Thighboots2

Corsair, I have to say well done. IMHO you have chosen your footwear wisely. It raises an eyebrow or two maybe, but it is not extreem or smack of fetish, so it is easily accepted. If only more would have the same attitude to heels for wearing outside then we would be well on the way. I have often said guys should study the styles of footwear women wear and when they do, and take the cue from them. Rome wasn't built in a day and the same is true for men wearing high heels generally. Women do look at high stileto heels not as fetish, but tarty/sexy and so there is an appropriate time for wearing them. Men have got to get over the fetish thing about wearing womens shoes, and then we will be on the way. It is yet another mind thing. Kudos to you my friend. It is now almost a non event putting on 3" heels to go out that I don't even consider hiding them. Simon.

Puffer, Yup I wondered about the description of that boot and the picture. Neither platform nor 12cm heel in evidence on that one. Remember that in the ladies world, the Eu size is one less than the mans. The length is the same, but the width is narrower. Like many, I vary in shoe size according to the manufacturer. I range from 43 to 45, but mostly 43. Happily the barratts 10s are good for me, snug on width but that is to be expected. I would therefore conclude that the 11's will be good for those whose bottom end is 44. It does appear that this group is taking the bigger footed more seriously than anyone else and it is notable that it is usually the larger sizes that they run out of first. I'm sure they have noted this and that is why they are slowly expanding the models on offer at the larger end. Barney, you are so right. I know they quote the heels as 10cm, but at the top end, they are usually higher than that. What do yours measure? Almost 11cm I expect. For the price, they knock everything else into a cocked hat! Simon.

I went down the same road as many before me, those late night walks, but I was never comfortable with those as they really are dangerous and experience (and this board) have demonstrated that the best place is the busiest you can find, but then like many I was hung up on the idea that the only sort of heel was a stiletto which is by no means a mans shoe. It was this board that opened my mind to other forms of heels as a way of doing it in the daytime, and changed my stilettos only thinking which still doesn't sit comfortably in my mind, to incorporate stacks, cubans and so on. I started with 1.75" heels and then when the earth didn't spin the other way round, I increased the height but sticking with the very utilitarian womens styled ankle boots. I did have a little foray into thick stiletto boots, about a 3/4" D section, but that didn't last more than a couple of weeks, but it was fun. My comfort zone became a heel no more slender than 1" section. Slender enough so it isn't always perfectly stable, but thick enough to not be too feminine. Now I wear almost nothing else with 3" being almost standard daily wear and 4" when the mood takes me. The best side effect is that since I started wearing 3" heels regularly, I no longer have issues with my lower back whereas I used to have twinges and so on. Others have reported this so I must conclude that for me, wearing heels is medicinal, like a nice brandy Simon.

GG,

Their shoes do vary a bit, but if he's a Pleaser 11.5, then the Barratts group footwear shoulod easily be in his range. The leather 4" courts are a perfect fit, but I am at the small end of 10. Now I can't use a Pleaser 12, yet the Pleaser 13 is like a boat on my foot, so no Pleaser for me. Strange.

There are a couple of 11s on the pricelessshoes website and that link will take you to their specialist size category. Returns via the Barratts shops are fine, delivery is excellent. Prices are stupidly cheap.

Simon.

Good info Dr Shoe. Couple of pairs of 4" courts for a tenner on offer, and upto UK11 as well. Customer reviews for these two cheapies are favorable too. Gotta be a bargain. Really useful shop for big shoes is the Barratts/Pricelessshoes/discountshoestore websites. Simon.

Hello Groan and welcome. Do tell us more about yourself, your intro is a bit sparse. Simon.

Balletbooter, I can certainly understand (and so will everyone else) why you do not have the "bottle" to even step into the shop to pick up something you have ordered. Been there and I didn't have the bottle at your age either. You are so much luckier though than us older guys because when we were struggling with this in our heads at your age, there was no internet to help. If you wanted a pair of heels, you just had to go into the shop. How many UK guys remember Cover Girl in Islington (sadly missed). This is part of the whole mind thing of course. Confidence is the key. Are you a confident person generally? Remember that as far an sales people are concerned, they want you to buy something as they get a slice of the action. They will be most helpful and really they have seen it all before and it is only those who haven't that need to have a laugh in the storeroom. Best thing is we are coming up to the party season, and so you have a cast iron reason/excuse to go into Barratts etc. Your going to a fancy dress party and have been dared to go as a girl, hence the need of some heels. You just missed another "excuse" - wearing heels to raise money for "Children in Need", but there are other countrywide fundraisers you can use the excuse for. Hey why not do the fundraising as well! Wonder just how much you would raise. Next time you pop into M&S just walk through the womens section and you will see men browsing through the racks. Men buy things for their women all the time. I often buy things I know my wife needs, but hasn't the time to shop for herself such as coats, skirts and so on. I just add something for myself at the same time if I want. It is easier of course buying something for someone else because your mind is happy with that and so you don't feel that you are doing something wrong. The hardest thing about it all is not buying womens stuff, but making the right choice. I was lucky recently when I purchased 3 pairs of shoes for my wife to choose from (the hardest task of all IMHO - buying shoes for a woman). She selected one of the three pairs which really surprised me especially as a girl who doesnt wear heels higher than 3" she selected the 4" pair. She justified it with "they're the most comfortable". Result. Then popped back to the store for a refund on the unwanted pairs. Easy. Funny, but in a way doing something like this is truely character building. Simon.

^- Only the girls can realistically answer that question, however, I think it may well be the root of some of the bitchy comments women make about each other - and that isn't restricted to shoes either. Perhaps Amanda would care to pitch in on this. Simon.

Why not just pop into topshop and pick them up. Seeing as you know their item code, simply phone your local store and enquire if they have them in stock in your required size, reserve and pop in to collect. No need for all this clandestine rubbish, guys buy shoes for their girls all the time, and from the stores point of view its an easy sale. They just want your money. If you need to exchange the size because you do not wish to try on in the store, repeat the procedure. Simples. Simon.

Puffer,

See what you mean, but look at >>this<< offering from Gabor, taken straight form the mens rack and given a heel. Also >>this<< offering from Hush Puppies which is a real classic oxford toecap with a high stacked heel. This one is available in UK10 (eu43) from other UK sources such as >>this<< on the net. Both IMHO are wearable by any man who wishes a heel yet maintain a proper masculine look to the toebox.

Simon.

Crazyewok, Going in to the shop in your boots is an excellent idea as this gives the right message. However, I have yet to find a provincial NEXT store that carries size 9 if that is what you need. The bigger the store the better the choice will be. If you do need the larger sizes, then having selected those you are interested in via the web, order them to be picked up at the store of your choice. That way you can try them and buy what you wish. Of course if you are lucky enough to have a smaller foot, this doesn't apply. Whilst you are at it, you may like to consider popping into Barratts/Pricelessshoes as they have an excellent selection of stiletto high heels at very reasonable prices compared to NEXT. Their websites are also good for selection and again you can have your choices delivered to the shop. Enjoy Simon.

Nicely put Steve. Seems to me the problem is not that we want to wear womens shoes, its the styles that cause the problem, i believe. It seems to me that almost everyone wants to wear stiletto heels and nothing else and that really is a major leap to take in ones mind when it comes to stepping out. It is far easier to go up whilst keeping the general look of the shoe toward the masculine styling and having a block or cuban heel than slipping on your favorite 4" stiletto courts(pumps) for your everyday use. When it comes to going out in the evening, then depending upon where you are going, stiletto heels may well be appropriate i.e. clubbing, as others have demonstrated often on this board. As I have said before, look at how the ladies select their footwear and follow their lead. You really do see very few ladies wearing high stilettos for shopping, its nice to see, but rare. However, 3" block styles are far more commonly worn. By following their lead in this respect you will be far less out of the ordinary and so far more comfortable with yourself. Simon.

Daniel, As a fashion statement, the look is great. Tall boots for guys are few and far between, but are around. Yours being OTK are also edgy and have that "pirate" quality. Sure you miss a heel, but somehow I think that is almost irrelevant. Good job. Simon.

Slide,

A big welcome to the board from me too.

You ask a very good question and all above is good advice with which I concur.

As to the type of shoe, then the height is one consideration. As you are starting out on this wonderful experience, I would suggest 3" be the best to get going. You will still have plenty of flexibility in your ankle to allow for slopes and so on without causing you to stumble. 3" is a height that you almost don't notice, yet you get almost the full benefit of the height of the heel. THus you will walk quite confidently which is essential and also be comfortable. This is the height of heel that I wear almost every day.

Next you should consider the style of the heel. Personally I would recommend a block style that is no smaller than 1" at the heel tip. This gives both stability and also is typically less feminine, rather more utilitarian. The heel top which is usually hard plastic can be replaced with a rubber one so it is far less noisy.

Finally the style of the whole shoe should be considered in relation to the whole outfit. With jeans the best option, IMHO, is a pair of ankle boots, brown or black as these are the expected colours. An almond or rounded toe is better. Try to avoid overly feminine toe styles as this will also help with your comfort level. This style is commonly worn by women in their daily activities, so you will have plenty of choice.

This will get you going and out there with the rest of us. Then as both confidence and comfort increase, you can introduce the more feminine styling to the toe/heel if you wish.

The real key is to not go out in too high a heel regardless of the style and also picking appropriate footwear for the outfit/time of day/occasion, just as the ladies do.

As far as I am concerned, any slingback style is not suitable for trousers/pants and should only be worn with a skirt precisely becuase they constantly get hung up between your heel and the shoe. That is my opinion of course.

These are a perfect example from my photo ablum. I wore these until they literally fell apart. A sad day.

http://www.hhplace.org/picture.php?albumid=68&pictureid=861

Enjoy.

Simon.

As I wear heels between 2.5" & 3" almost every day, I selected 3" or lower, but then again I probably don't count because these shoes are made and marketed at men, whereas I get the impression that we are really talking about shoes made and marketed at women. Simon

Elegant, Perfect choice IMHO, you should get nothing but compliments on those and several where did you get those as well. Would suggest you say England and end of line rather than womens shoes as they really do look very unisex. When people think they are looking a mens shoes, they really accept them easily. You will have lots of enjoyment with those. Simon.

wman25, Shame the pumps didn't fit, but that's the way it goes. The boots are fine and although they are noisier that your used too, they will not really raise much attention precisely becuase they are a block style. Wear these often and you will feel that there is no problem at all with sub 3" block heels worn by guys. The issue comes when you go over 3" and get thinner heels. Save this sort of heels for special occasions, or just saturday nights down the nightclub where you'll find they are perfect and for many make a perfect chick magnet. Simon

Not surprising really considering the plethora of ultra high platforms that are so current. Platforms are dangerous as that part of the foot does all the balance work. The normal sole allows the wearer to feel the unevenness of the surface and so automatically compensate, but this isnt so with a platform as it does not transmit this info to the wearer. They are a real problem on anything but a perfectly even surface especially when coupled with the very high stiletto heel. It was bad enough back in the 70s when we all wore plats, many a sprained ankle received courtesy of them. I know the gals want to wear these really high heels, and we guys love to see really high heels too, but there is a time and place for them. Simon.

Mae, I do like the title of your thread Your choice of heel style is great. By choosing the block style heels, your not really giving anyone something "shocking" to look at. You feel more comfortable as they are far more stable than thinner heels, and so are more appropriate. Look forward to reading more of your experiences, although with heels like those, they will become, dare I say, boring for you because they will not attract the attention that a thinner heel or pointed toe would. I particularly like the loafer style. I guess these would be the ones you are most conscious about but with the right pant length, they will look really smart. Nice to have the support of your wife and family too. Have a great trip. You are just reinforcing my view that if you want to wear heels as a guy but don't want to be too fashion forward, then sticking to the block/cuban styles is the way forward for the moment. The more that do as you do, then the more that will follow. Next real step will be the reaction of your friends. Mine just thought it mildy eccentric. Simon.

K6PS, Good story and your choice of heel style was perfect IMHO. Not nearly as shocking to the public at large as a stiletto, whatever the height. Simon.

Good man. The more that do like you have done, and more importantly don't look stupid in doing so, will help. Alright it isn't going to start an avalanche of men wearing heels, but remembering that it is the women that notice this sort of thing and if they think you look good doing what you do, then they may think of the word men and heels are compatible. The shoe style is critial though. Too high or too slender and your onto a looser straight away. 3" cuban heels as I wear constantly and I just get asked where I got them from - by men mostly. Keep on doing it and enjoying the experience. Simon.

Olounda, Look at Levi 517 jeans. These are bootcut. I have a pair and they work well with heels, yet have the looser fit to the thigh/seat area that you will not find in the ladies section. Simon.

One awesome pair of boots Xa. Now whilst the RR salesman would reply adequate concerning the price, he may well wax lyrical concerning the ride and comfort. Do tell. Gotta agree with Dr Shoe, but plus 1 or even 2. Simon.

SH, Nice pics as ever. You say shoes come from banana shoes, can you provie the model details, their product list is rather lengthy. Also, it would be useful if you would add your wife's comments on the fit. Narrower/wideer, larger or smaller than expected. Cheers Simon.

Goodness me why do you need to ask? Time to indulge yourself. Opportunities like this don't come along often. Do it properly though so you can enjoy the whole thing. I do agree with the FF & suspenders, but you MUST at the very least shave your legs, better to use Veet. You may need to consider underarm depending on the syle of dress. Indeed Dr Shoe should be giving you the right advice on this. Have fun - you lucky so and so. Simon.