IN-PERSON at places like DSW, Bakers, Target, Shoe Carnival, and Payless. Going when a place first opens is sound advice if that's calms your nerves or going within 30 minutes of closing as well. However, while this may calm your nerves it places the male consumer of high heels on an implied inferior level as if we're marginals to be tolerated on the periphery of the retail business schedule. Lesson in liberty*****Your money is legal tender just like the genetic woman's, women are buying thousands of men's shoes at this very moment and nobody cares, you are a human being worthy of respect in any legitimate business and in any decent country. Walk confidently into a store, maybe in heels like Dr.SHoe says, which announces your individuality, tells the retailer your intentions, and perhaps challenges them to treat any differently. You are buying a legal product in the prescribed manner so there's no problem-only the block which some erect in their head. If more men, whether alone or in pairs, walked into a store in heels to go shopping this "problem" will disappear and fast!! This is how things get done and how you adjust attitudes. Liberty rocks and freedom rules but only when you demand and get it! HappyinHeels

Like HiStiletto said the styling is visually revolting. On the other foot, however, it could be turned into a sort of makeshift and stylish tack hammer. Put on your regular high heels and hang all those pictures you've been wanting to hang from the walls in your home using these shoes to pound the nails! Then again maybe I'll just get a better-looking tack hammer. HappyinHeels:nervous:

ESQJASH--- If this company is like 99.9% of everyone else then some sort of confirmation number should have been generated which could then be referenced in any communication you'll soon have with this outfit. It is possible the email address you provided them is in error, either your typing mistake or their transcriptional error hence no reply from them I just don't know unless I saw the email stream. Anyways, follow pussyinboots and her advice, and look for a UPS tracking number then go to the UPS site and see what the status is. Trust me, it's how we all track all our incoming heels! I would get this firm's phone number and call them. These days it's possible with creative calling plans, VOP internet calls, and MagicJack to call about anywhere for less than a dollar. The salient point here is you have paid for something and deserve the courtesy of customer information that accompanies the transaction. So, step forth and demand your consumer rights!!! HappyinHeels

My wife has more tennis shoes, closed-toe flats, kneeboots, and flip-flops than I do and her heel range is 1/2" to 4.5" (1-11cm). My lowest heel of any kind is a Steve Madden loafer in neutral with a 4" wedge that can be worn anywhere. The rest are wedges 4.5-7" (11-17cm), closed and peep-toe platform pumps 4.5-6"(11-15cm), ankle boots 4-5" (10-12.5cm), kneeboots with 5-7" (12.5-17cm) heels, and my "party" shoes; platform sandals with 6-8.5" (15-21cm) heels. She has more overall shoes while I have more heels. HappyinHigherHeels:smile:

heelguy--- Outstanding revelation and result!! Now you know the importance of, and the incredible lift it gives the soul, UNCONDITIONAL love. Your love of heels or other articles of clothing is woven into the personal fabric that has made you the individual you are today and your girlfriend realizes that. The world advances when caring people, hearts filled with unconditional love, step forth and embrace others as you have just witnessed. Across the oceans and continents we learn, listen, and love to live! HappyinHeels

DOCS41--- ALDO uses all European sizing so you'll see boxes marked "40" instead of US10, "39" instead of US9, etc. I visited an Aldo store in Madison (wearing female bootcut jeans and some wedge heels with thin socks) and tried on three pairs of shoes marked "40"; two were tight and one didn't fit at all. Could have been the cut of shoe or I surmise that simply need a "41" or prehaps a "42" for closed-toe shoes when it comes to European sizing. The thing with Aldo stores is that most shoes there only go to 40,41 has to ordered. Hope that helps!

Mr.X---You are quite right about Aldo having accepting and nice staffs. I stopped by the Aldo store in Madison,WI recently and two girls attended to me immediately. And like I have always said...they knew I was shopping for me it never fazed them at all. The Canadian ideal of accepting people is very evident at this company founded in Montreal in the early 1960's. Bubba136---I have visited LaPiazza's website lots of times just to ogle the amazing styles of shoes they make there. Oh what a treat it would be to work Germany into a business trip to visit that store! I'd die to have some of their extreme high-heeled sandals on my feet!! HappyinReallyHighHeels!