Firefox

Nice photos of the cars and the girl, but It's a shame we don't get a better view of her shoes. I always find this quite a challenging aspect of good street fashion shots, making sure the style of the shoe can be appreciated as well.

Yes, I'm a Fox, it's true!

Here's another one of my favourite street shots (from flickr again)

For my part no, because they don't generally realise I am taking pictures. I prefer the candid type of photgraphy, just recording what went on as if the photograper is not there. Posed shots can destroy the natural magic of the composition. Having said that, some of our contributors to High Heel Street Fashions do take pics of themselves in natural surroundings and post to the group. An example would be Juliet Banana. They like to invite comments on their wardrobe and get suggestions for wardrobe combinations as well as a self-review of their current looks.

I don't think you'd be out of place. We're a pretty easy bunch to talk to and we do get women coming along so you'd be welcome if you could make it.

Thanks for your analogy of the site Firefox.

I must say it's not what I'd expected.

No problem. Although the fascinating thing about forums is that individuals have the ability to change the directions and make certain subjects more prominent. You just need to carry a certain number of people with you and new directions can emerge within the broader framework.

The forum is what people make of it and it's certainly changed since we started it in 2002 and from the old boardhost forums before.

Boardhost is still going by the way. You can see it here:

http://members3.boardhost.com/jennyheels/

There are more men than women who don't like the male heel wearing issue. Women are generally quite acceptive, but some men see it as the break down of perceived male dominence in society. They view gays or tv's in the same way. Thus they feel the need to shout out "poof or queer" because they see it as a threat to their own sexuality. Part of this is the perceived reinforcement of their own position among a pack of males and among males in society in general. Women generally don't feel the need to discuss shoes in any great depth. They just get on with wearing them for the most part. We haven't done anything to discourage women here, indeed we have encouraged them. But the deeper aspects of shoes are not something that interest most women. If you were to go onto a site about high perfomance cars I'd be prepared to bet there would also be 90% blokes and 10% women. Also you'll find some of the women here are TV's or TG's pretending to be women. You'll find the range of subjects discussed compleletely across the spectrum as well as the ususal fashion issues. Certain strange topics crop up over and over again. Damaging floors, getting stuck in mud, starting or driving cars wearing heels, heels in the snow etc etc. They're topics you'll rarely find in fashion blogs populated by genuine females. Don't worry though, there are plenty of genuine females here, and the pretend ones are just as friendly. It's all part of life's rich tapestry.

Hi Amanda. Welcome to the forum Actually, as you'll find out a lot of us guys here do wear our heels freely in public. It's no big deal in 2007. Hope you have a great time here. ...and Happy New Year!

I've not been caught yet. I use a zoom lens and am quite surepticious.

I generally concur with Knee Highs views on the subject. Take photos but exercise some respect and caution especially in the treatment of the photos and their presentation.

At the World Heel Meet 2008, a laptop slideshow of the best 400 shots (from over 4000 on the Flickr High Heels Street Fashions site) will be running. You'll be able to see what a wonderful display they are and a great fashion resource.

On Flickr High Heels Street Fashions group, we only approve quality full length shots with the faces visible, if they show, so you can see the whole fashion ensemble. The feet and leg only shots are not much use for a proper record or ideas on a full ensemble.

I go to Brighton two ir three times a year usually around August for the bridge tournamant and general holiday, so may be able to link up them.

In some black cultures, gay people not treated with any tolerance. I know wearing heels is nothing to do with being gay, but some people are ignorant enough to make the association, so you may find some people from certain balck cultures can't cope with it in a mature fashion.

I think we should have proportional representation in the UK The current system has been fixed with boundary changes so labour can get an overall majority with 33% of the vote. And since the turnout is only 50% that's only round 1 in 6 people who have actually voted for a labour gov. For the Tories to get an overall majority they need 42% and for the Lib Dems the figure is closer to 50%. Yet despite the support of 1 in 6 people we are continually told that the Gov has a "mandate" to do whatever it wants, including wasting billions on a pointless war in Iraq when the the country was not in favour if it (when they were given the true facts, rather than lies about WMD). The latest we hear is that the nanny state is going to make it illegal to pay for sex. This restricts freedom of choice of the client and the providers. Instead they should be legalising prostitution to take it out of control of the pimps and the druggies.

Yeah, don't get too excited. That's a range designed for women. Look at the sizing 5-12

I think you can turn the original question on its head. What would many husbands think if their wife started wearing trousers, high neck shirts, oxford lace ups and cut her hair short? I'd be willing to bet they would be a little miffed, and ask her to dress up a bit or similar. How would the guys at work react if they saw his wife like that. Some people are obsesed with conforming to societal norms, others aren't so I can see the point of some women in realtion to heel wearing guys. OK, those women have been somewhat brainwashed by society but there's no turning back on that. Just find someone who can think for themself.

Anyone can wear heels any day they want at the moment though. I'm not a fan of these days like Halloween etc where people are "allowed" to do things. Just do it anyway! By waiting for a special day it reinforces the mental block some people have, that they have to have some special permission from society before they can express themselves.

These match with my experiences. One of the most interesting reactions is when you walk past someone on the street, and they recognise the heels (usually many more woman than men notice). You can sense their second suprised glance downwards. Most often this kind of person will steal a glance back at you after you pass each other. Especially if a woman is with a man they may tell their partner after you have passed, giving the partner an opportunity to glance back at you. If you want a little fun, preempt this situation by looking over your shoulder and smile immediatley they pass. Then, when they make the glance back, they meet your gaze, catching them in the act. They don't half turn back round quick, I can tell you! You must also be prepared for the reaction from young teenage girls, who being very fashion concsious, will sometimes point and maybe giggle. But then these kind of people will giggle if you wear the "wrong" colour training shoes, or even they are maybe giggling at themselves, nothing to do with you. So just be prepared and relaxed, take that in your stride. It's all about confidence. Don't allow some halfwits to give you a mental block. You are above them.

Yes it's OK to post a website within the context of a sensible conversation or illustration of a point, as opposed to blatant spaming/advertising.

What you say is certainly the most practical Fetiche; in fact it's probably the only way to keep thing under contol in schools. However in schools, I think we also have to be careful to stamp on thing like homophobia, discrimination, bullying or gender discrimination. If that is not done then reinforcement of thes issues become part of the children's education and those ideas are perpetuated as norms themselves.

Is there any mileage in the old army maxims of using spit with the polish?

I have taken them off before, or just wear trainers though security. After the shoe bomber, Richard Reed, some security could be suspicious about thicker heels/platforms, so in a sense they are just doing a job.

Add my vote in for Ace_SK ! I think I voted in the other thread as well. There was probably not enough time allowed for voting as some people only visit every couple of weeks or so.

These differences in uniform between the sexes may be subject to legal challenge but they do seem to form the norm of what is preached by the UK schools:

http://www.ampleforthcollege.york.sch.uk/houses/dress_code.htm

http://www.aylestone.hereford.sch.uk/uniform.html

http://www.sloughgrammar.berks.sch.uk/about-us/rules-uniforms.htm

http://www.thomasaveling.co.uk/students/uniform/

http://www.bayhouse.hants.sch.uk/uniform.asp

Interesting website showing uniform code changes

http://ecsosa.org.uk/theschool/uniform.html

The most common differences being that girls are given the option of weaaring a skirt as well as trousers, more choice in the colour of some garments, and the option in some cases of wearing a tie or not, whereas in some cases the boys are required to wear ties.

As regards shoes, the boys rule usually states:

Plain black shoes of a sensible style (no boots or trainer)

while the girls rule states:

Plain black shoes of a sensible style (no boots or trainers or heels greater than 2 inches, or stilettos or platforms or slings or open toe shoes)

I'd think in the UK if a boy turned up to school in a skirt, something probably would be done. Most schools have some kind of dress code, no matter how casual, and I doubt they include skirts as an option for boys. Personally I think they should, but no doubt the old "behaviour which may distract from the primary purpose of education" argument would be trotted out

Agreed it doesn't matter, but taking it from the point of view of what looks pleasing, a woman with huge thighs and cellulite wouldn't want to emphasise them with mini skirts. Heels and body shape a similar to some degree.

Not really. I tend to wear sports shoes if I don't wear heels. I may have a pair of womens trainers, I can't remember. They are pretty close to the men's one's anyway.