Thighbootguy

I have been having fun.

I went out to dinner Friday night at a Long Horn Steakhouse. I was wearing a white turtleneck, jeans, and black leather pull on thigh boots with 4” stilettos. When I walked in the hostess gave me a quick once over and a nice smile that seated me in a booth in the bar area. I had a nice uneventful dinner where no one mentioned my boots.

After dinner I took the opportunity to go to one of the up-scale malls in Cincinnati. As I walked in I became immediately aware that I needed a heel tip and that made walking more of an effort. I did get a couple of looks and I’m sure someone was taking pictures as there was a flash going off behind me. I walked through boot levels of the mall then back out to my car.

JeffB has been reminding me that, when going out, style and fashion are important. This has gotten me to remembering what I thought looked good with thigh boots. I kept coming back to thigh boots over jeans. So… I put on a white turtleneck, tight jeans and blue leather thigh boots with 5” stilettos and headed out.

My first stop was my local cobbler. I needed heel tips on two other pair of boots. There was no parking available within two blocks of the shop so I pulled into the closest spot available and walked to the shop. I passed a group of three women who were in conversation and they didn’t even give me a second glance. In the shop, the cobbler had time to do the work while I waited. We also discussed an idea I had about turning one pair of pull on boots into lace up boots.

I walked the two blocks back to my car without incident.

I then went on to Sam’s to do some shopping. In the parking lot I saw a guy (with his son) getting a cell phone photo of me. As he walked by I said, “most folks ask first” but he ignored my remark. In the store I loaded my cart with some large bulky items without incident and headed for the register knowing I was going to have to make a second trip. I headed out to my car and unloaded the bulky stuff and headed back in. I walked past a really attractive blond gal who was selling some sort of cosmetic and she gave me a smile that I took as not enthusiastic so as I walked by I asked her, “Are they too much?”

She gave me a confused look and then looked down and saw my boots. She immediately brightened up and said, “Those really look good on you:icon_exclaim: ”

I thanked her and she want on, “I have a pair like that in white.”

I said, “So do I.”

She gave me a big smile and I went on shopping. A few minutes later I walked by her again and said, “Most people don’t even notice what I’m wearing.” (I didn’t mention that she hadn’t).

She said, “Your kidding”.

I went on shopping and just taking my time. I headed for the register and complemented the clerk on her earrings. She thanked me and said she hadn’t seen me for a long time. She said she worked the weekend and hadn’t seen me for a year. (Talk about lasting impressions). She also said that she thought my boots looked good.

As I was heading out a lady about my age stopped me and said, “I just wanted to complement you on being able to walk in those. I can’t do it anymore”.

I thanked her and headed out as one of the register clerks, that I chat with often, was also leaving. As we were walking out I asked her, “You’ve seen me wearing these like this (jeans) and with a skirt, which looks better/worse?”

She paused and looked me over again and said, “I like that look. It looks like you have been riding.” I took that to mean horse ridding.

Looks like JeffB’s advice (starts at this post) about looking good has merit and I should try to make the additional effort.

I have just add a video of the blue boots and jeans look.

Thighbootguy Makes Vanilla Sour Cream Bread

Roniheels-

Bootking –

Johnieheel –

Thanks for the kind words.

Morty -

WELCOME to the forum.

Thank for the post about your heeling experience. What kind of heel were they?

Glad you had a good time.

Go for a leather pair. I strongly recommend model 8899 with a 5" heel.

Duck –

Great story and thanks for sharing.

I’m not concerned that you got soaked, your fairly waterproof, but it seems like a shame to do that to that great looking pair of boots.

Ok Jeff. I feel like the mule that the mule driver just hit in the head by with a 2 by 4. You have my attention.

When I have been going out I never thought I looked bad, I just hadn’t put extra effort into looking good. This “looking good” is something new for me. When I dress for work, I have several pair of slacks and a bunch of shirts that all work (more or less) with one another, I really don’t pay that much attention. Work just isn’t a place I dress for. A suit and tie and not part of my wardrobe any more (except for one suit, that has a matching skirt).

I have always passed my own test of liking what I see in a full length mirror before I go out, but it looks like I have to train my eye to be more discriminative.

An aside: People often tell me they can’t draw. That really is an incorrect statement. Few people do not have the hand coordination to be able to make a pencil mark on a page. The skill of drawing is seeing what you want to draw. You have to be able to see the difference between a light and dark shadow and where something is highlighted. Once you can see those values it is easy to put them on paper. Drawing is 90% seeing and 10% manual dexterity.

Looks like I have to start paying attention to what clothing “looks good”.

Another aside: There are as many forms of drawing/painting as there are artist but you can generalize the style. For example: modern, renaissance, landscape, portrait, realistic, impressionism,… I happen to really like the Dutch Masters but others think their too stiff. Some really like modern art but I won’t even bother to go into the gallery.

I’ll have to get a working definition of “looks good”. I suspect I shouldn’t trust my eye at this point, rather, I should take your suggestion about fashion magazines and paying attention to what females around me are wearing. That is going to be tough because what “looks good” to me may not be all that great (or appropriate). For example, I thought the leather skirt and the thigh boots really looked good but a lot of what I have been reading says it may not be “appropriate”.

Is there a subtle difference in what clothes “look good on me” and what “I look good” wearing”? Should I wear something that “looks good”, even if I don’t like the look on me? Or, should the “look I like” have more influence? All of a sudden what I like or what I think looks good gets back into the equation and I’m back where I stated. I’m back to the question of why I like to wear thigh boots in public in the first place.

This was a lot easier when I was just an eccentric IT geek that just likes to wear thigh boots.

As you have discovered the difference between a 3” heel and a 5” heed does not fit the definition of ““slightly higher heels”. But since you already have them, practice, practice, and practice. The shoes should not be uncomfortable and you should be able to stand in them without bending your knees. If that is not the case a 5” heel may be too high for you. Also, you may have to shorten your stride. I comfortable wear a 5” heel but find a 5½” pushes my limit. I tried a 6” and couldn’t manage it. There are limits to how far an ankle will bend and it’s different for each of us.

Does being on YouTube scare me? TBG on YouTube However, I have control of the content. While I’m not thrilled about having someone else photograph me out in public, it happens, and often with my permission (some folks ask).

In today’s camera phone world, being photographed is part of going out in public and it has to go into your equation of whether or not you go out. If you go out with the hope that no one will notice your heels, then camera phones may be a bigger concern (it also raises the stress level you experience when you go out). I’ve been preaching for some time now that if you aren’t comfortable being seen in whatever you’re wearing, you shouldn’t go out.

I just had a great shopping trip! I had reread a post by Richie where he (justly) took me to task for not doing much in the way of coordination of the clothing I was wearing. I wanted to go shopping in a black leather skirt so I went out wearing a white turtleneck, black “19” leather skirt with t thin red belt, white hose and black leather pull on thigh boots with 4” stilettos. Even though it was 45F, I didn’t wear a coat. This outfit was basic black and white with a red highlight and, in my humble opinion, it looked good. I went to two stores that have seen me many times before. First I went into Walgreen’s and wandered around a bit. The items I wanted were on the bottom shelf so I had to exercise a bit of caution when I was bending down that low. No one (clerks or patrons) seemed to be bothered at all about the way I was dressed. The register clerk seemed to go out of her way to be chatty but didn’t mention my outfit at all. Next I went to Sam’s. I walked across the parking lot and into the store with no undo attention. I was using a shopping cart in both stores so it reduces the impact of seeing me coming. In the store I again wandered around and no one seemed to either notice or be bothered by my looks. At the register, the clerk, who had given me a thumbs up a week or so ago, gave me a nice smile. I asked her if this looked a little more coordinated? She smiled, looked me over and said, “That looks nice.” She paused then added, “I like your boots.” It doesn’t get better than that. I thanked her for her comment and headed out. At the exit the door checker, who knows me well, suggested the expected snow storm might get up over my boots. This was from a really nice guy who wants to say nice things to everyone. The lesson learned is that if I’m going to wear clothing not associated with my gender, I should to pay more attention to the coordination and try to make it look good. A good looking outfit says as much as the fact that a guy is wearing it.

I voted YES. I’m sure society is becoming more tolerant but there is also a component of my attitude changing. I like the way I look in heeled boots and I have confidence when I go out. I think I project that confidence and people pick up on it. I’m careful about where I go. If I got hassled every time I went out, I don’t think I would be going out. I’ve also noticed that what I think others are thinking doesn’t bother me very much anymore. So there are three things working together that change my perception of society’s toleration: 1. Society is becoming more tolerant. 2. I have more confidence. 3. My view of the world has changed.

Yesterday afternoon I stopped at Sam’s wearing a heavy dark blue turtleneck (no coat needed), a blue denim skirt, and black pull on thigh boots with 4” stilettos. As I walked in the greeter (who knew me) tried to sell me a new credit card, which meant she had to stop and talk with me for a while. As I was shopping, folks seemed to notice my outfit a bit more. I seemed to notice more heads turning but no one said a word. I stopped at one of the managers stations to ask if they were still carrying several items and she was professional and answered my questions, but not before she gave me a head to toe looking over. The second item was a makeup kit and there was no doubt about who it was for. At the register, I got the same clerk I had a week ago. (The one that gave me a thumbs up.) I complemented her on her earrings which were quite large wide gold circles. She thanked me for the comment. When we were done I asked her if the outfit I had on worked and she gave me another big smile and a thumbs up. Tonight I wandered around the neighborhood wearing chap boots with 5 ½” heels, a pink suede skirt, a pink turtleneck sweater, and a brown suede coat. I also tried a wig to change the guy in boots and a skirt image. There was no pedestrians but a fair amount of car traffic. I’m not sure I’m ready to try this in a more public venue. Even though it was around 30F the outfit was still quite warm, but it may have been the second scotch I had that made me feel that way. (The second scotch may have also been the reason I went out dressed like that.) Anyway both outings were fun.

You do it like this:

Thighbootguy doing yard work

I prefer trouser sox (thin nylon) that are ankle to mid calf high. I do appreciate the feel of the boots on my legs but the sox allow a greater freedom of movement for my toes in the boots. A note on wearing trouser sox or hose with boots: after you put the sox/ hose on, make sure there is al least 1” of material in front of your toes. When you put your foot in the boot, you foot will slide inside the sox/hose and bind your toes tighter than the box of the boot would. Make sure you leave a bit of (toe) wiggle room.

I have never heard anything negative about white boots. I’ve only heard that comment about thigh boots. I think you look great in that photo. <--- note the avatar was modeled from my own pair

I just got back from a 10 min. walk around the neighborhood this evening. There was lots of traffic but no pedestrians. I just finished sewing in the new zipper on my Ellie’s 8899 black leather thigh boots with 5” stilettos. That turned out to be a lot of hand sewing through two layers of leather but I’m pleased with the results. One other repair was necessary. The foam lining had finally fallen apart and had started to gather around the ankle of the boot. While I had the zipper out I removed all that material. As soon as I pulled them on I wanted to take them out for a walk. My leg muscles are telling me I’ve just been walking on 5” heel rather than the 4” heels I have been wearing for a month or so (since the zipper broke). How quickly your muscles forget if you don’t keep in practice. Anyway, the boots felt great. These really are my favorite pair which explains why they have had 5 sets of heel tips, been resoled, and now a zipper replaced. They really are more comfortable to walk in than the 4” heels.

speechless........

I was listening to “Meet the Press” and Doris Kerns Goodwin mentioned the following quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, “You cannot embarrass me without my consent.” I’m sure Eleanor didn’t have guys wearing heels and skirts in mind, but the concept applies. How many times have we read in posts about someone being too embarrassed to go out in heels? Being embarrassed is something you do to yourself not something others do to you.

I understand being upset at having a lot of pictures of you published, especially with comments that may not be complementary, but you were out in the public eye and that is one of the dangers. On a positive note, I think you looked great! Heels and a leather skirt… only a pair of boots would make it better.

I went our again yesterday wearing a brown suede coat, a black turtleneck, black leather ladies bike shorts, and black leather pull on thigh boots with 4” stilettos. The boots came up to the hem of the shorts but most of the time, part of my legs were showing. My first stop was the art museum. It must be the combination of the shorts and boots because more people seemed to notice. The guards treated me like a long lost friend but the other patrons seemed to be taking a second look. As I was sketching, a young girl walked by wearing fight jeans and black faux suede knee high boots. She maid a point of ignoring the guy that had on boots that were taller than hers. The best thing I saw at the museum was a family (both parents and two kids) each carrying sketch books. After a couple hours at the museum, I headed for a Bigg’s supermarket. It had started to snow and every once in a while a snowflake would find its way inside the top of my boots. I walked through the store and noticed I was getting more looks than normal. I had to ask where an item was and the only clerk around was talking to what appeared to be his red neck buddy. The clerk looked me over and mustered all his self composure to tell me where the item was. The gal running the register gave me a nice smile though and that made up for the other clerk. I did discover it was time for new heel tips on these boots. One heel kept kicking out on the polished floor. I then headed for a B. Dalton bookstore in a mid scale mall. (The difference between a mid scale and upper scale mall is based on the income levels of the partrons). As I walked across the front of the store (on the outside) I noticed the reflection of a guy about 30 feet away who just couldn’t believe his eyes. He turned just kept staring at me as I walked along. I turned his way and gave him a friendly nod and he turned away and went on to his car. In B. Dalton, I spent 15 minutes looking for a book and reading. A few folks seemed to notice but no one said a thing. Since this trip was all about having fun, I wandered into the Shoe Carnival that was next door to B. Dalton. This place did not have the same upscale crowd that was at the store I visited on my last outing. Most of the clerks were guys and they took notice but the female clerk really was doing her best to remain neutral but she really looked like she wished I would go away and not further offend her sensitivities. I tried on a pair of white pumps with a 4” heel that looked like they might be large enough (looks were deceiving) and stopped at the end of season boot sale table where the female clerk was trying to make order of the mess. I looked at a couple size 11s but didn’t try anything on. I went back to my car and headed home. I’ve been trying to guess what caused all the additional attention. I have been to all of these places before and didn’t even get noticed (well, not as much). The leather bike shorts came almost down to my knees but then there was a break before the boots continued. That contrast made the combination stand out. Had the boots been taller or the shorts longer, or if I had been wearing black hose, that contrast would not have been there. I may rethink wearing that combination again. Anyway, it was a fun outing.

JeffB, your absolutely right but the “folks” in my comment were referring to the clerks and the many other customers. Maybe it was the recent eclipse of the moon, or this projecting confidence thing I keep preaching about, but everyone seemed to be more tolerant than I was expecting.

I mentioned in another post, Shopping, that I was replacing the zipper in my black leather thigh boots with 5” stilettos (my favorite pair) and what fun I had buying the zipper. Well, as I was sewing it in I ran out of thread and had to go back to the store. The first time at the store I wore a skirt that covered a lot of my boots, this time I followed my own advice about showing off the boots that you are wearing.

I went back to the fabric store wearing a brown suede leather coat, black turtleneck, black stretch exercise pants and black leather pull on thigh boots with 4” stilettos over the pants.

I had to walk several isles in the parking lot to get to the store and a local police car drove across my path directly in front of me. Due to the traffic, he was actually going slower than I was. I had to walk toward the cruiser and go behind it to get to the sidewalk. The guy didn’t even bat an eye.

In the store (second time in a few hours) I wandered around and got my stuff and paid at the register. There were several folks there but no one even bothered to glance twice.

This was a totally uneventful (but fun) outing.

I have a bit of shopping to do and decided to do it in a skirt and thigh boots. I was wearing a brown suede winter coat, a black turtleneck, a long black fabric skirt and black leather pull on thigh boots with 4” stiletto heels. The top of boots disappeared way under the skirt.

First I went to a fabric store in a down scale mall. I parked and walked across the parking lot and into the store and started to look around. The folks in the store seemed willing to tolerate a guy in a skirt and heels. I had to ask for help to find the item I wanted. (I was looking for a zipper for my 5” heeled boots). The clerk took me to them and I thanked her. It took a few minutes for me to make my selection and then I wandered around a bit before I went to the register. The register clerk had to come over from another part of the store and she had seen me come in. She made sure I got the correct discount on the zipper and gave me my change. No one said a word about the skirt or boots. For all I know, shoppers like me could be coming in every day (doubt it though).

I then drove to Joseph Beth Booksellers which is in an upscale mall in Cincinnati. The parking lot was packed so I got to walk about a bit outside. In the store I found a book I was interested in and sat down on a couch to look through it. Several folks wandered by but I didn’t get a second glance. The book didn’t have what I wanted so I reshelved it and headed back to my car.

There was a Shoe Carnival on the far side of the parking lot so I stopped by on the way out. The store was full of upscale bargain hunters of all ages. There were several groups of young girls and a group of guys plus all the other female customers. I was thinking that this was going to be a challenge. I started looking at some 5” pumps and what was left of the boots. On the bargain rack I found a pair of 5” stiletto strap pumps with an ankle strap. I decided to try them on. I took them over to a chair and took off one of my boots and tried the pump on. It fit reasonably well except the ankle strap was almost 2” too short. I put the pump back in it’s box and pulled on my thigh boot again. Remember I’m wearing a skirt and sitting in the middle of the women’s section of a shoe store. No one even batted an eye. Everyone chose to ignore the guy trying on heels. I left the store and headed back to my car.

I really was expecting a few heads to turn or a few giggles but, at least today, the world was tolerant of a guy in a skirt and boots. I had a great time.

-Jeffb

Thanks for the kind words.

First, WELCOME to the forum!

I have found that if the folks at the store think you are going to buy something, they will go out of their way to help you.

You can try shoes on at any store but some are more friendly and helpful than others. There are a number of threads about trying on shoes in stores that you might find helpful. The Payless chain is noted for having larger sizes (but your 8 - 10 should be no problem at all) and being helpful to guys buying heels.

Enjoy your heels!

With the assumption that a discussion forum is to encourage discussion and exchange ideas let me pose the following question: Why do we (guys) want to go out in public wearing heels and or boots that the majority of folks think are designed for women? I enjoy wearing boots with heels especially thigh boots and I also enjoy wearing a skirt now and again. I like the looks of the boots and the skirts and I find them very comfortable to wear. I enjoy wearing these items in the privacy of my home. As far as my desire to wear boots with heels and skirts, wearing them at home satisfies that desire. However, I also enjoy wearing them out in public and I suspect others on this board share that enjoyment. That desire, to go out in public wearing heels and or skirts, is different than the desire to just wear heels and skirts at home. There is a different high that is generate by going out. The question is, what is there about going out in heels (or skirts) that is so enjoyable that we buck societal pressure to do it? The question is not why do we wear heels or skirts, but why do we want to wear them in public?

Thanks for the link to the video. Museums are a great place to go heeling. I’ve been wearing thigh boots to the Cincinnati Museum for years. Most folks notice but give no reaction at all. Xaphod's boots are great looking and so is the matching jacket.

DawhHH -

I am embarrassed that I have not been following this thread. I have greatly missed your comments and then discovered this thread. I’ll not even try to describe my emotions as I started to read through it. What great news at the end that you and Mickey are doing well. I suspect that there will also be a few trains running better when you get back in the full swing of thing.

Best wishes my friend.