Heel-Lover

Hi,

For me I think is was initially a 'fetish' but over the years has evolved into a style, my style.

I have learnt to wear heels (I couldn't wear the really tall heels and rock an outfit to start off). It took me years to become proficient at wearing skinny heels like an expert, and it took years to develop the flexibility in my feet to wear such high heels properly. Guys just don't have anywhere near the same flexibility as girls in their feet.

As my ability to wear heels has grown I became bolder and wore skirts and the like.

What I enjoy about my mixed up style is the choices it presents me.

I can wear a shirt, tie & mens suit and brogues one day, and then a skirt, blouse, jacket and pumps the next.

I prefer 'typical womens' styles better as they are more fun to wear.

I enjoy having my 'legs out' for work, rather than hidden.

I prefer the lighter fabrics in blouses/ tops.

I enjoy having my arms & legs free in most 'womens' styles for summer...  much cooler

I enjoy the variety of shoes I can wear.

I enjoy creating a stir if I wear something bold. (can be empowering)

I feel better if I wear a pair of red shoes than if I wear plain black (provided they also go with the outfit)

I just prefer the fun choices

I have learnt so much more about how my wardrobe can empower me & make me feel better about myself

Cheers

Heel-Lover.

Hi,

My collection just keeps growing.

As my confidence and fashion style grows, which it does over time as I learn about clothing, I am getting a lot of compliments.

That feedback has helped develop my style and fuel my passion for breaking boundaries.

As my style gets bolder I need more shoes & clothes.

I don't have an exact count but it will be close to 300 pairs. It was 250+ two years back when I had to move after that Christchurch Earthquake mess.

I also find that I always admire peoples shoes, and shoe displays alike, so I am aware of the styles and new designs that exist, which probably fuels my shopping habit...

All cool shoes are typically womens shoes... so I just have to get some and make them mine.

Cheers

Heel-Lover.

Hi,

This probably sounds crazy but...

My goal is to wear a cocktail dress (l.b.d. or a l.r.d.) with coordinated accessories to a corporate event....as a guy. (ie. no wigs/ make-up etc).  

Obviously statement high heels would be essential.

This would throw the cat among the pigeons...

A year ago I was wearing skirts, and was keen to try a dress. Dresses turned out to be easier than skirts to coordinate once I got over the initial fear of them.

I had a bold challenge a year ago but it was surprising how easy and how empowering it was once I broke it.

I would hope to be able to bust through this new challenge this year, although I know it is a little more daring.

rgds

Heel-Lover

Hi. Once you've done enough time in stilettos you don't worry about surfaces too much, you find that you scan your path ahead and determine if its ok for your footwear type well before you get there. You don't look directly down unless you're on stairs or have just literally stumbled on something. In the case of boardwalks with gaps between the boards she would have decided that the surface was ok so she was just cruising along as though it was a solid floor. If a heel did slip into a crack (enough to get stuck) then she would stumble a little, but with experience its usually just a little thing, not a noticeable half-fall etc... and then she'd be conscious of a bad floor surface and deal with it. Heels are about confidence, they require confidence, they give confidence back, and when you wear them all the time you just go at it. A stiletto will sink into any outdoor surface that isn't ceramic, concrete or the like. This damages beautiful shoes and you can be walking and then the heels sink and you walk right out of your shoes. Additionally gravel (or even stones on top of pavement) hurt a lot if you stand on them by accident. One small gravel stone on the pavement if walked on can hurt a lot in traditional stiletto pumps. Ceramic tiles and metal are very slippery when wearing stilettos, even more so when its been raining and your shoe soles are wet. High heels have such small soles its easy to skid on smooth hard surfaces when water is involved. Walking tips would simply be to scan ahead and avoid what you can. If you can't avoid or are caught out then its up on your toes....keep your weight of those heels. Deliberately shorten your stride to keep your feet under your hips, or use your hips a little more with each step. Walking on tip toes in very high heels (and keeping your heels up) is really hard work ...(just try it) so sometimes those heels have to come off....but this would be pretty desperate or you've really not thought about where you were going that day. That's also why you need to pick your shoes to suit what you need to do each day, or always carry flats as I do. Heel-Lover

A clickety sound from your heels is a must. All my taller heels are metal (I replace immediately when I buy shoes). They sound fabulous in malls, concourses and atriums with hard surfaces that echo. Knowing the sound comes from my feet is empowering. I openly wear heels and enjoy the sound, my shoes announce my arrival long before I get there.... As others have said metal heels can be slippery on hard and smooth surfaces but its not a big deal and practice makes perfect. There's nothing like the unexpected little heel skid to keep things exciting... The only down side is when there are suspicious people around, I don't enjoy the vulnerable feeling I get when my heels make my location really obvious and track-able, or they limit where I can go. I can control for this so its not much of an issue but in reality it does happen now and again.. cheers Heel-Lover

It looks good in terms of arm length but I think the issue you may have is the cut is a little pleated or peplum-styled from the rear, so it is looking for a pair of hips to follow on out from the illusion of a waist it creates....A jacket of this style that is longer in length is easier for our male shape to wear. To wear a shorter body length jacket I find that tighter jeans that are higher waisted and tighter around your bottom will suit, so too would (dare I say it) an A-line skirt flowing out from the waist-line that that jacket creates. A longer body length jacket (another 4 inches would be all you would need) would not be as difficult. Either way wear a lighter neutral t-shirt and match you shoes/belt will work well. Cheers Heel-Lover

Hi again, I thought I should add definitely bare feet in pumps, definitely no hosiery with the white pants in your pic. Thats my opinion anyway. Cheers Heel-Lover

Hi Daisuku, I have some stretch white pants (similar style) and many more white outfits that I wear. In terms of Heels Nude Leopard pop a bright colour such as Red, or maybe hot-pink, neon green!? Silver/Gold or metallic heels might work For Jackets pair a black jacket (and leopard heels with gold accessories) looks awesome Pink jacket with white legs/ white dress also looks really good. hope this helps Cheers Heel-Lover

Hi Lime, That skirt, hosiery and heels combo looks great! I wear similar attire for work, I think I know what looks good, so I congratulate you on a great (also professional) look. Well done and have fun! (you're right about it (skirt combination) being more comfortable!) regards Heel-Lover

HI Jeff, Summer is great for skirts.... you'll know what I mean and it has to be tried to be believed! That denim pencil skirt looks great on you. Its a casual meets demure sort of look... I think I might have to look for one. Well done! regards Heel-Lover

Hi,

Having been openly wearing heels for so long I would say practicality in relation to what I am actually going to be doing is the main factor when choosing what I wear. I love most heels, I wear them openly. I think we should just wear whatever shoes we want to.

Provided I am happy with my look then I am confident to do what I want.

I do not like to wear my higher heels with more masculine trousers because I don't like the shape and the silhouette, my feet look too small, the trouser length is mostly wrong... it frustrates me. What I did years ago was try a skirt, and I will never go back. I make no attempt to pass as a woman. An over the knee skirt with heels looks great on all legs. During the work day I'll usually limit to 4-5inch stilettos with a skirt suit (or dress & jacket style), straight after work/ weekends I'll wear low wedges with jeans etc, Evenings out I'll wear skirts or dresses, usually with very high stiletto heels. I have been known to wear mens attire out for an evening now and again... not much but it gets a good laugh when I do!

cheers

Heel-Lover

I've been wearing heels publicly for 10 years. My heels had evolved in the first 2-3 years as others have, as I gold bolder my heels got higher and skinnier. I like the look of heels and ankles and legs so I tried skirts and skirt suits for work etc many many years ago. That worked well for me and I became quite comfortable with that look. Nowadays most of my heels are stilettos, very high and are 'pretty' shoes - not 'stripper' shoes. My heels are delicate, trendier and are mostly pumps/ peeptoes or slingback styles. A handbag then became an accessory. The handbag was a really hard transition, I found it harder to work than the step into wearing heels in public! I needed a handbag because the tailoring I had on suiting etc just doesn't accomodate carrying stuff in pockets The handbag is the hardest transitional step I have made. - it was one I recall as the most uncomfortable. Probably because you use your hanbag so much, you handle it all the time and it was quite awkward. I am comfortable with handbags now - and I really enjoy the coordination possibilities they add to an outfit. I have also evolved into colours in my shoes, whites, blues, greens, reds, orange, pinks, leopard, yellow, creme, suedes, glitter, shoe ornaments, neon green ... the list just goes on and on and I have different uppers from patent, to croc, std leathers, suedes, brogues, cut-outs etc....I enjoy wearing a simple outfit and 'popping out' a pair of bold statement shoes. Over the next 2-3 years of wearing skirts the styles changed. I became comfortable enough to wear high hemlines and different styles from a-lines to pencil skirts. In the last 12 months I have worn dresses, initially as an experiment but being astounded at the convenience and simple style of a dress I am hooked. I have bought 10 dresses this year. I have found there is little difference in wearing a jacket over a dress than wearing a jacket over a skirt and top...and the dress is simply easier, comfier and stylier. What wouldn't I wear? Fishnets, leather skirts/ jackets - the sort of attire that says 'Trashy' or 'Drag' or 'Hooker'. How do I see my style? I would say a crazy mix of male/female. I am a bloke wearing womens styling. I make no attempt to hide that I am a guy... 95% of people I meet actually get it. Cheers Heel-Lover

Hi All, Malls with marbled floors or very hard tiles that are polished like glass can be slippy in high heels, much harder towalk on than footpaths with rough grippier surfaces. Flat surfaces are much easier. Like other have said - the sound my heels make is very important part of wearing heels for me... hearing is once of our senses so its part of it. I prefer my heels to announce that I'm here... I find flat department store floors and malls equally hard in lowof high heels. If you walk properly in heels then you shouldn't really have any issues. I have found that I have more near accidents (heel skids) in kitten heels than in my highest heels on such slippy surfaces. All my high heels get checked and re-healed when they are half worn, and they are all metalled heel tips for durability and grip...and for the higher pitched click you get from metal small heels. My heels are mostly 4mm diameter (fine stiletto) so they are quite quiet compared to other larger sized heel tips. Cheers Heel-Lover

Shoes? Nope. But I have had women, mainly black women go ga-ga when they see me in my thigh boots, saying how sharp they look on me. I could be mistaken, but I get the feeling those women would love to wear boots like mine but perhaps lack the courage. I find it ironic when men can be bolder about wearing high heels than women.

I understand this... I lack the courage to wear thigh highs.. I've thought I'd like to but I just haven't been convinced I would wear them, so have never yet bought or tried a pair...

I am happy in nigh heels and knee boots etc but thigh highs are 'too out there' for my personal comfort level.

I think everyone has their own comfort levels so I understand peoples reservations to certain styles....

Cheers

Heel-Lover

Your story is very thrilling, i really didn't know it could happen that way. You wrote that your heels became higher over the years. Which height where you at when your "accident" happened?

5.5 to 6 inch stilettos all day. To get good at these heights takes years, every extra half inch takes ages to truely get used to.

I wear heels all day and in all situations, however I will remove my heels in order to protect them from damage, other than that they don't come off until I'm home.

Often it means I take a different route than others, or our group takes a detour to allow for heel wearers....

rgds

Heel-Lover

Hi, My advice would be to alter your shoes daily. It is extremely important to maintain your natural flexibility in you foot - in particular from you toes to your heel, and then from the heel up to the back of the knee. These fatia's are very important in supporting your arch. Ironically wearing heels arches your foot, but simultaneously unloads the fatias and tendons that you need to support your arches. 3-4 years ago I tore my plantar fatia after wearing very high heels all day, stepping out of my pumps instantly did the damage. This was directly related to my evolution in high heels. I had spent at least 5 years previously wearing heels and getting better and more confident, my heels became higher and skinnier over those years. I was quite used to very high heels and had the confidence and desire to wear stilettos every day. Once at that point I kept on going, and literally wore my sexiest shoes every day and really enjoyed it...until I busted my foot... To fix it I had to do regular achilles stretches, increase the blood flow to these connective tissues (tendons etc) to support healing was best done by exercising so a good excercise routine is one of the best things for foot health. Note that exercise alone will make tendons tighter so you also need to stretch to prevent injuries from high heels. That said - it took 18 months to heal that injury, now I am focused on flexibility in my feet, I can wear all my heels again, all day no worries but I deliberately mix my heel heights. I would recommend dedication to exercise and stretching. I am as committed to exercise/flexibility and mixing shoes as I am to high heels - and I'm really committed to high heels. I don't ever again want to be in a sposition where I can't wear heels if I feel I want to... if that means a little extra effort on the way through then I'm cool with that. I hope my experiences/ advice there might be useful. Cheers Heel-Lover

Hi, yes I've had all sorts of situations from lusting, mild jealousy to curiousity such as where did I get them? how do I wear them? can they try them on? Almost always positive comments and discussions. rgds Heel-Lover

Heel-lover: did someone get a pic of you out in public?

http://highheelspass...-and-skirt.html

Hi Rockpup,

yes thats me alright...

Catching up with some friends on Friday....

Its a small world....

I just wear what I feel comfortable in. Its a shame it wasn't a better shot.

Cheers

Heel-Lover

wxman25 I wear dresses just as in the photos anytime. I wear a dress all day 2 or 3 days a week at least. Reaction is no different than if I wear a skirt and fitted top style look - which is also what I do. Reaction is usually bewildermint, mostly acceptance, sometimes its a bit of a talking point. I also go clothes shopping like that, I go to work, I go out for lunch and watch sports or go to the pub as well. Cheers Heel-Lover

Hi All, I have been wearing skirts for many years, and I know others here do the same. For the last 12 months I have worn quite a few dresses as well... I have even worn mini dresses! I have learnt what dress styles I think suit me, and styles that work well etc.. I don't think there is much difference between a dress and heels vs a skirt and heels..... I'm interested in your thoughts? Is a dress going too far? I'm not into the false parts/ wigs/ make up etc... but I prefer high heels with lower legs showing, that for me means shorts / skirts and now dresses I find dresses so easy to wear in the sense that you just jump into a dress, zip it up and go... They look better than a skirt and top combination They are so comfortable. Some pics of me wearing a selection of my favourite dress styles: (photos are not that good, just quick snaps this afternoon, sorry about that) far out that took some fiddling around... I think I'll sit down and have a break! regards Heel-Lover

Hi, I fly a lot and I have worn very high stilettos and a skirt/ dress (as a guy) on many occasions. I would be wearing tall heels at least half the time I fly, the other half would be 3-4 inches. I don't think I have worn flats for some time when flying.... I too enjoy the sound of my heels in airports etc... but thats no different than the mall/ street etc...The sound of my shoes is a part of who I am and I enjoy that. I dread the security scanners because my heels usually set the alarm off, and I have had to take them off on one occasion. The worst thing I've had this year was flying back home after it had snowed heavily while I was away. This was quite unseasonal and I returned in heels and a skirt suit. I had parked my car in long term parking and had to walk to it. This is not normally an issue as the footpaths are concreted etc.. but with snow had come ice and frosts in the days following so by the time I returned there was no snow or ice just footpaths covered in course gravel to prevent slipping. So there I was towing a heavy case in a skirt suit and a very high pair of stilettos in gravel sprinkled over concrete. It was uncomfortable, there was no alternative route and I felt really awkward but I was not going to take my heels off. I also recently caught a flight that disembarked using rear stairs onto the tarmack. I was seated toward the back so had to get off that way. After walking across the tarmack we had to go up a metal exterior staircase to get access back into the airbridge and then into the terminal. Well.... the blasted staircase was a metal grating one and I was wearing skinny heels which were just going to drop right through, so I had to walk in tip toes up the stairs and across the two landings until back in the airbridge! That was not very glamorous but I was glad I was not the only one in the same predicament. On another trip I caught a heel on a large mat near the top of the down escalator in one of the lounges. I almost when down on my ass, and I flicked half the mat over on itself, but I just straightened up and kicked the edge of the rugback in place and continued on my way (very grateful I hadn't come a cropper in such a public arena) As a side note.... has anyone else tried lifting very heavy suitaces off the converyer at the airport when wearing high heels?... It's actually very hard to do! The higher the heels the harder it is. Even lifting my case onto the belt/scale when checking in for a flight is really akward in high heels. I know what it is like and if I'm wearing more sensible shoes I will always offer to help another heel wearer (especially if they're perched on tall sticks and are fending for themselves) Cheers Heel-Lover

I believe there is a combination of physical comfort and emotional comfort. Physically the heel height itself is the same regardless of style of heel. I find a taller heels feel better with a stiletto than a chunkier heel. It would take me ages to explain why, but experience has led me to this opinion. The practicality issue comes it to it as well, because skinny heels can be a real nuisance to wear in a great deal of everyday situations I encounter. Chunkier heels and platforms are heavier on your feet and have much less flexibility. Emotionally - everyone has a different comfort level to do with their image. I love the profile of a classic high heel silhouette. For me personally it depends on what I am wearing. I openly wear heels most of the time. I don't like how I look wearing a trouser suit or pants with stilettos, yet I do find lower heels and wedges look ok on me with trousers. When I wear skirts or dresses then I wear stiletto heels. A stiletto is not everyones cup of tea as it is an attention grabber, and any person who slips on a pair of stilettos is 'asking' for attention. Despite the challenges I adore my heels, and I spend at least half my daily life in them. Cheers Heel-Lover

Hi All, In my mind... lighter coloured stockings than the heels is the rule for sheer stockings. (7den to 15den approx) White heels could be worn with very neutral sheers... In terms of opaques.... I'd pair black opaques with high ankle booties for a very streamlined leg lengthening look. Cheers Heel-Lover

Hi Jabble, Very nice shoes. Well done, a great purchase. I like the split on the skirt. Can I suggest you try a knee length A line skirt. Just above the knee is the most flattering skirt length, you have good legs from what I can see and it will showcase those lovely pumps even better....