Puffer

I don't think that is quite correct. The sizing-difference is often quoted by suppliers as one full size (e.g. UK11 = USM12) but in reality is usually about a half-size. The increment in both cases is, as you said, a barleycorn. That is in reality one-third of an inch, equal to 8.47mm. There is a difference between US and UK men's, as noted above. But in theory the UK (and Eu) sizes for men's and women's footwear have the same 'number', which is clearly sensible. That said, women's 'standard' footwear is invariably narrower and that can easily cloud the equality in length for a given size and expected fit. And, as we are all (painfully) aware, variations between styles and makers very often makes the nominal sizing a nonsense. Even more so when anything coming out of China is considered, where it seems that sizes are very often smaller than claimed and even ordering by foot-length is unreliable.

Your sizing is interesting; I would have expected UK10 to equate to Eu44 or USM10.5/USW12. Although I have 'traditionally' worn a UK11/Eu45/USW13 in almost any footwear, I have more recently found that a UK12/Eu46 is likely to fit better - although my feet have not grown! I own no ASOS men's shoes but I did try on a pair of its men's heeled boots last year and found the UK12 a little large (for me), suggesting the sizing was good and the UK11 would fit well. But be guided by what reviewers say as to the fit of a particular size and/or width - it is likely to vary between different models and you may well need to go 'up' a size. I do have a pair of the ASOS Recite women's boots in standard width, size UK13. They fit well enough but I would say they are at least one size smaller than claimed, so OK for 11 or 12. Another pair of ASOS women's boots I tried also fitted well in UK13 . Many of the ASOS reviews of women's footwear suggest that one should go up at least one size for a good fit. There should be some good ASOS discounts from day to day, both before Xmas and shortly afterwards.

Thanks; we seem to agree! Did you see these from ASOS; most sizes listed in standard and wide frit, and discounted to £68.00 today: https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-heeled-chelsea-boots-in-black-leather-platform-sole/prd/200859533?colourwayid=200859538&cid=4209

I assume the words in bold mean 'and see how popular they become'? I doubt that your numbers are correct; ASOS is not going to commission very short runs of anything as that would not be economic. To sell at the relatively modest prices, the factory orders must be in the hundreds per size from the outset, surely? But repeat orders (if any) could omit the less popular sizes. I am however somewhat surprised that certain styles which seemed to sell-out quite quickly have not been repeated (or replaced with something similar).

I agree. Having kept an interested eye on ASOS over the months, it seemed quite clear that the full range of sizes in various men's and women's styles were initially available (including up to UK12 or 13). I saw no evidence of a 'theoretical' range of sizes that were not in fact all initially available. But clearly some sizes (not always the largest ones) did sell out and were therefore greyed-out in a listing - but sometimes reappeared, possibly due to a customer return. The boots identified by VirginHeels above were available in most if not all sizes a week or so ago; it is surprising that only the UK6 is currently listed; perhaps the overall stock of this style was limited?

Not my cup of tea; that slanted heel makes the boot look as if it is falling over! And only UK6 left in stock it seems. Yes, it would be good to see more heeled footwear in the large sizes; Asos seems to be aware of the demand.

We are (or at least p1ng74 is) now exploring something of the history of boots! No harm in that, and it is relevant to the ongoing discussions. If we think about it, then ignoring (relatively modern) fashion trends amongst women, boots are and historically always have been essentially practical footwear, worn to cope with conditions that would not be suitable for simpler footwear such as shoes or sandals. Why would anyone want a boot, particularly a long boot (with its much greater use of leather, and therefore more expensive to buy and heavier to wear) if it were not necessary for the task - riding, wading, navigating mud or snow, protection against thorns or snakes etc? So, although basic shoes or sandals might be regarded as the norm for everyday wear, having regard to weather and climate, someone putting on boots is almost certainly preparing for a special activity, as p1ng74 suggests - and is indeed likely to get noticed as being the 'exception' to the norm. But of course we cannot ignore the fashion aspect, which will transcend any question of practicality or necessity, particularly with women. Few will bat an eyelid if they see a woman wearing long boots on a warm summer's day, or for a formal indoor function (although I for one would think both inappropriate) as we are conditioned to seeing women putting fashion, or simply personal preference, ahead of comfort, safety or style. Men, however, are not supposed to be such dedicated followers of fashion and are (allegedly) essentially practical, so wearing the 'wrong' footwear for the occasion or activity, or wearing something unduly embellished or fancy - which might include high heels - will certainly stand out and they will have their motives questioned. And as there are very few activities other than riding or being around thorns and snakes that require (or justify) long leather boots, they are not mainstream menswear, even if flat-heeled and plain. We come back therefore to the question of 'empowerment' (however one defines it) and I must conclude that a man wearing long leather boots as a fashion choice is being empowered in some way when doing so - perhaps without seeking or realising this, although the symbolism of the 'jackboot' is not lost on most of us. He likes them and/or feels good in them - and that is quite enough to provide some sort of boost to his confidence and an enhanced feeling of strength or power which no other type of footwear can really provide. I like sandals - but the common association in climates where they are not considered the everyday norm is one of gentleness or fragility and (dare I say it) effeminacy; scarcely 'empowering' characteristics.

Perhaps we should consider what we mean (or think we mean) by being 'empowered' - if that is in fact the right term. Leaving aside the 'granting of authority' meaning, it suggests acquisition of greater strength and confidence. (Cali mentions feeling 'bolder', but that is not quite the same thing.) But why? Is it because openly worn and displayed knee-boots represent power and domination - as many military personnel and dominatrices are well aware - or because a man wearing what is still generally regarded as female footwear (wellies and riding boots excepted) is being somewhat daring in doing so and therefore gets a boost, and maybe some vicarious pleasure? Or is there another reason? Do heels on the boots make a difference, or are they just the icing on the cake? I have no knee boots other than wellies but, if I were to go out in public wearing a pair (with or without heels) over trousers, I would likely feel 'daring and bold' in much the same way as when I wear high-heeled footwear of any description - because I am doing something as a man that is different and arguably (In some people's view) wrong, reprehensible or even perverted. But I'm far from sure if I would feel 'empowered' in the sense of being stronger or more confident - maybe the opposite if I am exposing myself to potential ridicule or worse, especially if I can't so easily run away!

ASOS seems to be expanding its range of women's footwear in large sizes, although some styles are being criticised by buyers as being smaller or narrower than the description implies - so care is needed. These caught my eye: Elly black fabric sock boots with a heel that is probably 4.5" for £38.00. Available up to a claimed UK13.

Really? I don't recall any nominally male footwear like that, with such a high and rounded heel. And platform boots usually had a thicker sole. If you mean a woman's style, you may be right - there was no lack of variety (or poor taste) in that decade.

I haven't bought these (nor will I) but there are two new styles from ASOS that might appeal to some, especially as both are available up to size UK12. These leather boots (107933391; £80.00) have a block heel that looks at least 3", but with a rather thick sole and square toe. They do look a tad unbalanced - the whole boot (and wearer) seems to be leaning forward. These are also leather and wide fit (107933390; £70) and the round heel looks close to 4". Again, they have a thickish sole and a very square toe. They are also available up to UK13 in a standard width. If anyone buys either style, a review here would be interesting.

Given the nature of the conversation ('his size 11'), my guess is men's 11. But Detective Pebbles will have to investigate.

If you are quoting him accurately (i.e. 'would never' is correct), it appears that he was speculating about not being able to find heels in his size 11s. But, if he said (or meant) 'could never', that would suggest that he was interested enough to have searched, but without success. As you never had the chance to continue the conversation, we shall never know the extent of his interest, but he sounds like a potential recruit to the cause!

As a follow-up to the above, the Daily Mail included on 2 November the following article, followed by comment from a staff writer. You can find it it at https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-10158761/Size-DOES-matter-darling-height-heels-improve-world-one-inch-time.html#comments but, as some of you will not be able to access it, I show below the full text, but have omitted the sizeable illustrations (which add little - we all know what high heels look like). Make of it what you will; it doesn't appear to me to have much scientific credibility. The readers' online comments (70+ so far) are hardly worth reading; the usual mix of females moaning about sexist articles and fashions and men liking the look. A couple of people advocate male heel-wearing - what a weird idea! = = = = = = Size DOES matter, darling! As a study finds heels lift your love life, how - from a perter bottom to a boost in the boardroom - the height of your heels can improve your world... one inch at a time Women have long assured their lovers that size doesn’t matter. Yet this week, scientists ruled that a specific number of inches are key to sexual satisfaction — just not in the way you think. A study found that wearing a pair of two-inch heels can boost a woman’s love life by helping to tone her pelvic floor. Researchers said that shoes of this height tilt the pelvis just enough to make the muscles in the area contract, keeping them in such good shape that it may lead to more powerful contractions during orgasm. But could your stilettos help lift more than just your love life? For, although we’ve long complained about their being uncomfortable, there are scientifically proved benefits to wearing heels — not to mention social ones. From good posture to getting a promotion, TANITH CAREY looks at how heels could improve your life . . . inch by inch. ONE INCH HEELS... FOR PERFECT POSTURE If you want to hold your head high, a shoe of just under one inch high may help — as The Crown star Elizabeth Debicki demonstrates here If you want to hold your head high, a shoe of just under one inch high may help — as The Crown star Elizabeth Debicki demonstrates here. Physiotherapist Tim Allardyce, clinical director at Surrey Physio, says: ‘Wearing a heel under one inch high can move your centre of gravity forward, encouraging you to hold yourself more upright as you try to come back from a forward position. ‘As you elevate the heel, your centre of gravity moves forward. This means that to bring your body back to a neutral centre of gravity, you may tend to arch your back slightly and lift your posture into a more upright position.’ Footwear expert Katie Owen, of shoe company Sargasso & Grey, agrees: ‘Wearing styles with a small heel is better for your feet than wearing completely flat ones. ‘A heel will take the strain off the achilles tendon [the tissue that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone] and will actually feel more comfortable than having no heel at all.’ TWO-INCH HEELS... FOR A SIZZLING SEX LIFE Heels have helped make many women feel sexier and, it seems, that translates into physical benefits, too. Researchers at Shanghai’s Fudan University, quizzed 1,263 women about the height of the heels they wore — from under one inch to more than three inches. They found that those who wore two-inch-high shoes tilted their pelvis just enough to make the muscles there contract, keeping them in better shape and likely to contract more strongly during orgasm. But it’s not just your sex life that can be improved with a pair of two-inch heels. Four in ten British women struggle with bladder control. And a study published this summer in the journal Translational Andrology And Urology reported that two-inch heel shoes are just the right height to keep a woman well balanced and also to strengthen the muscle fibres in the area. ‘Wearing shoes [like this] for more than eight hours per day was protective for the pelvic floor function of women,’ they explained. In turn, this could support the muscles that open and close the urethra — the tube that runs from the bladder to outside of the body — helping to prevent leaks. However, the researchers did add that it was important that the heel width of the shoes should be around three centimeters wide, in order to keep the wearer’s body centred. ‘An added benefit of heels is that they can help tone your important leg muscles,’ says Mr Kumar Kunasingam, consultant orthopaedic surgeon of the schoen-clinic.co.uk. ‘High heels do augment and build muscular calves as women become used to walking and effectively balancing themselves with the added height. ‘The toning effect can reach the calves, hamstrings and even glutes, as shoe heels effectively tilt us naturally forwards as we place them on our feet. ‘The wearer then has to work to keep upright by slightly leaning backwards to stand straight and walk forward.’ Podiatrist Simone Paul, of The Third Space Medical, says heels can improve circulation in the legs, too. ‘Two-inch heels activate the calf muscle, which is good for circulatory flow to the feet and legs, as well as providing arch support [in the foot].’ THREE-INCH HEELS... FOR A HIGH-FLYING CAREER As one of our most respected business women, and the founder of the 30% Club to improve gender balance in the boardroom, Dame Helena Morrissey knows how to dress for success. While some may claim it’s anti-feminist for women to wear heels in the workplace in this day and age, Dame Helena has always been a keen advocate of them. ‘I’m not embarrassed to admit I wear high heels because I feel more powerful in them,’ explains Helena, author of new book Style And Substance. While she says there is no exact ‘ideal’ height, her preferred heel is a bit over three inches — taking her up to an impressive 5 ft 10 in. And it would seem that scientists agree. In fact, when given digitally lengthened and shortened pictures of females, both men and women judge a tall female as more intelligent, assertive, independent and ambitious, a study by the University of Liverpool found. Helena adds: ‘I don’t think there is a single ‘ideal’ for all women in business — the ideal is what makes a specific woman feel at her best, most authoritative, most confident, most impactful. ‘Personally, I like the extra height that heels bestow and the fact that they help me feel more confident — and improve my posture. I stand up straighter, hold my shoulders better.’ According to America’s Brigham Young University, this heel height also makes a woman more careful about spending cash, too. Researchers found that the heightened sense of balance means women in higher heels are more likely to weigh up their options and buy a product that’s better value, according to a study for the Journal Of Marketing Research. Marketing professor Jeffrey Larson says the study shows how physical feelings can affect the decisions we make, adding: ‘If you’re someone who tends to overspend, or you’re kind of an extreme person, then maybe you ought to consider shopping in high heels.’ THREE-AND-A-HALF-INCH HEELS... FOR A KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR A study in The Archives Of Sexual Behaviour found if a woman dropped a glove in the street while wearing flat shoes, it was picked up and returned by men 60 per cent of the time. Yet if she wore heels over 3.5 in high, men returned the glove 95 per cent of the time. It may be that high heels make a woman appear vulnerable, more feminine and in need of assistance. Heels don’t make females totally helpless, though. Researchers at Portsmouth University found that an average woman wearing heels actually walks faster, taking 110 steps a minute, compared to 106 steps in flat shoes. FOUR-INCH HEELS... FOR A PERKY DERRIERE Who needs to spend hours doing squats in the gym when you’ve got a pair of killer heels, as Scarlett Johansson demonstrates. In heels, the pressure on the front of the foot rises from 30 lb per square inch to as much as 240 lb. This tipping serves to push the body forward, forcing the muscles in the calves, thighs and ultimately buttocks to work harder to help keep the wearer upright, according to a University of Indiana study. And the higher the heel, the more the bottom has to tense to stay upright, with a four-inch heel doing the most to mimic the look of a toned behind. ‘As soon as your toes are forced forward, your body leans forwards and your calf and buttocks start to tense up to oppose that force,’ explains podiatrist Christophe Champs, of PODO London. ‘The glutes look more toned because they are trying to hold you back.’ However, he adds: ‘It’s only a temporary effect because you are not building muscle.’ P.S: STICK TO FLATS FOR BEAUTIFUL FEET... While heels may make your body look slimmer and more elegant, unfortunately prolonged wear won’t do the same for your feet. This is because the pressure put on the ball of the foot increases with the height of the heel. This forces the delicate foot bones into a narrow space, and they form claw toes. Flat shoe wearers, such as Anya Taylor Joy, are also spared the most common and unsightly foot problem known as hallux valgus or bunions. This is when regularly forcing the foot into a triangular shoe shape under pressure tilts the big toe over towards the smaller toes and a bony lump appears at the base of the outer joint. Studies estimate about 30 pc of women suffer with bunions, particularly those who wear high heels for long periods for work. High heels pave my way to good sex! BY ROSIE MILLARD FOR THE DAILY MAIL There is nothing quite like wearing heels. And however much fashion editors or wildly tall women such as Carla Bruni might try to suggest flats should replace them in women’s affections, we all know that’s rubbish. When I was a child in the 1970s, I remember my headmistress ringing my mother, a doctor, begging her to write some learned tract for her to use in assembly about how platform heels may ruin the ‘organs’ of girls. My mother laughed her head off. ‘They might ruin your back but that’s it,’ she said. There is no question high heels have a sexual alchemy which is irresistible. Even though they can be painful. Particularly now. After two years of lockdown, my feet aren’t used to being in heels. Not that I care. Yes, I will be reawakening my relationship with the chiropodist. Yes, it will be brutal. Yes, it may involve laddered tights, pedicures, blister plasters or those metatarsal pads for the balls of your feet. But, oh, how wonderful it is to whip on those leg-lengthening, curve enhancing, sexy accoutrements once more. They make clothes instantly look better. And, believe me, the best ones are designed so you can actually run for the bus. I write this as a marathon runner who has had about as many running shoes as heels. At my wedding day this year, I was going to sport a pair of sensible heels (in other words, dowdy) until the day dawned and my Best Lady Alison and I realised they would not do. ‘Put these on,’ ordered Alison, holding a pair of 4in beauties. ‘They are so much sexier, don’t think about the pain.’ She was right. Heels make you feel desirable. The fact my new husband is almost a foot taller than me — he’s 6ft 7in — also means that if I wear flat shoes he is breathing a different atmosphere. Are they the key to sexual fulfilment? Well, they might pave the way. In a sometimes uncomfortable but always gorgeous manner.

But surely you have some 'killer heels' (dreadful expression!)? And I don't mean the type worn by Rosa Klebb: