tallguyinheels

Thx guys for you comments and support. Regarding knee high boots: You know - that was my first choice - but then I started visiting the web sites of the clothing stores I was visiting and NOT ONE showed the skirts on a model with knee high boots. Most were wearing Booties and, occasionally, pumps. My "advisor" at the the salon, concurred when asked - his response was "right now, booties are hot with short skirts the knee boot retro look was last year." He said that knee boot would go OK with a just above the knee skirt. And in Europe the are wearing the knee boot with a platform and really high stilettos with mini skirts and leggings. So you you guys that favor the knee boots are probably just ahead of the curve here in the USA. I have notice that the department and shoe stores are filling up with 1 to 2-1/2 inch platforms in boots, sandals, pumps and booties with 5 -7inch skinny heels. This spring should be great for ogling! Friday I did some returning (belts) and wore a pair of Please Seduce (5") knee boots with a straight black 30 inch pencil skirt (just at below the knee) I picked at Goodwill in November. Noon traffic at the mall was light, and I was received welcome at Von Maur, Dillard and Macy's. The sales clerk at Von Maur Remembered me from a few day earlier and complimented my outfit. When I was there purchasing the belt, I was in slacks - but I had mentioned the belt was for me and a skirt I was planning to wear. My last return was at Macy's and the once I was credited I took my time wandering through the woman's department, and eventually tried on some skirts - that might work for spring, a few with some earthy tones that will look good with pastel or bright colored shirts. No purchases made this time though.

So my more recent adventure spans several days and involves not only the purchase of skirts and retailer responses, but also the advice and support received by my hair salon. It started with my experience a few weeks ago at the Mall of America where I tried on many skirts over a few days – and the premise that my shopping for a shorter shirt – perhaps one with a little “bling” would be useful in a potential upcoming holiday party. Wishful thinking, a bit, but someday perhaps. Fast forward to Monday this week, and a few mall visit here in ATL, this time in my new booties and long Gap Wide Leg “Perfect” trousers. The wide leg trousers are really wide, definitely a feminine feel, accented by the purse and heels poking out with every step. This is a higher end mall but somewhat small, but has other stores. Each store greeted me as a friendly customer, tried on a total of 15 or more short skirts (Some way too short for my conservative conscience – sorry TBG) – from six stores. Note that I went in the morning as the mall opened – so the store and mall were mostly empty – at least until the noon crowd came in. I find that even though I am stretching my skirt wearing envelope – I want to look decently dressed. Surprisingly, I came away empty handed. More stores to visit in other malls. Tuesday, was my first work day in a couple weeks, but I needed a haircut and set up an evening appointment with my stylist. I wear heels and skirts there almost every time – always my more conservative knee length or longer skirts – so I pulled one of my recent MoA purchases, a calf length A line full skirt to wear, Charcoal colored and a black shirt. Lunch time, I ventured to the nearby mall (closer than the earlier one) in said outfit. Only a few stores to try – a BCBGMAXAZRIA Outlet (the real BCBG store visit on Monday had some of the most promising skirts), Saks5th Outlet, Forever21 and Guess. Again the service for the BCBG sales staff was excellent, offering constructive advice (too short – not good with a tucked in shirt, should wear with a belt, etc.), the teenage or low 20’s age did not seem at all phased by a 50’ish guy trying on skirts. Ended up with the Lola – silver and black as in the picture below. A skirt I had actually tried on earlier at the Mall of America – but passed on – here it was $20 cheaper. Forever21 is a young women’s store catering to the look and feel of 20’s crowd and many of their skirts were so short I would be a bit embarrassed if I saw a woman wearing them. But again the a few wear selected – Any skirt I thought worthy I would walk out and get the staff’s opinion. Ended up with the blue one below. It’s kind of enjoyable having sales help bring you skirts to try on, and advice on how it looks. Of course, I use my own eye, and try to imagine myself being comfortable wearing the skirt sometime in public. Compliments on my legs and shoes not withstanding. Took both the skirts to the salon that night and after my needed cropping – I had explained my purchase, and had them in a shopping bag on entering – I ask if I could change into the skirts and ask my stylist Debbie’s (40’ish - woman) opinion. I warned her these skirts are a bit more “extreme” than I have worn before. Of course, she said that would be no problem, and I was directed to the small changing area where you can take off your coat or sweater and put on a “smock”. About seven stylists with as many customers + desk help were in the store at the time. And all of the help has seen me in skirt before – and never have I had a negative reaction from the lady customers or the occasional guy getting their hair cut. I come out first in the blue skirt – I was wearing grey sweater tights at the time – and the shirt was a flatter black that the one in the picture. Debbie says, “Wow! You can pull that off!” “No, it’s not too short”, she replied to my query. The head stylist – a guy – looks down the hall and says, “Come out here!” So now I’m in the middle of the salon, and compliments are firing my way - what a confidence builder! “You’ve got great legs!” “Camera Diaz!” Who wouldn’t love that! Into the second skirt, and one of the older (my age) customers says that’s even better! Wish I had the body to wear that! (She didn’t look that bad!). The consensus in the store that the Blue with Black tights and a darker skirt (as pictured) would work the best. Epilog: Thursday afternoon – after struggling to pick the right belt – I purchased several and headed to the salon – in the blue skirt and new shirt and asked opinions: (Sequins Belt “No”, Mid width Micheal Kors bright big buckle, “No” Narrow Belt – “that would work with the silver but not the blue one” Wide belt (shown) “That’s the one I’d pick” What do you think?

Belt - matches heels (usually all black - I have one pair of brown pumps) I don't use much color - usually the shirt - occasionally the skirt or pants. Handbag = virtually all the time now. It is so much easier to store the necessities (credit cards, cash, keys, sunglasses, breath mints, pocket change and what ever. Now with skirts I've been experimenting with belts. At the waist I need a size or two smaller than with slacks or jeans. I haven't tried to much flashy stuff - though a black belt might be narrower or wider and perhaps a patent leather finish. Really wide belts (~3") are my latest interest with especially the shorter skirts I've been trying. The great thing with women's clothing is that there are so many choices and not near as many "rules".

I have found Nordstrom Rack has a choice of size 14 - a lot of flats - some pump. about three weeks ago I found a 4.5 inch bootie at thr rack in the Mall of America:

http://www.hhplace.org/guys/14555-skirting_envelope-13.html

Thx guys: TBG: I usually take more care and pull the shirt down as you described - especially when going out and about. In the holiday spirit - I ventured to the Mall of America for the weekend - Trying on skirts in Lola, Cache, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Marshall's, Loft, Christopher & Banks, JJIll, & maybe one or two more... All afternoon Saturday and Sunday 10 to 2. In the mall I wore the booties (see below) a new pair of jeans from Buckle (Tyler 34W x 36L - 34 for my trimmer waist for the first time.) But first the shoes! From Nordstrom Loft on the sales rack with at least 25 pair of size 14's including about 9 pair of heels were these "Me Too" brand ruffled booties with a sturdy 4-1/4 inch heel. Web searching yields Me Too brands only to size 11 - but the proof is otherwise on my feet! The first pic is me sporting a sequined mini skirt from Cache, and a nice red 17-37 Croft and Barrow dress shirt. Ribbed tights, and the new booties. iPhone mirror pictures not that good - sorry. Short, for sure and in a size 10 for a trimmer me. Now I need a a holiday party to go to! More likely to wear often is the second skirt. A nice knee length skirt that I might have altered a bit shorter (suggested by the manager at Cache). and in a size 8! losing weight is almost as addictive as heels! Most fun though was comfortably wandering from store to store, in a crowded mall in heels, and with exceptional experience of being welcomed in stores as a customer for their products. Cache, Ann Taylor, Lola and JJill staff were particularly attentive - working a tall gentleman into their crowded stores politely. I wished I could buy something from all the stores. Kudos MoA!

Danielp Yup should have tucked the shirt in better in back - come to think of it - i should go out and get some fitted shirts made for shirt wearing.... Anybody out there have done same?

here is the green skirt green top combo....

enjoyed your description and outings very much... Also your sense of style - so far you have been consistent and apparently very comfortable with your outfits... more pictures please.

Lot's of experienced input here. So I'll add mine. I find that my natural stride in any shoe is pretty much one foot in front of the other. No more than 10cm left or right of the path I'm moving. When starting out in heels I tried the "runway" crossover stride with or without letting my hips sway. Neither method felt as comfortable in the long run as keeping my standard stride, shortened a bit or a bit more depending on heel height. Perhaps resulting in half the L-R variation from center. More important is that you learn to have confidence in planting the heel first. And keep your eyes and head high. Shoulders square and though I've tried a feminine "elbows in" arm swing, I feel much more at ease in my normal walking arm position. Now that I've been wearing skirts more, I find I might be using the slightest crossover step, especially in the tighter pencil and mini skirts. The most important thing is that I try to think (or feel) about the enjoyment I get walking in heels.

Out again today at lunch in the button front Stone colored pencil skirt. Something new is burgundy colored tights. Picked up a couple skirts at Goodwill. I think I always greeted more cheerfully when I'm in a skirt there. One of the skirts is a below the knee forest green skirt that will good the Christmas season - even looked good with the burgundy tights. I do think That now my skirt wardrobe has out paced my long pants wardrobe by one or two now. 7 or eight skirts I wear now - a couple of my earlier skirts have made their way to charity - because now I'm down a couple sizes. Pictures to follow in a bit. I do have a couple trousers on order from the GAP - nice 30% discount on the website yesterday. I believe my nex purchases will be some updates to footware. The Pleaser Flair knee boot and maybe the Domina 2000 knee boot. Along with another pair of Seduce 460's - wish they wouldn't stretch out so.

Skirted, always a stall - worst is that in high heels and my already tall natrure is figuring whether to spread the legs out or tuck them back a bit to either side as otherwise the knees are a bit high in the saddle - as it were...

Yes things I like about my shoulder strapped purse. strap can go over my head - never sliding off. It holds my cell phone, keys, credit cards, a pen, business cards, chewing gum or mints, some spare change and a few 3x5 cards I use for taking notes. I don't have to use pockets. Worst thing is my wife doesn't like it. She's not crazy about the skirt and heels thing either.

Just went to the hair stylist in the black skirt above - 5" oxfords. Right away a younger stylist complimented me on my shoes and asked where I got them. I'm starting to get use to using a purse. - it feels best on the right side even though I cart my briefcase on the left shoulder, and I'm a lefty by nature.. Other than that: I wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving...

http://hypeed.com/from-turkey-shoes-high-heels--tb2603-2240

More skirts... The first few are of the stone Kim Rogers A-line size 14, just tailored to a size 12, pencil skirt. Except for the fact it is unlined - requiring a slip, depending on the material of my tights - this one looks real nice. And the black wool full skirt is, now that the weather is cooling off, my practical favorite - I picked it up last summer at a Goodwill, but even at a size 14 - this Talbot's skirt was too small in the waist - until my last 5-10 lbs weight loss - that is. Full size front pocket let me make a quick run in to stores on errands - with car keys and money. I still need to get comfortable with a purse like JeffB - though I'm working on it. This lunch, wandered into Barnes & Nobel with the Black Wool, and blue plaid - just as the picture. I did bring my Black Purse (see a few entries back) for Cell phone, credit cards, money, gum, etc. Even though it was crowded, hardly a head turned or expression changed. I may have to start going places to try an get noticed! Next post will be about travels in the Stone Pencil.

Sorry Jeff...

here's the link...

http://www.hhplace.org/guys/14555-skirting_envelope-11.html

Stylish and comfortable at the same time - looking good, Jeff. Venture down to my blog below. I'm interested in your thought on the outfit and my new handbag...

$$$$ Skirt was log and full length

http://www.donnakaran.com/categories/pants-and-skirts/e41s116p68/floor-length-gored-skirt

a little to upscale for me...

No, this time "travel garb" was jeans and the same shirt. I don't yet want to be "discovered" and I always seem to see people I know at airports or on airplanes. Though not this time.

Actually wore the same skirt out yesterday at lunch on a visit to a tailor I use now and then. I'm getting a few skirts altered as I have been dropping weight a bit. Size 14 Kim Rogers skirt from Belk is getting a major trimming - it'll be ready next week.

Round, Anything to make my foot look smaller.

While out shopping this week in California, I noticed a family of 5 with a young girl 5-8 years old (head was at about my hip), the oldest, wearing a kitten like stiletto heel no more than 2-1/2 inches high. She seemed to be thoroughly enjoy herself in big girl shoes!

At Bloomingdales, I entered the ground floor and had to take the escalator up to the 3rd floor for women’s wear. I think I got on of my first cell phone photos taken of me from the rear and I went up from men’s to women’s - I didn’t want to turn around and bow, so I continued up. Empty of people except for the sale rack and very few skirts and no interaction at all so I ventured into the mall. First to Banana Republic, entering the men’s second floor level first. Ignoring looks from shoppers and greeted nicely from an attendant I moved to the back of the store and took the elevator down a floor. Again it was busy and no sales associate offered to assist as I browsed room to room. Exiting, next door was a boutique called “Club Monaco” and I wandered in. Greeted nicely with smiles by a staff member behind the register, I wandered a bit and located a rack of skirts. A different sales associate, another young girl, arrived and greeted me, about tumbling over the 6 inch wooden platform shoes as I turned around. As she (Marisa) recovered, I said “that should be me stumbling over these heels”, as I lifted one up. Marisa was very nice help, I tried on a number of skirts there. The drawback was a couple of the above the knee pencil skirts were more elastic and a without slits in the back were a bit more form fitting. This means a rear bulge and a front bump – the latter not acceptable. This store again catered to size 10 and down so the selection was limited in my size. With the flight from John Wayne approaching, I exited with no new skirts but a pleasant experience all around. Unhappily I changed into travel garb – a little wore out from the heels. Energized by the experience, deciding I have to get out more.

Up on the women’s floor – I head at first to the more affordable section, and began to look at a rack with and short flared skirt. I’m met immediately by a young (20ish?) sales girl, herself dressed sharply in a dark brown, above-the-knees pencil skirt and white blouse, in 3 inch heeled alligator skin loafers, with a tapered block heel, and a narrow belt matching the shoes. I complimented her on the shoes, saying I wish I could get something like that in my size. She returned the compliment, as I explained my interest in skirts, “I don’t dress as a woman”, and that this was the first time I was out in this short a skirt. (Again honesty is a great confidence builder.) She introduced herself (Christina) and she she explained that we are kind of between seasons and skirts are a bit limited. I explained my current selection of skirts, and that I might be interested in a different color (not black or charcoal) and am willing to try different lengths. She shared my smile when I said I shy away from “girly” frilly and print skirts. Over 15 minutes or more we looked at different skirts from the floor, looking at and strolling as if I was her most important customer. And though none were hits we selected one brown leather A- line skirt ($500) for me to try. I’m not sure why the real expensive stuff is limited to size 10 and down, but while the 10 was a bit small, she said she would check around a bit. She returned with a water bottle for me, and I asked how the fit was. “tight – and I’m not sure about the brown skirt with black boots - though she said I could get away with black shoes like I had on with brown tights – even without a black belt. She came back a bit later with a long floor lenght size 8 Donna Karan skirt – fine material and a $1000 price tag, that she said might fit in a 10 – DK runs a bit big. (What I would give to have a $40K clothing budget.) In all I was there for almost an hour, but came up empty handed. I’ve been in my heels and mini skirt for almost 4 hours and felt like I could do four more, though the ankles were a bit weary, I returned down the escalator to the car, and drove to Bloomingdale’s at the other end of the mall, which was getting more crowded all the time.

So back in the skirt mode. This time a business trip for SoCal – and a free morning before an afternoon flight. I was anxious to try out one of my new short skirts. As I like to travel light in one roller bag – short skirts and my avatar oxfords make for a concise addition as my alternative wardrobe. Choosing the Gap plaid skirt, it is noticeably shorter than the Target skirt – and the same shirt you see – I wander down for breakfast at the hotel – car keys, phone, credit cards, room key, all fit in the Target (purchased the evening before) handbag – and I notice it’s pouring rain outside. Bravely, actually casually (as if I’ve done the many times), I just walk into the dining area – about 10 people in the room, and I garner looks from all, but nary a comment, ‘cept a cheerful, “Would you like a waffle for breakfast, sir” from the Latino attendant. I decline and grab some OJ and a banana. It is easy to watch what you eat when in a mini-skirt (and a couple waist cinchers). The news is on and I read USA today – as I make sure to keep my legs together and my shoes tucked under my chair a bit to the side. After about 5 minutes and more looks – no comments - as the guests come and go, I began to relax and enjoy my situation. After a couple juice refills, and I’m done with the paper, it’s time to finish packing and check out – It’s still a about 9:00 and the mall doesn’t open until 10. The young female attendant smiles as I approach the front desk. I complain about the rain - in Southern California! “Looks like it might let up in a bit”. As we wrap up the paperwork anther guest comes to the desk. I’m almost disappointed that I’m getting no comments – like it is completely normal for a 50+ year old 6-8 in heels and miniskirt to be in everyone’s presence. I drive off toward the South Coast Plaza mall in Costa Mesa. Ith still a little time to kill I stop off at a CVS to get a bottle of water. I wait a bit for the rain to let up – throw on a light jacket for the cool morning and remaining light rain. Walking head high, enter the store right past the long checkout line. Again looks – no comments, not even a snicker! Grab a water bottle, walking past a stock clerk, and return to the long cue. I laugh a bit to myself as I look down to double check my wardrobe; High heels – Check, Long Ribbed Tights – Check, Mini Skirt – Check. From how I was treated, I could have been in Dockers and loafers. Off to the parking lot near the Nordstrom’s at the north side of the mall. Several customers are already parked near the entrance and I join them and answer a few emails to pass the remaining 10 minutes or so until the store opens. Confidence is high as I enter the store – about five minutes after the doors opened because of the emails – not any apprehension. There must already be 50 people in the store already. This door enters in the men’s department and as I make my way to the escalator, I get looks from and older couple looking at shirts and I get an up and down (not judgmental) look from a women in her 30’s, as I motion and suggest “After you” as we meet almost simultaneously at the foot of the elevator. To be continued. (oh, how do you like the skirts?) I notice my tight's ribs are not straight in this morning's photo - be assured they were straight last Friday.

Just noticing in the stores at a mall in Orange County California, that all the stores DSW to Gucci are displaying and (you would hope) selling a lot of tall heels - 6 inch and maybe higher - most with some kind of platform. my little 5 inch heels seemed small in comparison.

Yes, My hair stylist is one place I am use to be seen in skirts or long pants and heels... Anxious to try out my shorter skirts there for an report. They have been nothing but complimentary on my wardrobe selection.

http://www.hhplace.org/guys/14555-skirting_envelope-6.html#post221865

Well, will Fall coming, I'm preferential to boots!