Heelfan

Yours reports please! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

OK, in our Worldwise series of heel reports, our roving reporter Jemanda has briefed you on South Africa, and the UK rundown was begun by our UK correspondants Firefox (South) and Zathrus (North), and is now continued by our series anchorman Heelfan (West): Well, thank you Jemanda, Firefox and Zathrus! Hello viewers and welcome to my man-on-the-spot current Lowdown on heels here in the Western UK:- Well folks, much of the current high-heel scene here echoes what Zathrus described in Northern England. Unlike last year, the girls daytime shoes are almost all very flat shoes and mules. The one exception to this is some office-workers wearing nice black stilettos, but naturally only sightable before and after work and a few in the lunch-hour. However, more heels at night, and MANY more on Friday and Saturday nights, especially worn by the pubbers and clubbers in towns and cities like Bristol. As in the North, chunky and block heels are becoming rarer all the time, now largely replaced by stilettos and some kitten heels with waisted-blade heels. Many strappy sandals, pink/yellow/green courts, light-brown suede d'orsays, cork wedges, and many backless high heeled low and medium-height stilettos with a closed-in, pointed toe. Some of these have such a low-cut toe that the amount of flap is huge and they can hardly keep them on! Maximum heel height seen: Many, Many 4" (or maybe a little over), but puzzlingly, no really high heels (5", 5 1/2", 6") whatsoever. This is puzzling, because in the first two stiletto crazes (c. 1960 and 1980), a small but admirable percentage of girls treated us to these extremely heights. However, this time round (anno 2000 onwards), I have not seen a SINGLE SIGHTING above 5"! Bitterly disappointing! Increase or decrease: Marked (almost total) decrease in the daytime, but the night-time situation has improved due to chunky and clunky heels giving-way to stilettos and jeans giving-way to short skirts and miniskirts. Guys in heels: Apart from myself, I've seen four others in Bristol this year - two in stacked block-heels about 3" high and two in black cuban heels about 2" high. Sorry, no photos - I'm a dunderhead with digital technology from first to last. Anyway, this is correspondant Heelfan concluding this report from Bristol, Western UK, and calling on heel enthusiasts worldwide to send in your reports: Yours reports please! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

Yours reports please! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

Suggestion: maybe just for a day in the first place, forget all those worries and anxieties, and treat yourself to an enjoyable few hours of street-heeling. Believe me, it'll give you a great buzz and the world won't come crashing down on you! It doesn't have to be in front of the neighbours or your employer. Change in the middle of town, and in my experience the best place to start is by walking through a busy bustling shopping mall. You'll never look back! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

It will be fascinating if members can give us "STATE OF THE NATION" HIGH HEEL REPORTS from the country they live in OR countries they visit. No big deal, just two or three paragraphs on say,: Percentage of girls (if any!) wearing high heels. Whether these are stilettos or chunky, platform or plain. Maximum heel height seen (ie any GREAT sightings) Whether thought to be on the increase or decrease. Whether usually worn with jeans etc. or skirts. Any other interestings facts (guys in heels? for instance). Any photos to illustrate the report. Maybe for instance, Debbie could update us on the current Hong Kong situation. Also, I have been surprised to hear our friends from Eastern Europe and Russia just how healthy the high heel scene is there,and even from Iran with its repressive religious regime a lady BBC radio journalist reported that the teenage gilrs are liberating themselves by wearing only token head-coverings and adopting mid-calf-length trousers and pointed-toed high-heeled shoes! It would be great to gather-in and consolidate all these sorts of reports on to this one Forum-Thread, when I hope we can see a "Worldwide picture" emerging. So, worldwide heel enthusiasts and travellers, please can we have your reports and sightings (whether the heel-scene happens to be great or very depressing!) from just about everywhere - however far-flung! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan.

Hilarious! Also a story with a profound moral! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

Hello Dheel! You will find a lot of us heel-wearing guys sympathising with your point, and thoughts of 'How lucky girls are' frequently flood through our minds. However, I am becoming increasingly interested in analising WHY we should conclude that society does not 'allow' us guys to wear high heels. In other words, IS that actually the case, or are we just imagining it and being much too self-concious? Is it just in our minds? Certainly there are those guys like Firefox who appear to prove the latter. His philosophy throughout comes across as "Don't give a toss about taboos (they are imaginary) and just go for it and wear the heels!" It certainly seems to work in his case (and others) because he unashamedly wears his heels (some pretty slim and often at least 4") whilst travelling around in his work and meeting clients, and socially, of course. And he gets on just fine! No-one calls the police or beats the crap out of him or even bats an eyelid. He is fully accepted at work and at the golf clubhouse that he frequents and by passers-by and everyone, and receives the odd compliment on his footwear, especially from the ladies! Similarly, I have been publicly wearing heels for 47 years (since I was 12) and have only ever had one unpleasant experience (drunken yobbos) in the whole time which did not go beyond some verbal abuse and was not sufficient to put me off in the least. To help us understand this matter, can you come up with any concrete evidence of any sort to support your assumption that society does not allow guys to wear high heels, or do you think, upon reflection, that your assumption might simply stem from fears/worries/anxieties in your own mind - ie an inbuilt instinct to avoid possible embarrassment? Please post an answer because the reason for guys' inhibitions is a question which is interesting me more and more. Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

Hello Monkio! I can probably help you as well as anyone because: I too live in South West UK (Bristol). I too take size 9 I too have a supportive lady - my wife. I have street-heeled for many years and know the shoe sources: Chainstores & shops where you can try-on ladies' size 9s: BRANTANO (although summer sale lines currently very depleted) and autumn fashions, boots etc. not yet in. Will improve by early autumn. EVANS (ladies outsize chain) mostly frumpy styles, but occasionally something more sexy. TXX(?) Maybe worth trying if you're passing, but virtually nothing as large as size 9. BARRATTS Ask for their 'Tall & Small' Corner. The 'Tall' range goes up to size 9 or 10. The summer 2003 range only includes about a dozen styles, mostly frumpy, but I've got some good heeled boots up to 4 1/2" from them in the past, so maybe the winter selection will be better again. "NINE TO ELEVEN" (also known as TALL GIRLS) Use Google to search either of these names on the Net. Two or three branches in London - means going up there to try them on. Study their shoes on the screen. "BIGFOOT DIRECTORY", Croydon. Run by a lady called Kenny with size 12 feet who caters for big-footed women but very amenable to serving heely guys. As with the shop above, study Kenny's website. THE LITTLE SHOE BOX, London Makes custom-made high heeled shoes in many designs, but also stocks some ready-made 'Off the shelf' pairs for instant trying-on and purchase. Study their Website. COVER GIRL, London. Retailer of high-heeled shoes for guys. Usually good selection in stock. For custom-made shoes or ordering on-line: THE LITTLE SHOE BOX as above. DIVINE SHOES, near Northampton, UK. Similar firm to Little Shoe Box. Study their website. LEATHERWORKS, London. Same comments. LA PIAZZA SHOES, Germany. Same comments but amazingly high styles, quality and prices! Some of the specialist high-heels-for-guys websites like Andrew's,or Joak's or Megaforums(here! - see heading at top of site) or Firefox's give whole long lists of high heel suppliers in large sizes, but for UK heel-guys, I think my list will give you a good working start. Oh, and why don't one or both of you come to one of our next group Heel-Meets (see under 'For Everybody' - 'Real Life Fun Shopping Meetings') in the autumn (London and Birmingham) or February (Paris) where we do the rounds of all the best shops and enjoy chatting, swapping information about sourcing heels, eating, drinking and having a great time. Guys and Gals both very welcome (whether in heels or not)! Can you tell us a little about your GF - does she wear heels? Hope this is all helpful and that you enjoy wearing heels even half as much as some of the rest of us! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan.

That's my point (and the law's point) entirely, Laurie. But on charge-free non-commercial sites such as as Megaforum's "Sightings" and the UK's great "Streeheels", I don't think anyone need worry about publishing a streetscene with one or more high-heeled ladies in it, even if the faces are recognisable - the ladies have already made their choice and come fully into the public domain. However, as I say, even though not a legal requirement, it is KINDER to omit or obscure the face. Happy street-heeling and street-snapping y'aall! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan.

Excellent account Dheel! Thankyou! I'm sure it will remind a lot of us of our own heely beginnings (with only minor variations)! Keep the postings coming and tell us how you're getting on now! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan.

I agree with Laurie that it is KINDER to exclude or obliterate faces, but it it not required by the law IF it the person is photograped in a public place. Let us not winge on and make the matter seem more difficult or complicated than it really is, because we may scare-off budding young photographers instead of encouraging them to photograph street-heelers and maybe submit them to these forums. To repeat, if the person is in a PUBLIC place, they have demonstrated their willingness to be seen by the public at large, and the law does not differenciate between their being seen 'in the flesh' by passers-by, or being seen on photographs taken by a passer-by. Only if the photograph is used for financail gain (advertising a product etc.), or if the person is identified on a caption and the photogaph is used to defame, damage or bring into disrepute their character in some way, does the publication of the photograph risk contravening the law. Budding photographers can be helped by getting some tips and advice by professionals, and I for one would love to see more perfectly legal 'Street-heel photos. Don't be put-off, get those shutters clicking, and I look forward to your posted pics! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan.

Thanks Dr. Shoe for the advice. Although a relative newcomer to these forums, at the Oxford meet I was told by Firefox and Xaphod that you are pretty expert where shoe construction is concerned. Mind you, the week-long Spanish course sounds pretty appealing, even if the shoes don't turn out very well! I'll bear in mind your suggestion about Cordwainer's College! I think 'Cordwainers' are shoe-makers aren't they? Cheerfully yours, Heelfan.

Yes Laurie - of COURSE my faith is restored! Somehow, when I was writing about the slap-slap-slapping, I was thinking neither of you being an inhibited communications worker creeping towards the mailroom, nor of you pottering around at home, but more a vision of you purposefully striding-out through a bustling shopping mall, your 5" heeled sandal mules clicking away on the marble floor and slapping away too, cauzing dozens, nay hundreds of mortals to be transifixed by your passage amongst them, only their eyes moving as they follow the immortal progress of a Goddess passing through their midst! However (sigh!), to bring us both back down to earth, VERY BEST OF LUCK with your job-hunting Laurie! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

Laurieheels - am I hearing right? 'The slapping attracts to much attention'? Godesses, especially high-heeled godesses, are sent down from Mount Olympus specificially TO gain the attention of us heel-admiring mere mortals! The slap-slap-slap is so, so, so sexy! The lower-cut the toe-strap, the greater and sexier the slap-slap-slap! Don't DO things like this to me (whittling away at my faith in a godess) - it made me come over all unnecessary! Mortally yours, Heelfan.

Right guys and gals, If we are going ahead with this LondonHeel-Meet this autumn, it's time we fixed the date. Having sounded-out a few people, here are my suggestions: LONDON HEEL-MEET - SATURDAY 4th OCTOBER 2003, 10am. Can all interested guys and gals post their availability below as soon as possible, please .......................... Cheerfully Yours, Heelfan

During our most enjoyable Meets in Oxford, London and Birmingham last year, the British group suggested that the next Euro-Meet could be in Paris in early 2004. There is interest from various international members, so this is the schedule as updated on 9th January 2004: EURO HEEL-MEET, PARIS, 6TH TO 8TH FEBRUARY, 2004: My scrolling has revealed a hotel that appears ideal! - Fairly central to Paris and the shops whilst being vastly cheaper than others and getting a good write-up, and having sufficient rooms available (at present!): HOTEL ST GEORGES LAFAYETTE, 11 RUE VICTOR MASSE, PARIS FR 75009. RATE: £38.95 = 56 EUROS PER NIGHT PER PERSON (WHETHER IN SINGLE ROOM OR SHARING DOUBLE OR TRIPLE ROOM) QUOTED 9/1/04. BOOK NOW! AGENT'S TELEPHONE: 00 800 60 99 60 99. I have already booked my room, arriving p.m. on Friday 6th February and departing on Sunday 8th February. WHO IS COMING? So far, the "Definites" include Calv, Xaphod and Me (UK) and Robert (Netherlands). Interested "Probables/possibles" include Firefox, Dr. Shoe (and Ruth?) and Ionic (UK), Bert (Finland), Beeblebrox (Sweden), Highluc (Belgium). Is Basvoileslover also interested?. FURTHER GUYS & GALS WELCOME (in heels or not!) from the Continent - Holland, Germany, Belgium, Scandinavia, etc. and from the UK. SCHEDULE: FRIDAY 6th FEBRUARY '04 - ARRIVE AT HOTEL IN AFTERNOON/EVENING. SATURDAY 7th FEBRUARY 2004 - SET-OUT FROM HOTEL AT 10AM FOR SHOE SALES ETC. IN DAY AND MAYBE FRENCH CUISINE AND SHOEIE SHOW/NIGHTLIFE(?) IN EVENING. SUNDAY 8th FEBRUARY 2004 - SIGHTSEEING/ART GALLERIES/RIVER TRIP ETC. IN DAY AND RETURN FROM PARIS IN THE EVENING. See you all there, but please post on this thread to confirm that you are coming! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

I enjoyed a nice sighting yesterday. I was at an opening promotion of a new supermarket near Bristol for a couple of hours - jazz band, bouncy castle, face-painting, etc. The fortune-teller's tent had a sign saying "Closed due to unforseen circumstances"! Anyway, the supermarket had employed two promotion-girls to hand-out leaflets in their car park. Both wore micro miniskirts. One wore 5" wedge heels with slingbacks and a 1/2" platform. The other wore red 5" 'Baby Doll" heels, also with a 1/2" platform. Thus both girls were continuously parading around the car park in shoes which gave them a 4 1/2" heel-lift, which together with their miniskirts and great figures was a real sight for sore eyes! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan.

It was good of WarrenB and SpikeyDan to contribute their above sightings, but it is a sad reflection of modern times that they they regarded heel heights of 3 1/2" and 3" to be noteworthy enough to report. I am not criticising them in the least - Warren and Dan were doing their best to find something exciting. No, it's a sad indictment of the lack of really SERIOUS modern heelwearers. In the previously stiletto booms of around 1960 and around 1980, high heels between 3" and 4" were so commonplace that they would hardly raise a murmer, and it was only the somewhat more special sight of a girl wearing 5" to 6" heels that attracted well-deserved attention and comment. Much as we appreciate these sightings rolling in, things have come to a pretty pass when 3" heels are the best that an enthusiastic member can find to post in about! Cheers from a less than usually cheerful Heelfan.

A good sighting/story Bubba, but a pity that it had to finish rather inconclusively from the woman's point of view. For occasions similar to this, I have been seriously thinking of getting some cards printed (credit card size) with the website of this MegaForum (and maybe Firefox's and Jenny's Forums as well) and simply handing one to the heel-wearing stranger. In your case, she could then have enjoyed discovering these forums and all the fascinating characters like you, and would then understand what your wife meant by "Your shoe collection"! Maybe other members would like to do this too(?). The bolder amongst you might like to print your own name (or your member nickname) in the corner for further identification by the surfing stranger. Probably a good way of getting new recruits - looks as though MegaForums will have 1,000 members before too long! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan.

Use your search engine to find La Piazza Shoes. Pictures of La Piazza's wedge-heeled boots being worn are on Joak's High Heel Site, worn by Joak himself. Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

Good luck Alex, but honestly, I can't see what the problem is if you follow the excellent advice carefully laid-out and illustrated by Hoverfly above. With lowish block heels and long trousers/pants, you can initially look INDISTINGUISHABLE from wearing normal men's shoes. hence no need for ANY fear or embarrassment whatsover. Then you take it step by step from there, realising as you go that it's fun and its no big deal to the outside world. If you follow Hoverfly's suggested programme, there is no need whatsover for furtively ducking outdoors at 3pm and straight back in again - just GO FOR IT and get struck straight in to busy shopping malls etc.! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan

I am not familiar with these brand names. However, could this be one of the (not uncommon) cases of two brand-name firms separately retailing the identical model of shoe manufactured in a single factory? Cheerfully yours, Heelsfan

Easy, the male equivalent of an Imelda is a Prince or an Izzard or a Firefox or a Highluc or a Xaphod or a Joak or a YamYam or a Jeff or a Bubba or a Heelfan or .......................... need I go on? Cheerfully yours, Heelfan.

Hello Hoverfly and Micha! I think the advice you are each giving to first-time street-heeling guys is EXCELLENT and your photographs are EXCELLENT! I don't think Dimpantyhose (in his thread) and guys like him would need to be nearly so nervous if they just followed your very good commonsense advice! Cheerfully yours, Heelfan.

Sorry Laurie, of course I meant "Jenny's Forum" above. Hello Bubba! Much as I admire your gallantry in defending Susan, I agree with Laurie. Those of your who have met Susan might well find her to be a warm, friendly, tolerant compassionate person in the flesh. However, she has a very unfortunate way with the written word which seems to quickly rub everyone up the wrong way, and (I now discover) has been doing so with many people for a long time. Her written words include more than their fair share of agressive and confrontational rhetoric, and a seeming great lack of humility, tolerance, compassion - all qualities exemplified by Jesus Christ whom she is constantly parading in front of us to justify her 'standards and principles'. It is all very sad. Whilst we are on this planet, it is SO much nicer if we can all try to find common ground and accept each other and their failings 'warts and all', and stick to making NICE postings on these forums. Cheerfully yours, Heelfan