KrisS

I usually take a 10 or 40. I bought one style of Aldo over-the-knee boots this winter and they were too small. I returned them and the 41 in another style of over-the-knee was a good but slightly snug fit. I don't know if the 4 inch heel was part of the problem. In the end, they are very comfortable.

I bought a second pair of over-the-knee boots yesterday. I couldn't resist. They were on sale for half price at $53.00. I haven't had a real chance to try them on except for a few moments this morning and boy are they cool. I haven't worn pencil stilettos in public but these look great (IMO) with dress pants. I will wear them under pants. The tight feel on the legs is great. I didn't try them on in the crowded store because I didn't want to take a chance on struggling with the stretchy material in front of people. They don't have zippers. As the young sales girl handed me the bag, she said, "Enjoy." Do you think she knew?

Here's the web site:http://www.aldoshoes.com/ca-eng/women/boots/over-the-knee-boots/81441528-lucarell/96

If it doesn't work, go to Aldo Shoes>Women's Boots>Over-the-knee>Lucarell

If anyone else buys these or the Bullins (I tried these on in the store before Xmas) from Aldo, make sure you go an extra size up. 10 (40) is usually good enough but I needed the 41 this time.

I had 2 interesting similar experiences within minutes of each other this week. I have been interested in over the knee boots this year and in a smaller mall in Toronto, I found 2 stores with boots I liked. Both stores were staffed by an Asian woman in their late forties. I have found Asian women of any age non-judging when I ask to try heels on. Anyhow, in both stores the ladies hesitated a moment when I asked to try them on, then smiled and said ok.

Now, as I tried them on, I was asked by both clerks, "Does she wear the same size as you?" obviously thinking I was trying them on for someone else.

All the times men say they are buying for someone else, these 2 people really thought I was. I replied, "No, they are for me." Big smiles. I didn't buy in either store but did find a pair of thigh highs the next day, tried them on - good thing because the usual 10 was too big and I went with size 9 - and have worn them since. You can see them at www.vangelo.ca, go to "women's" and then "Alondra-1"

Go to the Payless web site. Do a search for "Kline" women's slide sandals. Check the gender of one of the people doing a review. Thank you Payless.

Thanks CassieJ and latindancer. The trip to Florida is a family vacation so all I can do is window shop. Since my wife does NOT approve (my heeling has twice lead to big problems), there won't be anything more than visual appreciation of the selections available. It's sunny today in Toronto (minus 11C) and I'm looking out at the 12 cm of snow that fell yesterday and can't wait to get to the south. Kris.

Hi latindancer. A little off topic for this thread but since I'll be in the Orlando, Disney, area in early February, can you give me some updates? We've been driving down from Toronto for years and love the area. Has the rebuilding of the former Belz Outlet Mall at the end of International been completed? Are there good heel deals at the Premium Outlet Mall beside Dolly Parton's on I-4? Where is Shoe Land? Mall at Millenia..... $$$$$ but great pizza in the food court. I always like the selection at Baker's in the Florida Mall. If you're still in Florida in early February, I'll watch for the guy in heels at Disney, maybe getting one of the great sandwiches at Earl of Sandwich. Sorry it's off topic but it's always good to know where to shop for heels when traveling. Kris.

I saw the sandals on a girl in July and found them in a shop later at $39. By August they were $29 and by October $12. They are very feminine, more than I'd usually wear, but I did go for a long walk in downtown Toronto on one of those warm fall days. The lady in the shop said of course I could try them on without hesitation and offered me those little nylon sockettes to use. The other shoes are probably the least feminine, other than having the high heel. The sole is like a hiking boot and just about as heavy. I tried these on in the store and found 9 was a better fit than the usual 10. These were $9 in Wal-Mart. I had my camera with me and took a picture as soon as I was in the parking lot. Kris.

The Belz Mall has been taken over by Prime Outlets and has been completely rebuilt. It's at the north end of International Dr. at the I-4 exit for Universal. We'll be down that way again in February. There is another outlet mall on the east side of I-4 halfway to Disney from the Prime Mall, right beside Dolly Parton's Stampede. Prices seem average, not really outlet but still good. Florida Mall is good but nothing compares to the Mall at Millenia. Yikes! Kris.

Earlier in the thread is a picture of the sandals I enjoy wearing. Today at lunch time, I was in a mall in the west end of Toronto. I went into a store to buy some candy (bad habit). The clerk was a young Asian girl, early 20's. When I went to pay she said, "Your shoes are very interesting, I like them" I didn't think she noticed. Me, "Thank you, it's a style I like." She said, "Yes, I like them too." I was the only one in the shop and could have started a conversation but I couldn't think of anything more to say. Not tounge tied, just couldn't think of anything. What a missed opportunity. BTW. Toronto has a large Asian population. Of the maybe 5 comments I've had, 3 were from young Asian women, all positive and not hint of anything negative. Interesting a) comments were made, all were positive. KrisS.

I know this was just a sales lady doing her best, but it certainly worked (almost). She's about 30, blond and attractive. What happened was not planned. I'd normally need time to get up my courage. Yesterday I had a meeting in downtown Toronto - I work in the 'burbs - and passed a shop that sold female footwear and clothes. This was not high end merchandise. In the window were a pair of boots, almost thigh-highs, black crinckly man made material, very pointed, 4 inch chrome heels, zipper up the back with a lace-up at the top 6 inches. I'm dressed in casual male business clothes, dress shirt, grey pants, grey socks and black loafers so I don't think I give anything away. Here's how it went. "Can I help you?" "Just wanted to see the boots in the window." (I pick them up off the display) "Those are hot", she says. "What size would you need?" "10," says me. "I'll see..... I don't have 10 but because they are so narrow, 11 would fit better. Would you like to try them on?" (No hesitation, she just presumed they were for me and you don't have to ask me twice) "Sit down and put them on, I'll help with the zipper." I stand and she tries but it won't budge. "Let me get you some stockings, your socks are too thick." I take off my socks, put on the stockings, put the boots back on, stand up and she helps with the zippers and ties the laces from behind. Can life get better? "There are mirrors at the back", she says. By this time, a couple of young women (20's) have come in and smile as I walk back and forth from mirror to mirror. They kept a close watch. "Take your time, walk around. They look hot. They were made for you. It's the last pair of 11's and I can't order more." All the sales lines. She's good! I say, "I hadn't planned on trying them on, just look and you presumed they were for me." She says, "I sell as many to guys as girls, they're perfect for you, you walk so well." She's good! After a few trips the length of the store, very reluctantly (and slowly) I take off the boots and the stockings. The 2 customers are still smiling, the clerk is still selling, but I listen to my head and say thanks, but no thanks. What an incredible 15 minutes! By the way, they were $90.00 Canadian. Sorry it's so long. I had to share.

Thanks for the compliment. They are made by Glacee and were purchased here in Toronto a couple of years ago at a store called Winners. (TJ Maxx in the US) They seem to specialize in "end-of-line" merchandise so you never get the same thing in 2 stores. Size 9 US, $30.00 Canadian, very comfortable and I too, have always really liked thong sandals. I think the buckle makes them just a little more masculine, LOL! I've had a couple of comments while wearing them, one puzzled, one positive. KrisS.

Hi,

Here's my contribution to the thread. It's funny, I can go out in public in these sandals quite comfortably but I'm still having a problem when wearing boots. Perhaps it's the 4 inch thin heels on the boots causing me to feel too obvious.

Kris.

Yes, it's me, but sadly, these sandals fell victim to a purge one day. Too bad, I really liked them and they were comfortable. KrisS

I used to buy and hope but I am now more comfortable trying on in the store. As with most people here, I usually look for female help. Sometimes I get a surprised look, a smile, and "Sure, go ahead" if I ask if it's OK to try something on. A couple of times come to mind. I wore knee highs into an "Adult" shop because I wanted to try on a pair of Jante thigh high boots. The young lady was very helpful and commented on how easily I walked. I said they were nice but I couldn't afford them now. Before I could leave, she had me trying on pumps and sandals and commented on each. I'm sure she was trying to make a sale but there seemed to be more interest than just that. Another time in mainstream shop, I asked to try on a pair of heeled sandals with ankle straps. This time the male clerk said no problem, so I looked for a discreet part of the store to sit down. He followed me and helped do up the ankle strap for me. It drew several surprised looks and smiles, but no comments. It's a less frustrating way to buy and, for various unknown reasons, very exciting.

Oldies and goodies. Here's a couple from the past year. Hope you enjoy.

Kris.

Hi Canisis and welcome. So far, in and around Toronto, I have only come across the usual as you have. One good spot is Kleen Air Dancing Shoes on the east side of Yonge near Wellesley. I don't know if you are male or female, but the young Asian lady who usually works there is very helpful when it comes to guys trying on heels or boots and they have a good selection. Unfortunately, the prices there are around the $100 plus as most places are. Too bad snaz75 in Buffalo doesn't have an outlet. It would be worth the 90 minute drive and the hassles at the border. Kris.

Unfortunately I cannot make it to any of these events. Heeling almost cost me my marriage so it is now something I do very discreetly and without my wife's knowledge (or approval). I live north east of Toronto and work in the wilds of Mississauga. Lived in Newmarket for many years, or as you might call it, Bradford South.

Hi Puffer, So I spent the weekend doing a little survey. You are right, we do say "Have a great day" a lot. It must be left over from setting up our voice mail, eh. "Your call is impoortant to us, blah, blah, and have a nice day." I hadn't really noticed, eh, until you mentioned it. Well, mate, it's another annoying thing we do when there isn't much hockey to talk about, eh! I was in New York state this weekend and the Yanks do a similar thing. When you say thank you for something, they reply with this somewhat bored "Uh huh". Most did seem to care that you appreciated good service or what ever. It was the same in 6 other states I've been in recently. At least you got a response. It seems no one even notices there is a customer present. You tourists get better treatment it seems. Thanks for the comments. Y'all come back now, ya' hear. We'll try not to be so annoying next time, eh! Cheers!

It was good to hear you enjoyed our great T.O. (Toronto Ontario to answer a question posed pages ago). I hope your footwear was comfortable for the distance you covered. The Kawartha Lakes area is beautiful. If you ever can get up that way, go north of Toronto about 2 hours to the Muskoka area. It's rugged rock, 100's of beautiful lakes and cottages that start at $1 million for not much. It was probably the Eaton Centre at Dundas and Yonge. Mostly the usual mall chain stores on 3 levels but always with more and better stock. The fetish shop on Queen East with the "models" out front was "He and She Clothing Gallery". Very interesting for fetish and CD wear. Too bad you missed Kleen Air Shoes on Yonge. Maybe next time. You're right about the Toronto fashion. It goes from flip flops to definite fall/winter footwear but we won't be hitting the boots in the next few days because the snow won't be here in a couple of weeks, it usually holds off until about December 1. Maybe in Ottawa, but not here. Seems Ottawa always gets that bad weather coming in from Pet and Arnprior. LOL!

This was fantastic! Today during lunch, I went to a Chapters store here in Toronto. They're a chain of large bookstores. I was wearing the thong sandals with the 3 inch block heels I have posted a picture of in another thread. I was walking through the store enjoying the walk and not looking for anything in particular and a clerk approached and asked if she could help. (Mid-twenties, good looking) I said thanks, no, just browsing. I stopped at the music section and in a moment noticed the clerk was near me. Clerk: Anything specific you're after? Me: Beatles in general. Clerk: We have a good selection. By the way, I like your sandals. Me: Thanks. Clerk: You seem very comfortable in them. Me: Yes, I am. Clerk: Have a great day. And off she went, looking back a couple of times. "A great day"? She made my day/week/month..........

white_6_inch_spike_heels Yes, I recall the picture in front of heelboy posted in a thread some time ago. Lookin' good as always. Ottawa is a great city, nice size, great people, and at least one guy in heels. pbsmith Kleen Air is a great shop and the young lady there has no problem with guys in heels. Do you try heels on in the shops and malls you mentioned? I work near Square One and have thought of going shopping in heels but I find it very conservative and I think heels would be TOO obvious although I have been to the Bay and Chapters nearby in the 2.5 inch heeled sandals pictured earlier in this thread so I guess the next steps would be through out the mall. Try the Transit store in Dixie Mall. They always have great deals on last season's shoes. $15.00 to $30.00 range.

white_6_inch_spike_heels That was quite the hike. It's easily 3 km from Queen to Bloor and up Spadina is not the most "understanding" part of town when a guy is wearing those beauties. Did you stop in the Bata International Shoe Museum? Along Queen to Pape is another story especially in the Sherborne and Jarvis areas. Congratulations. If you are on Queen West again, go west of Bathurst. There is a ladies fetish shop called MissBehavin' (live models in the windows on weekends) with a good selection of heels and willing to help everyone interested. Further along is an interesting shoe shop called Heel Boy and across the road is Come As You Are. The name sums it up. It's an area I've heeled in before and felt quite comfortable. If we keep it up, we'll be setting an area trend, guys in heels.

So as the Toronto winter dragged on, I became more comfortable wearing my heeled boots around the city. Many looks but no comments. (I posted pictures earlier in this thread.)

The warm weather has arrived so it's sandal time again. The black slides I've worn anywhere in Toronto because they are very subtle and hardly get noticed. The burgundy thongs are a little more obvious and I've had a couple of comments. I think the buckle makes them look a little masculine so what's the big deal?. LOL!

I can't comment on other cities, but I think Toronto is a very tolerant and vibrant city. Having said that, it is still hard to walk into a crowded shop or down a street feeling like all eyes are on you and thinking people are wondering why that guy is wearing heeled footwear clearly designed for the opposite gender.

Different season, different heels.

Thanks for the kind comments. Kneehighs - please post it wherever you think it will be of interest within the forums. HeelsRus - I first went into a couple of Adult shops in Toronto because the staff and customers are less judgemental. I loved the feel of walking in these boots knowing I was dressed as a guy but in obvious feminine footwear. I got looks but no comments. I've been downtown during the day on the Yonge strip a couple of times. Again, passing looks but so far no comments. So far it's been great. Nothing too long, as great as it feels, I start to chicken out after a couple of blocks up Yonge.

Here's what I wore this winter on the streets of Toronto.

After all this time reading other's stories and seeing their pictures, I hope this posts OK.