Steve63130

...I see that several of you integrate high heel shoes with relatively normal men's clothing or women's variations (e.g., jeans) and have not take the step of wearing skirts in public.

Bubba, I think you misread what JohnH wrote. He said that he noted that several of us have not take(n) the step of wearing skirts in public.

JohnH, welcome to the forum. We look forward to good posts from you. I'm one of those who have not taken the step of wearing skirts, either in public or private. Not interested in skirts, just heels (and nylon hose), with jeans and long pants. But if skirts are your thing, go for it. The focus of this forum is not skirts, though, so we hope you'll talk about and be more encouraged to wear heels.

Steve

Same here. I wear women's clogs/mules most of the time and generally 3" block or tapered/stacked heels, which don't attract a lot of attention. My favorites are Clark's. And always sheer or opaque nylon hose, usually Activskin brand. Never had a word or look from anyone. Steve

Wow, that was fast! They approved my review and posted it in less than 24 hours! They didn't change a thing from what I wrote either.

http://www.payless.com/store/product/detail.jsp?skuId=075467050&productId=66462&subCatId=cat10285&catId=cat10088&lotId=075467

Steve

Yep, I would echo that comment, too. One of the wise people on this board advised us to look in the mirror before we go out, and if we're happy with the image we see, then go out in confidence and enjoy our day. That's good advice, don't you think, Thighbootguy? Steve

Don't be too naive! The chances are good that Mama and Papa are gonna find them sooner or later, either when looking for something else or just to see what their son is up to if they suspect drugs or alcohol or whatever else. Unless you've stolen the shoes, they're yours legitimately and you've done nothing wrong. You'd be far better off, in my opinion, to come out of the closet (literally), let your folks know of your passion, odd though it may be, tell them you're not alone, show them this web site (isn't the internet wonderful? You have a LOT of friends here!), and even wear the shoes occasionally in their presence, or at least leave them in the open to be seen. And who knows, maybe your father has the high heel gene, too? At the very least, they should be glad to know their son is open and honest and trusting enough to confide in them. Parents who love their sons will come to terms with their "different" behavior, whether it's long hair, loud music, tattoos, and piercings, or even a collection of high heel shoes. You will bond with your parents more closely, you won't have that nagging guilt about hiding stuff from them, and you forever avoid the fear of being found out and asked a lot of embarrassing questions. I know it's not easy for you to choose this route, but think about it from your parents' point of view. Steve63130

Hey, Kris! I got a pair of those Kline sandals on Ebay, and you are right - they ARE comfortable and easy to wear all day! I love them. Even my wife complimented me and she seldom does that! You inspired me to write a review also. I just submitted it and Payless says it takes up to 72 hours to get it reviewed and published. Let's see if it gets posted! Way to go, Kris! Steve

No, it shouldn't matter, and to most of us, it doesn't. To the rest of the world, however, it does or more accurately, we THINK it does, and that's where the trouble is. Go and wear what you want and let the morons out there adjust and get over it. Steve

Jim, This is another case where the demons are in our heads. People love us for who we are, not how we appear or what we wear. I love stories with happy endings! Steve

Count me in! I would definitely like to get together. Sorry it was cancelled last fall, but let's make up for it soon! Steve

People have this great urge to put things into pigeonholes to understand what's going on in the world around them. If they see you dressed as a man with man's shoes, they classify you as a man, and move on. If they see a woman dressed as a woman, they classify her as a woman and move on. It's common in our society today to see women dressed in men's attire and so if they see that, they still classify her as a woman - no drama. All of the sudden they see a male in women's high heel shoes, and there is no existing pigeonhole for that sight, so they're at a total loss as how to classify him. It's outside of their prior experience and beyond their immediate comprehension. It's difficult to create a new pigeonhole, but that's what they have to do. It takes some people a long time to do it. They don't believe their eyes, or they're curious and have to hand around and follow the chap to see how he behaves. Now the next time they see a bloke in heels, that new pigeonhole will exist for them, and they'll be much more equipped to deal with it. If it happens often enough, it's just another well-used pigeonhole. And that's where we need to be going! Steve

...because I recently gout a fresh French pedicure.

Hey, HF, you gotta chuckle about that typo! Gout, indeed!

Steve

Mules and clogs are my favorites, too, but I go for 3-4 inch high and somewhat thicker heels, like tapered and block stacked heels rather than the more femme stilettos. I can wear such shoes in a US Woman's 11 which is getting to be more common now, whereas a heel with a back usually means I need a 12, which is harder to find. Plus I like to slip my feet in and out of them if I'm sitting during the day. With long jeans or slacks, they can look unisex, at least until I sit down. LOL So yes, I love clogs and mules (and slingbacks, too). Steve

Well, it really happened to me a few days ago. I was in slate blue shorts, a pale blue polo shirt, beige pantyhose, and Clark's Octavia clogs in a light tan color. These clogs have a tapered 3-inch stacked heel and 1/2 inch platform. I've worn them in public many times, but always with long jeans or pants. It was a hot and sticky day, so I opted for shorts. Anyway, I opened the front door to see who was there, and it was a couple of women who wanted to see something we had advertised for sale, so I showed them in, led the way upstairs to show them what they were after, exchanges some chit-chat, and off they went, saying they'd be back. They probably noticed my heels as they walked after me up the stairs, but maybe not. In any case I was completely comfortable in my own house wearing what I wanted. Steve

G'day, mate! Awesome story. Thanks for sharing. Sometimes when you tell the truth people don't believe it. You told her and she thought you were kidding. Now she knows, so you've broken the ice, and you can wear them around her when she visits. You can tell her more as you get to know her better. If she's ok with the boots, she's a keeper! Steve

This forum doesn't exist because there is anything wrong with guys wearing heels. It exists because so many guys THINK there is, and they are looking for support from others that refutes that idea. We're here to let each other know that what we like to wear is NOT wrong. The demons are in our heads. Steve

Johnie, I don't know where you've been, but I'm glad to see you back. Stick around and inspire us with your stories! We need you here! Ruth ok? Steve

I agree with kneehighs. Wear what you want, and if you scare her away, so be it. If she comes back for a second date, you may have a keeper. Look at all the posturing you've just eliminated. She's accepting and you can discuss more important things about the relationship. And besides, you may have impressed her with your confidence and boldness in wearing what you like. Not all women look for stereotypical macho men. Many want a guy who is sensitive, compassionate, and confident in his masculinity. Nothing says those things like a pair of high heels as part of a well planned outfit. Steve

I have around 200 pairs, mostly bought on Ebay for under $15. Most are fairly masculine or unisex clogs, loafers, and boots that are easy to wear in public in male mode (I have never CD'd) because they have block, stacked, or tapered heels, mostly in the 2-4" range. I wear them with boot-cut jeans and slacks and always with tights, pantyhose, or knee highs. I store them in file storage boxes in a spare room, and they take up quite a bit of space. But out of sight, out of mind...I really need to build some shelves so I can display them all at once. Some of them never get worn but they would if they were more visible. I really do need to cull the collection and get rid of the ones that don't fit or aren't comfortable. Steve

Hey, Jim! Don't be so down on yourself! You always have good things to say and we like your posts. Posts don't have to be new and novel all the time. Tell us what boots you're wearing, even if you've worn them before. Your post above is great! Nothing to apologize for. If you can inspire one other person to say, "I can do that!", then your post is worth while. But if you don't post, you can be sure you won't inspire anyone. So stay with us and do your part. We're all in this together. Steve

Hi, Johnie, Great to see you posting again. We've missed you. Stay with us for a while. You always have good things to say and interesting stories to post. Steve

HappyFeat, Great to see ya back here, man! I thought we'd lost ya! Keep posting and congrats on the new mate! Tell us more about her! Anybody that accepts our hobby is special. One of these days maybe we can get together again for some fun shopping. Steve

I vote for the shorter boot cut pants. The look is sharp and fashionable. The long jeans look baggie and sloppy and don't do the shoes justice. Steve

Pumps, That was a great story. Thanks for sharing. I'm glad it was a good evening for you and it's great that your mother was supportive in the end. I've noticed that you haven't posted here lately. Why not? Your posts are always inspiring. Sometimes people leave a forum because they have got from it everything they wanted, and find that it becomes boring. They were newbies once and were motivated to accomplish new things and achieve their dreams (in this case, wearing heels in public in your mother's presence). People in this situation may not be further inspired, but it's REALLY important that you stay with the forum and help others achieve what you already have. You have a lot to offer in terms of experience and support. Please stick around and help others! "Ask not what your forum can do for you, but what you can do for your forum!" (apologies to JFK). I hope you will post more often in the future. Steve

But if you're like most men, your voice isn't feminine and as soon as you speak your cover is blown away! Steve

And did you try to meet him, introduce yourself, and compliment him on his footwear choice? Always strike up a conversation with another heeler when you can! We heelers are out there, and if you see us, say hello! Steve