Steve63130

I gave up on Payless stores and order everything I buy from them online. If you buy enough, and that's not hard to do, you can get free shipping. If you get it shipped to your home, you can return it to a store for an exchange or refund free. You can also always get free shipping to the nearest store, and if it doesn't fit, while you're in the store, apply for a refund on the spot. It's not as good as seeing more large size inventory in the store though, that's for sure.

Steve

Great purchase, Tacchi!

I would suggest parafin (from a candle) on your zipper instead of oil. Oil has a nasty propensity to wick everywhere and it can get messy. Parafin stays in place. Just take a candle and rub it on the zipper and then run the zipper up and down a few times to distribute the wax where it can do the lubrication it needs to. Much better than oil

Enjoy wearing your boots, and keep us posted on your wife's acceptance.

Steve

My first major public outing in high heeled sandals was in San Francisco. My avatar photo was taken there. Aerosoles "Platonic" sandals, which I have in black and brown and still love wearing them - t-straps with about 3.5" heels. 

Watch out for the steep hills in San Francisco. Going up in heels is easy, but coming down is treacherous and difficult. You might want lower heels for that!

Hint: Don't go to vacant and abandoned places late at night. You may be spotted by somebody unexpectedly and if they see you're wearing odd footwear, you could be facing the police for questioning. Instead, go to busy places in the daytime, such as malls and shopping areas. People are too wrapped up in their own affairs to notice or care what you are wearing, and if it's broad daylight, no one will be suspicious of illegal activity. 

Good luck in SF! Keep reporting your progress!

Steve

I don't like winter. I much prefer sandals to boots. But each day is one day closer to spring, so I trudge through snow knowing that it will eventually give way to warm weather ahead.

But as long as I HAVE to put up with winter, I've at least made the best of it, wearing my delightful Clarks "Ruby Sparkle" black leather side-zip stacked 3" heel boots which are warm, comfortable, and easy for walking long distances. Ruby Sparkle is a slight misnomer, as they are neither ruby nor do they sparkle. After some investigation I found out who gives the official names to styles of shoes - they are people who flunked out of the nail polish naming academy! LOL

Steve

Jeremy,

You certainly know her better than any of us, but it sounded like she was a bit insecure about that aspect of your relationship. Or maybe disappointed? LOL

Whatever! Just continue to adore her, and you'll both be fine.

Steve

HHL23,

We're all here to help each other, and it does work. I know I've been inspired and motivated by this crowd and I'm grateful for it. While everyone's tastes in fashion may differ, and that's okay, as long as we focus on what unites us and support each other, this will continue to be a great gathering place.

Steve

Aha! A "tech" solution for "Tech's" forum! It never occurred to me that there could be such a thing! That's brilliant, NZ.

Steve

I used to be of the opinion that one is born with only a certain number of heartbeats and if one wasted them on exercise, one wouldn't live as long. I mentioned this to a friend of mine who is an avid runner and marathoner, and he showed me mathematical proof that I was wrong. Running, he said, lowers your sedentary heart rate, so you actually use fewer heartbeats in a day's time. He left me in a daze running with his computations!(so to speak)!

Jeremy, I see where your wife was coming from in questioning your sexuality. She is concerned she might have to compete with a man in your life, I believe, and you would do very well to show her love, consideration, and attention every chance you get so that any insecurity she may have is kept at bay.

Shyheels, wow! Four inch stiletto heels to start with? I'm impressed! I struggle with four inch block heeled boots! I love your wife's attitude. You're very fortunate to have found a doll like her! Make sure you show her your appreciation every chance you get!

Steve

Cali,

Sorry, you're wrong on that. I felt everybody within 5 km would hear it and stare at me! LOL

Not long ago I bought 2 pairs of Payless "Tori" Ankle Strap Booties, which are so quiet I actually MISS the clicking noise! HA HA HA!

Steve

Jeremy,

I like the progress you are making and I enjoy reading all your positive posts about it. Sounds like you are going at the right speed. Continue to be careful!

Steve

Bling on the back isn't a problem. Bling on the front could be, if you don't like attention. Bling attracts the eye and says "look at me!" It is more prominent on front as you walk into the room; as you walk out and people see bling at your back, it shouldn't matter.

Trust Cali. I think he knows what he's talking about. Leave the bling alone. I like it, and you will, too. Give yourself time.

Steve

Yep, good idea, Tech. Let the warning points expire unless the offender keeps accumulating them. If it's only because of mistakes, you will know that, especially if you exchange PMs with the offender. In fact, you might want to let the innocent-mistake warning points expire after 6 months if the offender accumulates no more. Use your own judgment. I'm very happy with how you run this forum, and I know it can be an unpleasant task to be the chief of police with so many trolls haunting HHP.

Keep up the good work!

Steve

Very professional job! I'm impressed.

Steve

It would be easy to paint it black if it bothers you, but I think it looks fine. Or you could paint the boots silver...

Steve

Your red platform stilettos scream, "LOOK AT ME!" so only blind people would not see them. What others say (if anything) or how they react will depend on the observer. "Beauty (or otherwise) is in the eye of the beholder." But whether the beholder thinks the shoes are beautiful or not is secondary to the impressive confidence anyone who wears them would display. You are a man of tremendous courage! Keep up the good work and thanks for your motivating post with photos. 

Steve

Please help our cause!

I wrote a review for my new Clarks "Rosalyn Wren" low-heel mary janes and they published it, just as I'd written it. I would like to chalk up a few "helpful" responses. If you visit the web page below, you will find my review "Outstanding Value in Comfort and Design" by Essgkay. If you click on "helpful" it will show Clarks that guys do read and support the male reviews of their women's shoes. Thanks!

Click on:

http://www.clarksusa.com/us/womens/womens-heels/womens-wide-fit-heels/rosalyn-wren-black-leather/p/26110644

Steve

I don't think the code is readable from that photo. At least, I can't read it.

I presume the photo is all KneeBooted has, and not the original box, so that's why he's asking for help.

Steve

Aly,

I do remember that. After that, the first Legwear for Men forum started, but its moderation wasn't adequate and it, too, fell victim to trolls and monsters. Then Legwear as Unisex Fashion was started and it was moderated very well for a long time. The owner recently pulled the plug on that forum, and we had a couple of start-up attempts, but the one which seems most likely to succeed is the second incarnation of Legwear as Unisex Fashion. It's a good forum, and in the interest of full disclosure, I have nothing to do with any of them. They have all been independent forums on Delphi Forums. If you're interested, it can be found at http://forums.delphiforums.com/lauf/start .

Steve

Don,

Accidents do happen and I don't think you'll be banished even if you make another mistake; you're a good contributor to the forum and you're not the kind of perpetrator that Tech is after. So just try to do a better job of watching where you post. That's all he wants. For heaven's sake, don't stop posting!!

Steve

Yes, I would agree with highly polished floors being a real hazard. I would also vote for cobblestones and sidewalk cracks.

Another problem I have is that as I've gotten older,  the balls of my feet aren't as padded as when I was younger.

Another problem is my bunions - they're not painful, but they do limit what shoes I can wear. This is most limiting in pumps that have a low-cut vamp, and in sandals which have a front strap over the toes. If it encounters my bunions, then it does cause pain. I've had to give up some shoes I owned for this reason, and I've also moved from a 12M to a 12W which means fewer choices in shoes (but it helps keep my wallet full).

But the very worst problem I have is a hammertoe (second toe on left foot) that screams "PAIN!" at me when the knuckle rubs against the inside top of the shoe. Even with padding and a toe spreader insert it's impossible to wear some of the shoes I love to wear. 

So I would conclude that walking surface and foot aging/shoe construction (and constriction!) are the worst problems for me.

Steve

Playing it conservatively can't hurt. You know your wife better than anyone else, so do whatever it takes to keep her happy, confident, and comfortable with what you decide to wear. Keep us posted on your progress!

Steve

I agree. I like that look much better than the scrunched up cuff. That looks sharp now!

Steve

I can tell you it's worked for me for 43 years!

Steve

My grandfather said, "If you want to stay married, always compromise...and do it her way!"

Steve

Cali,

You're right about taking big steps. I haven't done dark fingernails yet, as my wife really doesn't like them herself, so I stick to less obvious shades to keep peace in the family. I've been more adventurous with my toes, wearing a medium dusky red. She lets me get away with that, but I'm not pushing the envelope any further. Oh, yeah, there was one exception, a certain holiday that occurred last March 17. See below.

As to boot tops, she doesn't like that either, except for flat heel and western boots, so I usually wear bootcut jeans over heeled boots, unless the snow is deep. Then I insist on tucking in my pants or jeans, and she's ok with it. I've done that several times. The first time is a bit scary, but I got over it quickly and acted confidently. No problem after that.

Steve